Ready to roll the dice on the perfect rental? Use the search form above to find your ride. Just enter your Las Vegas pick-up location (Las Vegas Airport (LAS) or any Las Vegas neighborhood branch), select your dates, and hit Search. In seconds, you’ll see deals from our network of dozens of rental providers in Vegas. Filter by vehicle type if you have something specific in mind – maybe snag a convertible for cruising the Strip, or an SUV if you’re heading out to Lake Mead. Booking is fast and secure, with most rentals offering pay-at-pickup and free cancellation up to 48 hours before pickup. In just a few clicks, you’ll reserve the ideal car for your Las Vegas adventure at a price that leaves more cash for the casinos (or that extra Cirque show!).
Las Vegas isn’t just casinos and neon (though there’s plenty of that!), it’s surrounded by amazing sights that beg for a drive. Having a rental car in Vegas gives you the freedom to experience everything, from cruising the Strip at midnight to-day-tripping out to Hoover Dam or Red Rock Canyon on your own schedule. This Las Vegas car rental guide combines the cheapest deals in town with insider tips on driving and exploring Nevada. Whether you’re flying in for a weekend of shows or embarking on a Southwest road trip, we’ll help you find the perfect set of wheels quickly, easily, and affordably. Get ready to hit the road in the Entertainment Capital of the World with more money in your pocket for the fun stuff.
Our Las Vegas Car Rental Benefits
Top Las Vegas Car Rental Deals
(Note: “From” rates are recent base prices we’ve seen and do not include taxes/fees. Nevada’s rental taxes total about 18% in Las Vegas, which we’ll show in your quote. Prices fluctuate with demand, e.g. expect higher rates during big events like CES or holiday weekends, and lower rates mid-week in off-peak times. Book early for popular dates, as Vegas can sell out during conventions!)
Driving in Las Vegas: Tips and Local Insights
Driving in Las Vegas is generally straightforward, the city is laid out in a grid, and most attractions are concentrated on or near Las Vegas Boulevard (the Strip). Here are some key tips to know:
Road Trips from Las Vegas
Las Vegas makes a fantastic starting point for road trips, you can go from neon cityscape to stunning natural wonders in just a few hours. Here are three epic road trip itineraries unique to Las Vegas:
1. Desert Drive to the Grand Canyon (via Hoover Dam)
Distance: ~275 miles from Las Vegas to Grand Canyon South Rim (about 4.5 hours driving one-way). With sightseeing stops, plan 2–3 days round-trip for a comfortable adventure.
Route: Head east from Las Vegas on US-93 toward Arizona. After about 35 miles, you’ll reach Hoover Dam on the Nevada-Arizona border, a perfect first stop. Continue on US-93 through Kingman, AZ. From Kingman, take I-40 East to Williams, AZ, then go north on AZ-64 which leads directly to Grand Canyon National Park (South Rim). (On the way back, you can return the same way or loop via Flagstaff and I-40/I-93.)
Highlights: Hoover Dam is an engineering marvel, park and walk along the dam or the Memorial Bridge for jaw-dropping views of the Colorado River 700 feet below. As you drive through Arizona, consider a detour on historic Route 66 between Kingman and Seligman. Seligman is a quirky town with retro diners and Americana vibes, great for a lunch stop and fun photos. Arriving at the Grand Canyon South Rim, prepare to be awestruck. The South Rim has multiple viewpoints accessible by car: Mather Point (near the main Visitor Center) offers a classic panorama, while Desert View (25 miles east) has an iconic stone watchtower and expansive vistas. Sunset and sunrise at the canyon are absolutely worth the effort if you stay overnight nearby. You can also join a helicopter tour or hike a short way down Bright Angel Trail for different perspectives. On the return, if you have extra time, you might swing north from Williams through Page, AZ to see Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend, then loop back to Vegas via southern Utah, this turns the trip into a 4-5 day grand loop with even more natural wonders.
Tips: Fuel up in Kingman or Williams, there’s a long stretch with few services between Kingman and the Grand Canyon (no gas inside the park). In summer, start your driving early in the day to avoid the peak heat crossing the Mojave and to catch cooler, less crowded hours at the canyon. The South Rim sits at 7,000 feet elevation, so even summer nights can be cool, pack a light jacket. An America the Beautiful national parks pass can be cost-effective if you’re hitting multiple parks (Grand Canyon entry is ~$35 per vehicle). Lastly, watch your speed on the open Arizona highways; they’re tempting, but police do patrol (especially as you approach towns). This road trip packs in man-made wonder, Mother Nature’s splendor, and a slice of Route 66 nostalgia all in one.
2. Mojave to Coast, Las Vegas to Los Angeles
Distance: ~270 miles to Los Angeles, CA (4–5 hours driving direct). It’s doable in a long day, but consider 2 days so you can enjoy stops along historic Route 66.
Route: From Las Vegas, hop on I-15 South and drive through the Mojave Desert into California. It’s a straight shot on I-15 all the way. You’ll pass the state line at Primm, then Baker, Barstow, and Victorville before descending into the Los Angeles basin. In LA, I-15 becomes I-215/I-10 depending on your direction, you can follow signs toward your specific destination (whether it’s downtown, Disneyland via I-10/I-5, or the beaches via I-210/I-10).
Highlights: This classic drive takes you from Vegas glitz to Pacific coast glamour. Along the desert stretch, make a pit stop in Baker, CA, home to the “World’s Tallest Thermometer”, a kitschy roadside attraction commemorating a record 134°F day. Baker also has the famous Mad Greek Café (gyros in the desert, anyone?) and Alien Fresh Jerky for fun snacks. Further on, Barstow offers Calico Ghost Town just a few miles off I-15, an old silver mining town turned tourist attraction where you can stretch your legs and step back in time. As you approach San Bernardino, the road climbs over Cajon Pass; on a clear day, you might even see the outline of distant Los Angeles. Once in LA, reward yourself by driving out to Santa Monica Pier (the western end of the historic Route 66) or along Sunset Boulevard through Hollywood. You’ll have gone from the Mojave Desert to the Pacific Ocean, not many road trips offer such contrast in half a day!
Tips: Try to avoid driving from Vegas to LA on a Sunday afternoon or from LA to Vegas on a Friday afternoon, those are notorious peak times for traffic as weekenders shuttle between the two cities. If you must travel then, prepare for delays (the I-15 can back up for miles after holidays or big Vegas events). Mid-morning departures are usually calmer. Keep an eye on your car’s temperature in the summer; the climb out of Vegas through the Mojave can be tough on engines in 110°F heat (use A/C judiciously on uphill stretches). Always carry water for you and your passengers. And as you get into the LA metro, welcome back to city driving, you’ll encounter multi-lane freeways and possible heavy traffic. Use a GPS app to navigate the LA sprawl to your specific end point; after the simplicity of I-15, the web of LA freeways can be daunting. But with patience (and maybe some good tunes), you’ll do fine and have a fantastic story of Vegas to LA by car under your belt.
3. Red Rock to Canyons, Las Vegas to Zion & Bryce Canyon (Utah Loop)
Distance: ~160 miles Las Vegas to Zion National Park (2.5 hours). From Zion to Bryce Canyon is ~85 miles (about 2 more hours). Looping back to Vegas makes it ~500 miles total. Plan for 3–4 days to fully enjoy this round-trip.
Route: Drive north on I-15 from Las Vegas into Utah (crossing the scenic Virgin River Gorge in Arizona along the way). Take Exit 16 in Utah for UT-9 West toward Springdale, this road leads right to Zion National Park (south entrance). After exploring Zion, continue on UT-9 through the east side of Zion (you’ll go through a historic tunnel) and join US-89 North. Follow US-89 to UT-12 East, which takes you to Bryce Canyon National Park. To return to Las Vegas, backtrack down US-89 and I-15 South (or for a more adventurous route, from Bryce take UT-12 West to US-89 South and consider a detour through Cedar Breaks National Monument, then connect back to I-15).
Highlights: This trip treats you to two of Utah’s “Mighty Five” national parks. Zion National Park impresses with its towering red canyon walls. Drive the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive (note: in peak season, you must park and use the free shuttle bus to go along the canyon floor). Iconic hikes include Angels Landing (permit required, with dizzying drop-offs) and The Narrows (where you wade in the Virgin River between steep slot canyon walls). Even a short walk to Emerald Pools or along Riverside Walk will leave you in awe of Zion’s beauty. As you drive out the east gate of Zion, you’ll go through the 1.1-mile Zion-Mt. Carmel Tunnel, on the other side, stop at the Canyon Overlook Trail for a quick hike to a stunning view into the canyon. The drive between Zion and Bryce is a high-country scenic pleasure: ponderosa pines, red rock formations (check out Red Canyon along UT-12). Bryce Canyon National Park is completely different, a high amphitheater filled with thousands of orange “hoodoo” spires. Sunrise at Sunrise Point or Bryce Point is unforgettable as the hoodoos glow in early light. You can drive to multiple overlooks (the park is fairly compact) or hike down into the canyon on the Queen’s Garden or Navajo Loop trail to walk among the hoodoos. At night, Bryce’s high elevation and remote location offer incredible stargazing. Small towns like Springdale (outside Zion) and Tropic or Panguitch (near Bryce) provide lodging, local dining, and a glimpse of Utah life.
Tips: Both Zion and Bryce are at higher elevations than Las Vegas, Bryce in particular (8,000–9,000 ft) can be 20-30°F cooler than Vegas, so pack layers even in summer. In winter, parts of this loop can be snowy; Bryce’s rim drive is sometimes closed for snow, and chains/AWD might be required for travel on UT-12. Always check park websites for current conditions. Start your days early to beat the crowds, especially at Zion which is very popular; parking there often fills by mid-morning, but the Springdale shuttle from town is a convenient alternative. If you plan on hiking The Narrows in Zion, bring appropriate footwear or rent water hiking gear in Springdale. For this loop, a National Parks Pass is definitely worth it if you’ll visit both parks (it’s ~$35 per park entry otherwise). Lastly, watch your gas, fuel up in Springdale, and again when you get the chance on US-89 (there’s gas in Mount Carmel Junction, Orderville, Panguitch, etc.). Distances aren’t huge but services are limited in rural Utah. This loop is a spectacular add-on to a Vegas trip, serving up some of the Southwest’s most beautiful scenery within a few days’ drive.
Las Vegas Car Rental Quick Facts
Frequently Asked Questions
Prices fluctuate with demand, but you can find rentals as low as around $20 per day for an economy car during off-peak times. Average rates for a standard car are in the $40–$60/day range. In busy periods (summer weekends, major conventions or events), prices can be higher, sometimes $75+/day for a mid-size, so it pays to book early. With so many rental companies in Vegas competing, deals are common, especially if you’re flexible on car type. Always check for your specific dates to get the current rate; we aggregate all the discounts for you.
Absolutely, Harry Reid International Airport (formerly McCarran) has a dedicated Rental Car Center serving all the major brands. It’s located just a few miles from the terminals. Upon landing, follow the signs to Rental Car Shuttle pickup (outside baggage claim); free shuttles run every 5–10 minutes and take you to the facility in about 7–10 minutes. At the Rental Car Center, you’ll find counters for Enterprise, Hertz, Alamo, Avis, Budget, and more all under one roof. It’s super convenient, you can typically pick up your car and be on the Strip within 15 minutes after leaving the airport. We list all airport rental options in our search results; just choose “Las Vegas Airport (LAS)” as your pickup to see them. Keep in mind rentals from LAS include a concession fee (about 10%) for the airport, if you want to avoid that, you could rent from an off-airport location in the city, but you’d need a taxi or ride to get there.
No, Nevada has no toll roads. You won’t encounter any toll booths or required toll passes anywhere in the Las Vegas area or even the entire state. All highways and bridges are free to use. The only caveat: if you drive into California or other neighboring states, they do have some toll roads (for example, certain highways in Orange County, CA, or the Hoover Dam bypass bridge if you take the older road, but that’s actually free now too). In Nevada itself, drive carefree, you won’t be billed later for any toll surprises.
Parking is something to consider, especially on the Strip. As mentioned earlier, most Strip casinos now charge for self-parking (around $15 per day on average). Typically you pay at a kiosk when exiting. However, there are still some free options: the Wynn/Encore and Venetian/Palazzo complexes currently offer free self-parking for all visitors, as do some off-strip casinos (like those on Boulder Hwy or locals’ casinos). Downtown Las Vegas (Fremont Street area) has paid parking lots and garages that are cheaper, usually $5-10 for a few hours, and many will waive the fee if you get your ticket validated by a business you patronize. If you’re just visiting one hotel, valet parking is an option too (you’ll pay a similar fee plus tip, and in some cases valet is actually the same price or only slightly more than self-parking on the Strip). Hotel guests: if you’re staying at a Strip hotel that charges for parking, they usually allow in-and-out privileges (keep your room key or parking ticket). Also note, MGM Resorts properties and Caesars Entertainment properties each have unified systems, for instance, pay once per day and you can move your car to other MGM hotels without paying again. Lastly, watch for residential areas just off the Strip with street parking; some areas are permit-only or have restrictions to prevent visitor overflow parking. Always read signs to avoid tickets or towing. Overall, factor parking fees into your budget (we hate them too, but it’s the new normal in Vegas). With a little planning, you can minimize them, or consider it the trade-off for the freedom a rental car gives you.
It really depends on your plans. If you’re coming for a short stay and will stay entirely on the Strip, you might manage with walking, monorails, and the occasional taxi or Uber. The Strip and downtown have concentrated areas where you don’t have to drive. However, Las Vegas offers so much beyond one street: Red Rock Canyon, Hoover Dam, off-strip restaurants, golf courses, outlet malls, day trips to Valley of Fire, etc. Having a car is absolutely worth it if you want to explore or if you value your independence. With a rental, you’re on your own schedule, no waiting for a rideshare surge to end or scheduling expensive tours. Also consider cost: a typical taxi from the airport to a Strip hotel can be $20-30 (or more if traffic), and an Uber/Lyft maybe $15-25. A couple of those trips a day, and you could’ve paid for a rental car (especially an economy car “from $19/day”). Plus, multiple people can share a car easily. Parking fees are a downside, but if you’re strategic (see parking FAQ above) you can minimize them. Another factor: if you plan to party hard every night and won’t be in shape to drive, then maybe skip the rental for safety’s sake and use cabs. But for most visitors who want to do a variety of activities, a rental car greatly expands what you can see in a short time. For example, you can visit a state park in the morning, hit a buffet in the afternoon, and catch a show at night, all on your own timeline. That would be tough without a car. So, if you want to go beyond one resort, yes, renting a car in Vegas is worth it. It turns a simple trip into a true adventure at your pace. Just remember to never drink and drive (DUIs are heavily enforced here as in all of Nevada). Plan accordingly, and you’ll love the freedom a car provides in Las Vegas.
It depends on your plans and personal style. If you’re mostly sticking to city driving and want to save money, a compact or mid-size car is perfect, easy to maneuver and park at hotels, and more fuel-efficient for those stop-and-go cruising laps of the Strip. Traveling with family or lots of luggage? Consider an SUV or a minivan for extra space and comfort (also handy if you plan day trips to places like Red Rock or the Hoover Dam where an SUV’s higher seating gives you better views). Feeling flashy? Las Vegas is one place people love to splurge on convertibles or luxury cars, a Mustang or Camaro convertible is tons of fun for a drive down Las Vegas Boulevard or a day trip with the top down. Just remember, convertibles have limited trunk space, so pack light. Fuel costs: Gas is reasonably priced in Vegas compared to many big cities, and distances aren’t huge, so even a larger vehicle won’t ruin your budget if that’s what you want. All rental cars will have air conditioning (a lifesaver in summer). Unless you’re heading to snowy mountains (which isn’t typical for most Vegas visitors), you won’t need special features like 4WD. One thing you don’t need in Vegas is a car with a manual transmission, almost all rentals are automatic, and that’s good because Strip traffic involves a lot of crawling and gear shifting wouldn’t be fun. In summary, choose a car that fits your group and budget, in Vegas you’re free to be practical or live a little large!