Check out the latest trends and booking tips to rent a car in McAllen with confidence.
How far in advance should you book a rental car in McAllen?
You should book your rental car in McAllen around 80 days before your trip in order to get a below-average price.
What is the most popular rental car in McAllen?
Rentals in the Medium category (Toyota Camry or similar) are the most popular option in McAllen, costing C$ 67/day on average. Some users have found deals as low as C$ 48/day.
What is the cheapest month to rent a car in McAllen?
The cheapest month to rent a car in McAllen is January at an average cost of C$ 56/day. July is the most expensive month to rent a car in McAllen when prices are C$ 86/day on average, which tends to be 75% above the yearly average rental price for McAllen.
What rental car company in McAllen has the most locations?
Enterprise Rent-A-Car and Hertz each operate 2 locations in McAllen, more than any other rental company.
Pre book online, it’s a small airport so having a reservation is important to make sure the right car for you is available.
SanjuanitaJun 2023
Renting in McAllen is very quick and easy and the front desk employees were attentive very happy with the service .
KAYAK’s top tips for renting a car in McAllen
Your McAllen car rental is a great way to avoid expensive shuttles, rideshares, and the inconvenience of public transportation. Public transportation in McAllen is limited to a few bus routes, making it not the most efficient way to get around the city. Alternatively, car rentals in McAllen is an easy way to get easy access to some of the city’s local attractions, like the International Museum of Art & Science, the McAllen Nature Center, the Old Hidalgo Pumphouse Museum, and the World Birding Center. Furthermore, McAllen is an entrance to Mexico with two international crossings. The Hidalgo Reynosa Bridge links McAllen to Reynosa, Mexico while the Anzalduas Bridge connects the city to west Reynosa, Mexico. If you are planning a trip to other parts of Texas, Houston is a 5h drive away.
It’s easy to retrieve your car rental in McAllen from the McAllen Airport. The majority of car rental companies have their counters located directly within the main terminal in the baggage claim area, after retrieving your luggage. Rental cars are parked directly outside the baggage claim area.
Some people travel to McAllen to drive to Progresso, Mexico, given its proximity to the border, for shopping or other purposes. In this event, be sure that you are traveling with proper identification (a valid passport for all American travelers) before attempting any border crossings. Also be sure that your car rental company allows border crossings, as some do not, and that your McAllen car rental is booked with the proper international coverage if needed. Local authorities have been cracking down on drivers who are texting while driving, so do the safe thing and book a GPS in your McAllen car rental so you can store your phone out of sight. McAllen is also prone to traffic due to several large trucks passing through the city. Be sure to avoid traveling during the rush hour commutes to skip wasted time.
Rush hour in McAllen is from 5-6pm Monday-Friday, with Friday seeing some of the most traffic. If you can save your trip for after 6pm, you could save yourself significant wait time. The area around the McAllen-Hidalgo International Bridge as well as the Anzalduas International Bridge are some of the most congested areas in the region. In general, the climate in McAllen is fair and you won’t need to worry about bad driving conditions caused by weather.
Renowned for its tropical breezes, mild winter weather, and colored nature McAllen isn’t a place to miss out on your vacation list. For speedy connection, you can use McAllen International Airport located 2.1 miles and 5 minutes drive to downtown through S 10th ST or Hwy 83/W Business 83/W U.S. Business 83 and Bicentennial Blvd. To the city center, you don’t have to hassle with taxis or shared rides as McAllen car rentals give you unlimited convenience and is located between Expwy 83 &16th Bicentennial Blvd & Main St.
McAllen is known for brimming countless opportunities for adventure and fun. For an evening out with friends, Gruene Hall is the place to be. For nature lovers, you can visit Mustang Island, approximately 179 miles away, or 2hr 46min via US-281N. Parque Fundidora is a destination with diverse recreational and sightseeing adventures for trail running and road biking enthusiasts located 146 miles away, around 2hr 40min by car via Libre Monterrey-Reynosa 4D. Depending on your adventure, engine capability needs, and space to carry luggage, cheap car rentals in McAllen spoil you with choices from SUVs, sedans, and luxury compacts to vans.
McAllen, Texas, has well-developed pedestrian streets for driving convenience. McAllen-Hildalgo International Bridge is one of the renowned pedestrian zones you should be aware of that is a 15-minute drive from downtown via State Hwy 336 S/S 10th Street and N International Blvd. While driving cheap car rentals in McAllen through downtown, it’s important to consider pedestrian areas and signs along W Expy 83/W Frontage Rd E/US -83 and I-2, approximately 2.3 miles from Central Business District.
25% of our users found rental cars in McAllen for C$ 43 or less
Medium rental cars in McAllen are around 33% cheaper than other car types, on average
FAQs about renting a car in McAllen
What type of car is recommended for driving in McAllen?
Given the traffic that McAllen tends to experience, we suggest a fuel-efficient economy or compact car to save on gas. Also, an economy car is cheaper to rent, easier to park, and less likely to be in an accident.
What’s the speed limit in McAllen?
Speed limits on Texas urban highways are 70mph. On inner-city streets and alleys, the speed limits are typically 15-30mph. If no speed limit is posted, according to Texas law the speed limit should be 30mph. Speed cameras are not common in the region, but parked motorcycle police officers do frequent the areas to stop speeding drivers.
Where are the best places to park in McAllen?
Parking throughout the McAllen Downtown Parking Services is free as long as it does not exceed 24h. When necessary, parking can be paid for via the ParkMobile app and simply top up as you need to. The McAllen Downtown Parking Garage has covered parking for $1 an hour and $0.50 after that for up to 5h. You can also have a local vendor validate your parking for 1h for free.
How much does it cost to rent a car in McAllen?
On average a rental car in McAllen costs C$ 49 per day.
Which car rental companies are at Miller Intl airport (MFE)?
A Large car rental in McAllen costs C$ 58 per day, on average.
How much does a Medium car rental cost in McAllen?
A Medium car rental in McAllen costs C$ 87 per day, on average.
How much does a Small car rental cost in McAllen?
A Small car rental in McAllen costs C$ 140 per day, on average.
Are there McAllen car rentals downtown?
Whichever corner of McAllen you would love to explore, there are plenty of car rental agencies downtown. At the rental counter carry your driver’s license, passport, and a debit or credit card. Ensure you have carefully understood the car agency's terms and conditions of operation in instances of cancellation or modifying agreed dates for returning the car.
How can I return my car rental to McAllen International Airport?
If you picked a car at McAllen International Airport proceed, to your car rental counter on Bicentennial Blvd. The agent will check the car for body scratches and mileage used. If the car is not damaged and you have not breached the contract, then you can sign off for cheap car rentals in McAllen by returning the car and handing over the keys.
On our travel day we were notified our reservation would likely not be honored and we were on a waitlist. Other companies had no cars available, so the situation seemed dire. When we arrived, the staff was understanding and, fortunately, our reservation was honored, but with a different category vehicle - no biggie. Avis and Payless are one company, and it seemed that the Payless cars are “retired” Avis cars, since the car’s interior was a bit worn and torn. Staff was great!
8.0 Very good
John, May 2021
Pros:
super easy and friendly staff
Cons:
I think I could have got it cheaper just walking up to the desk
Friendly staff and easy to pick up/drop off. We booked a Toyota RAV4 as it was the same car we have at home, but on arrival were given a similar car. It was fine, but not the same in terms of comfort. Otherwise great
Easy check-in process. Added a second driver at the desk and that was easy as well. The car was easy to find in their organized lot and in excellent condition inside and out. No problems on our long drive from TX to UT and super easy and efficient return at the Salt Lake City Airport.
10.0 Wonderful
Anonymous, Mar 2025
Compact SUV
I had a really good first time experience renting a vehicle. I’m definitely recommending to all my friends and family.
2.0 Poor
Anonymous, Oct 2024
Intermediate SUV
They didn't have a car for us
10.0 Wonderful
Darnell, Jul 2024
Intermediate SUV
Always courteous and straight forward.
10.0 Wonderful
Anonymous, Apr 2024
Standard SUV
I liked everything about my experience with Enterprise. The thing that stood out the most was the agent...Melanie was very courteous and patient with my dilemma and went out of her way to make it as smooth as possible and she totally succeeded. I am very happy with the end result and would definitely use Enterprise again.
it was terrible tbh, I wouldn’t recommend nor go there ever again. The lady at the front desk was really rude alongside her manager who wouldn’t come speak to me even after I requested to talk to her. They gave me a really loud car alongside with the breaks Squeaking every now and again, the car was tiny, I asked for an exchange they stated they had no cars to exchange but i went on the website and reserved a car for that same day at the same time I was in the car rental place and they told me that they had none but I was able to reserve one? then I told her that and she went to speak to her manager and her manager said I had to wait for everyone else to pick up their cars and then they would call me, even though it said I could pick it up at 10am, I never received a call. I called customer service to see if they could help and the lady made it worse, she said she was going to refund me for the car and the experience only to turn around and tell me she canceled my resv and I had to turn the car back in or they would call the cops on me when she never even mentioned a cancellation to me, I was out there for vacation and they took a whole day away from me having to resolve the issue, so I told her I’d try to find something and I was unfortunate in finding a car, so I called customer service back and left a call back number nobody ever called, I called again around 5pm was on the phone for an hour and the customer service was able to undo the previous agent’s cancellation. I am waiting on a refund still but I would not recommend
10.0 Wonderful
Maribel, Dec 2023
Full-size
Everything was great friendly lady that picked us up from the airport.
Overall it was good. It was a significant walk in hot weather to locate my rental vehicle. A shuttle would have been nice. Maybe a golf cart or something similar
4.0 Mediocre
Anonymous, Jan 2022
Over-charged. Declined liability insurance and was charged for it anyway.
They NEVER have any vechicle in the size you reserved & then charge you a whole lot more or you can WAIT until they get a car in the class you reserved. Wait until....God knows when a day or two or three.
2.0 Poor
Anonymous, Jun 2025
Full-size
They had no vehicles available for me. Had to use another rental service to complete my rental.
2.0 Poor
Larry, May 2021
Cons:
They didn't have a car ready for me. I waited a hour then went to another vendor.
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