Flying into the “Valley of the Sun”? Renting a car at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport is the key to unlocking all that Phoenix and Arizona have to offer. With a rental, you can easily hop from downtown Phoenix to Scottsdale’s resorts, cruise up to Sedona’s red rocks, or venture out to the Grand Canyon on your own schedule. Use the search form above, enter Phoenix (PHX) as your pickup, add your dates, and within seconds you’ll see real-time offers from over a dozen rental brands in Phoenix. Compare everything from compact cars (great for city driving and saving on gas) to roomy SUVs (perfect for family trips or mountain roads). Our booking process is quick and hassle-free: no prepayment needed on most reservations and free cancellation in case your plans change. We negotiate the best rates (often from $25/day for economy models), so you’ll lock in a bargain and be road-trip ready in minutes.
Phoenix Sky Harbor is known for its efficiency, and renting a car here is no exception. In the guide below, we’ll walk you through picking up your vehicle at PHX’s convenient Rental Car Center, highlight why a car is essential for exploring the sprawling Phoenix area, and give you local tips for driving in Arizona’s unique conditions (think desert heat and monsoon rains). Whether you’re in town for business or embarking on a tour of Arizona’s stunning landscapes, we’ve got you covered with wide vehicle selection, transparent pricing, and 24/7 support. Let’s get you behind the wheel in Phoenix so you can soak up the sun and scenery with the freedom only a car rental provides!
Phoenix Sky Harbor (PHX) Car Rental Quick Info:
Tips for Renting a Car at Phoenix PHX
Top Phoenix Car Rental Deals
Rates above are base daily rates and do not include taxes and fees. “From” prices are based on recent findings for rentals picked up at PHX. Prices fluctuate with demand, Phoenix’s peak season is winter (when everyone escapes the cold to enjoy our mild weather!) and spring (wildflower and baseball season). Book early especially for March, when spring training and vacations make rentals popular. Our deals update frequently, so run a search for your exact dates to see the latest specials.
Driving Around Phoenix: Tips and Insights
Driving in Phoenix and the broader valley is generally a breeze, but here are some local insights:
In a nutshell, driving in Phoenix is straightforward and enjoyable. The combination of modern infrastructure, clear signage, and that gorgeous desert scenery makes it a great place to have a rental car. You’ll quickly see why so many visitors choose to drive here, it truly opens up the possibilities beyond what any shuttle or tour could do. Enjoy your Phoenix rental experience, and as we like to say, happy motoring under the Arizona sun!
Road Trip Ideas from Phoenix
Phoenix is a perfect launch point for road trips across the Southwest. Here are a few detailed itineraries to consider once you pick up your car:
Each of these road trips departing Phoenix offers a unique taste of the Southwest. Whether you’re chasing the cool pines of the Grand Canyon, the neon of Vegas, or the ghost-town legends of Tombstone, your AirportVanRental car is your ticket to adventure. Arizona roads are calling, feel free to ask us for more ideas or details, and happy driving!
Frequently Asked Questions
Phoenix Sky Harbor’s rental car facility is built for the airport’s 24-hour operation, so yes, you can pick up or drop off at virtually any hour. Most major rental companies at PHX are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week (especially the “big 5”, Hertz, Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Alamo/National, plus Thrifty/Dollar). Some smaller agencies (like Fox, Sixt, Payless) might not staff the counter overnight (say between midnight and 5am), but they often accommodate reservations at those times by arrangement or have an agent on-call for incoming flights. If you’re arriving very late (say 2am), it’s wise to give your flight info in the reservation, rental staff will typically stay to wait for delayed flights if they know you’re coming. If for some reason a counter is closed, usually another counter or a phone line can connect you to get service (the facility doesn’t shut down entirely). For drop-off: you can return a car after hours no problem. There is a Return area in the Rental Car Center, even if no attendant is physically there, you can leave keys in the drop box (follow signs for returns, which floor, etc.). However, at PHX there’s usually someone even in early hours. When dropping off very early, allow a little time for the shuttle or Sky Train back. Actually, by early 2025, PHX Sky Train extension to the Rental Car Center is fully operational, meaning you can drop the car and take the train 24/7 to terminals (the train runs continuously). So no worries about catching a shuttle bus schedule. The train takes only a few minutes to Terminal 4 or 3. If your flight departs at an ungodly hour like 5am, you might drop the car at 3:30-4am, there will be staff processing returns or at least the drop box system. Keep your receipt or note the return time. We timestamp it when you drive in via automated scanning. For pickups in wee hours: the Rental Center might be quieter, but security is present and it’s safe. Just ring the bell or pick the courtesy phone if a counter looks empty; often an agent might handle multiple brands at night. Summing up: PHX is very friendly to odd-hour travelers. You won’t be stranded without a car or unable to return one. We do advise putting your flight number in the booking, that helps the rental staff track if your flight is delayed into the night. And if you arrive extremely late and find a counter closed (rare), find an agent from the same parent company (e.g., if Alamo is closed, National’s desk can assist, since they’re sister companies). But again, likely someone will be there expecting you. So rest easy, 24-hour service is part of what makes renting at Sky Harbor convenient for red-eye and early-bird travelers alike.
Yes, Arizona has some of the highest speed limits in the U.S. on certain highways. The typical speed limits you’ll encounter: In urban freeways around Phoenix and Tucson, it’s usually 55 or 65 mph (check signs; I-10 through downtown Phoenix is 55 in spots, Loop 101/202 are often 65). Once you get outside the city congestion, many interstates bump up to 75 mph, for example, I-17 north of Phoenix, I-10 between Phoenix and Tucson (and beyond), I-8 toward San Diego, and I-40 in northern AZ are posted at 75 mph. Yes, you can legally go 75 mph (approximately 120 km/h). And Arizonans do. In fact, if you go significantly under that in the fast lane, expect to be passed. On rural stretches, traffic often flows around 80 mph (which is technically speeding, but usually within the tolerance of enforcement, not that we endorse speeding, but being realistic). Some secondary highways (like divided state highways) might be 65 or 70. Always watch for signs, especially when approaching towns or major junctions where limits may drop. Important: Arizona is strict about exceeding 85 mph, by law, anything over 85 mph anywhere is considered “excessive speeding” and could be criminal (even if the limit is 75, if you go 90 that’s legally a criminal offense, though often enforced at higher thresholds). So keep it below 85-90 to avoid serious trouble. Also, photo radar is used in some areas: a few spots in Phoenix surface streets and possibly on stretches of freeway (there was a notorious one on the Loop 101 in Scottsdale in the past). You’ll see signs if photo enforcement is active. If you trigger one in a rental, the ticket may come to the rental company then to you with added fees, not fun. As for surface streets: typical city street is 35-45 mph, residential 25. One unique thing: Arizona’s rural interstates sometimes have lower limits for trucks (like 75 for cars, 65 for large trucks). If you’re in a moving truck rental that could apply, but not in a normal car/SUV. And yes, we drive in miles per hour. If your car displays km/h, switch it to mph to avoid confusion. Enjoy the open roads, but drive safely and respect those limits. The desert is not the Autobahn (even if it feels like it with the wide open space). Use cruise control if that helps you maintain a steady legal speed on long drives, just stay alert. DPS (Highway Patrol) does monitor the highways, often in white cars or SUVs. A final note: if you see a police car stopped with someone on the highway, Arizona’s Move Over law requires you to either move to the next lane away or, if that’s not possible, slow down significantly as you pass. Okay, lecture over, yes, you can go 75 where posted, and it does make those long drives shorter. Just keep it reasonable and enjoy the ride!
Yes, absolutely, yes. Every rental car in Arizona will have air conditioning. Given our climate, A/C isn’t just a luxury, it’s a necessity (imagine 115°F / 46°C in July with no AC, impossible!). The rental companies ensure their fleets, even the economy models, all have functioning air conditioning. In fact, nearly all modern cars come standard with AC nowadays. You’d be hard-pressed to find a vehicle without it, and it certainly wouldn’t be put into a Phoenix fleet. If you happen to get in your car and the AC isn’t working or blowing cold, that’s a malfunction, and you should immediately let the rental staff know so they can swap you to a different vehicle. They don’t want you suffering any more than you do. Also, all cars have heating too, which comes in handy if you go up north in winter (Flagstaff nights can drop below freezing). But cooling is the main concern in Phoenix. Pro tip for using the AC here: when you first get in a scorching car, roll down the windows for the first minute as you start driving, let the initial blast of oven-hot air out, then roll up and let the AC continue. It helps cool faster. Most cars also have “Max A/C” or “Recirculate” mode, use that once the interior has started cooling, it recycles the already cooled air which helps reach a comfortable temp quicker. Another tip: use a sunshade in the windshield when parked (many locals do, and you might find a cheap folding sunshade in the trunk provided by the rental or left by a previous renter, if not, a $5 investment can be worth it for your comfort). But bottom line: yes, your rental car will have A/C and it will blow cold. If it doesn’t, come right back and we’ll fix the situation. Keeping you cool is part of keeping you a happy customer! Enjoy that moment when you open the door and get hit with heat, then the car cools down and it’s like ahhhh… welcome to Phoenix.
No, not generally. Major U.S. rental car companies almost universally prohibit driving their vehicles into Mexico (and typically also into Mexico’s border “free zone”) without special arrangements. At Phoenix Sky Harbor, the standard rental agreement will forbid crossing into Mexico. The reason is insurance, U.S. insurance isn’t valid in Mexico, and the risk and logistics if a car is stolen or damaged across the border are tricky. Some companies might allow it if you pre-arrange and purchase a hefty Mexican insurance package and have a car that’s specifically approved for it, but this is more common at locations near the border (like San Diego or El Paso rentals sometimes offer it). In Phoenix, it’s quite far from the border (about 180 miles to Nogales), and they don’t really cater to Mexico travel from here. If you do drive a rental car into Mexico without permission and something happens, expect huge liabilities and costs, and likely being in breach of contract (meaning you pay big). The safe route: Don’t do it. If your travel plans include Mexico (say, Rocky Point/Puerto Peñasco is a popular beach for Arizonans), consider either taking a shuttle or driving your own car. Some Phoenix-area rental agencies (not the majors) near the border might have Mexico rental programs, but at the airport, nope. On the bright side, you can drive anywhere in the U.S. and Canada with your Phoenix rental (Canada is usually allowed with a mention, as we discussed). If you were hoping to pop down to Mexico, one alternative: drive to the border, park on the U.S. side, and walk or take a Mexican rental/taxi on the other side. For example, some people drive to Nogales, AZ, park, and walk into Nogales, Sonora for a day trip, that’s fine and you avoid taking the car over. To summarize: Phoenix rental cars must stay in the U.S. (and Canada). Mexico is off-limits unless you find a very specific rental option and get written permission + insurance, which is rare and costly. When in doubt, ask us, but 99% of the time the answer will be no for Mexico. Keep your adventures north of the border with the rental, and you’ll be covered.
No, unlike some states, Arizona currently has no traditional toll roads. You won’t encounter any toll booths or required toll payments on the highways in and around Phoenix or anywhere in Arizona for that matter. The major interstates (I-10, I-17, I-40, etc.) and state highways are all free to use. Phoenix does have a system of HOV/express lanes on I-10 and I-17, but those are not tolled (they’re just restricted to carpoolers at peak times, not pay lanes for single drivers, with one exception noted below). The only quasi-“toll” setup in the Phoenix area is the optional express lanes on I-10 and AZ-202 (as of 2025, under the new freeway expansion projects). These are like HOT lanes (high-occupancy or toll lanes) which allow single drivers to use the carpool lane for a fee with an electronic pass. As a visitor, you likely won’t bother with that, rental cars typically won’t have the local transponder (called HOV Express Pass or part of the Arizona FasTrak system). Those lanes are clearly signed; if you don’t have a pass, just avoid them during their operational hours or use the general lanes. But again, that’s very limited (only on specific stretches) and if you accidentally used one without a pass, it’d likely trigger a violation bill to the rental, best to avoid. Outside of that, you can drive freely without toll worries. So you won’t need to budget for tolls or ask for a toll device like you might in other states. One thing to mention: if your road trip takes you into other states nearby, Texas, Colorado, California, Mexico, those places have toll roads (Mexico definitely, TX has many). But within Arizona, no. Just focus on enjoying the scenery instead of fumbling for change. We’ll keep you updated if Arizona ever implements toll roads, but as of now, drive on, toll-free!
For most travelers and destinations in Arizona, a regular 2-wheel drive car will be perfectly fine. All the major sights, Grand Canyon South Rim, Sedona, Tucson, etc., are accessible by paved roads that a standard car can handle easily. Phoenix itself is a very car-friendly city with flat, well-maintained roads. So if your plan is sticking to highways and normal tourist routes, you do not need an SUV or 4x4. That said, there are reasons you might want one. If you’re traveling in winter to northern Arizona (Flagstaff, Grand Canyon), those areas can get snow. Highways are plowed, but an AWD SUV can give extra confidence if a storm hits. Note though, even standard cars in rental fleets typically have all-season tires sufficient for light snow. If you’re going to Sedona, some trailheads (like down a bumpy dirt road) could be easier with an SUV’s clearance, but plenty of people take sedans cautiously down those roads too. • Off-roading: Rentals generally forbid taking vehicles truly off-road (like off established roads or on rough 4x4 trails). If you plan something like driving the back way to Crown King or doing the Apache Trail’s unpaved portion beyond Tortilla Flat, first, check the rental agreement (most likely prohibited), second, you’d need a high-clearance vehicle. For standard sightseeing, you won’t be doing those extreme routes. • Comfort and group size: If you have 4-5 people plus luggage, an SUV or minivan will simply be more comfortable than cramming into a compact car for a road trip. Also, Arizona has wide open highways with higher speed limits, some like the space and safety-feel of an SUV on the interstate. • Summer heat: doesn’t really matter sedan vs SUV, both will have AC that works hard. Perhaps an SUV’s AC might cool a bigger cabin a tad slower, but negligible difference, main thing is make sure any vehicle’s AC is functioning (if not, we’ll swap you out). Fuel economy-wise, sedans are better, gas is reasonably priced in AZ but on a long trip an efficient car can save you money. In short: choose based on your comfort, group needs, and maybe weather season. Many visitors drive compact or midsize cars all around AZ without any issues. If in doubt during winter, you could rent an SUV for a day or two specifically for a snow area trip, but typically it’s not necessary. Our fleet is well-maintained, so whatever you choose, we’ll ensure it’s up to the task. And remember, even if you rent a little car, you can still access big experiences!
Rental prices in Phoenix can start as low as $25 per day for an economy car in off-peak periods. On average, you might see ~$30–$40/day for a standard sedan. Prices depend on season and demand, for example, winter (especially January-March) is peak tourist season in Arizona, and major events like the Phoenix Open or spring training can push rates higher. Conversely, the hot summer months often have cheaper rates due to lower demand. We’ve seen midsize SUVs around $45/day in summer, but maybe $60+/day in March. The best way to get a good rate is to book early (as soon as you know your dates) and compare on our site, we show you all the deals in one place. Also, renting longer can lower the effective daily rate (a week rental usually has a discount vs. per-day). Keep in mind, Phoenix airport rentals have an airport concession fee and taxes, which add roughly 30% to the base rate, our quotes always show the total with these included, so you’re not surprised. As a ballpark, expect roughly $250–$350 for a week’s rental of a typical car, all-in. Lastly, look out for any promo codes or membership discounts, we often automatically apply those if you’re eligible (e.g., AAA discounts) so you get the cheapest price. In summary, Phoenix car rentals are often quite affordable, but rates do fluctuate, check your dates on our site for the most accurate price.