Don’t get me wrong — D.C.’s public transit is stellar. But there are times when you just need a car: a day trip to Shenandoah, a furniture haul, a late-night errand, or a long-weekend escape. No money for a down payment? No problem. Luckily, there are plenty of easy ways to rent a car in D.C., including several that skip the traditional counter entirely.
Zipcar
Best for: Hourly trips around the city
Zipcar is D.C.’s most established carshare with vehicles parked in every neighborhood. The model is simple: you join as a member, find a car near you on the app, book it by the hour or day, and return it to the same spot when you're done. Gas, insurance, and parking in designated spots are all included in the rate.
- Price: Membership is $9/month or $90 a year. Rental rates range from $15 - $20 per hour.
- Ease of use: Easy! The app makes it very easy to book. There is no need to go to a rental counter or get gas before returning.
- Accessibility: Great. Zipcar has almost 1000 vehicles in different locations around D.C.
Free2Move
Best for: One-way trips.
Free2Move works similarly to a bikeshare, you can pick up any car using the app, rent it by the minute and return it anywhere in the “home” area for the next person. The zone covers all D.C.’s central neighborhoods including Georgetown, Anacostia, Downtown, Dupont Circle, and Arlington. The catch is the fleet is entirely Jeep Renegades.
- Price: Rates start at $0.45/minute, $22.99/hour, or $94.99/day — whichever version is cheapest for your trip automatically applies. There is no registration or monthly fee.
- Ease of use: Easy! The app handles everything from finding a car to ending your trip. No paperwork, no counter.
- Accessibility: Decent. They have 600 Jeep Renegades across D.C.
Car rental counter. (Al Drago/Getty Images)
Rent From the Airport
Best for: Multi-day rentals, visitors flying in, or longer road trips
DCA is the most straightforward option for longer trips. All major rental companies — Hertz, Enterprise, Avis, Budget, and others — operate out of Terminal Garage A, just a short walk from baggage claim. Pro tip is to book online and use self-serve kiosks to skip the lines at the counter.
- Price: Daily rates typically range from $40–$85 depending on vehicle type and company.
- Ease of use: Straightforward once you know where to go. Pre-booking and kiosk check-in make it quick.
- Accessibility: Tough. You have to deal with getting in and out of the airport and there is only one pickup location.
Turo
Best for: Unique vehicles and doorstep pickup
Turo is the Airbnb of car rentals — you rent directly from D.C. residents who list their personal cars on the platform. The selection is far more varied and they are all managed by individual hosts, some of whom will drop it off directly to your home.
- Price: Varies widely by host and vehicle. Expect roughly $50–$120/day for most cars.
- Ease of use: Easy via the app, though it pays to spend a little extra time reading reviews and nailing down pickup details.
- Accessibility: Amazing. You can choose when and where you want the car delivered.
U-Haul
Best for: Cheap deals, short distances, and picking up Craigslist finds.
U-Haul has gained popularity as a surprisingly cheap rental car alternative, even if you’re not hauling furniture around. Also, for those who are not yet 25, U-Haul’s rental age limit is lower.
- Price: Trucks and vans start around $19.95/day. But be warned they also have a mileage cost after a certain cutoff which can add up quickly.
- Ease of use: Pretty easy to book online. No account or sign up needed.
- Accessibility: Good. Multiple D.C. locations mean you're rarely far from a U-Haul lot, many of which offer 24/7 app-based pickup and drop-off.
