Car rental in Los Angeles, CA
Pick up at LAX, Burbank or Long Beach and drive LA your way — from Hollywood to the Pacific Coast Highway, this is a city made for the open road.
Plan. Pick. Drive LA.
A car rental in Los Angeles is the single best decision you'll make for your trip. LA is famously a driving city — sprawling, freeway-laced and impossible to see end to end without four wheels of your own. The moment you pick up your keys at LAX, Hollywood Burbank (BUR) or Long Beach (LGB), the whole region clicks into reach: Hollywood and the Griffith Observatory, the beaches of Santa Monica and Venice, the galleries of the Getty, and the canyon roads that tie them all together.
This is also one of the few cities where the car itself is part of the fun — convertibles, luxury and exotic rentals are in high demand for good reason. Drop the top and run the Pacific Coast Highway up to Malibu, or point east toward Palm Springs for the weekend. Traffic is the one constant, so plan around the freeways and the carpool lanes, lean on LA's deep EV-charging network if you're driving electric, and let the car turn a vast city into your own.
Los Angeles, CA car rental: How it works
Booking a car in LA takes minutes — find it, book it, and pick it up near your terminal or neighborhood.
Enter a date and location in Los Angeles, CA (or beyond), filter to find the best car for you, and read reviews from previous renters.
Rent a car nearby or get one delivered to many airports, train stations, hotels, or even your home.
Your host sends pickup details, and you head straight for the roads of Los Angeles. Questions? Chat with your host or contact support anytime.
Recent Los Angeles, CA car rental reviews
- APorsche 911 · 2023
“PCH up to Malibu in a convertible — unreal. The host met me right at LAX arrivals and made it effortless.”
Ava — April 2, 2026 - MTesla Model 3 · 2024
“Lived in it for a week around the Westside. Chargers everywhere and a super smooth handoff.”
Marcus — January 27, 2026 - NFord Bronco · 2023
“Took it to Joshua Tree for the weekend. Booking was quick and the host was flexible on pickup time.”
Nina — November 15, 2025
Things to do
and places to see
in Los Angeles, CA
With a rental car, LA's scattered icons line up into one easy day. Catch the city from the hills in the morning, the ocean in the afternoon and world-class art before sunset — all on your own schedule, no transit transfers required.
Rent the perfect car
- Griffith Observatory & the Hollywood Sign
Sweeping views over the LA basin and the city's most famous landmark, set high in Griffith Park. A car makes the climb up the hill simple.
- Santa Monica Pier & Venice Beach
Classic Southern California coastline, from the pier's Ferris wheel to the Venice boardwalk. Drive over, park, and spend the day by the water.
- The Getty Center
Free world-class art, architecture and gardens with commanding views, perched above the 405. Easy to reach and worth the trip with your own wheels.
Extend your weekend
or work trip
LA is the launch point for Southern California. With a car, the coast, the desert, and the mountains are all an easy day's drive — or an overnight when the schedule opens up.
- 45m30 mi westMalibu & PCH
The Pacific Coast Highway hugs the cliffs past surf breaks and seafood shacks. The quintessential LA drive.
- 2h 30m130 mi eastJoshua Tree
Surreal rock piles and desert stars. The drive out through the pass is a gateway to a different world.
- 1h 45m95 mi NWSanta Barbara
Spanish-Mediterranean charm, wine country, and an easy coastal cruise up the 101.
- 2h120 mi southSan Diego
Beaches, Balboa Park, and the zoo. A straightforward run down the I-5 for a change of pace.
Why rent a car on Ride?
Find deals on all kinds of drives in Los Angeles, CA — and throughout the U.S. — from the everyday to the extraordinary. Rent the perfect vehicle for your budget.
Get your car delivered right to you or wherever you're going. Many hosts offer delivery to custom locations or popular points of interest, like airports, train stations, and hotels.
24/7 support and roadside assistance mean help is just a call away — plus you can choose from a range of protection plans.
ride.auto vs. traditional
car rental
Rental car pickup locations
throughout Los Angeles
Get your vehicle delivered right to you or wherever you're going in Los Angeles, CA, including Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). Popular Los Angeles pickup locations include:
- LAX
The region's main international gateway on the Westside, with the widest selection and quick access to Santa Monica, Venice and the coast.
- Hollywood Burbank (BUR)
A smaller, faster airport on the north side, ideal if you're heading for Hollywood, the Valley or Pasadena.
- Around LA
Pick up closer to where you're staying, from DTLA and Hollywood to Santa Monica and beyond, or use Long Beach (LGB), John Wayne / Orange County (SNA) or Ontario (ONT) when they're nearer your plans.
Airport pickup made easy
Hosts meet you curbside or deliver to the terminal at airports across Southern California.
Hosts deliver to easy meet-up points at the airport, so you can skip the terminal hustle and get comfortable with the car without a rush.
Skip the rental counter at hundreds of popular airports. Find and pick up the car with the app and hit the road in no time.
Cancel for a full refund within 24 hours of booking (1 hour for last-minute trips), or pick a Flexible car for a window up to 14 days out.
Los Angeles car rentals for any occasion
Filming for a season, relocating, or in town for an extended project? Monthly and long-term rentals in LA bridge the gaps between leases and moves — pick something comfortable for the daily freeway grind.
Premiere, wedding or a night out in Hollywood? This is the city to rent something special — a convertible, luxury or exotic car that suits the occasion and turns the drive into part of the event.
Planning beaches, theme parks and a PCH road trip? A convertible makes the coast unforgettable, while a roomy SUV keeps the whole crew comfortable from Malibu to San Diego.
Top tips for renting a car in Los Angeles
Getting around Los Angeles is easy once you know what to expect on the road. These tips help you move smoothly from the moment you pick up your car to the last mile.
What are the road rules and driving conditions in Los Angeles?
Plan around traffic — it's the defining factor of driving in LA, and a car is still essential despite it. Lean on the freeway and HOV/carpool-lane culture to keep moving, and remember that right turn on red is legal after a full stop. LA is very EV-friendly, so electric rentals are easy to live with here.
What is parking like in Los Angeles?
Parking is tough in Santa Monica, Hollywood and Venice, so budget for paid lots and valet in those areas. Many meters are pay-by-app, and you'll see street-cleaning and permit-only zones — read the signs carefully to avoid tickets and tows.
Are there toll roads in Los Angeles?
LA's freeways are free. You'll only pay on optional FasTrak express/HOT lanes — the I-110 and I-10 Metro ExpressLanes, plus the I-405 and 91 Express and Orange County toll roads (73, 241, 261, 133), which are cashless toll-by-plate. A FasTrak transponder is required for some express lanes, so check with your host before using them.
Are there gas stations and EV chargers in Los Angeles?
Fuel is abundant across the metro, and LA has the densest EV-charging network in the US, including many Superchargers. Electric rentals are a genuinely practical choice here.
Do I need to rent a car in Los Angeles?
Yes — a car is strongly recommended in Los Angeles. Walkability is low overall and, while Metro is expanding, the region's beaches, hills, neighborhoods and day trips are all far easier to reach with your own vehicle.
Frequently asked questions
about Los Angeles car rentals
How much does it cost to rent a car?
Expect around the daily rate shown in the stats bar (From $14/day, ~$58/day average). Prices vary by car type, season and how far ahead you book, and premium categories like convertibles and exotics sit well above the average.
What types of cars can I rent?
You'll find the full range — economy cars, sedans, SUVs and vans — plus an unusually deep selection of convertibles, luxury and exotic cars. LA's demand for premium and drop-top rentals is among the strongest anywhere.
What documents and paperwork do you need to rent a car on Ride?
A valid driver's license, a credit or debit card, and proof of insurance if you're declining a protection plan. International renters need a passport and, in some states, an International Driving Permit alongside their home license.
Is insurance included when renting a car on Ride?
Third-party liability insurance comes standard on every trip. Beyond that you choose a vehicle protection plan at checkout, which sets your deductible and what damage is covered.
Can someone else drive the car I rent?
Yes — additional drivers can be added to the booking. Each one needs to be approved before they drive, so add them when you book rather than at handoff.
What happens if the car breaks down?
Roadside assistance is included on every trip and support is available 24/7. Contact support first; they'll coordinate with your host and arrange recovery.
Can I cancel a booking?
Yes. Cancellation is free within 24 hours of booking (1 hour for last-minute trips), or pick a Flexible car for a window up to 14 days out.
