Ready to hit the road in Denver? Use the search form above to find your ideal car. Enter your pickup location (Denver International Airport, Downtown Denver near Union Station, etc.), dates, and click Search. In seconds, you’ll be browsing real-time offers from dozens of rental companies in Denver. Filter by vehicle type to find exactly what you need – maybe a compact car for zipping around the city, or an SUV with AWD if you’re heading up to the mountains. Our booking process is quick and secure. Most rentals let you reserve now, pay later at pickup, and offer free cancellation if your plans change. In just a few clicks, you’ll lock in the perfect Denver car rental so you can land and go, hassle-free.
Welcome to Denver, the Mile High City where urban culture meets the great outdoors. Having a rental car in Denver is the key to experiencing it all, from downtown breweries and museums to alpine drives up the Rockies. This page is your complete guide to renting a car in Denver, packed with money-saving deals and local tips to help you navigate Colorado like a pro. Whether you’re flying into DEN for business, heading to the ski slopes, or planning a scenic road trip through national parks, we’ve got you covered with affordable rates and insider advice. Get ready to explore Denver and beyond at your own pace, your Rocky Mountain adventure starts here.
Our Denver Car Rental Benefits
Today’s Top Denver Car Rental Deals
(“From” rates based on recent searches, exclude taxes/fees. Prices can jump in peak periods like summer and ski season. Denver’s high-demand times (holidays, powder weekends) mean limited cars, so book early for those. All deals above include unlimited mileage. We clearly display estimated total price with Denver’s ~10–15% taxes and any airport fees, so you know the full cost before you book.)
Driving in Denver: What to Know
Driving in Denver combines city driving with the potential for mountain journeys. Here are key tips:
Road Trips from Denver
Denver is a launching pad to some of the country’s most breathtaking road trips. Here are three unique itineraries from Denver, each offering a different taste of adventure:
1. Alpine Escape: Denver to Rocky Mountain National Park
Distance: ~65 miles to Estes Park (gateway to RMNP), ~1.5–2 hours drive. If you take the scenic route through the park and back, expect ~200 miles round-trip. Best done as a day trip or overnight.
Route: From Denver, take US-36 west/northwest through Boulder (worth a stop for its Pearl Street charm) to Estes Park. This drive alone is pretty, passing Flatirons and foothills. Estes Park is the eastern gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP). Enter RMNP via the Beaver Meadows entrance. In summer, you can drive across the park on the famous Trail Ridge Road (US-34) all the way to Grand Lake on the western side, then loop back to Denver via US-34 east and back down to US-36, or via I-70 if you go the long way around. In winter, Trail Ridge is closed beyond certain points, so you’d return the way you came.
Highlights: Estes Park is a quaint mountain town, check out the historic Stanley Hotel (from Stephen King’s The Shining fame) for a little thrill. As you enter RMNP, prepare for towering peaks and possibly spotting elk or mule deer near the road. Trail Ridge Road is a crown-jewel drive: topping out at 12,183 feet, it’s the highest continuous paved road in North America. You’ll literally drive above the treeline, with panoramic views of the Rockies on all sides. Key viewpoints include Rainbow Curve, the Alpine Visitor Center (a great pit stop at 11,800 ft), and Medicine Bow Curve. On the west side by Grand Lake, you descend into lush forests, a stark contrast to the alpine tundra above. Even if Trail Ridge is closed, the park’s east side offers plenty: drive Bear Lake Road to see Bear Lake (short walk to a beautiful alpine lake), Sprague Lake, and take in vistas at Many Parks Curve. Short hikes like Trail Ridge Road’s Tundra Communities Trail (if open) or Alberta Falls (lower elevations) are highly recommended for stretching your legs. Wildflowers carpet the meadows in July, and fall (Sept) brings golden aspen leaves and bugling elk during the rut.
Tips: Timed Entry Permit: In summer high season, RMNP uses a reservation system for entry during peak hours, be sure to get a timed entry permit online in advance (or arrive early/late when it’s not required). Estes Park has many local eateries (try some trout or elk dishes), a good meal before the drive back. Weather in the park can vary rapidly; afternoon thunderstorms are common, so drive Trail Ridge earlier in the day if possible. Pack layers, it might be 85°F in Denver and 55°F with wind up top on Trail Ridge. Altitude caution: if you’re not acclimated, take it easy on hikes; drink water and listen to your body. Lastly, watch out for wildlife on the roads, especially at dawn/dusk, hitting an elk or deer is dangerous for all. Give them distance if you see animals grazing near the roadside. This close-to-home road trip shows you Colorado’s mountain majesty with relatively little driving effort.
2. From Peaks to Arches: Denver to Moab (Arches & Canyonlands National Parks)
Distance: ~350 miles to Moab, Utah (one-way), roughly 5.5–6 hours drive without long stops. With amazing scenery en route, a 3–4 day trip is ideal.
Route: Head west on I-70 from Denver, this is your main corridor across the Rockies. You’ll climb up and over Eisenhower Tunnel (at 11,158 ft under the Continental Divide) and descend past ski resorts like Keystone, Breckenridge (via side roads), Copper Mountain, and Vail. Continue west through Glenwood Canyon (don’t miss this stunning stretch). At Grand Junction, you can detour south on Rimrock Drive through Colorado National Monument for a scenic loop, then rejoin I-70. Cross into Utah, where red rock mesas begin to dominate. Take exit 182 at Crescent Junction and drive south on US-191 for about 30 miles to reach Moab, Utah, the lively gateway town for Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park.
Highlights: This road trip is like going from one planet to another. Starting in Denver’s green mountains, you’ll pass the ski towns of Summit County (if you have time, stop in Frisco or Vail for a coffee with mountain views). Glenwood Springs (2.5 hours from Denver) is a great halfway stop, famous for its huge hot springs pool and the dramatic Glenwood Canyon you just drove through. Consider a soak or grab lunch in town. As you approach Grand Junction, the landscape turns to high desert. The Colorado National Monument (if you detour) offers a fantastic 23-mile rim road with towering red rock monoliths and canyons, a mini Grand Canyon vibe without the crowds. Crossing into Utah, your jaw will drop as you crest hills and see vast deserts and rock formations. Moab itself is an adventurer’s dream: a funky town full of jeeps, mountain bikes, and travelers. Just 5 miles north of town is Arches National Park, home to over 2,000 natural stone arches including the famous Delicate Arch (seen on Utah’s license plates). Drive the park road to Balanced Rock, the Windows section, and take the 3-mile roundtrip hike to Delicate Arch for a true bucket-list view (sunset is phenomenal, but bring a headlamp for the hike back in the dark). About 30 miles from Moab is Canyonlands National Park (Island in the Sky district), don’t miss the short walk to Mesa Arch (sunrise lights it up gloriously) and the viewpoints like Grand View Point, which overlook a 1,000-foot deep canyon carved by the Colorado River. Dead Horse Point State Park nearby is also jaw-dropping for sunset. Back in Moab, enjoy some local fare (bison burger or green chile stew) and local microbrews. If you’re into off-roading, consider a 4x4 tour on the famous Slickrock. This trip offers a bit of everything: high alpine scenery, relaxing hot springs, and the otherworldly red rock country of Utah.
Tips: It’s a long haul, so break up the drive, perhaps overnight in Glenwood Springs or Grand Junction, then continue to Moab. In winter, check road conditions on I-70; it’s maintained well, but heavy snow can cause occasional closures over the high passes. In Moab, summer heat is extreme (100°F+ in July/August), do outdoor activities in early morning or late afternoon and stay hydrated. Conversely, spring and fall are ideal and very popular, book accommodations in advance. National Parks: Arches now requires timed entry reservations in peak season (April–Oct) during daytime, plan ahead. Entrance fees: consider a National Park Pass if visiting multiple parks. Gas up in Grand Junction or Green River; services are sparse between towns in Utah. Lastly, be prepared for sensory overload, the drive west of Denver and the views in Utah are some of the prettiest in America, so take your time and enjoy the journey.
3. Great Plains to Badlands: Denver to Mount Rushmore & South Dakota’s Black Hills
Distance: ~360 miles to Mount Rushmore (via Rapid City, SD), around 6–7 hours drive one-way. With multiple sites to see, plan 4–5 days for a round-trip to savor everything.
Route: Drive north from Denver on I-25 through Cheyenne, Wyoming (100 miles). Continue on I-25 across the wide-open plains of eastern Wyoming to Orin (just past Douglas). Here, branch off to US-18/US-85 heading northeast toward South Dakota. You’ll pass through the town of Lusk, WY, then cross into South Dakota near Edgemont. Continue on US-385/SD-79 toward Rapid City, SD. Rapid City is the gateway to the Black Hills. From there, head south on SD-16 to Mount Rushmore National Memorial (near Keystone, SD). The return can loop east through Badlands National Park (take I-90 east to exit 131 for SD-240 Badlands Loop, rejoining I-90 at exit 110 near Wall) and then back down west/south via US-385 into Nebraska and Colorado, or simply backtrack the way you came.
Highlights: This road trip showcases a completely different side of the American West: rolling prairies, cowboy country, and famous Americana. Cheyenne, WY, is a historic capital with a big rodeo culture (if you pass through in late July, Cheyenne Frontier Days is a huge rodeo/fair). Farther north, you might detour at Fort Laramie National Historic Site in Wyoming, a well-preserved 19th-century fort from Oregon Trail days. Crossing into South Dakota’s Black Hills, the scenery changes from flat plains to pine-covered hills and granite peaks. Mount Rushmore is the star, seeing the 60-foot faces of four U.S. presidents carved into the mountain is awe-inspiring and oddly humbling. There’s a great visitor center and short trail that gets you closer to the monument. Nearby, Crazy Horse Memorial is another massive mountain carving in progress, depicting the Lakota warrior Crazy Horse; the scale is even larger than Rushmore, though it’s incomplete. The Black Hills are full of other attractions: Custer State Park is fantastic for wildlife (herds of bison often block the road, truly “buffalo jams”), and scenic drives like the Needles Highway wind through stunning rock spires (if time allows, drive this narrow, twisty route for sure). The town of Deadwood, up north, preserves the wild west gambling town vibe (Wild Bill Hickok met his end there). On the way back, Badlands National Park is an otherworldly landscape of sharp eroded buttes, striped in yellow and red, a very photogenic contrast to the green hills. Stop at Wall Drug in Wall, SD, the ultimate kitschy roadside stop famous for free ice water and 5¢ coffee, plus a maze of stores (its billboards have enticed travelers for hundreds of miles).
Tips: There’s a lot of driving on this route, so plan your stops. Many do a loop: Denver -> Black Hills -> Badlands -> down through Nebraska (perhaps stop at Scott’s Bluff or Carhenge) -> back to Denver. Summer is the best time for this trip (all attractions open, warm weather). September is great too for fewer crowds. Winters can be harsh and snowy in the Dakotas. Wildlife warning: In Custer State Park and around, buffalo (bison) roam free, always stay in your car if they’re on the road. They may look docile but are wild animals; give them right of way. Deer and pronghorn are common on roads, especially at dusk, so use caution. Gas: fill up in larger towns (Cheyenne, Rapid City), distances are long and services few in parts of WY. For Mount Rushmore, go early or late to avoid mid-day crowd rush. At night, consider returning for the evening lighting ceremony at Rushmore, it’s patriotic and moving. Also, remember you’ll pass through different states with varying speed limits (SD and WY have 80 mph on interstates, but watch for lower limits on smaller roads). This road trip gives you a sense of the vastness of the Great Plains and the rich history and natural beauty tucked in the Black Hills, truly an All-American drive.
Denver Car Rental Quick Facts
Frequently Asked Questions
Downtown Denver has plenty of parking, but most of it is paid. If you’re visiting attractions or staying at a hotel in the city center, here’s the rundown: Street parking: Meters are in effect typically from 8 AM to 10 PM Monday through Saturday in the core downtown (and 8 AM to 6 PM in some other areas). Rates are around $1–2 per hour, and many meters have a 2-hour time limit. Parking on the street is free overnight (after the meter’s hours end) and free all day Sunday and city holidays. Pay attention to signs, some blocks downtown become tow-away zones during rush hour (e.g., no parking 4–6 PM to clear lanes). Parking lots/garages: The downtown and surrounding districts (Capitol Hill, Uptown, RiNo) have numerous public garages. Prices range from ~$5 for an evening or weekend in some lots to $20–$30 per day in prime locations. The Denver Performing Arts Complex and the Colorado Convention Center have big garages if you’re around those. Parking apps: Denver’s meter system works with apps like ParkDenver or ParkMobile, which can be very handy to extend your time or pay by phone. Hotel parking: If you’re staying at a downtown hotel, valet parking is common and runs about $30–$50 per night. It’s pricey, but sometimes the in/out privileges and security are worth it. Alternatively, you can often find a nearby public garage that might be cheaper for overnight. Neighborhoods: In popular districts like Cherry Creek, parking is a mix of meters and free residential with time limits. Cherry Creek Shopping Center offers free parking in its lots for a few hours, which is a tip if you’re in that area. Park-n-Ride & Light Rail: If you want to avoid driving/parking downtown altogether during a workday, you can park at an RTD park-n-ride (like at a suburban light rail station) for free (if within the RTD district) or a small fee, and take the train or bus in. For example, parking at Decatur-Federal station or at Empower Field (when no game) and taking light rail can save money during a long day downtown. Overall, compared to some cities, Denver parking isn’t too brutal, you’ll usually find a spot within a block or two of your destination. Just budget a bit for it and watch for any signage about permits or street sweeping (yes, there’s street sweeping April–Nov monthly, which will tow you if you’re on the wrong side at 4 AM). Use garages during snowstorms (keeps your car dry and makes it easy to leave), and you should be set!
If you’re flying into Denver and need a car right away, renting at Denver International Airport (DEN) is simplest, all the big rental companies have shuttles from the terminal to their lots (5-10 minute bus ride). You’ll be on the road pretty quickly. Airport rentals do include extra fees (airport concession recovery, customer facility charge, etc.) which can make the bill roughly 10-15% higher than city locations. So, cost-conscious travelers sometimes try to avoid that by taking the airport train to downtown Denver ($10.50 on the A-Line) and renting from a downtown branch to save on fees. This can make sense if you’re staying in the city for a day or two first. However, downtown rental offices often have limited hours (some closed on Sundays or evenings) and potentially smaller inventory. Bottom line: For most, the convenience of renting at the airport is worth the slight premium, you land, get your car, and go. If you’re already going to be in downtown without a car (Denver has good light rail from the airport), and plan to rent after a few days, then a downtown rental can work great. We support both options. Compare prices (we show you the difference, including those fees). Another factor: Denver airport is far from downtown (about 25 miles). If your hotel is central and you don’t need a car immediately, you could wait and rent in the city to avoid paying for days you’re not using it. But if you’re heading straight to the mountains from the plane, grab that airport rental and hit the road.
Denver has a few tolled routes. The primary one is E-470, a toll beltway on the east side of the metro area (it runs from the south suburbs around to Denver International Airport and up to I-25 north). Additionally, there are some express lanes on I-25 and I-70 within the metro that act like toll lanes (free for HOV 3+ in some cases, toll for solo drivers). All of these tolls are electronic, no cash booths. When you drive a rental car on a toll road, the system will photograph the license plate. The toll will then be charged to the rental car company, which in turn charges you. Each rental company has its own policy: most enroll the cars in a toll program. Some charge a daily fee (e.g., ~$3.95 per day of use plus the tolls)library.municode.com, others just bill you the toll plus a flat admin fee per rental. It’s a bit confusing, but what it means is you don’t need to do anything on the spot, just drive through the electronic toll and expect a charge later. If you want to avoid tolls entirely, it’s doable: for example, instead of E-470, you can use I-225 (free) to go around the city, or surface streets. We provide a toll info sheet with your rental, so you know the specifics for your car. One more thing: High-Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes, Denver’s express toll lanes on US-36 and I-25 are free if you have 3+ people and an active transponder set to HOV mode (rental cars won’t have the transponder). So as a renter, assume you’ll pay if you use express lanes even with passengers. When in doubt, stick to the regular lanes; traffic isn’t usually terrible except rush hour. In summary: yes, toll roads exist but they’re avoidable. If you use them, we’ll handle the backend billing via your credit card on file.
Snow tires: Generally, the big national rental companies do not equip specific winter snow tires on their Denver fleets, they use all-season tires year-round (which are M+S rated). All-season tires are usually sufficient for Denver’s roads and moderate snow, especially if the vehicle is AWD. A few niche/local rental agencies might offer snow tire packages on certain cars (or things like studded tires), but that’s not the norm. Chains: Rental companies do not provide tire chains, and in fact most forbid you from putting chains on their vehicles (due to potential damage). The strategy for winter is usually: rent an AWD and drive cautiously. If conditions are so bad that chains would be required, it’s often better to delay travel until roads are cleared (Colorado is pretty quick with plowing major routes). The state’s traction laws accept all-season tires on AWD vehicles as meeting requirements, so you’ll be compliant in most cases. If you are worried and want maximum traction, you could inquire with local rental outlets, occasionally some have fleets with winter tires for mountain destinations (e.g., some Subaru rentals). But for the most part, plan that you’ll have standard all-weather radials. We also provide scraping tools/brushes in winter rentals for your convenience. Top tip: even with AWD, drive slower and give extra stopping distance on snow/ice. It’s not just about going, but also about turning and stopping safely.
If your visit is spring through fall and you’re mostly around Denver/Boulder/Colorado Springs, a regular 2WD car is perfectly fine, the city and major tourist areas have paved, well-maintained roads. However, if you’re coming in winter (approximately November through March) or you know you’ll be driving to ski resorts or high elevations, an AWD or 4x4 vehicle is highly recommended. Denver can get snow, and the mountains definitely do; an AWD gives you better traction on snow and ice. In fact, Colorado law sometimes requires adequate traction devices (snow tires or AWD or chains) on vehicles during snowstorms on I-70. Many rental sedans are front-wheel drive, which do okay in light snow, but they’re not great on steep, slick passes. An SUV with AWD will make your mountain drives far less stressful if the weather turns. Also, some trailheads or off-the-beaten-path areas (think remote hiking spots) have dirt or gravel roads where higher clearance is nice, another vote for an SUV/truck if those are on your agenda. If you’re sticking strictly to downtown Denver, no, you don’t need 4WD. But because Colorado’s weather can be unpredictable, we often say: when in doubt, go AWD, it’s a small upgrade for a big increase in capability.
Prices in Denver vary by season. Off-peak times (winter non-holiday, for example) might see economy cars in the $25–$35 per day range. During summer and ski season, demand is higher, a standard sedan or SUV might average $50–$70/day. Expect the upper end (or more) during big events (e.g., summer concerts at Red Rocks, holiday weekends in the mountains). The good news: we scour all the major companies for deals. Booking a bit in advance usually secures a better rate than last-minute. Also, weekly rentals often have a lower daily price than single-day rentals. Use our search to find real-time prices for your specific dates, we’ve often seen surprise bargains pop up even in high season.