Ready to hit the road in Baton Rouge? It’s as easy as pecan pie. Use the search form above, just enter your preferred pick-up location in Baton Rouge (whether it’s Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport [BTR] or a downtown rental office), your dates, and click “Search.” In seconds, you’ll see real-time offers from dozens of rental providers across Baton Rouge. Our system lets you filter by car type, maybe you need a compact car to zip around campus and downtown, an SUV to fit the family for a swamp tour, or a comfy full-size for the drive to New Orleans. Once you find your ride, booking takes just a couple of minutes. Most of our rentals let you reserve now and pay later at pick-up and come with free cancellation up to 48 hours before pick-up (plans can change, we get it). With a few clicks, you’ll secure a great deal on the ideal car for your Baton Rouge adventure, leaving you with more budget for local delicacies like jambalaya and beignets!
Welcome to Baton Rouge, Louisiana’s vibrant capital city, where Cajun meets Creole and the mighty Mississippi River rolls by! Having a rental car in Baton Rouge is the key to unlocking not only the city’s historic sites and lively college-town atmosphere, but also the many attractions spread across Louisiana’s river parishes and beyond. This page is your complete Baton Rouge car rental guide, loaded with local insights and money-saving deals to ensure you have a smooth ride in the Red Stick (fun fact: “Baton Rouge” means “red stick” in French!). Whether you’re flying into BTR Airport for a business trip at the Capitol, visiting an LSU student, or planning day trips from Baton Rouge to New Orleans or Natchez, we’ll help you find the perfect vehicle with ease and at a great price. Get ready to cruise between downtown’s skyscrapers and moss-draped oak alleys, tailgate in style at Tiger Stadium, and explore Louisiana’s scenic byways with confidence, all while keeping extra cash for that delicious southern cooking.
Baton Rouge is a sprawling city by the river, and public transit is limited, a car will truly elevate your experience. Here are top reasons to rent a car in Baton Rouge:
In sum, renting a car in Baton Rouge transforms it from a series of far-flung points on a map into an easily navigable adventure. You’ll save time, see more, and travel comfortably (with that sweet sweet air-conditioning, crucial in our summer months!). While downtown Baton Rouge itself is walkable in spots (you can stroll between the Capitol, museums, and riverfront casinos), to really grasp the city and its surroundings, a car is the way to go.
Our Baton Rouge Car Rental Advantages
When you book with AirportVanRental in Baton Rouge, you’re tapping into local expertise and great deals tailored for the Capital City. Here’s what sets us apart:
Today’s Top Baton Rouge Car Rental Deals
(“From” rates are recent sample base prices for rentals in Baton Rouge; actual prices will depend on your dates, vehicle availability, and how long you rent. Prices exclude taxes/fees, which in Baton Rouge add roughly 12–15%, we’ll show you the total before you finalize your booking, no worries. Deals update frequently, hence “Updated: just now”, meaning we’re constantly refreshing to show current specials. Tip: Weekend rates can be super low here when demand is down, so consider a Fri-Mon rental for the cheapest per-day price. Also, booking a week or more often yields a lower daily rate than a short rental. And of course, if there’s a big event in town (LSU homecoming, Bayou Country Superfest, etc.), cars might book up, so reserve early during those times to lock in a good rate.)
Driving in Baton Rouge: Tips and Local Insights
Driving in Baton Rouge comes with its own quirks and considerations. We often joke that Baton Rouge has two seasons: summer and “construction”, but don’t worry, with a few tips you’ll navigate like a local:
Traffic & Rush Hours: Baton Rouge is infamous in Louisiana for its rush hour traffic, largely due to the Mississippi River bridge bottleneck and a growing population. Weekday rush hours typically run 7:00–9:00 AM and 4:00–6:30 PM. The worst spots are I-10 and I-12 merging (on the east side of town) and especially I-10 over the Mississippi River (Horace Wilkinson Bridge) heading westbound in the afternoons. It’s not unusual for I-10 west to back up from downtown all the way past LSU to the “Mall of Louisiana” area during a bad evening rush. If you need to cross the river to Port Allen or beyond at peak times, consider using US-190’s Huey Long Bridge (north of downtown) as an alternate, it’s less direct but often saves time when I-10 is a parking lot. Within the city, Airline Highway (US 61) and Florida Blvd (US 190) are major surface arteries that can also see heavy traffic around those times (lots of stoplights). If you’re traveling around LSU, note that around 5 PM the roads leaving campus (like Nicholson Dr, Highland Rd, Burbank Dr) will be congested with students and staff heading home. Best strategy: plan your driving outside peak hours if you can (maybe enjoy a coffee or happy hour and let traffic die down). On the plus side, weekends usually flow much easier, except perhaps around popular shopping areas (Bluebonnet Blvd by the Mall, Siegen Lane, etc., on Saturday afternoons). One more tip: Game Days, when LSU football has a home game (typically Saturdays in fall), expect very unusual traffic patterns. Before the game (morning/afternoon), and especially after (evening), the vicinity of LSU and connecting highways can be jammed. Police often direct traffic en masse. If you’re not attending the game, avoid driving near campus around those times, errands can wait!
Navigating the City: Baton Rouge has a mix of winding historic roads and straightforward newer ones. Key to know: Interstates, I-10 runs east-west (but in BR it’s more northeast-southwest actually) and passes through downtown and over the river. I-12 splits off I-10 in east BR and goes toward Hammond (effectively an east-west through north Baton Rouge). Many locations are described by exits like “Siegen Lane exit” or “College Drive exit,” so watch those overhead signs. Surface streets: Some of the major ones span long distances (e.g., Airline Hwy runs north-south along the eastern side of BR, Government St runs through Mid City, Nicholson Dr/Highland Rd through LSU area). Downtown Baton Rouge is on a grid, but one confusing thing is North vs South, East vs West based on the Capitol, e.g., North Street is different from South Street, and numbers change across Florida Blvd. If you’re downtown, you’ll see numbered streets (1st, 3rd, 4th) and state-named streets (Florida, Louisiana, etc.). It’s fairly navigable with GPS. Outside downtown, naming is less grid, more traditional. U-turns: On some big boulevards like Airline Hwy or College Drive, you might have to pass your destination and make a U-turn due to medians. Legal and common here, just use the designated turn lanes. Right on Red: Louisiana permits right turns on red (after stop) unless signed otherwise, so feel free when it’s safe. School Zones: Baton Rouge has many schools on busy roads, during school start/end (often 7-9 AM and 2-4 PM on weekdays), flashing lights indicate a 20 mph or 25 mph school zone, strictly enforced. So keep an eye for flashing yellow signs on roads like Government St, Lee Drive, etc., and slow down, tickets are hefty and the city does use cameras at some zones. LSU Campus: If you drive on campus (open to public roads), note the speed is mostly 25 and lots of pedestrians. Also, some roads become one-way on game days.
Parking in Baton Rouge: Compared to New Orleans or other big cities, parking in BR is generally plentiful and often free or low-cost. Downtown: There are parking garages and surface lots around Third Street, Convention Street, etc. Street parking downtown is typically metered weekdays 8 AM, 5 PM, free in evenings and weekends. The meters are cheap (~$1.50/hr). When visiting the State Capitol or museums, you’ll find free parking lots around the Capitol complex (north side) or meter parking near Louisiana State Museum. On weekdays when the legislature is in session, downtown can fill up a bit more. LSU Campus: Most campus parking lots require a permit on weekdays for students/faculty. Visitors should use metered spots or designated visitor lots (like at the Union). If you park in a random lot on a weekday, you risk a ticket. On weekends or evenings, some restrictions ease (and game days have their own system, usually you’ll be directed where to park for a fee unless you have a pass). Shopping Centers/Malls: All free parking, generally lots of it. Neighborhoods and Attractions: Places like Mid City (around Government Street’s restaurants, etc.) have free street parking usually. The popular Tiger Stadium/LSU sports venues, on game days, parking is a mix of paid lots (some pre-sold, some cash lots) and free first-come spots far out. If you’re going to a game, go early or consider shuttle options; otherwise, if not attending the game, avoid driving right by campus. Airport: Baton Rouge Airport has its own parking garage and surface lot, if you’re returning a rental there, follow rental car return signs (usually separate area). If you need to park a personal car, it’s relatively inexpensive (but since you have a rental, likely not needed). General rule: except downtown and campus, you rarely pay for parking in BR. Just be mindful of any “No Parking” signs in residential areas, and don’t block driveways or hydrants (common sense anywhere).
Road Conditions: Baton Rouge’s roads can be a mixed bag. Some newer roads (like segments of Essen Lane, Siegen Lane) are smooth. But older streets and less maintained areas can have potholes or rough patches, Government St used to be notorious but is improved now. Still, be cautious on smaller side streets after heavy rain, potholes can hide in puddles. The city is gradually improving infrastructure but you might encounter some bumpy rides in places. If driving at night, keep an eye out, fewer streetlights in some residential stretches, and you want to avoid hitting any “tire-eating” potholes. Generally, highways are fine (just lots of traffic). Construction can cause lane shifts, e.g., I-10 widening projects might be ongoing, so heed construction zone speed limits.
Weather Considerations: Baton Rouge gets heavy rain and thunderstorms, especially in summer afternoons. If it’s raining buckets, some intersections can quickly get waterlogged. Avoid driving through flooded areas, if water looks deep (covering the curb), find another route. Our drainage can be iffy, but floods usually recede once rain stops. During thunderstorms, visibility can drop; slow down and use headlights (Louisiana law requires headlights on when wipers are in use). Hurricanes: If a tropical storm or hurricane is approaching, heed any warnings. Baton Rouge is inland enough not to usually evacuate unless it’s a big one, but be prepared for heavy rain and wind. If a major hurricane hits the coast, BR’s roads can be crowded with evacuees and contraflow traffic from New Orleans, something to keep in mind in peak hurricane season (Aug-Sep). Heat: Summers are very hot, ensure your rental’s AC is functioning (it will, and it’ll be your best friend). Maybe use a sunshade if parking outside to keep the car cooler. Fuel won’t vapor lock or anything, but do keep an eye on engine temp if stuck in long traffic in 95°F, modern cars handle it fine though.
Unique Local Driving Tips: One funny local thing, on some multi-lane roads, folks sometimes treat a shoulder or extra lane as a turning lane (like on Florida Blvd or Airline). It’s not official, but you’ll see it. Also, Baton Rouge drivers can be a bit…impatient during rush hour, and some weave lanes or tailgate. Try to stay calm and don’t engage in road rage; it’s not super common but frustration can show. Use your indicator (turn signal), some locals joke that many BR drivers don’t, but you should to be safe. Police presence: You’ll see State Troopers on the interstates (especially around I-10/I-12 junction and near bridge), they do ticket for speeding and HOV lane misuse (note: Baton Rouge doesn’t really have HOV lanes like bigger cities, so scratch that). City police and sheriff’s deputies are around more in town; they might pull you over for running red lights or school zone speeding, etc. Also, move over law: if you see an emergency vehicle on shoulder, move to the next lane or slow down.
Tolls: Good news, no toll roads in or around Baton Rouge. The I-10 Mississippi River bridge is free (just congested). Only tolls in Louisiana are far away (Causeway in New Orleans area, LA-1 to Grand Isle, etc.). So you won’t deal with toll booths here.
Out-of-Town Drives: Baton Rouge is at a crossroads, New Orleans ~1.5 hours down I-10 (watch for traffic around Kenner, often slow near spillway). Lafayette ~1 hour west on I-10 (the Atchafalaya Basin Bridge is a long 18-mile stretch, drive carefully, and note there’s a lower speed limit at night and in rain on that bridge). Natchez, MS about 1.5 hours north via scenic highways (beautiful drive up LA-61). Gulf Shores, AL (beaches) ~4.5 hours. Point being, if you do side trips, plan accordingly for time.
Overall, driving in Baton Rouge is manageable and often necessary to truly see everything. With these tips, you’ll avoid common pitfalls (like that 5pm jam on the bridge) and make the most of your rental car. Buckle up (law: everyone must wear seat belts), set your favorite radio station (try 100.7 FM for country or 94.1 FM for classic rock, or Cajun music on 88.3 FM on weekends), and enjoy cruising through Louisiana’s Capital City!
Road Trip Ideas from Baton Rouge
Baton Rouge’s central location makes it a great launching point for various road trips. Whether you want to soak in more Louisiana culture or venture to neighboring states, here are three awesome road trip ideas from the Red Stick:
Historic River Road to Natchez (Baton Rouge to Natchez, MS):Distance: ~90 miles one-way; best done as a day trip or easy overnight.
Cajun Country Circuit (Baton Rouge to Lafayette and Acadiana):Distance: ~130-mile loop (round-trip); ideally a 2-day trip to savor everything.
New Orleans & Coastal Detour (Baton Rouge to New Orleans via Bayou Country):Distance: ~200 miles round-trip (with detours); can be done in 1 long day, but better 2 days with an overnight in New Orleans.*
These road trips from Baton Rouge offer a taste of Louisiana and surrounding regions beyond what you’d see if you just stayed in town. Whether it’s history, music, food, or nature, a rental car gives you the freedom to explore at your leisure. Fill up the tank (gas is pretty affordable here), grab your favorite road snacks (and maybe some boudin balls to-go), and hit the road for an adventure. And remember, if you need any guidance or help during your journey, we’re just a phone call away. Happy travels, y’all!
Frequently Asked Questions
Prices can vary depending on the time of year, demand, and the type of vehicle, but let’s give a general range. For an economy or compact car, you might see rates as low as $30-$40 per day during off-peak times. More typically, around $45-$55/day is common for a mid-size or standard car. SUVs or minivans might range from $60 to $90 per day, again depending on demand. Baton Rouge isn’t as tourist-heavy as, say, New Orleans, so rates here often remain reasonable except maybe during big events (like LSU graduation, football games, or major conventions when lots of folks are in town needing wheels). If you’re renting for a week or more, the weekly rate usually gives you a better per-day deal (for example, a car that’s $50/day might be around $300 for a week, which averages to ~$43/day). Also, booking ahead typically secures better pricing, last-minute rentals, especially at the airport, can be pricier. Don’t forget to factor in taxes and fees (roughly 12-15% in BR). We at AirportVanRental do show you the full price before you confirm, so you’ll see “base rate” plus “taxes/fees” for transparency. And keep an eye out for any specials, sometimes there are weekend deals (like rent Friday-Monday for cheap) or free upgrade promotions. To illustrate: You might find a midsize car for the weekend at $35/day and a full-size for $37, in that case, why not take the bigger one? We highlight those when available. Remember, Louisiana has relatively cheap gasoline, so fuel costs won’t kill your budget; thus, sometimes getting a larger vehicle for comfort is worth the few extra bucks in rental cost. Summing up: budget $40-$70/day for most cars in Baton Rouge as a ballpark, with economy on the low end and specialty vehicles higher. Use our search to get real-time exact quotes for your dates, they could be pleasantly lower if there’s a deal running!
Good news, no toll roads in Baton Rouge or immediate vicinity. You can drive all around the city, across the Mississippi River bridges, and on the interstate highways in this region without ever paying a toll. Louisiana in general has very few toll roads. The only tolls in the state are down in New Orleans area (the Causeway bridge over Lake Pontchartrain has a toll southbound, and a couple minor ones like the ferry or LA-1 to Grand Isle). Baton Rouge used to have one toll bridge historically (the Sunshine Bridge over the Mississippi had a toll many years ago, but it’s no longer collected). Also, the newer LA-1 Bridge over the Mississippi at the south end of town (the “New Bridge” on the west side) is free. So you won’t encounter any toll booths in Baton Rouge.
Downtown Baton Rouge: On weekdays, you’ll find on-street metered parking (about $1.50/hour, typically 2-hour limits, enforced roughly 8am-5pm). These meters accept coins and often credit cards or there’s an app (some use the Flowbird app). After hours (evenings after 5 and weekends), street parking is usually free and much more open. There are also several parking garages downtown, like at the River Center, Third Street, etc. Those might charge a small fee (a couple bucks for a few hours, or flat $5-10 if there’s an event). If you’re visiting the State Capitol or governmental buildings, there are free lots around the Capitol complex, just pay attention to any signage if some spots are reserved for legislators or staff, but visitor parking is available. One thing: during big downtown events (like Live After Five concerts or parades), downtown can get busy, but even then, you usually can find a spot with a little patience. • LSU/College Area: On campus, parking is restricted on weekdays, you can’t park in student/faculty lots without a permit. However, LSU has some metered visitor spots (e.g., near the Union, or at Memorial Tower) and a few pay lots/garages now (like the one by the LSU Student Union or Nicholson Gateway). Off campus in areas like North Gates (around Chimes Street), street parking is often free but can be packed when class is in session. Many visitors opt to park at places like the Barnes & Noble (which has some public parking) or an off-campus lot and walk a bit. For LSU game days (football especially), parking is a whole different beast, lots of free first-come parking on the periphery (like the levee lots) and paid closer lots, but traffic is crazy, so arrive super early or consider shuttles. But aside from game days, LSU area parking is manageable; just mind the signs and don’t park illegally in reserved or handicap spots. And be aware: LSU Parking attendants will ticket if you’re in a faculty spot without a tag (tickets are around $50). • Shopping & Dining Areas: Most places outside downtown have free parking lots. For instance, shopping centers (Mall of Louisiana, Perkins Rowe, Towne Center) have ample free parking. Restaurants usually have their own lots or shared plazas. Only thing is around popular dinner time, a busy restaurant’s lot (like some on Perkins Road Overpass area) might fill, but you can often find overflow on a side street or valet for a small fee if offered. • Residential Areas: If you’re parking in a neighborhood (like Beauregard Town or Spanish Town near downtown, or the Garden District), generally it’s free street parking. Just don’t block driveways or fire hydrants (universal rule). Some downtown adjacent neighborhoods have time limits to prevent all-day parking by downtown workers, check for any posted signs, but most of BR doesn’t have “permit-only” residential parking except around LSU there are a few. • Airport: If you for some reason need to park a rental (or your own car) at the airport, BTR has a garage and outdoor lot, with reasonable daily rates (~$12/day garage, $9 outdoor, as of recently). But since you’d usually return your rental, not much to worry about there. Returning rental cars at BTR has designated spots. • Safety: Baton Rouge, like any city, has areas where car break-ins can happen. It’s not rampant, but it’s wise to not leave valuables visible, especially in downtown or in parked cars at trailheads/parks. Use trunks or take items with you. Downtown and popular spots have police patrols, but still be smart about it. • Accessibility: Plenty of handicap parking is available in lots and near venues if you have a placard. Downtown has some on-street handicap spots that allow free meter time (Louisiana law allows those with a handicap tag to park at meters up to 3 hours or exceeding limit without paying, but double-check local enforcement policies). In summary, parking in Baton Rouge is relatively stress-free. You won’t spend 30 minutes circling for a spot like in bigger cities, most likely. And you won’t typically pay more than a few bucks if you do have to pay. It’s one reason having a rental car here is so convenient, you can almost always park close to your destination. So, rent with confidence that you won’t be suffering parking nightmares. If you ever go somewhere and aren’t sure where to park, a quick look on Google Maps (satellite view) often shows parking lots, or just call the venue, locals will gladly direct you.