Check out the latest trends and booking tips to rent a car in Iowa with confidence.
How far in advance should you book a rental car in Iowa?
You should book your rental car in Iowa around 24 days before your trip in order to get a below-average price.
What is the cheapest car rental company in Iowa?
In the past 72 hours, the cheapest rental cars were found at Budget (C$ 30.92/day), Dollar (C$ 41.70/day), and Avis (C$ 43.28/day).
What is the cheapest month to rent a car in Iowa?
The cheapest month to rent a car in Iowa is January at an average cost of C$ 79/day. July is the most expensive month to rent a car in Iowa when prices are C$ 121/day on average, which tends to be 76% above the yearly average rental price for Iowa.
Find the right rental car in Iowa by comparing prices across vehicle types.
Small
Medium
Large
SUV
Van
Pickup Truck
Luxury
Convertible
Small cars
C$ 53 - C$ 90
All Car Types
C$ 91 - C$ 129
How much does it cost to rent a small car in Iowa?
How much does it cost to rent a medium car in Iowa?
How much does it cost to rent a large car in Iowa?
How much does it cost to rent an SUV in Iowa?
How much does it cost to rent a van in Iowa?
How much does it cost to rent a pickup truck in Iowa?
How much does it cost to rent a luxury car in Iowa?
How much does it cost to rent a convertible in Iowa?
Small car rentals in Iowa typically cost around C$ 72 per day. The best time to book is January, when prices average C$ 53 per day, which is about 27% less than the yearly average. Small cars are usually 34% cheaper than the average rental in Iowa, making them ideal for budget-conscious travellers.
Medium car rentals in Iowa typically cost around C$ 96 per day. The best time to book is January, when prices average C$ 83 per day, which is about 14% less than the yearly average. Medium cars are usually 12% cheaper than the average rental in Iowa, offering a good balance of space and value.
Large car rentals in Iowa typically cost around C$ 100 per day. The best time to book is December, when prices average C$ 80 per day, which is about 20% less than the yearly average. Large cars can be 8% cheaper than the average rental in Iowa, offering more comfort for longer trips at a reasonable price.
SUV rentals in Iowa typically cost around C$ 113 per day. The best time to book is January, when prices average C$ 89 per day, which is about 22% less than the yearly average. SUVs are typically 5% more expensive than the average rental in Iowa but provide extra space and capability for groups or road trips.
Van rentals in Iowa typically cost around C$ 164 per day. The best time to book is January, when prices average C$ 113 per day, which is about 32% less than the yearly average. Vans are typically 35% more expensive than the average rental in Iowa but are the best choice for families or groups needing maximum passenger capacity.
Pickup truck rentals in Iowa typically cost around C$ 106 per day. The best time to book is December, when prices average C$ 78 per day, which is about 27% less than the yearly average. Pickup trucks are 2% cheaper than the average rental in Iowa, making them a practical choice for hauling gear or outdoor adventures.
Luxury car rentals in Iowa typically cost around C$ 133 per day. The best time to book is December, when prices average C$ 107 per day, which is about 20% less than the yearly average. Luxury cars are typically 19% more expensive than the average rental in Iowa but deliver premium comfort and style for special occasions.
Convertible rentals in Iowa typically cost around C$ 121 per day. The best time to book is January, when prices average C$ 90 per day, which is about 26% less than the yearly average. Convertibles are typically 11% more expensive than the average rental in Iowa but perfect for scenic drives and warm-weather destinations.
Good to know
Most popular agency
Most popular car type
Average price
Good deal
Dollar
Large
C$ 93/day
C$ 71/day
Top tips for renting a car in Iowa
For travelers who want to rent a car in the state of Iowa, it helps to research the area and the weather before deciding on your vehicle type. Iowa gets a lot of rain during the summer, and in the winter, you’ll see a lot of snow, as well as some freezing rain. A smart choice is to rent an SUV with four-wheel drive, since these drive much more safely in harsh weather. The larger SUV is also ideal for cross-country road trips, and Iowa is a quite large state.
Like many states, Iowa requires children to be seated in a proper booster seat. Infants up to one year must be secured in an infant seat, facing the rear of the car, and children over 20 pounds must be secured in a booster seat with shoulder and lap straps; these can be facing frontward or backward. Children eleven and older are required to always use a regular seat belt, but it’s recommended that children keep using booster-type seats for as long as possible. It is up to the driver to make sure that children are secure in the vehicle, and Iowa will issue fines for not following the law.
Some drivers visiting Iowa might like to know if it’s permissible to cross the border into neighboring states while using a rental car. Most agencies allow vehicles to cross state borders, but you might encounter higher fees and additional insurance needed for inter-state travel. Taking a car across a national border e.g. Mexico—will require higher insurance fees, and your overall rental rate might be higher also. Some car-rental companies will not allow larger vehicles like vans or specialty vehicles to cross borders. Before your trip, you should research these options and the policies of different car-rental companies.
Before renting a car in Iowa, it’s helpful to know the particulars of the area and the vehicle. If you rent an electric car, you should ask where charging stations are located throughout the state. Most companies will provide you with a map that shows locations for charging stations and other important information about the area.
25% of our users found rental cars in Iowa for C$ 71 or less
FAQs about renting a car in Iowa
Should I rent a car in Iowa?
Iowa is the perfect state for traveling via rental car; the state boasts 12 scenic byways that allow you to avoid traffic and get around the area smoothly. The state’s roadway system is well organized and easy to access in every part of the state. Travel by rental car is the only way to truly see everything the state has to offer. You can organize a road trip to see places like Dunnings Springs Park, which has a spectacular waterfall. Another ideal benefit of using a rental car is that you can stop wherever or whenever you want to explore.
What is driving like in Iowa?
Driving in Iowa is a wonderful way to see this quaint Midwest state. The state’s 12 scenic byways are convenient and easy to follow, and another positive about the state is that there are no toll roads. Driving in the country is relaxing, and you’ll generally find other motorists to be polite and helpful. There’s no need to be shy about asking for help if you find yourself lost. Speed limits vary from town to town, so pay attention to the signs. It’s best to use GPS, but the state has sensible road signs, and interstate exits are clearly marked. Iowa is definitely a road-trip state, so count on meeting other motorists during your stops.
How old do you have to be to rent a car in Iowa?
Iowa has a graduated driver’s license (GDL) system that requires three steps to obtain a driver’s license. While this creates safer drivers, you still must be twenty one years old and have a valid driver’s license to rent a car in Iowa. Drivers ages twenty one to twenty five can expect to pay a young driver’s fee; this fee varies, but it could be a daily charge of up to around $25. Some companies might ask for other forms of identification if you pay with a debit card, so inquire about necessary documents before you rent a car.
How much does it cost to rent a car in Iowa?
On average a rental car in Iowa costs C$ 93 per day.
Based on car searches on KAYAK, the most popular cities to rent a car in Iowa are Des Moines (82% of total searches of users looking to rent a car in Iowa) and Cedar Rapids (18%).
How much does it cost to rent a car for a week in Iowa?
On average a rental car in Iowa costs C$ 653 per week (C$ 93 per day).
How much does it cost to rent a car long term for a month in Iowa?
On average a rental car in Iowa costs C$ 2,797 per month (C$ 93 per day).
Car rental directory
Enterprise Rent-A-Car car rental locations in Iowa
19 Locations
Hertz car rental locations in Iowa
12 Locations
Avis car rental locations in Iowa
9 Locations
Budget car rental locations in Iowa
8 Locations
Dollar car rental locations in Iowa
8 Locations
Thrifty car rental locations in Iowa
7 Locations
Easirent car rental locations in Iowa
6 Locations
Alamo car rental locations in Iowa
3 Locations
National car rental locations in Iowa
3 Locations
Sunnycars car rental locations in Iowa
3 Locations
AutoEurope car rental locations in Iowa
2 Locations
Airport Van car rental locations in Iowa
1 Location
Car rental locations in Iowa
Everything you need to know for your car rental in Iowa
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