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Car Rental in Santa Cruz
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Cheapest car rental rates
Toyota RAV4
or similar Intermediate SUV
Automatic
5
A/C
4
$64.68
per day
Rental office
Low deposit
Instant confirmation!
Unlimited mileage
Pay now
Toyota Camry
or similar Full-size
Automatic
5
A/C
4
$70.27
per day
Rental office
Low deposit
Instant confirmation!
Unlimited mileage
Pay now
Volkswagen Jetta
or similar Standard
Automatic
5
A/C
4
$68.27
per day
Rental office
Low deposit
Instant confirmation!
Unlimited mileage
Pay now
Toyota Corolla
or similar Intermediate
Automatic
5
A/C
4
$65.08
per day
Rental office
Low deposit
Instant confirmation!
Unlimited mileage
Pay now
Most popular car rental deals
Ford Edge
or similar Standard SUV
Automatic
5
A/C
4
$75.86
per day
Rental office
Low deposit
Instant confirmation!
Unlimited mileage
Pay now
Chevrolet Equinox
or similar Standard SUV
Automatic
5
A/C
5
$77.86
per day
Rental office
Low deposit
Instant confirmation!
Unlimited mileage
Pay now
The above prices are only approximate and were last updated at 14:21 on 30/10/26. Prices may vary based on the booking dates, length of rental, and car class.
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Special offers
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Table of contents
- Cheapest car rental rates
- Most popular car rental deals
- Why book with us?
- Travel information
- Top 20 cities near Santa Cruz
- Top 20 locations near Santa Cruz
- Map of top car rental locations
- When to book in Santa Cruz and for how long?
- Car rental information
- Most popular car models of rental suppliers
- Frequently Asked Questions (updated: Oct 24, 2026)
- Car rental statistics
- Top 3 suppliers in Santa Cruz in 2026
- Award-winning service
Travel information
Languages
English, Spanish
Currency
USD
Drive on
Right-hand side
Country code
+1
Average car rental price
$70 per day
Average car rental length
7 days
Speed limit within town
40–48 km/h
or
25–30 mph
Speed limit out of town
88–104 km/h
or
55–65 mph
Acceptable limit of BAC
0.08%
Average gas price
$1.27 per liter or $4.81 per gallon
Lowest gas price
$1.11 per liter or $4.20 per gallon
Highest gas price
$1.62 per liter or $6.13 per gallon
Top 20 cities near Santa Cruz
- San Josefrom $45.59 per day40.4 km / 25.1 miles away
- Montereyfrom $56.59 per day43.4 km / 26.97 miles away
- Oaklandfrom $55.80 per day94.6 km / 58.78 miles away
- San Franciscofrom $32.14 per day96.2 km / 59.78 miles away
- Santa Rosafrom $59.28 per day183.9 km / 114.27 miles away
- Sacramentofrom $46.58 per day192.2 km / 119.43 miles away
- Fresnofrom $56.76 per day201.3 km / 125.08 miles away
- Visaliafrom $74.23 per day255 km / 158.45 miles away
- Mammoth Lakesfrom $62.13 per day280.6 km / 174.36 miles away
- Truckeefrom $74.38 per day307.4 km / 191.01 miles away
- Bakersfieldfrom $69.89 per day323.5 km / 201.01 miles away
- Santa Barbarafrom $67.47 per day353.2 km / 219.47 miles away
- Burbankfrom $64.28 per day458 km / 284.59 miles away
- Santa Monicafrom $47.96 per day459.2 km / 285.33 miles away
- Beverly Hillsfrom $60.40 per day461.7 km / 286.89 miles away
- Hollywoodfrom $78.25 per day463.9 km / 288.25 miles away
- Los Angelesfrom $55.58 per day471.4 km / 292.91 miles away
- McKinleyvillefrom $43.36 per day480 km / 298.26 miles away
- Long Beachfrom $61.82 per day498.1 km / 309.5 miles away
- Anaheimfrom $37.86 per day508.5 km / 315.97 miles away
Top 20 locations near Santa Cruz
- San Jose Airportfrom $45.59 per day44 km / 27.34 miles away
- Monterey Regional Airportfrom $56.59 per day46.3 km / 28.77 miles away
- San Francisco Airportfrom $53.53 per day77.8 km / 48.34 miles away
- Oakland Airportfrom $55.80 per day84.7 km / 52.63 miles away
- San Francisco Union Square Downtownfrom $32.14 per day96.2 km / 59.78 miles away
- Charles M. Schulz–Sonoma County Airportfrom $59.28 per day183.9 km / 114.27 miles away
- Sacramento International Airportfrom $56.76 per day195.1 km / 121.23 miles away
- Fresno Airportfrom $56.76 per day206.8 km / 128.5 miles away
- Meadows Field Airportfrom $69.89 per day317 km / 196.97 miles away
- Santa Barbara Airportfrom $67.47 per day345.5 km / 214.68 miles away
- Burbank Airportfrom $64.28 per day453.1 km / 281.54 miles away
- Los Angeles Airportfrom $64.28 per day470.4 km / 292.29 miles away
- Los Angeles (Downtown)from $55.58 per day471.4 km / 292.91 miles away
- Pasadena Downtownfrom $76.26 per day471.5 km / 292.98 miles away
- Arcata-Eureka Airportfrom $43.36 per day480 km / 298.26 miles away
- Long Beach Airportfrom $65.96 per day496.7 km / 308.64 miles away
- Ontario Airportfrom $64.27 per day515.7 km / 320.44 miles away
- John Wayne Airportfrom $55.24 per day526.3 km / 327.03 miles away
- Palm Springs Airportfrom $66.01 per day610.5 km / 379.35 miles away
- San Diego Airportfrom $52.91 per day646 km / 401.41 miles away
Map of top car rental locations
A
Santa Cruz (Downtown)
3 rental locations
When to book in Santa Cruz and for how long?
What is the cheapest month to rent a car in Santa Cruz?
Car rental prices in Santa Cruz vary by time of year. This graph shows the average prices per month to help you find the best time of year to rent.
Saver's insights
| Cheapest monthAugust | Most expensive month December | |
| A good deal $67 | Cheapest supplier Budget | Cheapest car type SUVs |
Average rental costs per day in Santa Cruz
$86
$43
$0
$66
in January
Jan
$64
in February
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
$41
in August
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
$78
in December
Dec
The cheapest month to rent a car in Santa Cruz is August (when prices average $41.45 per day). This is 31% cheaper than the yearly average and 47% cheaper than renting in December (when prices average $77.96).
This information can help you identify the low season. But these are only average numbers. How much your car rental will cost will depend on the type of vehicle you rent, how long you’ll rent it for, and how far ahead you book. Simply enter your dates in the form at the top of the page to see the exact prices.
What's the most popular month to rent a car in Santa Cruz?
Based on the number of searches by our customers, the most popular month for renting a car in Santa Cruz is January, and the least popular is February.
Monthly searches in Santa Cruz by pick-up date relative to the average
1.8
0.9
0
1.6 times in January
Jan
0.8 times in February
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
0.8 times in August
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
0.8 times in December
Dec
What’s the usual rental length in Santa Cruz?
How long travelers keep their rental cars for varies from month to month: in August, the average renter keeps their car for 10 days, and in January, they keep their car for 2 days.
Average number of rental days in Santa Cruz
11
6
0
2 days in January
Jan
6 days in February
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
10 days in August
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
9 days in December
Dec
Car rental information
| 📍 Car rental locations | 1 |
| 🔥 Popular suppliers | Budget, Avis |
| 🚗 Popular car types | Large cars, SUVs |
| 🤑 Lowest price | $65 per day |
| 👛 Cheapest supplier | Budget |
Most popular car models of rental suppliers
| Rental Supplier | Model | Doors | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avis | Toyota RAV4 | 4 | SUV |
| Budget | Toyota RAV4 | 4 | SUV |
| Budget | Toyota Camry | 4 | Large car |
| Budget | Toyota Corolla | 4 | Large car |
Frequently Asked Questions (updated: Oct 24, 2026)
Prices are lowest during August, starting at $41 for an Economy car and highest in December, when economy cars start at $78. Booking early for peak dates can save significantly. The most popular month in Santa Cruz is January, while the least popular month is February.
Santa Cruz hosts: Enterprise, Budget, Avis. Rental cars tend to sell out in the summer months, so booking early is recommended.
Car rental statistics
Highest-rated company
Enterprise (rated 8.8 / 10)
Lowest-rated company
Avis (rated 7.9 / 10)
Total rental companies
3
Average daily price
$70
Lowest daily price
$65
Total cars available
10
Top 3 suppliers in Santa Cruz in 2026
Enterprise
1 location
8.8
Very Good
Value for money
9.1
Ease of finding
8.2
Agent helpfulness
9.3
Pick-up speed
8.0
Drop-off speed
8.2
Car cleanliness
9.3
Car condition
9.4
$58–$374
per day
Most popular location
919B OCEAN ST
Budget
1 location
8.1
Good
Value for money
7.9
Ease of finding
8.2
Agent helpfulness
7.7
Pick-up speed
8.0
Drop-off speed
8.2
Car cleanliness
8.2
Car condition
8.2
$65–$76
per day
Most popular location
630 Ocean St, Santa Cruz, CA-95060
Avis
1 location
7.9
Average
1 rating
Value for money
7.6
Ease of finding
8.2
Agent helpfulness
7.4
Pick-up speed
8.0
Drop-off speed
8.2
Car cleanliness
7.8
Car condition
8.0
$67–$78
per day
Most popular location
630 Ocean St
Santa Cruz
CA-95060
Award-winning service
World Travel Tech Awards - World's Best Car Rental Booking Website 2026
World Travel Tech Awards - World's Best Car Rental Booking App 2026
Magellan Awards Gold Winner 2025
FT 1000: Europe's Fastest Growing Companies - Top 300 Companies 2025
Uzakrota Travel Awards - World’s Leading Car Rental Website 2022
Travel & Hospitality Awards 2021
FT 1000: Europe's Fastest Growing Companies - Top 300 Companies 2021
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Rated 4.6 / 5 based on 293,480 reviews. Showing our favorite reviews.
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