What car do most people rent in Santa Maria?

For an average of $55/day (and as low as $46/day), Hyundai Elantra rentals in Santa Maria are the most popular car among our users. Renting the Kia Soul in Santa Maria for $54/day on average ($43/day for a cheap deal) is another popular choice.

Cheap Car Rentals in Santa Maria, California from just $40

Are you looking for cheap car rental deals in Santa Maria, California? Search right here!

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Best deals found for Santa Maria, California car rentals

Find great deals below on a variety of popular rental car types in Santa Maria, California

Mitsubishi Mirage

or similar SMALL

$40/day

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Nissan Versa

or similar SMALL

$40/day

View Deal

Toyota Corolla

or similar MEDIUM

$40/day

View Deal

Volkswagen Jetta

or similar MEDIUM

$40/day

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Chevrolet Malibu

or similar LARGE

$41/day

View Deal

Chrysler Pacifica

or similar VAN

$62/day

View Deal

Jeep Jeep Grand Cherokee L

or similar SUV

$59/day

View Deal

Nissan Maxima

or similar LARGE

$56/day

View Deal

Ford Mustang Convertible

or similar CONVERTIBLE

$70/day

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Nissan Rogue

or similar SUV

$43/day

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Chevrolet Equinox

or similar SUV

$45/day

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Cadillac XT5

or similar SUV

$61/day

View Deal

Rental cars insight and trends in Santa Maria

Useful insights to help you book the perfect rental car in Santa Maria

Companies

Other Information

What is the cheapest rental car agency in Santa Maria?

The cheapest rental cars in Santa Maria are generally found through Avis. When booking with Avis, you may be able to find rental car prices for as low as $30/day. The average price to rent a car in Santa Maria is $58/day.

Santa Maria, California car rental deals found on momondo

Find the rental car in Santa Maria that's right for you

	Small cars	$54 - $86
	All Car Types	$71 - $128

The average price of a small car rental in Santa Maria, the United States is $69. The cheapest time to rent a small car in Santa Maria, the United States is in January. The price is 22% lower than the rest of the year at just $54 per day. A small car rental is typically 23% less expensive than the average rental car in Santa Maria. The average price of a vehicle rental in Santa Maria can vary based on a number of factors including supply, popularity of the vehicle, and how far out you book your rental car. Below are the best prices for Santa Maria small car rentals found on momondo in the past week.

The average price of a medium car rental in Santa Maria, the United States is $71. The cheapest time to rent a medium car in Santa Maria, the United States is in January. The price is 17% lower than the rest of the year at just $59 per day. A medium car rental is typically 21% less expensive than the average rental car in Santa Maria. The average price of a vehicle rental in Santa Maria can vary based on a number of factors including supply, popularity of the vehicle, and how far out you book your rental car. Below are the best prices for Santa Maria medium car rentals found on momondo in the past week.

The average price of a large car rental in Santa Maria, the United States is $110. The cheapest time to rent a large car in Santa Maria, the United States is in May. The price is 28% lower than the rest of the year at just $80 per day. A large car rental is typically 20% more expensive than the average rental car in Santa Maria. The average price of a vehicle rental in Santa Maria can vary based on a number of factors including supply, popularity of the vehicle, and how far out you book your rental car. Below are the best prices for Santa Maria large car rentals found on momondo in the past week.

The average price of a SUV rental in Santa Maria, the United States is $85. The cheapest time to rent a SUV in Santa Maria, the United States is in January. The price is 18% lower than the rest of the year at just $70 per day. A SUV rental is typically 5% less expensive than the average rental car in Santa Maria. The average price of a vehicle rental in Santa Maria can vary based on a number of factors including supply, popularity of the vehicle, and how far out you book your rental car. Below are the best prices for Santa Maria SUV rentals found on momondo in the past week.

The average price of a van rental in Santa Maria, the United States is $130. The cheapest time to rent a van in Santa Maria, the United States is in February. The price is 19% lower than the rest of the year at just $106 per day. A van rental is typically 32% more expensive than the average rental car in Santa Maria. The average price of a vehicle rental in Santa Maria can vary based on a number of factors including supply, popularity of the vehicle, and how far out you book your rental car. Below are the best prices for Santa Maria van rentals found on momondo in the past week.

The average price of a luxury car rental in Santa Maria, the United States is $96. The cheapest time to rent a luxury car in Santa Maria, the United States is in April. The price is 39% lower than the rest of the year at just $59 per day. A luxury car rental is typically 8% more expensive than the average rental car in Santa Maria. The average price of a vehicle rental in Santa Maria can vary based on a number of factors including supply, popularity of the vehicle, and how far out you book your rental car. Below are the best prices for Santa Maria luxury car rentals found on momondo in the past week.

The average price of a convertible rental in Santa Maria, the United States is $75. The cheapest time to rent a convertible in Santa Maria, the United States is in February. The price is 34% lower than the rest of the year at just $50 per day. A convertible rental is typically 16% less expensive than the average rental car in Santa Maria. The average price of a vehicle rental in Santa Maria can vary based on a number of factors including supply, popularity of the vehicle, and how far out you book your rental car. Below are the best prices for Santa Maria convertible rentals found on momondo in the past week.

Chevrolet Aveo Sedan

or similar Economy

Up to 2 passengers

5-door vehicles

$40/day

25 Feb - 4 Mar

See offer

Ford Fiesta

or similar Compact

Up to 4 passengers

$40/day

26 Feb - 5 Mar

See offer

Ford Fiesta

or similar Economy

Up to 2 passengers

$45/day

28 Feb - 3 Mar

See offer

Santa Maria car rental directory

All major car rental suppliers in Santa Maria, California

Hertz

7.9

Good

2 reviews•2 locations

Check prices

Overview

Avis

7.4

Good

11 reviews•1 location

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Overview

Recent reviews

6.0

Okay|Nov 2022

Was given a car that had a expired tags and i lost money in gas due to a confusion on howuch i was suppose to leave in it. (Lost probably 20 dollars in gas)

2.0

Poor|Sep 2022

car was disgusting. the lady was super rude and argued with my about accepting my temporary license for 20 minutes

10.0

Wonderful|Aug 2022

I had a female clerk at the Avis counter, she was awesome, I wish I could remember her name. Outstanding customer service.

2.0

Poor|Aug 2022

Wtf!!! I didn’t rent this vehicle

2.0

Poor|Nov 2021

Didn't accept my chime card at the desk, no warning at all and I'm still not really sure why. All rental car companies suck but at least budget was trying to help us figure something out. The avid front desk person was super unhelpful and annoying.

2.0

Poor|Jun 2021

Car was 1/8th of a tank low on gas and had a headlight out, which I got stopped for.

1 out of 4

Budget

6.7

Okay

14 reviews•2 locations

Check prices

Overview

Recent reviews

8.0

Very good|Nov 2021

My car rental agreement included unlimited miles but the attendant ask for my destination. I said Las Vegas area. She wrote on my contract Las Vegas only. What happens if I wanted to visit St George or Hoover Dam? if it's unlimited mile then the rental shouldn't be limited to a city.

5.9

Fair|Sep 2021

The location was a bit run down. Paperwork took a while. There wasn’t a dedicated drop-off location during their off day, so I had to put it through their mail drop box at the door. Car was alright. Smelled a tad like cigarette smoke, but not too overbearing.

1.9

Poor|Jul 2021

Far better warning when it came to renting also id like my money back for a reservation i didnt even get to use. I wasnt even able to rent the vehicle, i had to use another party

10.0

Wonderful|Jul 2021

At your Santa Maria office, a wonderful lady named Lydia made the pick up of my rental car a very enjoyable experience. Everything went very smoothly. At my drop off at LAX, you male employee was in too big of a hurry. As he came to check me in, I received an important phone call. He saw this and went to the next car without saying anything whatsoever. A minute or so later, after my call finished,I waited for him to return but he had gone on to other cars. I then went to him and said, “Have you skipped me?” His reply was that he had ALREADY checked me in and sent an email to that effect. Therefore, I could go. As a result, I walked three blocks or so to the Renaissance Hotel where my wife waited. When I got there and went to my room, I realized that I had not turned in the car keys. Therefore, I had to walk back to Budget, find the same Budget check in employee. I gave him the darn keys. I am disgusted because he failed to ask for the keys or tell me to be sure to leave the keys behind in the rental car when I left. It caused me to unnecessarily make two separate different walks in the hot sun. I am 79 years old and just underwent a very serious surgery (bladder and prostate). My two walks were made made because your check-in employee was to busy to converse with me and tell me to be sure to leave the car keys behind. That second walk back to return the ignition key really did me in.

2.0

Poor|Jun 2021

Nothing

Staff was rude and did not save a car for me even though I had a reservation scheduled. When I called to confirm my reservation they left me on hold until I actually arrived at the rental car location to tell me that they did not save my car I reserved. The worst experience ever will not be using budget again

4.0

Mediocre|Jun 2021

That I got a car.

You could have had a car ready for me at the time that I reserved it. And the car smelled terribly of smoke. So awful!!!! I will try to avoid renting through budget going forward!!

1 out of 5

Enterprise Rent-A-Car

2.0

Poor

2 reviews•3 locations

Check prices

Overview

Recent reviews

2.0

Poor|Aug 2022

They ignored me Rona at office refused to help with situation and then lied that she couldn’t reach their office at bakersfield airport Left me stranded with useless waste of vehicle Promises me she’d get me me a free truck for this week and never followed up said they were closing closed after kept me on phone for 30 min Then promised to call back - oh she had her associate get back k on phone tell me that as she ditched me helped customers in shop while lying sati v she was fully busy making call to fix situation Her final straw oh we’re closed deal with roadside service as u can’t reach that surlier location Lies lies lies

1 out of 1

AutoEurope

1 location

Check prices

Easirent

1 location

Check prices

Quick facts about car rentals in Santa Maria

Get the overview on great rental deals, popular car rental companies, and best car types for your visit in Santa Maria

Popular Car Types	Pickup Truck, Economy, Intermediate
Cheapest Rental Car	$34
Most Popular Model	Hyundai Elantra

The following car types were offered at rental car companies in Santa Maria in the past 72 hours: Pickup Truck, Economy, Intermediate.

The lowest price for a rental car in Santa Maria is $34/day. For this area, you can expect average prices starting from $63/day.

The most popular car model to rent in Santa Maria in the past 7 days is the Hyundai Elantra. Our users also prefer the Chevrolet Tahoe as an alternative.

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Driving with a rental car in Santa Maria - FAQs

Learn everything there is to know about renting a car in Santa Maria so you can be properly prepared for your next trip

Is there a fee to cancel my Santa Maria, California car rental?

The majority of car rental agencies in Santa Maria offer free cancellation. momondo will always tell you whether or not rental car centers such as Hertz, Avis, and Budget have a cancellation fee for travelers who have last-minute itinerary changes.

What is the speed limit in Santa Maria, California?

Santa Maria’s speed limit is 25 mph when you are driving in the city. This speed limit might also apply to surrounding towns and neighborhoods. The suburban speed limit in Santa Maria is 75 mph and the speed limit for highways is 75 mph. However, be sure to look for posted signage as these speeds may vary.

What car rental company has the Tesla Model 3 in Santa Maria?

At the moment, Turo has the Tesla Model 3 available for rent in Santa Maria for $114 per day on average. Keep in mind that availability for Tesla Model 3 rentals in Santa Maria can change quickly.

What is the weather like in Santa Maria, California, CA in February?

In February, Santa Maria usually gets 2.8″ of precipitation and has an average temperature of 51.8 °F. This information can be very helpful when looking at rental cars in Santa Maria as it can help you make the best decision.

Is the weather in Santa Maria similar to the rest of California?

Those looking to rent a car in Santa Maria for a road trip to the surrounding areas, please know the weather in California during the month of February usually is around 53.6 °F with 2.8″ of possible rain.

When did momondo last update prices for cars in Santa Maria?

Prices for cars in Santa Maria are refreshed on a daily basis.

How many operators does momondo search for cars in Santa Maria?

There are 17 operators available for cars in Santa Maria as of February 2025.

How old do you have to be to hire a car in Santa Maria?

The minimum age for drivers varies by country, including Santa Maria. In numerous EU countries, drivers must be 18 years old. To rent a car overseas, you'll generally need to be at least 21, and if you're under 25, a young driver surcharge may be applied. We advise that you read the policy of your chosen rental company before making a reservation.

What documentation or ID do you need to rent a car in Santa Maria?

To rent a car in Santa Maria, all drivers must have a valid full driving license. If the license is written in a language other than the language of the country of rental, an International Driving Permit may be required to avoid the risk of potential fines. If you're renting a car abroad, you may also need to provide proof of return travel and accommodation information during your stay. We recommend that you verify with the specific rental company you're booking with.

Los Alamos

Guadalupe

Why use momondo?

Why should I use momondo to book a car rental in Santa Maria?

momondo finds and compares thousands of car rental websites to provide you with the best selection of policies and car rentals in Santa Maria. Finding a rental car is quick and free of charge, so using momondo for your booking makes sense.

How does momondo help me find the best car rental deal in Santa Maria?

momondo makes it easier for you to find great car rentals in Santa Maria, by allowing you to refine your search with numerous filtering options. You can narrow your selection by looking at price, car type, location and more.