EN
No booking fees. Free cancellation on most cars
Save by finding great deals and securing low price rentals
Finding a car rental in Auburn, California is simple with Road Genius. Compare prices from dozens of brands across California with no reservation fees. Pick up in downtown Auburn for lower rates or at Sacramento Airport for a wider selection, then hit Highway 49 or I-80 to visit Lake Tahoe, Napa Valley and Sacramento. Book early for summer, holiday and ski-season travel when SUVs and 4WDs sell out fast.
| Rental Location | Advantages | Considerations |
|---|---|---|
| Downtown Auburn | • No airport fees or surcharges • Local pickup services may be available • Lower overall rates |
• Limited business hours (often closed Sundays) • Smaller selection of vehicles • Advance reservation recommended |
| Sacramento Airport (SMF) | • Larger selection of vehicles • Extended hours • Multiple competing agencies |
• About 40 miles (64 km) from Auburn • Airport surcharges increase costs • Need to factor in travel time to Auburn |
| Roseville/Rocklin Area | • Closer to Auburn than airport • More competitive rates than airport • More vehicle options than Auburn |
• Still requires transportation to rental location • Limited hours compared to airport |
Additional notes:
On average, car rentals in Auburn (CA) cost around $85 per day, with the lowest-priced rentals starting at $23 per day.
Compare pick-up spots before you click: Rates can swing a lot between Auburn downtown, Roseville/Rocklin, and Sacramento Airport. Check all three on one screen and see if the extra rideshare or Amtrak hop is worth the savings.
Dodge the airport surcharge: Renting in Auburn avoids SMF's 11% premium-location fee. Even after a shuttle or rideshare from the terminal, you often come out ahead.
Go weekly if you'll need 4–5+ days: Auburn locations usually drop prices 15-20% on 7-day rentals, and unlimited mileage is standard.
Spouse drives free in California: The state bans "additional driver" fees for married partners, so skip paying the usual $10/day add-on.
| Area | Parking Availability | Regulations |
|---|---|---|
| Historic Old Town | Limited street parking and public lots | Time limits (usually 2-3 hours) in most areas; some free lots allow longer stays |
| Auburn Station/Amtrak | Free public lot | Long-term spaces available for train passengers |
| Shopping Areas | Plenty of free parking | Generally unrestricted during business hours |
Local Driving Rules:
Important Notes:
Book a rental to get to:
Lake Tahoe – ski resorts, beaches
Sacramento – museums, Old Sacramento Waterfront
Gold Country towns along Highway 49 – Nevada City, Grass Valley
Napa Valley – wineries
Yosemite National Park (north gate) – cliffs, waterfalls
Reno, Nevada – casinos, National Automobile Museum
Do I need a 4WD/AWD vehicle in Auburn?
For driving around Auburn, a standard car is fine. But if you plan to travel higher up in the mountains during winter (November–April) or go off-roading, we recommend getting a 4WD/AWD vehicle.
Can I find EV charging stations in Auburn?
Yes, you can find several EV charging stations in Auburn. These include Level 2 chargers at the Auburn Station parking lot and some hotels. You can also find Tesla Superchargers near I-80.
Are there any driving restrictions I should know about?
In the winter, you might need snow chains to drive on I-80 over Donner Summit. Most rental companies don't let you use tire chains on their cars, so an AWD/4WD vehicle is a better choice for mountain driving in the winter.
What's the best vehicle type for exploring Gold Country?
A standard sedan works well for most roads in Gold Country. If you want to visit harder-to-reach historical spots or if you're driving in bad weather, a small SUV will give you better ground clearance and grip.
How far in advance should I reserve a rental car?
If you're traveling in the summer or during holidays, you should book your car at least 2–3 weeks early. For the winter ski season, you should book 4WD/AWD cars several weeks ahead because a lot of people want them.
Do rental companies offer one-way rentals to or from Auburn?
Yes, most big rental companies let you book one-way rentals, but they usually cost extra. You will find it easier to book a one-way rental to a major airport like Sacramento or San Francisco than to a smaller town.
Popular Countries
24/7 Support