A rental car is the perfect way to explore not only the coastal city of Pensacola, but also the state of Florida and its world-famous attractions, as public transportation between cities is not widely available. Drive to the famous Pensacola Beach, located on Santa Rosa Island, just 10 miles away from Pensacola. For a day filled with adventure, go to the Blackwater River State Park, just 52 miles from the city.
All the big car rental agencies, including Alamo and Avis, can be found at Pensacola International Airport (PNS), which is conveniently located almost 4 miles from the city center. Car rental services are situated just across the baggage claim area, which is on the first floor of the airport’s main terminal. If you’re heading to Pensacola during peak season, consider booking your vehicle in advance.
While Pensacola is rather easy to navigate, the main attractions are pretty spread out, so be prepared to drive longer distances sometimes. All vehicles should stop at a red light, but a right-hand turn is then allowed if there is no oncoming traffic. The city is home to many college students, so if you’re driving at night be extra careful with reckless drivers or drunken pedestrians. Downtown is particularly crowded on weekends, so stay within speed limits and be alert.
The commute times in Pensacola are some of the best in the country, and traffic jams aren’t common. The I-98, which takes you to Pensacola Beach through Pensacola Bay and English Navy Cove, is usually pretty crowded during weekends and the summer. It’s also more packed on weekdays between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m. and between 3:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. If you’re planning on heading to the beach, try going as early as possible or wait for the morning crowds to dissipate.
25% of our users found rental cars in Pensacola for C$ 76 or less
Book your rental car in Pensacola at least 1 day before your trip in order to get a below-average price
Intermediate rental cars in Pensacola are around -96% cheaper than other car types, on average
FAQs about renting a car in Pensacola
Some car rental companies in Pensacola which have updated their car rental health and safety policies due to COVID-19 to make sure vehicles are clean and disinfected include Hertz, Dollar and Thrifty
On average a hire car in Pensacola costs C$ 91 per day.
In the past 72 hours, the cheapest rental cars were found at Hertz (C$ 79/day) and Dollar (C$ 88/day). In the last 72 hours the cheapest rental car price was found at Dollar 2430 Ap Blvd 32504 (6 kilometers from city center).
Based on ratings and reviews from real users on KAYAK, the best car rental companies in Pensacola are Alamo (8.6, 182 reviews), Payless (8.6, 52 reviews), and Dollar (8.3, 78 reviews).
The average gas price in Pensacola is C$ 5.94 per litre over the past 30 days. Filling up a gas tank costs between C$ 71 and C$ 95, depending on the car size.
Intermediate (Nissan Rogue or similar) is the most frequently booked rental car type in Pensacola.
Car rental companies onsite at Pensacola airport include Hertz, Dollar and Thrifty.
Car rental companies that offer shuttle or pick-up services from Pensacola airport to off-airport locations include Hertz, Dollar and Thrifty.
A Intermediate car rental in Pensacola costs C$ 132 per day, on average.
A Full-size car rental in Pensacola costs C$ 109 per day, on average.
A Economy car rental in Pensacola costs C$ 31 per day, on average.
In Pensacola, cars are most frequently rented at Thrifty 2430 Ap Blvd (6 km from city centre ).
On average a rental car in Pensacola costs C$ 639 per week (C$ 91 per day).
On average a rental car in Pensacola costs C$ 2,737 per month (C$ 91 per day).
If you're just driving within the city limits, a compact car is a good option as it's easy to park in downtown Pensacola. But if you're embarking on a road trip along Florida’s coast, a convertible is a fun option. If you're traveling with the whole family, a minivan is a good choice as it offers enough space for everyone.
The speed limit in the city is typically 30 miles per hour, but it may be lower in certain residential areas and school zones, so keep an eye out for posted signs. All other roads have a speed limit of 55 miles per hour, while on highways it is 70 miles per hour. Speed limits may be different on multi-lane highways.
Downtown Pensacola offers lots of free parking spaces. Across the city, street parking must be paid between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Rates range between $0.50 and $2 per hour. Parking is free all day Sunday and on public holidays. There are also several parking garages, such as the Jefferson Street Garage, where rates are $3 for up to 9 hours.