Iowa car rentals

Driver's age: 26-65

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Useful Info
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Cheap car rentals in Iowa

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Mini car
Mini
M
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Economy car
Economy
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Compact car
Compact
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Intermediate car
Intermediate
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Standard car
Standard
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Full-size car
Full-size
M
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Luxury car
Luxury
M
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Minivan car
Minivan
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Passenger van car
Passenger van
M
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SUV car
SUV
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Commercial car
Commercial
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Pickup truck car
Pickup truck
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Useful Info

Good to know

Most popular car type

Mini

When to book a rental car in Iowa

Average daily price per month
Rental car prices as pick-up date approaches

Top tips for renting a car in Iowa

  • For travelers who want to rent a car in the state of Iowa, it helps to research the area and the weather before deciding on your vehicle type. Iowa gets a lot of rain during the summer, and in the winter, you’ll see a lot of snow, as well as some freezing rain. A smart choice is to rent an SUV with four-wheel drive, since these drive much more safely in harsh weather. The larger SUV is also ideal for cross-country road trips, and Iowa is a quite large state.
  • Like many states, Iowa requires children to be seated in a proper booster seat. Infants up to one year must be secured in an infant seat, facing the rear of the car, and children over 20 pounds must be secured in a booster seat with shoulder and lap straps; these can be facing frontward or backward. Children eleven and older are required to always use a regular seat belt, but it’s recommended that children keep using booster-type seats for as long as possible. It is up to the driver to make sure that children are secure in the vehicle, and Iowa will issue fines for not following the law.
  • Some drivers visiting Iowa might like to know if it’s permissible to cross the border into neighboring states while using a rental car. Most agencies allow vehicles to cross state borders, but you might encounter higher fees and additional insurance needed for inter-state travel. Taking a car across a national border e.g. Mexico—will require higher insurance fees, and your overall rental rate might be higher also. Some car-rental companies will not allow larger vehicles like vans or specialty vehicles to cross borders. Before your trip, you should research these options and the policies of different car-rental companies.
  • Before renting a car in Iowa, it’s helpful to know the particulars of the area and the vehicle. If you rent an electric car, you should ask where charging stations are located throughout the state. Most companies will provide you with a map that shows locations for charging stations and other important information about the area.
  • Book your rental car in Iowa at least 2 days before your trip in order to get a below-average price
  • Standard rental cars in Iowa are around 24% cheaper than other car types, on average

FAQs about renting a car in Iowa

  • Should I rent a car in Iowa?

    Iowa is the perfect state for traveling via rental car; the state boasts 12 scenic byways that allow you to avoid traffic and get around the area smoothly. The state’s roadway system is well organized and easy to access in every part of the state. Travel by rental car is the only way to truly see everything the state has to offer. You can organize a road trip to see places like Dunnings Springs Park, which has a spectacular waterfall. Another ideal benefit of using a rental car is that you can stop wherever or whenever you want to explore.

  • What is driving like in Iowa?

    Driving in Iowa is a wonderful way to see this quaint Midwest state. The state’s 12 scenic byways are convenient and easy to follow, and another positive about the state is that there are no toll roads. Driving in the country is relaxing, and you’ll generally find other motorists to be polite and helpful. There’s no need to be shy about asking for help if you find yourself lost. Speed limits vary from town to town, so pay attention to the signs. It’s best to use GPS, but the state has sensible road signs, and interstate exits are clearly marked. Iowa is definitely a road-trip state, so count on meeting other motorists during your stops.

  • How old do you have to be to rent a car in Iowa?

    Iowa has a graduated driver’s license (GDL) system that requires three steps to obtain a driver’s license. While this creates safer drivers, you still must be twenty one years old and have a valid driver’s license to rent a car in Iowa. Drivers ages twenty one to twenty five can expect to pay a young driver’s fee; this fee varies, but it could be a daily charge of up to around $25. Some companies might ask for other forms of identification if you pay with a debit card, so inquire about necessary documents before you rent a car.

  • What is the most popular rental car in Iowa?

    Mini (Chrysler Pacifica or similar) is the most frequently booked rental car type in Iowa.

  • What is the best rental car company in Iowa?

    Based on ratings and reviews from real users on KAYAK, the best car rental companies in Iowa are Enterprise Rent-A-Car (8.4, 65 reviews), and Hertz (7.4, 81 reviews).

  • How can I find car rentals near me in Iowa?

    Take a look at our extensive car rental location map to find the best rental cars near you.

Car rental directory

  • enterprise

    Enterprise Rent-A-Car car rental locations in Iowa

    6 Locations

  • hertz

    Hertz car rental locations in Iowa

    4 Locations

  • budget

    Budget car rental locations in Iowa

    3 Locations

  • dollar

    Dollar car rental locations in Iowa

    3 Locations

  • thrifty

    Thrifty car rental locations in Iowa

    3 Locations

  • alamo

    Alamo car rental locations in Iowa

    2 Locations

  • avis

    Avis car rental locations in Iowa

    2 Locations

  • easirent

    Easirent car rental locations in Iowa

    2 Locations

  • national

    National car rental locations in Iowa

    2 Locations

  • sunnycars

    Sunnycars car rental locations in Iowa

    2 Locations

  • airportvanre

    Airport Van car rental locations in Iowa

    1 Location

  • americanrentacar

    American Rent-A-Car car rental locations in Iowa

    1 Location

Car rental locations in Iowa

Everything you need to know for your car rental in Iowa

Complete your trip to Iowa

Flights to Iowa
Hotels in Iowa

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