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Compare car rental prices from top brands in Aurora, Illinois with Road Genius. From small economy cars to luxury SUVs and minivans, you'll find vehicles at great prices. Pick up at Chicago O'Hare or Midway and make the 40-mile (64 km) drive west on I-88, or reserve at a neighborhood Aurora branch to dodge airport surcharges. Road Genius scans Enterprise, Hertz, Avis and other major providers so you can book with free cancellation on most rentals.
Car Rental Locations & Options
Aurora has several rental options, though most visitors arrive via Chicago's airports.
| Location Type | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Airport (O'Hare/Midway) | • Extended hours • Large vehicle selection • Multiple providers • No need for additional transport | • Airport concession and facility charges • Longer wait lines possible during peak times • 40-50 miles (64-80 km) from Aurora |
| Aurora Local Offices | • Lower fees than airports • Shorter wait times • Closer to your destination | • Limited hours (often 8AM-6PM weekdays, shorter on weekends) • Some closed Sunday • Transport needed from airport |
Major Rental Providers in Aurora
| Provider | Location | Hours | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Enterprise | 849 N Lake St | Mon-Fri: 8AM-6PM Sat: 9AM-12PM Sun: Closed | After-hours return available |
| Enterprise | 4000 Ogden Ave | Mon-Fri: 8AM-6PM Sat: 9AM-12PM Sun: Closed | Serves southeast Aurora/Naperville area |
| Hertz | 11914 S. Route 59 | Mon-Fri: 8AM-6PM Sat: 9AM-12PM Sun: Closed | Serves Aurora/Plainfield west side |
| Avis | 2055 W. Galena Blvd | Mon-Fri: 8AM-6PM Sat/Sun: Limited hours (often 9AM-1PM) | Inside a local auto center |
Transportation to Rental Locations
- From O'Hare to Aurora: Regional coach shuttles, rideshare (around 40-50 miles/64-80 km) or Metra commuter train from downtown Chicago
- In Aurora: Enterprise offers free local pickup on advance notice
Car Rental Prices
How to pay less?
- Skip the airport pickup: Grab a shuttle or Metra train from O'Hare/Midway to Aurora, then rent locally to dodge airport concession fees and long lines.
- Play with dates and lengths: A 7-day "weekly" rate can beat a 5-day booking. For summer trips, checking 3-6 months ahead usually locks the lowest price.
- Travel off-peak if you can: January rates in Aurora run up to 35 % cheaper than mid-July. Shifting your vacation by a week or two can slice the bill.
- Keep the driver list short: Extra and under-25 drivers run $10-25 a day. Let the oldest traveler handle the wheel and save big.
- Pay tolls yourself: Skip the $10/day toll gadget. Register your license plate online within 14 days and pay only the actual I-88 tolls.
Car rental prices in Aurora 2025/2026
Driving Tips
| Location | Where to Park | What to Know |
|---|---|---|
| Downtown Aurora | • Public garages and lots • Street parking | • Often free for first hour or two in garages • Small fee for longer stays • Street spots limited to 2 hours on weekdays |
| Shopping Centers | Free parking lots | Plenty throughout Aurora |
| Hotels | Free parking lots | Standard at Aurora-area hotels |
Key Driving Regulations
- Right turns on red allowed after complete stop unless signed otherwise
- School buses with flashing red lights require full stop on two-lane roads
- Move Over Law: Change lanes or slow down when emergency vehicles are stopped with lights flashing
- Handheld phone use prohibited while driving
- Speed limits: 20 mph in school zones, 30 mph in residential areas, 35-45 mph on major roads, up to 70 mph on interstate tollways
Toll Roads and Payment
- I-88 (Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway) serves Aurora directly
- Cashless system offers two payment options:
- Rental car toll program (daily fee applies at non-airport locations)
- Pay by plate: 14 days to pay online on Illinois Tollway website
Why rent a car in Aurora
Get a car so you can visit:
- Chicago – museums, lakefront, sports venues
- Starved Rock State Park – canyons, waterfalls
- Fox River Valley towns – Batavia, Geneva, St. Charles
- Chicago Premium Outlets – shopping, dining
- Phillips Park – zoo, golf course, aquatic center
Local Rental Locations
- Car Rental Bloomington, IL
- Car Rental Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW)
- Car Rental O’Hare International Airport (ORD)
- Champaign, IL
- Chicago, IL
- Decatur, IL
- Downers Grove, IL
- Evanston, IL
- Illinois
- Joliet, IL
- Marion, IL
- Mchenry, IL
- Moline, IL
- Naperville, IL
- Oak Lawn, IL
- Oak Park, IL
- Peoria, IL
- PIA Airport
- Plainfield, IL
- RFD Airport
- Rockford, IL
- Schaumburg, IL
- Springfield, IL
- St Charles, IL
- Waukegan, IL
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the best time to pick up a rental car in Aurora to avoid lines?
You usually won't wait long at local Aurora rental places. Try scheduling your pickup for right when they open (8 AM) or in the early afternoon to avoid any lines. Around noon on weekdays, the rental office might get a small rush from people picking up insurance replacement cars.
How do I handle toll roads around Aurora?
You'll drive on I-88 around Aurora, which is a toll highway. You can either choose the rental company's toll pass for a daily fee or use the Pay By Plate system. If you choose Pay By Plate, you have to pay your tolls online within 14 days to avoid extra fees.
Are there any special driving laws I should know about in Illinois?
In Illinois, the law says everyone in the car must wear a seat belt. You are not allowed to use a handheld phone while driving. In school zones, you can't even use a hands-free phone. You must make a complete stop at all stop signs and red lights.
What happens if I encounter snow during my rental period?
When it snows, you'll see Aurora and state crews quickly plow and salt the main roads. You should drive slowly, leave more space between you and the car ahead and be extra careful on bridges and overpasses where black ice can form. Your rental car will have all-season tires that work well in moderate snow.
Where can I find the cheapest gas near Aurora?
You'll usually find cheaper gas at stations in town or near large grocery stores, instead of right next to the highway. You can use an app like GasBuddy to help find cheaper gas. You might also find that stations in Aurora or Naperville cost less than those right on I-88.
