Santa Rosa car rental information
| Pick-up location | Santa Rosa |
|---|---|
| Car types | Compact, Economy, Full-size, Intermediate, Intermediate SUV, Luxury, Standard, Standard SUV, Supplier choice |
| Rental locations | 16 |
| Airport locations | 10 |
| Popular agencies | Avis, Budget, Hertz, Enterprise Rent-A-Car |
Cheap car rentals in Santa Rosa
| Economy | C$ 41/day |
| Compact | C$ 43/day |
| Intermediate | C$ 42/day |
| Standard | C$ 46/day |
| Full-size | C$ 46/day |
| Luxury | C$ 68/day |
| Supplier choice | C$ 42/day |
| Intermediate SUV | C$ 57/day |
| Standard SUV | C$ 65/day |
Top tips for renting a car in Santa Rosa
- Santa Rosa has been a famous hub for entrepreneurial endeavors, educational institutions, and tourist destinations. Whether you are interested in leisure or business, choosing cheap car rentals in Santa Rosa allows setting things at your own pace. You don't have to hustle downtown through taxis or shared rides from Santa Rosa North Rail Station. North Rail Station is 2.0 miles, only 6 minutes' drive through N Dutton Avenue or US-101 S to the city center. If you have opted for Sonoma County Train Station, which is 6.9 miles away, only 11 minutes’ drive through US-101N you can find different car rental agencies directly at the curb from the terminal.
- Surrounded by vibrant cities, amusement parks, and natural wonders, Santa Rosa has exquisite features. If you are a fanatic of scenic green nature, Yosemite National Park is a place not to miss through cheap car rentals in Santa Rosa. Located 238 miles away, a drive of 4hr 47 minutes, you can use CA-140W or CA-120W. With games, shows, and entertainment options, you can drive your family to Disneyland 454 miles away via I-5N for 7hr 23 minutes. To experience the famous Death Valley National Park, Santa Rosa car rentals offer good road grip vehicles to drive 555 miles for 8hr 53 minutes without getting tired through I-55N or CA-99 N.
- Santa Rosa, California, has well-developed toll networks for driving convenience and saving time. You can use 1-55N, SR 237 Express, I-110 Express, or I-680 Smart Carpool lanes. In Santa Rosa, the toll amount is approximated through the car's number of axels, the time of the day, and the road you are using. Not all tolls in Santa Rosa accept cash or pay by plate, but you must pay through electronic Fast Trak.
- Car rentals in Santa Rosa will allow you greater access to the world-famous wine country of Napa Valley. With some of the most famous wineries in the world nearby, a rental car ensures you have reliable transportation to and from the rural areas where they are located. If you are hoping to visit nearby San Francisco, a Santa Rosa rental car gives you greater flexibility and allows you to explore more parts of the city from iconic perspectives, such as a drive down Lombard Street.
- The local airport for Santa Rosa is the Charles M. Schulz Sonoma County Airport (STS), named after the creator of Peanuts who grew up in the area. On-site rental counters offer car rentals in Santa Rosa within the main terminal. The nearest major airport is Oakland International Airport (OAK), located about 65 miles away, which has a Rental Car Center shuttle to bring travelers between the terminals and their vehicles in the lots to the northwest of the airport.
- The city of Santa Rosa is spread out along Highway 101, which means that many of your travel directions will involve driving this iconic route. The highway is often crowded with commuters that make the daily pilgrimage to San Francisco, which makes for some challenging merges when the highway drops to only two lanes in each direction. If you are not comfortable with driving on a highway in unfamiliar territory, consider adjusting your directions to utilize major streets like Mendocino Avenue instead, and give yourself some extra time.
- The rush hour traffic of San Francisco and Oakland can impact Highway 101 and side streets in the event of delays from car accidents or construction. The San Francisco rush hour is typically from 7am to 9am and 4pm to 7pm. Within Santa Rosa, commuters can sometimes clog up Mendocino Avenue in an effort to avoid Highway 101, which can lead to even greater delays at the freeway on-ramps.
- Book your rental car in Santa Rosa at least 1 day before your trip in order to get a below-average price
- Standard rental cars in Santa Rosa are around 20% cheaper than other car types, on average
FAQs about renting a car in Santa Rosa
What type of car is recommended for driving in Santa Rosa?
With mild weather year-round and plenty of busy cities nearby, a smaller vehicle, such as an economy or compact car, will allow you to explore wine country and still take a day to visit San Francisco or Oakland. Especially due to the hilly, narrow streets of San Francisco, a smaller automatic-transmission vehicle is best for visitors expecting to spend time in the City by the Bay.
What’s the speed limit in Santa Rosa?
The speed limit for most city streets in Santa Rosa is 25mph, with a 55mph limit for Highway 101 when passing through city limits. Major streets, such as Mendocino Avenue and Santa Rosa Avenue, have higher speed limits of 35mph and 40mph, but can also become busy during rush hour.
Where are the best places to park in Santa Rosa?
You should plan to pay for parking in Santa Rosa if you are expecting to leave your vehicle for over 1h. Though parking is free for the first hour in several parking garages and lots, parking at "premier meters" in downtown Santa Rosa costs about $1.50 per hour with a maximum of 3h in one spot. Parking in downtown Santa Rosa is enforced from 9am to 6pm. There are "value meters" with a fee of about $1 per hour and a maximum of 4h, though these meters are located several blocks from the main destinations in the downtown area.
What is the cheapest car rental company in Santa Rosa?
In the past 72 hours, the cheapest rental cars were found at Budget (C$ 41/day), Avis (C$ 41/day) and Hertz (C$ 42/day). In the last 72 hours the cheapest rental car price was found at Avis 976 Santa Rosa Avenue 95404 (1 kilometers from city center).
How much is gas price in Santa Rosa?
The average gas price in Santa Rosa is C$ 5.62 per litre over the past 30 days. Filling up a gas tank costs between C$ 67 and C$ 90, depending on the car size.
What is the most popular rental car in Santa Rosa?
Standard (Class Standard Car or similar) is the most frequently booked rental car type in Santa Rosa.
How can I find car rentals near me in Santa Rosa?
Take a look at our extensive car rental location map to find the best rental cars near you.
How much does a Standard car rental cost in Santa Rosa?
A Standard car rental in Santa Rosa costs C$ 103 per day, on average.
What is the most popular rental car location in Santa Rosa?
In Santa Rosa, cars are most frequently rented at Hertz 1089 Santa Rosa Avenue (1 km from city centre ).
Are there car rentals in downtown Santa Rosa?
Yes, whether your commitments around Santa Rosa are for adventure or corporate, you have unlimited choices from the economy, luxurious compacts to SUVs. Cheap car rentals in Santa Rosa are Avis, Freeman Toyota, and Enterprise Rent-A-Car. You must meet age and driver's license requirements to rent a car from these agencies.
Are there free parking facilities in downtown Santa Rosa?
Free parking in Santa Rosa only applies during bank holidays or Sundays. Parking in the city center is payable from Monday to Saturday, 8:00AM to 6:00PM. Some parking facilities you can use include Garage 12-555first Street, 0.5 miles away from Central Avenue through Cleveland Avenue for 5 minutes. You use 250 B St parking lot 1.2 miles from Central Avenue through College Avenue, which is a 5 minutes' drive.
Santa Rosa car rental reviews and directory
Hertz
6.1
Okay
115 reviewsCleanliness
6.4
Comfort
6.2
Pick-up/Drop-off
6.3
Value for money
6.2
2 locations in Santa Rosa
Filters
Show reviews that mention
Reviews
2.0 Poor
Oct. 2022
2.0 Poor
Dec. 2021
2.0 Poor
Nov. 2021
6.4 Okay
Nov. 2020
Cons:
Kayak let me book a Hertz rental at Santa Rosa airport which does not have a hertz location. It’s been closed for a few months. I had to go to the Santa Rosa Avenue location instead. This caused a hiccup in my entire travel plans.10.0 Wonderful
Nov. 2020
Pros:
The truck was awesome and so was the agent!Cons:
I cant think of anything else!10.0 Wonderful
Oct. 2020
Pros:
Yes!!!Cons:
No!!!Enterprise Rent-A-Car
7.8
Good
34 reviewsCleanliness
7.8
Comfort
7.9
Pick-up/Drop-off
7.5
Value for money
7.5
4 locations in Santa Rosa
Filters
Show reviews that mention
Reviews
10.0 Wonderful
May 2021
Pros:
Great friendly professional efficient service.Cons:
Bit pricey but that's how it goes.4.0 Mediocre
May 2021
Pros:
Nothing,they did not valued my reservation. I wasted my time!Cons:
That I could've got the car that I reserved!2.0 Poor
Dec. 2021
Pros:
The drop off was amazingCons:
everything else10.0 Wonderful
Oct. 2020
Cons:
Great experience!6.0 Okay
Oct. 2020
Pros:
Fast check iutCons:
Existing scratches on car were pointed out to the agent; but when the car was returned there were no records of the scratches.4.0 Mediocre
Aug. 2020
Pros:
Convenient, close location.Cons:
Delivery of a clean vehicle with a full tank of gas.Avis
7.7
Good
34 reviewsCleanliness
7.6
Comfort
7.9
Pick-up/Drop-off
7.4
Value for money
7.7
2 locations in Santa Rosa
Filters
Reviews
2.0 Poor
Oct. 2022
10.0 Wonderful
Apr. 2021
Pros:
The up grade do to my rental car not being there.Cons:
Nothing fast professional service6.0 Okay
May 2020
Pros:
Pickup and drop off were great; however, I for got to fuel up and it cost me $131.00 for a 1/2 a tank of gas. Can you help me with this loss?Cons:
What ever you do don't forget to fill the fuel tank, it will cost you ten times the amount to fill if the agency has to do it.6.0 Okay
Jul. 2019
Cons:
I was told the car was in space 16 in the rental car lot. After 30 minutes of looking, and with the help of another Avis employee, I was told to look in the general car parking lot. Finally, I found it. Not happy!3.2 Poor
Feb. 2018
Pros:
NothingCons:
I made a reservation for 5 pm for a location but even though i got the confirmation # they closed before i got there. On phone I've been told to go to airport location cuz the car is ready for me. Over there the guy didn't want to give me any car saying he doesn't have. After 1h fighting he gave me a smaller car for a bigger price. Just beautiful9.2 Wonderful
Feb. 2018
Pros:
The service I received was so friendly and kind.Cons:
The signage indicating where the office was in the airport was not clear at all from outside of the building.Budget
7.5
Good
60 reviewsCleanliness
8.4
Comfort
8.0
Pick-up/Drop-off
7.7
Value for money
7.0
2 locations in Santa Rosa
Filters
Reviews
2.0 Poor
Mar. 2021
Pros:
the car was fine. no one was at the drop off location when I returned the car. now budget keeps calling saying i never returned the car. I did though. this is stupid.Cons:
customer service: i returned the car and now budget wont stop calling saying I never returned it. !! rediculous.8.0 Very good
Mar. 2021
Pros:
very good.8.0 Very good
Oct. 2019
Pros:
Quick, easy and as simple as it should be.Cons:
I spoke with the representative at STS and confirmed that there wasn’t a fee to drop the car in San Fran at a different location. I picked the car up and noon and told him we were escaping the fires and dropping the car off today. We go to San Fran a couple of hours later. The office had closed at 1pm and the valet at the hotel told me there was a $25-$35 charge?8.0 Very good
Oct. 2018
Pros:
The woman who helped me was very nice.9.6 Wonderful
Aug. 2018
Pros:
I liked that it was easy to find, night drop was available.Cons:
Being late night drop off, would’ve made more sense to me a little better instructions about what papers are being dropped off. Also, a sensor had gone off about a brake light bulb that went out en route to my destination. No one was available to inform about this, so a space on the paper that gets turned in would be a good idea. I improvised and wrote it on the side2.0 Poor
Jun. 2018
Cons:
Nobody was at the rental counter in Santa Rosa. Ended up going with another rental company.Ace
6.6
Okay
28 reviewsCleanliness
5.9
Comfort
6.4
Pick-up/Drop-off
7.2
Value for money
6.6
One location in Santa Rosa
Filters
Show reviews that mention
Reviews
7.6 Good
Nov. 2020
Pros:
Car was clean and in good conditionCons:
No sign about where to drop off keys and the number left at the desk went to voicemail from which we never heard back. Fortunately someone finally informed us the drop box was outside. The attendant from pickup may have told us but it would be helpful to have a sign at the desk.2.0 Poor
Oct. 2020
Pros:
The guy I picked the car up from was friendly and helpful. I declined insurance and I appreciate that he did not push it.Cons:
However, the car reeked of cigarettes after about 3 miles down the road, so I assume they cleaned the interior to eliminate the smell but not the air filter. That was kinda gross but not that big of a deal. The big deal was after I returned the car. I returned it an hour earlier than the deadline stated on the contract, but then got an email with an invoice stating I owed $20 for a late fee and I'm still trying to figure that one out. On top of that I was quoted $75 online, but then that jumped up to $99 inexplicably when I picked it up. I will update this to a better score if they fix the inaccurate bill but so far I am pretty disappointed.10.0 Wonderful
Mar. 2020
Pros:
Ana was wonderful and explained everything. Extremely easy rental. Even offered a refund if I needed to cancel since I cancelled my vacation due to the coronavirus lock down.10.0 Wonderful
Feb. 2020
Pros:
Easy in and out. Mercedes was very helpful and made sure we got the car quickly.2.0 Poor
Dec. 2019
Pros:
The staff was friendly and understanding through all of our problems with the cars.Cons:
first car we got smelled so bad we had to return it after a couple hours. The second car they tried to give us smelled the same. It was like they dumped a bottle of perfume in the carpet to cover up smoke smell. The only car they had that didn't smell bad was a mini van. Not what I reserved. Two weeks after returning the van the $200 hold on my credit card is still there. Not happy about the whole experience.2.0 Poor
Dec. 2019
Cons:
It shouldnt be in this businessSixt
4.4
Mediocre
29 reviewsCleanliness
2.0
Comfort
4.0
Pick-up/Drop-off
10.0
Value for money
2.0
One location in Santa Rosa
Filters
Reviews
4.4 Mediocre
Apr. 2019
Cons:
The car was filthy and the seats were stained. It also smelled like smoke.4.8 Mediocre
Jun. 2018
Cons:
Not letting the customer know that there is not a gas station near the airport. So I was charged $50 for a half tank of gas.7.2 Good
May 2018
Pros:
The car was fuel efficient and compact which helped a TON in the greater Bay Area for travels.Cons:
The older model rented to me (based on the pricepoint but not entirely clear from the internet description) is an automatic that drives like a manual shift. Very specific feature of the Smart Car and was a little annoying when trying to pull a hill-side along the 101. Also, with high winds on the Richmond Bridge, the car felt VERY UNSAFE. The wind gusts were about 40-50mph and the car was swaying and wobbling in the lane. Yes, I knew to drive at a reduced speed but the bridge is 9miles long and it was a scary wind shaking 9mile drive. Something I didn't factor in.10.0 Wonderful
Mar. 2018
Pros:
The pickup and drop-off went very smoothly. The company was easy to work with and the car was very clean. This was my first time driving a smart car. It is more roomy and comfortable than I would have guessed. It doesn't have a lot of power, but it makes up for that in gas mileage. There were no issues with the car itself - it was in great shape. No complaints at all. I would definitely rent with Sixt again.10.0 Wonderful
Feb. 2018
Pros:
Great customer service. Easy and conviennt8.0 Very good
Jan. 2018
Pros:
Gas mileage.Cons:
Wouldn't want to own a Ford Fusion. Steering wheel awkward width, uncomfortable in my hand.Easirent
4.7
Mediocre
No reviews available
One location in Santa Rosa
Ace Rental Cars
No score available yet
One location in Santa Rosa
National
No score available yet
One location in Santa Rosa
Sunnycars
No score available yet
One location in Santa Rosa
Car rental locations in or near Santa Rosa
Good to know
Most popular car type | Standard |
|---|