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Find competitive car rental prices in Albany, Georgia with Road Genius. Compare live rates for SUVs, compact cars, minivans and make reservations with no reservation fees. Pick up your vehicle at Southwest Georgia Regional Airport or a downtown branch, then drive the roads to Chehaw Park, Providence Canyon and other southwest Georgia spots without relying on public transit.

Car Rental Locations & Options

Map of campervan rental depots near 678426

Albany provides rental options both at the regional airport and at city locations.

Location Pros Cons
Southwest Georgia Regional Airport (ABY) • Rental counters in terminal building
• Convenient pickup after flights
• No shuttle needed
• Major providers available (Avis, Budget, Enterprise)
• Limited hours (usually 9 AM to 6 PM weekdays, reduced weekend hours)
• Small regional airport with fewer flight options
• May stay open for last flight if notified
• Limited vehicle selection
City Locations • Lower rates possible (no airport fees)
• Extended business hours at some locations
• More vehicle options possible
• Multiple locations throughout city
• Requires transportation to reach office
• May be closed on weekends
• After-hours pickup generally unavailable

Car Rental Prices

How much does it cost to rent a car in Albany?

On average, car rentals in Albany cost around $64 per day, with the lowest-priced rentals starting at $37 per day.

How to pay less?
  • Compare airport vs city pickups: city branches in Albany often skip the 10-15 % airport surcharge and may have wider vehicle choice, worth the short rideshare from ABY.

  • Target the real low season: late Nov–Feb (excluding holiday weeks) is the cheapest stretch for southwest Georgia. Shift your dates a bit and rates can drop noticeably.

  • Lock in for a full week: even a 5-6-day trip can be cheaper on a weekly rate than paying the daily price. Do the math before you click.

  • Skip the add-ons: bring your own phone holder and use offline maps instead of paying $10-15/day for GPS. Decline prepaid fuel and refill at town stations where gas is cheaper than highway stops.

  • Limit extra drivers: Albany driving is low-stress, so name just one driver if possible and dodge the $10-15/day additional driver fee (spouses are often free).

Parking and Driving

Area Type Cost Notes
Downtown Albany Street parking and public lots Free or low cost Plenty available; some time limits in business district
Albany Mall Open lot Free Abundant spaces for shoppers
Riverfront Park Designated lots Free Easy access to Flint River trails and attractions
Albany State University Campus lots Visitor areas and paid spots Avoid permit-only areas during school sessions

Local Driving Regulations:

  • Georgia is a hands-free state; no holding mobile phones while driving
  • Right turn on red is allowed after a full stop unless signed otherwise
  • Move over a lane or slow down when passing emergency vehicles
  • All front-seat occupants must wear seat belts
  • Headlights required when using windshield wipers (common during afternoon thunderstorms)
  • "Super Speeder" law adds significant fines for driving 75+ mph on two-lane roads or 85+ mph on any road

Speed Limits:

  • City streets: 25-35 mph
  • Residential areas: 25 mph
  • Rural highways: 55-65 mph
  • School zones: 15-25 mph when flashing
Why rent a car in Albany, Georgia

A rental car lets you move beyond downtown to explore southwest Georgia's standout sites.

Rent a car to drive to:

  • Chehaw Park & Zoo – animals, trails

  • Providence Canyon State Park – canyon formations, photography spots

  • Andersonville National Historic Site – POW Museum, cemetery

  • Lake Blackshear – marina, golf course

  • Thomasville – plantations, rose garden

Driving Distances from Albany

FAQs

Do I need an International Driving Permit in Albany?
You can legally drive if you have a valid foreign driver's license in English. If your license isn't in English, we recommend you get an International Driving Permit. You should carry your passport for ID when you use a foreign license.

What type of car is best for visiting Albany?
A standard sedan will work well for most visitors who plan to stay in Albany and make day trips on paved roads. If you plan to explore more rural areas or state parks that have unpaved access roads, a small SUV might be more comfortable, but you don't really need one.

Are there any toll roads around Albany?
No, there are no toll roads in the Albany area or anywhere else in southwest Georgia. You can travel freely throughout the region and don't have to worry about tolls.

What should I do if I encounter severe weather while driving?
In southwest Georgia, you might see severe thunderstorms and sometimes tornadoes, especially in the spring. If bad weather is coming, you should find shelter in a sturdy building. If it's raining heavily, you should slow down, leave more space between you and the car in front of you and turn on your headlights. You should never try to drive through flooded roads.

Is it difficult to find parking in downtown Albany?
No, you can usually find plenty of parking in downtown Albany, and it's often free. Even when special events are happening, it's still easier to find a parking spot than in bigger cities.

Can I take day trips to Florida from Albany?
Yes, the Florida state line is about 70 miles (113 km) south of Albany. Tallahassee, Florida's capital, is about 100 miles (161 km) away, so you can easily make it a day trip. You can reach the Gulf Coast beaches in about 2 to 2.5 hours.

What unique driving considerations should I be aware of in rural southwest Georgia?
You should watch for farm equipment on rural roads, especially during planting and harvest seasons. You should also be alert for wildlife like deer around sunrise and sunset. In very rural areas, your cell service might not work well, so you should download maps for offline use if you plan to drive far from main highways.