Wilmington car rentals
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Wilmington car rental information
| Pick-up location | Wilmington |
|---|---|
| Car types | Compact, Economy, Full-size, Intermediate, Intermediate SUV, Minivan, Pick-up truck, Premium, Standard, Standard SUV |
| Rental locations | 19 |
| Airport locations | 10 |
| Popular agencies | Budget, Alamo, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Avis |
Cheap car rentals in Wilmington
| Economy | C$ 126/day |
| Compact | C$ 103/day |
| Intermediate | C$ 109/day |
| Standard | C$ 113/day |
| Full-size | C$ 113/day |
| Minivan | C$ 157/day |
| Premium | C$ 128/day |
| Pick-up truck | C$ 119/day |
| Intermediate SUV | C$ 115/day |
| Standard SUV | C$ 131/day |
KAYAK’s top tips for renting a car in Wilmington
- Booking a rental car near the airport is the best choice, whether for business or personal reasons. Wilmington car rentals such as Budget, Hertz, Avis, and Enterprise are located near Wilmington International Airport. These companies are located near the only terminal in the airport, which has eight gates. Thus, picking up your rental car in the city is easy and convenient. The distance from the airport to the city center is 4.5 miles (7.2km) and takes about 8min using a rental vehicle. A bus takes 11min to cover the same distance. Again, you can choose affordable car rentals in Wilmington from those near the airport if you’re on a tight budget.
- Choose a comfortable, spacious, and affordable rental car that meets your needs. It should have all the safety features, including seatbelt reminders, airbags, luggage space, a toll pass, and parking sensors. Ensure your car rental agency checks the functionality of these features before picking up your rental car. Some types of rental vehicles to choose from include standard SUV, intermediate SUV, Compact, economy, luxury, and supplier choice. Prices vary depending on the car rental company. Thus, choose cheap car rentals in Wilmington to avoid affecting your budget despite your reason for renting the car.
- Be careful when driving your rental vehicle in Wilmington during winter. The icy, steep, and hilly roads are slippery, and you're prone to accidents and fatal injuries. That’s why most car rental companies offer different models of 4WD vehicles for renters to choose from. However, most companies give tips for driving on slippery roads, such as driving on matching tires, turning off traction control and driving slower on curvy snowy roads. Despite these weather conditions, these rental companies offer cheap car rentals in Wilmington that are affordable to most renters in the city.
- Car rentals in Wilmington are a convenient way to visit the city and its neighborhoods, granting you flexibility and freedom to move around. Whether in Wilmington for business or holiday, choosing a Wilmington car rental company through KAYAK gives you the opportunity to visit different attractions and discover Wilmington neighborhoods at your convenience. For instance, you can travel places like Water Street Center, Harbor Oaks, Historic Downtown Wilmington, or even go to Carolina, Kure, or Wrightsville Beach, where you can unwind and enjoy local meals, such as cheesesteak egg rolls.
- Different Wilmington car rental companies offer various vehicles depending on client needs. Picking a rental car from these companies is easy and will take you a few minutes since they are located within a short walking distance from the Wilmington International Airport. For instance, Alamo is a 10min walk from the airport. Other car rental companies that are within a walking distance from the airport include Enterprise, National, Dollar, Thrifty, Hertz, among many others.
- Wilmington’s law enforcement officials are strategically located at different points to ensure drivers adhere to driving rules. The strategy has improved the road conditions and community impacts by reducing crime rates in the neighborhoods. While using your Wilmington rental car, ensure you stop at a stoplight, stick to the speed limits, observe traffic circle rules, and stick to the correct lanes to avoid problems with the highway patrol, as it might affect your experience.
- If you plan to drive around Wilmington and its neighborhoods, we recommend you avoid rush hours, from around 7am to 8am and from about 6pm to 7:30pm. Wilmington traffic in various areas, such as the South College Road in Wilmington, may be challenging for a foreign driver as multiple cars line the middle lane during peak hours. If you have to drive during rush hour, avoid going through Market Street, Carolina Beach Road, and Oleander Drive, which can be quite congested.
- 25% of our users found rental cars in Wilmington for C$ 118 or less
- Book your rental car in Wilmington at least 1 day before your trip in order to get a below-average price
- Off-airport rental car locations in Wilmington are around 17% more expensive than airport locations on average
- Supplier choice rental cars in Wilmington are around 10% cheaper than other car types, on average
Wilmington car rental experiences: the best tips from KAYAK users
FAQs about renting a car in Wilmington
What type of car is recommended for driving in Wilmington?
There are scenic drives in and around Wilmington, and they require vehicles that can endure the terrain. If you decide to drive on the beach, we recommend a four-wheel drive to avoid getting stuck in the sand. Ensure to book a powerful vehicle to explore the mountains and get the best of both worlds of Wilmington.
What’s the speed limit in Wilmington?
Most neighborhoods in Wilmington operate at speed limits of 35mph for the local streets. In others, however, the speed limits have been changed over the years to enhance safety. The roads where traffic gets heavier, such as Market Street and College Road, are 35mph. Other roads, including Shipyard Boulevard and South College, and Carolina Beach Road, have speed limits of 45mph. Follow the right speeding rules on different routes to avoid colliding with the law.
Where are the best places to park in Wilmington?
Places to park car rentals in Wilmington are Downtown Parking, Empie Park, and Wilmington Long Leaf Park. There are several parking lots around the central business district governed by the city’s limited-time parking regulations. You can park downtown at street meters from 6:30pm to 9am on weekdays and all day Sundays (which is free), but you’ll have to pay $1.50 per hour at any other time. You can either use the mobile parking app, use coins, or a credit card when making payments for the meters. When parking your rental car, be careful not to break Wilmington’s parking regulations, such as blocking sidewalks, parking in a loading zone, blocking fire hydrants, or blocking the flow of traffic.
How much does it cost to rent a car in Wilmington?
On average a rental car in Wilmington costs C$ 119 per day.
What is the cheapest car rental company in Wilmington?
In the past 72 hours, the cheapest rental cars were found at Budget (C$ 103/day), Avis (C$ 113/day) and Alamo (C$ 115/day). In the last 72 hours the cheapest rental car price was found at Budget 1740 Airport Boulevard 28405 (7 kilometers from city center).
How much is gas price in Wilmington?
The average gas price in Wilmington is C$ 4.78 per litre over the past 30 days. Filling up a gas tank costs between C$ 57 and C$ 76, depending on the car size.
What is the most popular rental car in Wilmington?
Supplier choice (Class Special Car or similar) is the most frequently booked rental car type in Wilmington.
Which car rental companies are at New Hanover County airport (ILM)?
The only car rental company onsite at New Hanover County airport is Enterprise Rent-A-Car.
Which car rental companies will pick you up at New Hanover County airport (ILM)?
The only car rental company that offers shuttle or pick-up services from New Hanover County airport to off-airport locations is Enterprise Rent-A-Car.
How can I find car rentals near me in Wilmington?
Take a look at our extensive car rental location map to find the best rental cars near you.
How much does a Special car rental cost in Wilmington?
A Special car rental in Wilmington costs C$ 94 per day, on average.
How much does an Intermediate car rental cost in Wilmington?
An Intermediate car rental in Wilmington costs C$ 84 per day, on average.
How much does a Standard car rental cost in Wilmington?
A Standard car rental in Wilmington costs C$ 95 per day, on average.
How much does it cost to rent a car for a week in Wilmington?
On average a rental car in Wilmington costs C$ 831 per week (C$ 119 per day).
How much does it cost to rent a car long term for a month in Wilmington?
On average a rental car in Wilmington costs C$ 3,561 per month (C$ 119 per day).
What is the minimum amount of time to rent a car?
The minimum amount of time varies from one rental car company to another. Thus, check the requirements for returning a rental vehicle when booking to avoid penalties. Ask the customer care any questions to understand the needs of returning a car.
Do rental companies offer deals in Wilmington?
Most rental vehicle agencies offer deals to travelers who book in advance. However, deals differ in various companies depending on the time of the year you book a rental car. Therefore, search several sites and choose the company offering the best deal.
Wilmington car rental reviews and directory
Hertz
7.5
Good
108 reviewsCleanliness
7.6
Comfort
7.9
Pick-up/Drop-off
7.6
Value for money
7.6
3 locations in Wilmington
Filters
Reviews
10.0 Wonderful
Dec. 2022
10.0 Wonderful
Dec. 2021
2.0 Poor
Nov. 2021
10.0 Wonderful
Jun. 2021
10.0 Wonderful
May 2021
Pros:
Car was ready but had to get an upgrade as my choice was not available gave me the same rate as booked.Cons:
All went well car was very comfortable.8.0 Very good
May 2021
Pros:
Quality vehicle. Great service.Cons:
We got assigned a mini van for a get away with my wife. Would have preferred a car like we indicated.Alamo
7.7
Good
64 reviewsCleanliness
7.8
Comfort
7.9
Pick-up/Drop-off
7.7
Value for money
7.7
One location in Wilmington
Filters
Reviews
8.0 Very good
Nov. 2020
Pros:
Yes quick and easy.5.2 Fair
Oct. 2020
Pros:
Drop off was easy.Cons:
I ordered an economy car, not a minivan. The minivan was ok but when I started it up, the screen said that the tire was low so I had to go back into the airport to tell them. They said it was fine so for four days, I drove around in a minivan that said “tire low”. Not good customer service.2.0 Poor
Aug. 2020
Cons:
I was able to book a rental car but when I went to pick it up they said they had no cars available. I ended up having to rent from another company and was very expensive.10.0 Wonderful
Jul. 2020
Pros:
Staff was friendly and accommodating. I would use them again.Cons:
This is not a bad thing just wish I could have added a day to the front of the rental. Due to COVID we landed a day early.8.4 Very good
Jun. 2020
Cons:
Nothing6.0 Okay
Mar. 2020
Pros:
Staff was friendly but during drop off and pick up the person helping me stopped two times to help his coworker even though I was there first. Neither one of them didn’t say excuse me or apologize for holding me up while I waited patiently. The customer service person that didn’t know what they were doing just interrupted as well without saying excuse me. How hard is it to say i’ll be right with you let me finish taking care of my customer. It was very rude and inconsiderate as my time was just as important as the other customers time. I may rent from Alamo again but not certain because again this happened during drop off and pick up.Cons:
The staff could just be more considerate and fair of everyone’s time. If I were a different type of person it would’ve been a problem.Thrifty
7.4
Good
53 reviewsCleanliness
7.7
Comfort
7.7
Pick-up/Drop-off
7.3
Value for money
7.1
One location in Wilmington
Filters
Reviews
10.0 Wonderful
Apr. 2021
Pros:
It was all good.Cons:
It was all good.8.4 Very good
Jul. 2020
Pros:
Staff was very friendly. They did not have record of my economy car reservation from Kayak. They were able to place me in a Ford F150 instead of an economy sized car that was ordered. The lady stated that 3rd party vendors information doesn't always come through with details.Cons:
Have the car size as requested.4.4 Mediocre
Jul. 2020
Pros:
Not much.Cons:
Once the staff showed up at the booth they were friendly and helpful. But I had to wait 25 minutes and call the person since they were "moving cars around". Then there were "computer problems", so the pick off took way much longer than it should have. I was told that the "manager's special" that I reserved was an F-150 pick up truck. There was nothing on my reservation that said that so I couldn't dispute it - so in order to get a smaller car, I was charged an additional $10 per day. Plus I was tired from traveling all day, it had already taken way to long to pick up a car, so I didn't argue. I think they plan things that way.10.0 Wonderful
Mar. 2020
Cons:
really, everything was perfect...10.0 Wonderful
Jan. 2020
Cons:
The staff was friendly. I was also glad dropoff was quick.4.0 Mediocre
Dec. 2019
Pros:
Staff was nice. F150 only had 800 miles on it.Cons:
Got the manager's special(so no choice of vehicle) and it was an f150. I know my fault... Did not include the airport pick up fee in the advertised price, so all in all should have gone with enterprise midsize because there was no cost savings.Enterprise Rent-A-Car
7.4
Good
35 reviewsCleanliness
7.9
Comfort
7.9
Pick-up/Drop-off
7.4
Value for money
7.1
6 locations in Wilmington
Filters
Reviews
10.0 Wonderful
Oct. 2023
2.0 Poor
Sep. 2023
2.0 Poor
Sep. 2023
10.0 Wonderful
Apr. 2021
Pros:
Check in and check out was super easy. Very friendly, and answered any questions we had. Car we rented accommodated everyone. I highly recommend Enterprise, Wilmington7.6 Good
Aug. 2020
Pros:
Quick pick up and drop offCons:
Was really hoping for an F 150 not a Dodge ram.9.6 Wonderful
Jul. 2020
Pros:
Friendly staff, quick process.Avis
7.0
Good
45 reviewsCleanliness
6.8
Comfort
7.4
Pick-up/Drop-off
7.0
Value for money
6.8
2 locations in Wilmington
Filters
Reviews
8.0 Very good
Oct. 2023
10.0 Wonderful
Oct. 2023
8.0 Very good
Sep. 2023
8.0 Very good
May 2021
Cons:
They didn't know where the car was because it was absolutely brand new but someone put it in a field away from the other cars so it took us 25 minutes or so to find it find it.2.0 Poor
Mar. 2021
Cons:
They did not have a car at the time I needed one. They said it would be an hour and a half to get a car even though I made reservations 2 weeks before. I will never rent with Avis again.4.8 Mediocre
Jun. 2020
Pros:
The drop off was super easy.Cons:
The car was disgusting and had towels and other beach items still in its trunk. Also, I had to wait for a car and even then they only had an intermediate size car for me instead of SUV, and then they wouldn't even decrease the prizeBudget
6.6
Okay
85 reviewsCleanliness
6.5
Comfort
7.3
Pick-up/Drop-off
6.9
Value for money
7.0
2 locations in Wilmington
Filters
Reviews
10.0 Wonderful
Nov. 2023
4.0 Mediocre
Oct. 2022
8.0 Very good
Oct. 2022
2.0 Poor
Sep. 2022
10.0 Wonderful
Dec. 2020
Cons:
Woman at desk was super helpful!4.8 Mediocre
Sep. 2020
Pros:
They never told me I could only do 1 month rental at a time. So that resulted in me being overcharged and spent 45 minutes on the phone to fix that. Next i have been on the phone with them 3 times so far because they have incorrectly over charged me by over $1000. It still isn’t fixed but I essentially was told to let them fix the first two mistakes and then call again to fix the rest of the over/double charges.Cons:
BillingDollar
8.3
Very good
1 reviewCleanliness
8.4
Comfort
8.4
Pick-up/Drop-off
8.4
Value for money
8.0
One location in Wilmington
National
7.9
Good
3 reviewsCleanliness
9.4
Comfort
9.4
Pick-up/Drop-off
7.9
Value for money
8.4
One location in Wilmington
Filters
Reviews
8.0 Very good
Oct. 2022
5.9 Fair
Jul. 2021
Easirent
4.0
Mediocre
No reviews available
One location in Wilmington
Sunnycars
No score available yet
One location in Wilmington
Car rental locations in or near Wilmington
Good to know
Most popular agency | Enterprise Rent-A-Car |
|---|---|
Average price | C$ 119/day |
Good deal | C$ 118/day |