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California

Cheap Car Rentals in California from RM 138

This price is the cheapest per day rate found by a Cheapflights user in the last 48 hours by searching for a car hire in California with a pick-up date of 13/7 and drop-off date of 20/7. Fares are subject to change and may not be available at all agencies or on all dates of hire. Click the price to replicate the search for this deal.
Driver's age: 26-65
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California car rentals in 2025

Get helpful information to start your search for the perfect car rental in California. The average price data is based on the last 12 months and was last updated on 13 June 2025.

Most popular company

Thrifty

Most common car type

Compact

Average price per day

RM 207

Cheapest price per day

RM 138

Popular car types in California

Explore the most popular car models available for rent in California and choose the one that suits your needs. The price data is sourced from various car rental companies and was last updated on 13 June 2025.

There are currently 17,429 hire locations operating in California spread across 352 car hire agencies. In the past week, the cheapest car type to hire in California is small car at RM 138 a day. Below are all the 4 car types available for hiring in the area, along with estimated starting prices:

Economy

Economy

RM 138+

Compact

Compact

RM 139+

Intermediate

Intermediate

RM 149+

Standard

Standard

RM 151+

Full-size

Full-size

RM 165+

People carrier

People carrier

RM 299+

Full-size SUV

Full-size SUV

RM 184+

Premium

Premium

RM 164+

Premium SUV

Premium SUV

RM 415+

Compact SUV

Compact SUV

RM 158+

Standard SUV

Standard SUV

RM 175+

Intermediate SUV

Intermediate SUV

RM 177+

Compare car rental deals in California by type

Here are the best California small car hire prices found by Cheapflights users in the past 7 days:

Here are the best California medium car hire prices found by Cheapflights users in the past 7 days:

Here are the best California large car hire prices found by Cheapflights users in the past 7 days:

Here are the best California SUV hire prices found by Cheapflights users in the past 7 days:

Proton SagaRM 138/day
2
M
A/C
Proton Saga
Proton SagaRM 138/day
2
M
A/C
Proton Saga
Honda CityRM 142/day
4
M
A/C
Honda City

Best car rental deals found in California

Browse through a selection of recently found affordable car rental deals in California. Plan your trip with ease and find the perfect rental option for your needs. There are currently 8 rental car agencies in California with an average daily rate of RM 190. Data was last updated on 13 June 2025.
These are some of the best options we've found for those looking for car rentals in California, including options within a close proximity to Los Angeles, San Francisco and Irvine. Make sure to examine important information for each deal, including price, car type, and pickup location.
Proton SagaRM 138/day
2
M
A/C
Proton Saga
Proton SagaRM 138/day
2
M
A/C
Proton Saga
Perodua BezzaRM 139/day
4
M
A/C
Perodua Bezza

Cheapflights insights for California car rentals

Get relevant, data-driven information to help you hire a car in California, including pricing trends, ideal booking times, and more.

How far in advance should I hire a car in California?

To get the best deal on car hire in California, book about 7 days before your trip. At that point, average daily prices are around RM 168, which is about 248% cheaper than the typical rate.

What is the cheapest car hire company in California?

Thrifty is currently the cheapest car hire company in California with deals as low as RM 111.05/day found in the past two weeks. Dollar is another inexpensive option with rates as low as RM 139.30/day.

What is the best car rental company in California?

Based on Cheapflights user feedback, the highest-rated car rental company in California is Hertz (rated 6.0/10 with 1,205 reviews). Alamo (rated 8.4/10 with 187 reviews) is also highly rated by our users.

What is the cheapest month to rent a car in California?

At California, the best time to rent a car is at January, with an average daily rate of just RM 163. Conversely, July is the priciest month, averaging RM 247 per day. Below youll find the monthly average rental prices. Note that costs can fluctuate depending on availability, booking time, and vehicle type.|1#In California, the best time to rent a car is in January, with an average daily rate of just RM 163. Conversely, July is the priciest month, averaging RM 247 per day. Below youll find the monthly average rental prices. Note that costs can fluctuate depending on availability, booking time, and vehicle type.

January

RM 163

February

RM 167

March

RM 185

April

RM 198

May

RM 201

June

RM 216

July

RM 247

August

RM 225

September

RM 202

October

RM 207

November

RM 200

December

RM 222

What car do most people hire in California?

The most popular types of cars to hire in California are the following: SUV cars (Chevrolet Equinox or similar), Intermediate cars (Mazda Mazda5 or similar), and Standard cars (Hyundai Santa Fe or similar).

Which car hire company has the most locations in California?

Enterprise Rent-A-Car has 112 locations throughout the area, more than any other company. Hertz has the second-highest number of locations in California at 90.

Top rental agencies in California

Explore the leading car rental agencies in California known for their outstanding service and extensive range of vehicles to choose from. There are currently 8 car rental companies in California. Reviews were last updated on 13 June 2025.
Browse through some of the top rental car agencies in California, including pickup locations serving Los Angeles, San Francisco and Irvine. See what past customers have to say, compare prices, and review other key details before deciding.

Hertz

6.0
Okay
1205 reviews90 locations
Overview

Cleanliness

6.8

Comfort

6.7

Overall

5.9

Pick-up/drop-off

5.9

Value

6.1

Alamo

8.4
Very Good
187 reviews14 locations
Overview

Cleanliness

8.7

Comfort

8.6

Overall

8.3

Pick-up/drop-off

8.4

Value

8.0

Enterprise Rent-A-Car

7.7
Good
418 reviews112 locations
Overview

Cleanliness

8.0

Comfort

7.9

Overall

7.7

Pick-up/drop-off

7.7

Value

7.6

Sixt

7.3
Good
357 reviews16 locations
Overview

Cleanliness

7.9

Comfort

7.9

Overall

7.3

Pick-up/drop-off

7.3

Value

7.2

Avis

6.3
Okay
549 reviews56 locations
Overview

Cleanliness

7.1

Comfort

7.1

Overall

6.3

Pick-up/drop-off

6.4

Value

6.4

Budget

6.3
Okay
981 reviews56 locations
Overview

Cleanliness

7.1

Comfort

7.1

Overall

6.3

Pick-up/drop-off

6.4

Value

6.3

Midway

6.2
Okay
492 reviews16 locations
Overview

Cleanliness

7.1

Comfort

6.8

Overall

6.2

Pick-up/drop-off

5.8

Value

6.7

Dollar

5.6
Fair
519 reviews48 locations
Overview

Cleanliness

6.8

Comfort

6.6

Overall

5.6

Pick-up/drop-off

5.5

Value

5.9

Car rental FAQs

Find answers to frequently asked questions about car rentals in California, including policies, requirements, and more. FAQs were last updated on 13 June 2025.
  • How much does it cost to hire a car in California for a week from Thrifty?

    Thrifty is one of the most popular car hire companies in California, offering car hire for around RM 1,564 per week on average.

  • Can I rent a car for a month in California?

    Yes, you can rent a car for a month in California check Cheapflights for the latest prices and car type availability.

Car rentals by fuel type in California

Browse car rentals by fuel type in California. Currently, Electric cars are the cheapest to rent in California. Deals were last updated on 13 June 2025.

Browse through car rental deals by fuel type in California. There are currently 3 fuel types to choose from with Electric being the cheapest (RM 30+).

Electric

Electric

RM 30+

Hybrid

Hybrid

RM 32+

Petrol/Diesel

Petrol/Diesel

RM 100+

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