Rent a Car in North America
Car Rental in North America: Compare and Book in One Place
With RentingCarz you can compare car rental in North America across leading rental companies such as Alamo, Hertz, Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Dollar and Thrifty, all in a single search. Find your car in the United States, Mexico and Canada, with pickup at airports and downtown locations. You see the final price upfront and choose the vehicle that best fits your trip. Whether you're heading to national parks, the beaches of Mexico's Caribbean coast or big cities like New York, Miami or Toronto, having your own car gives you the freedom to travel at your own pace, reach places public transit doesn't cover and make the most of every day.
Which Countries Make Up North America?
North America is made up mainly of three countries: Canada, the United States and Mexico. Territories such as Greenland, Bermuda and Saint Pierre and Miquelon complete the political map. It's a region of huge diversity, with Arctic tundra in the north, deserts and canyons in the west, vast plains in the center and tropical jungles and beaches in the south. The most widely spoken languages are English, Spanish and French. On RentingCarz, Central America destinations have their own section, so you can find the country you're looking for faster.
Most Popular Destinations to Rent a Car
United States
It's one of the most visited countries in the world and one of the best for a road trip. The most searched cities for car rentals are New York, Miami, Orlando, Los Angeles and Las Vegas. With a car you can also reach parks like the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone or the Everglades, and the beaches of Florida, California or Hawaii.
Mexico
Mexico combines world-famous beaches, archaeological sites and colonial cities. The Riviera Maya is the top destination for renting a car: from Cancún you can explore Playa del Carmen, Tulum, Cobá and Chichén Itzá at your own pace. Mexico City, Guadalajara and Los Cabos are other popular choices.
Canada
Perfect for road trips that mix nature and cosmopolitan cities. In Canada you can combine Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal and Quebec City with the Rocky Mountains, home to parks like Banff and Jasper.
Recommended Road Trips in North America
- Route 66 (USA): the country's most iconic highway, from Chicago toward the California coast.
- Pacific Coast Highway (California): cliffs and coastal towns between San Francisco and Los Angeles.
- Overseas Highway (Florida): from Miami to Key West, crossing the Florida Keys over the sea.
- Riviera Maya (Mexico): from Cancún to Tulum, with cenotes, beaches and Mayan ruins along the way.
- Icefields Parkway (Canada): between Banff and Jasper, with glaciers and mountain lakes.
Tips for Driving in the USA, Mexico and Canada
- Side of the road: all three countries drive on the right.
- Speed units: the United States uses miles per hour; Mexico and Canada use kilometers per hour.
- Tolls: in the United States many highways use electronic tolling, so ask how tolls are handled when you pick up your car. In Mexico you'll find toll highways ("cuota") and free roads ("libre").
- Mexico: watch out for "topes" (speed bumps), which are very common in towns and urban areas.
- Canada: in Quebec, road signs are in French and winter tires are mandatory during the winter season.
Can You Cross the Border in a Rental Car?
It depends on the rental company and the route. Between the United States and Canada, many companies allow cross-border travel if you let them know when you book or pick up the vehicle. Between the United States and Mexico, restrictions are stricter: only some locations allow it, and they usually require additional Mexican insurance. If your trip covers more than one country, check the offer's terms before booking or pick up a different car in each country.
Which Type of Car Should You Choose?
- Economy and Compact: ideal for cities like New York, Mexico City or Toronto, where an easy-to-park, fuel-efficient car makes life easier.
- Intermediate and Full Size: more space and comfort for long drives.
- SUV (Small, Standard or Large): the most versatile choice for road trips and national parks like Yellowstone or Banff.
- Minivan and Maxivan: designed for families and groups, for example to visit Orlando's theme parks.
- Convertible: perfect for cruising the coasts of Florida, California or the Riviera Maya.
- Pick Up: handy if you're traveling with bulky luggage or sports gear.
- Premium and Luxury: for business trips or a more exclusive experience.
- Eco Friendly: lower fuel consumption and emissions, great for getting around the city.
Why Book Your Car in North America with RentingCarz?
- Easily compare prices across the leading rental companies.
- No surprises: 100% price transparency.
- In the United States, choose rates with more complete coverage and add Rental Cover protection for extra peace of mind.
- If you find a better price elsewhere, we'll match it.
- Pay with major credit cards or at your destination.
Check out our rent a car deals in South America, Central America and Europe as well.
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Preguntas frecuentes sobre el alquiler de autos
What do I need to rent a car?
Driver's license — physical and valid, with at least 12 months since issue. Digital versions are not accepted. If it is not in the Latin alphabet, you will also need an International Driving Permit.
Physical credit card in the driver's name, with the same name embossed on the card (must be valid for at least 12 months and have sufficient available credit). Debit cards, virtual cards, and cards with digital security codes are not accepted.
Valid identification document for local rentals. For international rentals, a passport is required.
International Driving Permit (IDP) for rentals in Asia, Europe and Africa, as well as in the U.S. states of Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina. This applies to countries whose driver's license uses a non-Latin alphabet.
Minimum age to rent: Drivers under 25 may be subject to restrictions and additional charges. Contact us via chat before making your reservation.
Security deposit: The rental company will place a hold or charge a security deposit on your credit card. This deposit will be refunded at the end of the rental, provided no additional services were added. The amount varies by destination. If you have any questions, our online chat team will be happy to help.
How Old Do I Need to Be to Rent a Car?
The minimum rental age is 20 years old in most destinations.
Drivers under 25 may be subject to restrictions and additional charges depending on the destination and rental company. In the U.S., the fee is approximately USD 25 per day, although some companies offer promotions that reduce this amount.
25 years or older do not have additional fees for age.
Do I Need an International Driving Permit (IDP)?
It depends on your destination:
United States: Not required, except in the states of Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina.
Europe: Required if your driver's license is not written in English or in the language of the country where you are renting.
Asia and Africa: Required in all destinations.
For any other destination, please consult our chat before traveling.
What requirements must my credit card have?
The credit card is required to pick up the car at the counter. It must meet these conditions:
Physical — virtual cards or cards with digital security code are not accepted.
In the name of the driver listed on the reservation, with the name printed in relief on the card.
Minimum validity of 12 months from the rental date.
Sufficient available credit to cover the rental charges and the security deposit required by the rental company.
Debit cards are not accepted as a guarantee at pickup, although they may be used to prepay for your reservation on our website.
What is the Security Deposit and When is It Returned?
When picking up the car, the rental company holds an amount on your credit card as a guarantee. This deposit covers possible additional charges such as fines, fuel, damages, or late return.It's a temporary hold that blocks a portion of your card's available credit.
It's released once the car is returned without pending charges. The timeframe varies depending on the company and the issuing bank of your card, but generally takes between 7 and 30 business days.
The amount varies depending on the destination, company, and vehicle category.
What is the PROMO Rate?
It is the lowest rate available in the market. Rental companies offer special discounts when they have high vehicle availability, and we pass those savings on to you directly.
Only available with prepayment and is non-refundable.
The rental company is confirmed once the reservation is completed.
We guarantee that the rental will be with one of our trusted and accredited partners.
Can I book a hotel directly on RentingCarz?
Yes. The entire process of searching, selecting, and paying is done directly on our site. The confirmation of your booking will be sent to you via email from RentingCarz.
What is Rental Cover?
We work with RentalCover, a company that offers protection solutions for our customers. RentalCover has an excellent reputation in the industry and is among the most highly rated companies in its category on review sites like Trustpilot. Additionally, it has received multiple awards and recognition in different markets for the quality of its services.
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