Car Rental Companies in USA

When it comes to hitting the road, whether for business or pleasure, the choice of a rental car company can make all the difference. With a plethora of options available, each boasting unique benefits and services, how do you decide which to choose?

When it comes to renting a car, it can be daunting to choose which company to use. Many travelers will opt for what appears to be the cheapest base rate, but depending on your requirements, you may be stung with expensive extras such as damage waivers, car seats, or toll policies.

If your search uncovers pretty comparable rates, you may want to consider a rental company with rave reviews for customer service or the slickest pick-up and return process.

Regular renters will benefit from joining a loyalty program that offers the highest point earnings and lowest redemption rates for free rental days.

From the ease of booking to the quality of customer service, and the condition of the vehicle itself, every aspect counts. With that in mind, we have selected the top 10 picks for rental car companies. These are the Top 10 car rental companies in the United States of America.

Demand of Car Rentals in USA

The United States car rental field reached USD 32,084.4 million. Over the forecast period, demand for car rentals in the United States is predicted to rise at a CAGR of 4.9%. Total car rental revenue in the United States is set to expand from USD 33,775.8 million in 2024 to USD 54,249.5 million by 2034.

The Car rental market in the United States is expected to generate a revenue of US$32.69bn by 2025. It is projected to grow annually at a rate of 4.03% from 2025-2029, resulting in a market volume of US$38.29bn by 2029. By then, the number of users in this market is expected to reach 58.94m users, with a user penetration rate of 16.8%. In 2025, this rate is expected to be 15.2%. It is noteworthy that, in comparison to other countries, the United States is expected to generate the highest revenue in the Car Rentals market, amounting to US$32.69bn in 2025.

List of Best Car Rental Companies in USA

No. 10: Thrifty

A popular option for budget travelers snagging a vehicle at the airport, Thrifty has amassed a wide range of sedans, SUVs, and trucks since their initial launch in 1958.

No. 9: ACE Rent A Car

Founded in 1966, the Indianapolis-based ACE Rent A Car began its operations with just 10 Volkswagens. Today, the company has expanded far beyond the Hoosier State, with several hundred outposts currently operating in close to 50 different countries.

No. 8: SIXT

German rental company SIXT made its debut in the state of Bavaria in 1912, ultimately amassing a diverse portfolio of vehicles and a presence across many major U.S. and European cities.

No. 7: Dollar

Dollar Car Rental made its California debut as Dollar Rent-A-Car in the 1960s. In the modern era, this budget-friendly rental service now operates all throughout the United States and multiple other countries, offering a wide variety of cost-conscious options to customers.

No. 6: Alamo Rent A Car

In business for half a century, Alamo Rent A Car now serves four different continents and the Caribbean, and it even holds the distinction of being the first rental car company to roll out an online booking and check-in system.

No. 5: National Car Rental

While National Car Rental is available to all forms of traveler, the company is particularly popular with frequent fliers due to the Emerald Club. The loyalty membership allows participants to quickly attain their vehicle without many of the typical steps that come with rental agreements.

No. 4: Budget

For any vacationers in need of a low-cost vehicle, the aptly named Budget is armed with a large and diverse fleet of cars. Customers can find roughly 2,700 rental locations scattered across more than 120 countries.

No. 3: Avis

Stemming from humble origins with a three-car fleet in 1946, Avis ballooned into the second-largest vehicle rental company in the United States less than a decade later. Today, the enterprise has expanded far beyond North America with a presence in more than 150 different nations.

No. 2: Hertz

Operating for more than a century, Hertz has developed into one of the planet's largest car rental companies, equipped with hundreds of thousands of vehicles and multiple rental facilities located on all six inhabited continents.

No. 1: Enterprise Rent-A-Car

Equipped with thousands of locations, Enterprise Rent-A-Car serves as one of the largest vehicle rental companies in all of the United States. Though rentals are available to any form of customer, the company is popular with consumers in need of a replacement vehicle while theirs is in the shop.

Final Thoughts

Choosing the best car rental company will depend on your requirements. If cost is the deciding factor, rates can depend on how far in advance you book and how long you’re renting. Budget offers up to 35% off for prepaying when reserving your vehicle.

If receiving the best customer service is of the utmost importance, then National, Enterprise, and Sixt are the companies to go with. They ranked highest in the 2024 J.D. Power North America Rental Car Satisfaction Study.

If you’re a regular renter, most car rental loyalty programs offer a standard 1 point for every dollar spent, although Avis offers 2 points per dollar spent on accessories. Where members really feel the benefits is when the redemption rates are lower, and Dollar and Thrifty both have low redemption rates starting at 500 points for a weekend day rental.

FAQs on Car Rental Companies in USA for travel

Q1. Which is the Best Car rental company?

A: According to the J.D. Power North America Rental Car Satisfaction Study 2024, National is the best car rental company, scoring 736 points on a 1,000-point scale. The survey looked at factors such as overall customer satisfaction, reservation process, check-in and return process, and airport shuttle service.

Q2. Is Hertz cheaper than Enterprise?

A: We ran multiple quote comparisons and, by large, found Enterprise to be more expensive than Hertz. Prices differed from $70 to up to $200 for both prepay and pay-on-pick-up options.

Q3. Which is the easiest car rental company?

A: Some car rental companies, such as Alamo, offer self-serve kiosks to speed up the pick-up process by skipping the counter queues. Alamo also enables customers to check in online and skip the counter altogether, so they can head straight to the lot to pick up their vehicle.

If you’re renting from the airport, you’ll want to check whether the rental company is on airport property, as off-airport branches can take longer to reach riding shuttle buses.

Q4. Who is the USA's biggest car rental?

A: Enterprise Rent-A-Car is the largest rental car company in the United States, with more than 9,000 "home city" locations, and over 230 airport locations.

Q5. What is the most popular car rental type?

A: SUVs (Sport Utility Vehicles) are one of the most versatile and common rental car types. These vehicles come in a range of sizes, from compact SUVs to full-size models. They offer high seating positions, more interior space, and better visibility, making them ideal for families and travelers with a lot of luggage.

Car Rental Companies in USA

Car Rental Companies in USA

Demand of Car Rentals in USA