Car hire in the USA is the only way to see the country on your own terms, from the Pacific Coast Highway to Route 66, the Florida coastline to the deserts of Nevada. Compare cheap car hire in the USA from over 500 suppliers in a single search, with real-time availability, no hidden fees and free cancellation on most bookings.
Whether you are renting a car in Florida for the beaches, picking up in Las Vegas for a desert road trip or comparing car rental in New York for a city break, car hire in the USA opens up distances that no train or bus network can practically cover. This guide explains how car hire in the USA works for visitors: what you need to collect the car, how insurance and tolls differ from home, the driving rules that catch first-timers out, and which destination to base yourself in.
One thing to know up front: in the USA, “car hire” and “car rental” mean exactly the same thing. Americans say rent a car or rental car, the rest of the world says car hire. You will see both terms used throughout this guide and across every rental desk in the country.
Choose Your US Car Hire Destination
Car hire in the USA starts with picking your base. Each destination below has a complete local guide covering airport pickup, the best routes, local driving quirks and the cheapest deals. Renting a car to Florida, New York or Las Vegas each calls for slightly different planning, so start with your destination.
Car Hire in Florida
Collect at Orlando, Miami or Fort Lauderdale. The Atlantic and Gulf coasts, the Keys and the theme parks. SunPass tolls on most routes, and renting a car in Florida is essential for the distances between the coasts. Best value November to April.
Car Hire in Miami
Collect at Miami International or Fort Lauderdale. Ocean Drive, the Art Deco district, the drive down to the Keys and the Everglades on the doorstep. Renting a car in Miami is the easy way to combine South Beach with the wider Florida coast, and it links straight into our Florida guide.
Car Hire in New York
Collect at JFK, Newark or LaGuardia. Skip the car for Manhattan itself and pick up on your way out for the Hudson Valley, the Catskills and New England. E-ZPass tolls throughout the Northeast. Car rental in New York suits the day you leave the city, not the days inside it.
Car Hire in Las Vegas
Collect at Harry Reid International. The gateway to the Grand Canyon, Zion, Death Valley and Route 66. Car hire in Las Vegas turns the Strip into the start of the greatest road trips in the American Southwest. Book an convertible and drive out at sunrise.
How Car Hire in the USA Works for Visitors
Automatic as Standard
Almost every hire car in the USA is an automatic. Manuals are so rare that most suppliers do not stock them, which suits UK and European visitors who would rather not change gear on unfamiliar roads. Cars are larger on average than at home, and the standard fleet runs from compact sedans to full-size SUVs.
Minimum Age and Young Driver Fees
Most suppliers set the minimum age for car hire in the USA at 25. Drivers aged 21 to 24 can usually rent but pay a young driver surcharge of roughly $25 to $35 a day. Under 21 is rare and restricted to a few states. Always check the age policy before renting a car in the USA, as it varies by supplier and state.
Your Driving Licence and ID
UK and most European licences are accepted for car hire in the USA for stays up to the length of a standard tourist visa. An International Driving Permit is not required for English-language licences but is recommended and occasionally requested. You also need a credit card in the main driver’s name and your passport. For official entry and documentation guidance, see the US State Department travel pages.
Insurance: CDW, LDW and Liability
This is where car hire in the USA differs most from home. The headline rate often excludes the cover UK drivers assume is included. Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) or Loss Damage Waiver (LDW) covers the car itself. Supplemental Liability Insurance (SLI) covers damage to others, and US state minimums are low, so SLI is widely recommended. Compare what is and is not included before you book, as adding cover at the desk is always the most expensive option.
Tolls and Electronic Toll Systems
Many US highways are tolled, and most use electronic systems with no cash booth. Florida uses SunPass, the Northeast including New York uses E-ZPass. Hire cars are usually fitted with a transponder, billed through a supplier toll programme that can add a daily fee plus the toll itself. Ask how tolls are handled when renting a car in the USA, as the convenience fees add up on a long trip.
One-Way Rentals and Fuel
One-way car hire in the USA is common and makes point-to-point road trips easy, though a one-way drop fee may apply on longer routes. Fuel is sold by the US gallon (3.8 litres) and is far cheaper than in the UK. Many stations require prepayment, and returning the car with a full tank avoids the supplier’s inflated refuelling charge.
Car Hire in the USA: What It Costs
Car hire in the USA is generally affordable by UK standards, though rates swing hard by season, state and how far ahead you book. Florida and Nevada are cheapest in their off-peak windows, while New York and the coasts peak in summer. Booking three to four weeks ahead is the reliable sweet spot for price and choice.
| Vehicle class | Typical daily rate | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Economy / Compact | From £22/day | City breaks, couples, low fuel costs |
| Intermediate / Full-size | £30 to £45/day | Families, longer road trips, comfort |
| SUV | £40 to £70/day | National parks, groups, luggage |
| Convertible | £45 to £80/day | The Florida coast, the Pacific Coast Highway, the Strip |
| Rates are indicative for compact-and-up classes booked online in advance. US size classes run larger than UK equivalents. Walk-up counter rates and desk-added insurance are always more expensive than booking car hire in the USA before you fly. | ||
Driving Rules for Car Hire in the USA
Car hire in the USA drives on the right and overtakes on the left. The rules are broadly familiar but a few catch visitors out, and they vary state by state. For official guidance on visiting and driving, see the official US government portal at USA.gov.
Speed Limits
Speed limits are posted in miles per hour. Typical limits run 25 to 30 mph in residential areas, 55 mph on rural roads and 65 to 75 mph on interstates, higher in some western states. Always follow the posted signs, which override the defaults.
| Road type | Typical limit |
|---|---|
| Residential / school zones | 25 to 30 mph |
| Urban roads | 35 to 45 mph |
| Rural highways | 55 mph |
| Interstates | 65 to 75 mph |
| Limits vary by state and are always superseded by posted signs. Some western states post 80 mph on rural interstates. Fines for speeding in a hire car are billed through the rental supplier after the trip. | |
The Rules That Catch Visitors Out
Turning right on a red light is legal in most states after a full stop, unless a sign forbids it. A flashing yellow light means proceed with caution. School buses with flashing lights mean stop in both directions. Undertaking is common on multi-lane highways, so check all mirrors before changing lane. Seat belts are mandatory, handheld phone use is illegal in most states, and the drink-drive limit is 0.08% blood alcohol, with severe penalties for driving under the influence.
Frequently Asked Questions: Car Hire in the USA
Is it cheaper to book car hire in the USA before I fly?
Yes, almost always. Booking car hire in the USA online in advance is consistently cheaper than walking up to the counter on arrival, and it locks in availability in your preferred class. Rates rise sharply in peak season, so renting a car in the USA three to four weeks ahead is the reliable approach.
Do I need an International Driving Permit to rent a car in the USA?
Not for an English-language licence. UK and Irish licences are accepted for car hire in the USA without an IDP, though carrying one does no harm and a few states request it. Non-English licences should be accompanied by an IDP. You also need a passport and a credit card in the main driver’s name.
How old do you have to be for car hire in the USA?
Most suppliers set the minimum at 25. Drivers aged 21 to 24 can rent a car in the USA with a young driver surcharge of roughly $25 to $35 a day. Under 21 is uncommon and limited to certain states.
Are car hire and car rental the same thing in the USA?
Yes. Car hire is the British term and car rental is the American term for the same service: renting a car short-term from a supplier. Whether you search car hire in the USA or car rental in the USA, you are looking at the same vehicles and the same desks.
What is the best way to handle tolls with a US hire car?
Most hire cars in the USA come fitted with an electronic toll transponder (SunPass in Florida, E-ZPass in the Northeast). Tolls are billed through the supplier, usually with a daily convenience fee. On a short trip this is fine. On a long road trip, ask your supplier about the cheapest option, as the daily fees add up.
Compare Cheap Car Hire in the USA
From the Pacific Coast Highway to the Florida Keys, the USA was built for the road trip, and a hire car is the only way to do it justice. Sort your car before you fly, understand the insurance and tolls, and pick the destination that fits your trip. Getcarhire.com compares cheap car hire in the USA from over 500 suppliers, with no hidden fees and free cancellation on most vehicles. Start your trip with car hire in Florida, car hire in Miami, car hire in New York or car hire in Las Vegas, and let the open road do the rest.
