Renting a car for a week can offer both convenience and significant savings compared to daily rates, making it a popular choice for vacations, business trips, or temporary vehicle needs. Understanding how much it is to rent a car a week involves navigating a variety of factors, from the type of vehicle you choose to the rental company, location, and even the time of year. This comprehensive guide breaks down the costs, common fees, and smart strategies to help you secure the best deal for your weekly car rental.
Factors Influencing Weekly Car Rental Costs
The price you pay to rent a car for a week is rarely a fixed figure. Instead, it’s a dynamic sum shaped by several interconnected variables. Being aware of these can empower you to make more informed decisions and potentially lower your expenses.
Type of Vehicle
The most obvious factor affecting your rental cost is the car itself. Rental companies categorize vehicles into classes, with prices escalating as you move up in size, luxury, and features.
- Economy/Compact Cars: These are typically the cheapest options, ideal for solo travelers or couples who prioritize fuel efficiency and budget over space and power. They are easy to park and navigate in urban areas.
- Mid-size/Standard Cars: Offering a balance of comfort, space, and affordability, these are a popular choice for small families or those needing a bit more luggage room.
- Full-size/Premium Cars: These provide more passenger space, larger trunks, and often more features, suitable for longer road trips or when comfort is a higher priority.
- SUVs and Minivans: Essential for larger families, groups, or those needing significant cargo space. They command higher prices due to their size and utility.
- Luxury/Specialty Cars: For those seeking an elevated driving experience, luxury sedans, sports cars, or convertibles come with a premium price tag.
Generally, the larger and more luxurious the vehicle, the higher the weekly rental rate will be.
Rental Company
Not all rental agencies price their services equally. Major international brands like Hertz, Avis, Enterprise, Budget, and National often have competitive rates but may also charge more for premium services or locations. Smaller, local rental companies or newer, tech-focused services might offer lower prices, but it’s essential to check their terms, conditions, and customer reviews carefully. Comparison shopping across multiple providers is crucial to find the best rate for how much it is to rent a car a week.
Location of Rental
Where you pick up and drop off your rental car significantly impacts the price.
- Airport Rentals: Often the most convenient, but typically the most expensive. Airports frequently levy additional taxes, surcharges, and concession fees that are passed directly to the consumer. This can add 10-30% to the total cost.
- Downtown/City Locations: Usually cheaper than airport locations, but may still include urban fees or higher operating costs.
- Suburban/Off-Airport Locations: These tend to offer the lowest rates. While less convenient if you’re flying in, taking a taxi or ride-share to an off-airport branch can sometimes save you a considerable amount, especially for a week-long rental.
Consider the cost versus convenience tradeoff when choosing your pickup point.
Time of Year and Demand
Car rental prices are highly seasonal and demand-driven.
- Peak Season: During major holidays (e.g., Christmas, Thanksgiving, Easter), summer vacation months, and popular local events, demand surges, and prices can skyrocket. Booking far in advance is critical during these periods.
- Off-Peak Season: Traveling during the shoulder seasons (spring and fall, excluding holidays) or during the dead of winter (in non-ski destinations) can result in significantly lower rates as rental companies try to fill their inventory.
- Last-Minute vs. Advance Booking: Generally, booking several weeks or even months in advance yields better rates, especially for weekly rentals. Last-minute bookings, particularly during high demand, are almost always more expensive.
Duration of Rental (Weekly vs. Daily)
One of the key reasons people ask how much is it to rent a car a week is because weekly rates are almost always more cost-effective than seven individual daily rentals. Rental companies often offer discounts for longer rental periods (typically 5-7 days or more) because it reduces their administrative overhead and ensures their vehicles are utilized for longer stretches. A car rented for five days might cost nearly as much as one rented for a full week.
Age of Driver
Most rental companies impose a “young driver surcharge” for renters under the age of 25 (typically 21-24 years old). This daily fee can significantly increase the total cost of a weekly rental, sometimes adding an extra $20-$35 per day. Some companies also have upper age limits or require additional screening for very senior drivers, though this is less common.
Additional Insurance and Waivers
This is one of the most confusing and costly aspects of car rental. While optional, sales tactics can make them feel mandatory.
- Loss Damage Waiver (LDW) / Collision Damage Waiver (CDW): This waives your financial responsibility for damage to the rental car, often with a deductible. It’s usually the most expensive add-on.
- Supplemental Liability Insurance (SLI): Provides additional liability coverage beyond what the rental company offers.
- Personal Accident Insurance (PAI): Covers medical expenses for you and your passengers.
- Personal Effects Coverage (PEC): Covers loss or damage to personal belongings in the rental car.
Before accepting these, check your personal auto insurance policy, credit card benefits, and travel insurance. You might already have sufficient coverage, rendering these expensive add-ons unnecessary.
Optional Add-ons
Various convenience items can be rented for an additional daily or weekly fee:
- GPS Navigation: Many smartphones now have free navigation apps, making a rental GPS largely obsolete.
- Child Safety Seats: Essential for families, but renting them can be pricey. Bringing your own is often more economical.
- Toll Passes/Transponders: These allow for cashless toll payments. While convenient, the daily fee plus actual tolls can add up. Consider paying tolls manually or bringing your own compatible device if you frequently use toll roads.
- Satellite Radio: A luxury item with a daily charge.
- Wi-Fi Hotspot: Useful for international travelers, but check your phone’s roaming data or consider a local SIM card.
Carefully evaluate if you truly need these extras before adding them to your weekly rental.
Fuel Policies
How you handle fuel can affect the final price.
- Full-to-Full: You pick up the car with a full tank and return it full. This is generally the most cost-effective option as you only pay for the fuel you use at local pump prices.
- Pre-purchase Fuel: You buy a full tank from the rental company at pickup. This can be convenient but is often more expensive per gallon than local gas stations, and you risk not using all the fuel.
- Return Empty (or pay for what you use): You return the car without refueling, and the rental company charges you for the gas you used at an inflated rate, plus a refueling service charge. This is usually the most expensive option.
Always choose the “Full-to-Full” policy if possible and budget time to refuel before returning the car.
One-Way Rentals
If you pick up a car in one location and drop it off in another, you’ll almost certainly incur a one-way fee. This fee covers the cost of the rental company repositioning the vehicle back to its original location. These can range from a nominal charge to several hundred dollars, depending on the distance and demand between the two locations. For a week-long rental, a one-way fee can significantly inflate the overall cost.
Average Weekly Car Rental Prices by Vehicle Type
While prices fluctuate constantly, here’s a general idea of what you might expect to pay to rent a car for a week in the United States, keeping in mind these are broad averages and actual costs can vary wildly. These estimates do not include insurance, additional fees, or taxes, which can easily add 20-50% to the base rate.
- Economy/Compact Car: Expect to pay roughly $180 – $300 per week. These are efficient and great for single drivers or couples.
- Mid-size/Standard Car: These often fall in the range of $250 – $400 per week, offering a good balance of space and fuel economy.
- Full-size/Premium Car: For more comfort and features, weekly rates typically range from $350 – $550.
- SUVs and Minivans: These larger vehicles generally start at $400 and can go up to $700+ per week, depending on size and demand.
- Luxury/Specialty Cars: Weekly rates for these can vary dramatically, from $700 to $1500+ or even higher for exotic models.
Remember, these are starting points. Always get a detailed quote that includes all mandatory fees and taxes.
Understanding Hidden Fees and Charges
Beyond the base rental rate, several fees can inflate the total cost. Being aware of them allows you to anticipate expenses or, in some cases, avoid them.
Airport Surcharges
As mentioned, airports often add “concession recovery fees,” “customer facility charges,” or “transportation fees.” These are usually a percentage of the rental cost or a flat daily fee, and they are mandatory for airport pickups.
Sales Tax and Local Fees
Like most purchases, car rentals are subject to state and local sales taxes. Additionally, some cities or counties impose their own specific car rental taxes or tourism fees. These are non-negotiable and vary by location.
Late Return Fees
Returning the car even an hour late can result in significant penalties. Many companies have a grace period (e.g., 29 minutes), but exceeding it often leads to an extra day’s rental charge or a hefty late fee. Always aim to return the car on time or early.
Cleaning Fees
If you return the car excessively dirty (e.g., with pet hair, strong odors, food spills, or mud), the rental company may charge a cleaning fee. Take a few minutes to tidy up the interior before returning.
Mileage Limits
While most major rental companies offer unlimited mileage on weekly rentals within the same state or region, some budget providers or specialty vehicles might have mileage caps. Exceeding these limits can result in charges per mile, which can quickly add up. Always confirm the mileage policy, especially if you plan an extensive road trip.
Smart Strategies to Save on Weekly Car Rentals
Knowing how much it is to rent a car a week is one thing; finding ways to reduce that cost is another. Here are proven strategies to help you save money.
Book in Advance
Booking your weekly rental several weeks or even months ahead of your travel date, especially during peak seasons, almost always results in lower prices. As inventory decreases and demand rises, prices naturally increase.
Compare Prices from Multiple Agencies
Don’t just stick to one rental company. Use online comparison sites (e.g., Kayak, Expedia, Priceline, RentalCars.com) as well as checking individual rental company websites directly. Sometimes, direct bookings offer exclusive deals not found on aggregators.
Look for Discounts and Promotions
Check for discount codes from organizations you belong to (AAA, AARP, Costco, frequent flyer programs), credit card benefits, or corporate rates. Sign up for email newsletters from rental companies to receive alerts about sales and promotions.
Avoid Airport Rentals if Possible
As discussed, airport locations carry additional fees. If your itinerary allows, consider taking public transport, a taxi, or a ride-share service to an off-airport rental branch in a nearby town or suburb. The savings over a week can easily outweigh the cost of the transfer.
Check Your Personal Car Insurance
Before opting for the rental company’s expensive insurance, contact your own auto insurance provider. Many personal policies extend coverage to rental cars, at least for collision and liability within the U.S. and Canada. If you have comprehensive and collision coverage on your own car, it often transfers to a rental.
Use Credit Card Benefits
Many credit cards, particularly premium travel cards, offer secondary (or sometimes primary) collision damage waiver coverage when you use that card to pay for the rental. Call your credit card company to understand their specific rental car benefits, including coverage limits, eligible vehicle types, and excluded countries. This can save you a significant amount on LDW/CDW.
Opt for Longer Rental Periods (Weekly vs. Daily)
As counter-intuitive as it sounds, sometimes a 7-day rental can be cheaper than a 5-day rental because weekly rates often include built-in discounts. Always compare the cost of your exact desired duration against the cost of a full week.
Return Fuel Tank Full
Choose the “Full-to-Full” fuel policy and budget time to refuel the car yourself at a local gas station before returning it. The per-gallon price charged by rental companies for refueling is almost always higher than retail prices, plus they often add a service charge.
Bring Your Own Add-ons
Instead of renting a GPS, use your smartphone. If traveling with children, bring your own child safety seats from home. This eliminates daily rental fees for these items.
Join Loyalty Programs
If you frequently rent cars, join the loyalty programs of your preferred companies. These often offer benefits like expedited service, free upgrades, and sometimes even free rental days after accumulating enough points. Over time, these perks can significantly reduce your costs.
What to Consider Before You Book
Beyond cost-saving strategies, a few crucial steps can prevent headaches and unexpected charges during your weekly car rental.
Read the Rental Agreement Carefully
This document outlines all terms, conditions, fees, and responsibilities. Pay close attention to:
* Mileage limits
* Fuel policy
* Insurance coverage (what’s included and what’s not)
* Authorized drivers (only those listed can drive)
* Cancellation policy (fees for canceling or changes)
* Drop-off rules (late fees, returning to a different location)
Inspect the Vehicle Before Driving
Before leaving the lot, thoroughly inspect the car for any existing damage (scratches, dents, cracks, dashboard warning lights). Take photos or a video recording of the vehicle’s condition from all angles, inside and out. Point out any damage to a rental agent and ensure it’s documented on your rental agreement before you drive off. This protects you from being charged for pre-existing damage upon return.
Understand Cancellation Policies
Most weekly car rentals can be canceled or modified without a fee if done within a certain timeframe (e.g., 24-48 hours before pickup). However, some non-refundable or prepaid rates might incur charges. Always be clear on the cancellation policy, especially if your travel plans are uncertain.
Is Weekly Car Rental Right For You?
For many, renting a car for a full week offers the best blend of flexibility and value. It eliminates the hassle of public transportation or expensive ride-shares, especially in areas where a personal vehicle is essential for exploration or business. Knowing how much it is to rent a car a week and understanding the factors that drive these costs can help you budget effectively.
For general vehicle maintenance tips and advice, or to learn more about keeping your own car in top shape, visit maxmotorsmissouri.com. Regular maintenance ensures reliability, whether you own a car or are simply renting one for your travels. By planning ahead, comparing options, and being diligent about details, you can secure a great deal on your next weekly car rental and enjoy a smooth, stress-free journey.
Renting a car for a week is a common solution for various travel needs, providing the freedom to explore at your own pace. The cost, however, is dynamic, heavily influenced by factors such as vehicle type, rental company, location, demand, and chosen add-ons. To determine how much it is to rent a car a week, always compare prices, utilize discounts, understand insurance options, and meticulously review your rental agreement. With careful planning, you can find an affordable and convenient weekly rental that perfectly suits your journey.
Last Updated on October 10, 2025 by Cristian Steven
