Search and Compare in D.C.: Use the form above to find the best car rental deals in Washington, D.C. Choose your pickup location, from airport terminals (DCA, IAD) to downtown rental offices or even Union Station, then select dates to see live rates. We aggregate offers from multiple suppliers across the D.C. area, so you can easily compare economy cars, luxury sedans, SUVs, and more. Filter by car type or price and instantly see which option suits you. With our fast-booking process (and no pre-payment on most deals), securing your D.C. wheels is a breeze. Pro tip: for city exploring, a compact car can be ideal; for out-of-town adventures, consider an SUV or sedan for extra comfort.
Driving past historic architecture in Washington, D.C. Visiting Washington, D.C. means immersing yourself in national monuments, Smithsonian museums, and vibrant neighborhoods, and a rental car lets you see it all beyond the National Mall. While downtown D.C. itself is compact, having a car is invaluable for exploring the wider Capital Region: think Mount Vernon in Virginia, the beaches of the Chesapeake Bay, or the rolling hills of wine country in Loudoun County. With your own car, you can tour at your own pace, no need to juggle Metro schedules or expensive rideshares for every outing. Whether you’re flying into Reagan National (DCA), Dulles International (IAD), or arriving by train at Union Station, renting a car gives you freedom to roam, from the Capitol dome to scenic byways beyond the Beltway.
Top Car Rental Deals in Washington, D.C.
Deals change often based on demand. “From” rates are the lowest available price in the past days for a 24-hour rental, excluding taxes/fees (which we always show upfront). Start a search to see live prices for your dates, you might catch an even better last-minute offer!
Driving in Washington, D.C., What to Know
Traffic and Rush Hours: It’s no secret, D.C. traffic is among the nation’s worst. On weekdays, expect heavy congestion into the city from 6:30–10 AM, and out of the city 3:30–7 PM. Major arteries like I-495 (the Capital Beltway), I-66 (from Virginia into D.C.), I-295, and I-270 (from Maryland) get bumper-to-bumper during those times. If you’re commuting from Dulles or suburbs, plan extra time. D.C. also has unique HOV (carpool) rules: for example, on I-66 inside the Beltway, solo drivers must pay a toll during peak periods (HOV-2 can go free with an E-ZPass Flex set to carpool mode). Speaking of tolls, the region introduced Express Lanes on I-495, I-95 (in Virginia), and I-66, these are dynamic toll lanes that require an E-ZPass. They can save you time if traffic is bad, but fees vary by demand (carry an E-ZPass to use them). If you prefer to avoid tolls, use side roads or adjust your timing. Also, watch out for motorcades and road closures around downtown, if the President or foreign dignitaries are moving around, parts of Pennsylvania Ave or Constitution Ave might temporarily close, causing sudden jams (tune into WTOP 103.5 FM for traffic news on the 8s).
City Driving & Parking: Driving within D.C. proper can be tricky for newcomers. The city is a grid intermixed with diagonal avenues (like Pennsylvania, Massachusetts Ave.) that create huge intersections and circles. Always yield to pedestrians at crosswalks, D.C. has a lot of foot traffic (and strict enforcement of pedestrian right-of-way). Watch for traffic cameras at intersections; running red lights or speeding can result in automated tickets mailed to the rental company (and then to you). As for parking: Downtown D.C. has mostly metered street parking and garages. Meters are usually $2.30/hour in core areas (enforced Mon–Sat, varying hours). The ParkDC app is very handy for paying meters. Garage parking can range from $10 to $25 for a few hours, or $25–$35 for all-day parking near popular spots (like near Georgetown or the National Mall). If you’re visiting the National Mall museums, consider parking along Ohio Drive SW or at East Potomac Park (Hains Point) for longer-term meter parking; or use a garage north of the Mall and walk/Metro down. Residential neighborhoods (Dupont, Capitol Hill, etc.) often require residential permits on weekdays, check signs carefully to avoid hefty fines or towing. In summary, plan your parking before driving into busy areas, it will save time and stress. Many people opt to park once and then use the Circulator bus or Metro to hop around downtown.
Driving Beyond D.C.: One joy of having a car in Washington is the ease of escaping the city. Within an hour’s drive, you can be sipping wine in Virginia’s horse country or hiking in Maryland’s forests. If you’re driving in Virginia or Maryland’s rural areas, note that some parkways have lower speed limits. The George Washington Memorial Parkway (connecting D.C. to Mount Vernon) is a scenic drive along the Potomac with a 40-50 mph limit and frequent park police patrols, enjoy the view, but don’t speed. In Maryland, if you venture onto smaller roads in the countryside, watch for deer especially at dusk. Winter driving: D.C. and surrounding areas do get occasional snow and ice in winter. The city can be paralyzed by even a few inches of snow (roads get slick fast), while the suburbs may handle it a bit better. If snow is forecast and you’re not experienced in winter driving, consider delaying travel or using public transit, or ensure your rental has all-wheel drive. Conversely, in summer, thunderstorms can be intense but usually short; just use caution if you get caught in a downpour (visibility can drop suddenly). Lastly, remember that handheld cell phone use is illegal while driving in D.C., Maryland, and Virginia, use Bluetooth or pull over to use your phone.
Washington, D.C. Road Trip Ideas
The nation’s capital is surrounded by incredible destinations. Once you’ve explored D.C., hop in your car and consider these road trips:
1. Blue Ridge Mountain Escape, D.C. to Shenandoah National Park (Skyline Drive)
Distance: ~75 miles to Front Royal (north entrance of Skyline Drive), plus ~105 miles of Skyline Drive if you do the full length (about 3 hours from Front Royal to Waynesboro).
Route: Take I-66 West from D.C. about 65 miles to Front Royal, Virginia. This charming town is the northern gateway to Shenandoah National Park. Enter Skyline Drive at Front Royal (reachable via US-340 South). Skyline Drive will wind you through the Blue Ridge Mountains for 105 miles, ending near Waynesboro, VA (I-64).
Highlights: Trade Beltway traffic for mountain air. Start early from D.C. (grab coffee for the road) and watch the urban landscape give way to rolling hills. In just over an hour, you’ll reach Front Royal, stock up on snacks or picnic supplies here. Once on Skyline Drive, you’ll immediately be greeted with breathtaking vistas. There are 75 scenic overlooks along the route, be sure to stop at a few to soak in panoramic views of the Shenandoah Valley to the west and Piedmont to the east. Popular overlooks include Range View, Big Meadows area (stop at the Visitor Center there for exhibits and maybe lunch at the wayside), and Spitler Knoll. Keep your eyes peeled for wildlife, deer are common, and if you’re lucky (and quiet), you might spot a black bear ambling in the distance. Numerous trailheads along Skyline Drive offer short walks or longer hikes; a favorite is the Stony Man Trail (near Skyland) for an easy 1.6-mile hike to a stunning viewpoint. In autumn, the fall foliage is incredible, vibrant reds, oranges, and yellows paint the mountainsides. End your drive at Rockfish Gap near Waynesboro, where Skyline Drive turns into the Blue Ridge Parkway if you wish to continue.
Tips: Skyline Drive has a speed limit of 35 mph, this is a leisurely drive, so budget time accordingly (it’s about 3 hours end-to-end without stops). There’s an entrance fee for Shenandoah National Park (around $30 per vehicle for a week pass). Facilities in the park (gas, food, restrooms) are available but spaced out, Big Meadows and Skyland are main hubs. If doing a round-trip back to D.C. the same day, you might turn around at Big Meadows to save time. Cell service is spotty in the park, so download offline maps. And don’t forget to bring a jacket; even if D.C. is warm, mountain elevations can be cooler, especially in the evening.
2. Historic Virginia Journey, Washington, D.C. to Williamsburg
Distance: ~150 miles one-way (D.C. to Williamsburg, ~2.5 to 3 hours drive).
Route: Head south on I-95 from D.C. into Virginia. After about 50 miles, take I-295 around Richmond (to avoid downtown traffic) then merge onto I-64 East toward Williamsburg. Alternatively, for a scenic detour, take Route 301 through southern Maryland to cross the Potomac River at Harry Nice Bridge, then pick up I-95/I-295 near Richmond.
Highlights: This trip is a time-travel through American history. Consider a stop about 1 hour into the drive at Fredericksburg, VA, the downtown is steeped in Civil War history (the Fredericksburg battlefield and cemetery are just outside town) and colonial charm. Continue past Richmond (or stop in Richmond for a quick visit to St. John’s Church where Patrick Henry gave his “Give me liberty” speech). Arrive in Williamsburg, part of the “Historic Triangle” (with Jamestown and Yorktown). Williamsburg’s highlight is Colonial Williamsburg, a living history museum where the entire town is restored to 18th-century life, park the car and stroll Duke of Gloucester Street among costumed blacksmiths, colonial taverns, and maybe even Thomas Jefferson giving a speech. Nearby, drive a few miles to Jamestown Island, the site of the first permanent English settlement (visit Jamestown Settlement museum or the archaeological site at Historic Jamestowne). If you have time, take the Colonial Parkway (a scenic, no-commercial-traffic road) to Yorktown Battlefield, where Washington secured American independence. You can drive the battlefield tour route to see siege lines and cannons overlooking the York River. Modern fun: Busch Gardens Williamsburg is just outside town if the kids (or you) need a break from history for some roller coasters.
Tips: Start early to avoid D.C. traffic on I-95 (aim to leave before 6 AM or after 9:30 AM). I-95 in Northern VA can be congested, consider using the Express Lanes (E-ZPass required, dynamically tolled) to bypass traffic. In Williamsburg, many attractions have parking lots (Colonial Williamsburg’s Visitor Center has free parking with a shuttle into the historic area). Summer can be hot and humid, stay hydrated while walking in the colonial village. If doing a day trip, it’s a long day, you might consider staying overnight in Williamsburg (lots of family resorts and B&Bs) to fully enjoy the area and drive back refreshed the next morning.
3. Civil War to Civil Rights Loop, D.C. → Gettysburg & Antietam → D.C.
Distance: ~180 miles round trip (D.C. to Gettysburg to Antietam and back, approx 4–5 hours driving total).
Route: From D.C., take I-270 North into Maryland (~22 miles) then US-15 North to Gettysburg, Pennsylvania (about 80 miles from D.C.). After exploring Gettysburg, head south on US-15 then MD-77 west toward Antietam National Battlefield near Sharpsburg, MD (roughly 45 miles from Gettysburg). From Antietam, return to D.C. via MD-34 to US-340 East, connecting to US-15 and back to I-270 (about 70 miles back to D.C.).
Highlights: This loop is a profound journey through American history, from the Civil War to the Civil Rights movement. First stop, Gettysburg, the site of the Civil War’s pivotal battle in 1863. Start at the Gettysburg National Military Park Visitor Center: see the cyclorama painting and grab a map for the self-guided driving tour of the battlefield. Drive to iconic sites like Little Round Top, Devil’s Den, the Peach Orchard, and Cemetery Ridge. It’s hard not to feel moved standing where Lincoln delivered the Gettysburg Address (Soldiers’ National Cemetery). After Gettysburg, drive toward Maryland. You could take a pit stop in Frederick, MD, a charming town with Civil War hospitals history and a picturesque downtown, also, it’s a convenient lunch stop. Continue to Antietam Battlefield (Sharpsburg). Antietam (1862) was the bloodiest single-day battle in American history. The driving tour here leads you to Dunker Church, Bloody Lane, Burnside’s Bridge, sites that still evoke strong imagery. The landscape is beautiful and haunting. Late afternoon, depart Antietam. On your way back, if time permits and it’s before sunset, swing by Harpers Ferry, WV (just a short detour on US-340). Harpers Ferry is a quaint town at the confluence of the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers and was the site of John Brown’s abolitionist raid in 1859, a key event leading up to the Civil War. Park at the National Historical Park lot and shuttle into town to see the preserved 19th-century streets and the rivers’ views. Then head back to D.C. reflecting on the journey.
Tips: This is a full day, consider leaving around 7 AM to maximize time at the sites. Both Gettysburg and Antietam have entrance fees or suggested donations for museums. At Gettysburg, a guided tour (either bus or hiring a Licensed Battlefield Guide to ride in your car) is highly recommended for a richer experience, but if short on time, the self-drive audio tour is good too. Comfortable walking shoes are a must, you’ll want to walk some battlefields. During summer, battlefields are hot and with little shade, so hat and sunscreen are wise. Pack snacks and water in the car; while towns like Gettysburg have restaurants (try some PA Dutch specialties or classic diners), out on the battlefield roads there’s nowhere to buy food. Lastly, prepare for a somber, educational trip, it can be emotionally heavy, but incredibly enlightening.
Quick Washington, D.C. Car Rental Facts
Frequently Asked Questions
D.C. has strict enforcement, but you can avoid issues with a little caution: Parking tickets, Always check signage when parking. Look for street cleaning restrictions (many residential streets have sweeping once a week where you can’t park for a couple hours), residential permit requirements, meter time limits, and rush hour restrictions (some lanes become no-parking during peak times, e.g., 4-6:30 PM). If you use an app like ParkMobile for meters, it will usually not let you pay beyond allowed times, which is a helpful safeguard. Speed/traffic tickets, D.C. and surrounding counties use a lot of automated speed and red-light cameras. They’re often posted in areas with 25-35 mph limits. Stay within posted speed limits (they drop to 25 mph on many city streets). Notably, there are speed cameras on some highways too (like on I-295 and DC-295, and New York Ave). Also, remember in D.C. proper, turning right on red is not allowed unless a sign explicitly says it is (the opposite of many places), so don’t do a right on red in the District. If you do get a ticket, it will be mailed to the rental company, who will then charge your credit card on file plus an admin fee. So it’s best to drive carefully and avoid that headache altogether. Finally, when returning the car, refuel to the level you received to avoid refueling charges, and keep the gas receipt if possible, in case they query it.
Free parking in downtown D.C. is scarce, but not impossible. Meters are free overnight (usually after 10 PM until 7 AM) and on Sundays and federal holidays, so you can sometimes snag a street spot for free during those times. In residential areas outside the downtown core, you may find unmetered spots, but check for permit requirements. Parking garages sometimes offer evening flat rates (e.g., $8 after 5 PM) which can be a good deal for dinner or event outings. For touring the city during the day on a budget, one hack is to park near a suburban Metro station where parking is cheap (for example, at the end of the Silver Line or Red Line) and take the Metro in, but if you already have a rental car, that’s not always ideal. Some attractions have their own parking: e.g., the Zoo has a paid lot (around $30/day), and Arlington National Cemetery has a parking garage that’s reasonably priced. If you’re willing to walk a bit, parking in areas like the Waterfront (SW) or near L’Enfant Plaza can be slightly easier and then you walk or Metro to the Mall. Lastly, consider using parking apps (SpotHero or ParkWhiz), they often have discounts for pre-booking a garage space and can help you compare prices in various garages around town.
Traffic in and around D.C. can be very congested, especially during weekday rush hours (see our driving tips above). Highways like I-495 (the Beltway), I-66, and I-95/I-395 are notorious. To avoid the worst: plan your driving outside peak times (if you can, schedule drives after 10 AM and before 3 PM, or later in the evening after 7 PM). Use navigation apps like Google Maps or Waze, they’ll route you around major jams, even if it means taking local roads for a stretch. Keep an eye on real-time traffic before you depart; D.C. also has some reversible lanes and rush hour restrictions (for example, on Connecticut Avenue and Independence Avenue some lanes switch direction or are closed during peak times). If you’re not in a rush, an alternate route like the George Washington Parkway can be a pleasant (and often less congested) drive compared to I-395/I-95 for heading south, albeit with lower speeds. Lastly, consider using HOV lanes or express lanes if eligible, for instance, on I-395/I-95 in Virginia, there’s a reversible express lanes facility that is open to HOV-3 for free or available to solo drivers for a toll; it can save a lot of time traveling to northern Virginia suburbs.
Many D.C. hotels offer parking for guests, but it can be expensive (often $40-55 per night for valet parking in downtown). Always check your hotel’s parking options and fees. Some smaller or boutique hotels may not have on-site parking and will direct you to a nearby garage. Around the National Mall and monuments, there is limited street parking (some free 3-hour spots along Ohio Drive SW by the Tidal Basin, for example) and several parking areas (like near the Jefferson Memorial). However, during peak tourist times, those fill up early. The National Mall lacks a big central parking lot, so it’s often best to park slightly away from the Mall and walk or use the Circulator bus to get around the monuments. One tip: if you arrive at the Mall area early (before 10 AM), you have a better shot at street parking on Madison Dr./Jefferson Dr. alongside the Smithsonian museums (it’s 3-hour parking on weekdays, free but time-limited). Just be prepared to move your car or switch to a garage for the afternoon. Always double-check signs, enforcement in D.C. is strict and tickets are pricey.
: If you’re flying in and need a car immediately, renting at Reagan National (DCA) or Dulles (IAD) is convenient, you can pick up right after landing. Just keep in mind airport rentals include extra facility fees. If you’re staying in the city and don’t need a car for a few days, you could save money by renting from a downtown location for the portion of the trip when you’ll actually use the car. Downtown agencies (Enterprise, Hertz, Budget, etc., have offices in Northwest D.C.) often have slightly lower base rates and you avoid the airport fee. However, they have limited hours (closed evenings and some Sundays) and you’ll need to reach them by taxi/Metro. Also, traffic is lighter on weekends, so picking up downtown on a Saturday can be pretty easy. In summary: for convenience, go with the airport; for cost savings and if your schedule allows, consider an in-city pickup.