California Cities Rank Among Most Expensive Car Rental Destinations in Fall 2024

California’s major cities are outpacing the broader trend of modest price hikes across the U.S.Photo byObi - @pixel9propicsonUnsplash

A new survey by Cheapcarrental.com has revealed that several California cities rank among the priciest destinations in the U.S. for car rentals this fall. The survey compared rates at 100 airports across the country for the period from September to November 2024, placing two major California cities—San Francisco and Los Angeles—on the top 10 list.

While Little Rock, Arkansas, emerged as the most expensive city for car rentals with an average daily rate of $95 at Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport, California’s Palm Springs, San Francisco, and Los Angeles also ranked high in the survey.

San Francisco International Airport (SFO) came in eighth place, with an average daily rental rate of $82. San Francisco remains a popular destination for both business and leisure travelers, but the high demand for rental cars, combined with the city's bustling tourism industry, has contributed to the elevated rates.

Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), another major travel hub in the state, rounded out the top 10, with average daily rates of $80. With its sprawling urban layout, car rentals are a vital part of many visitors' itineraries, helping to explain the high demand and accompanying costs.

Palm Springs International Airport (PSP), known for serving tourists looking to enjoy the desert city's resorts and golf courses, ranks seventh, with average daily rates of $83. As a popular destination for travelers year-round, Palm Springs sees higher rental prices during its peak season.

In contrast to these high prices, the national average increase in rental car rates is just 0.5% compared to last year, indicating that California’s major cities are outpacing the broader trend of modest price hikes across the U.S. In Little Rock, rental car prices surged by 20% compared to fall 2023.

Top 10 Most Expensive U.S. Car Rental Destinations Fall 2024:

1. Little Rock (LIT) - $95
2. Charleston (CHS) - $91
3. Madison (MAD) - $87
4. Reno (RNO) - $86
5. St. Petersburg (PIE) - $86
6. Boise (BOI) - $85
7. Palm Springs (PSP) - $83
8. Colorado Springs (COS) - $82
9. San Francisco (SFO) - $82
10. Los Angeles (LAX) - $80