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No booking fees. Free cancellation on most cars
Save by finding great deals and securing low price rentals
Road Genius makes it easy to find great car rental offers in Cathedral City. Compare prices and make bookings in one place. Quickly scan deals from downtown branches and nearby Palm Springs International Airport, then choose a compact or SUV to cruise Highway 111 or tackle a day trip to Joshua Tree National Park.
| Location | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Cathedral City Local Agencies | • No airport fees • Enterprise has a branch on East Palm Canyon Drive • Average rates around $67 per day |
• Limited business hours (usually 8AM-5PM) • Smaller vehicle selection • May require transportation to reach these locations |
| Palm Springs International Airport (PSP, 5 miles / 8 km) | • Most convenient for Cathedral City • On-site rental car access • Quick pickup process at small airport |
• Airport surcharge and facility fees • Higher demand during festival season and winter months • Potential wait times during peak season |
| Ontario Airport (ONT, 75 miles / 121 km) | • Potentially lower rates • Major rental brands available |
• Long drive to Cathedral City (75 miles / 121 km) • Need to navigate I-10 traffic • Additional fuel costs for the journey |
On average, car rentals in Cathedral City cost around $130 per day, with the lowest-priced rentals starting at $20 per day.
Skip the airport counter if you can – Palm Springs Intl. tags on an 11 % concession fee + $6/day facility charge. Grab an Uber to a Cathedral City neighborhood branch (5 mi / 8 km away) and avoid those add-ons.
Dodge festival dates – Coachella, Stagecoach and March tennis week send prices into orbit. Slide your pickup a week earlier/later or aim for June when small cars dip to about $42/day.
Do the math on weekly rates – Staying 5–7 days? A true "weekly" booking (often $300-$450 all-in) beats stacking daily rates almost every time.
Pick the smallest ride that fits your crew – Compact/midsize cars run roughly $20 less per day and drink less gas on those 40- to 120-mile (64- to 193-km) desert drives.
Finding a Spot in Cathedral City and Nearby:
Hotel Parking:
Local Driving Rules:
Rent a car so you can drive to:
Joshua Tree National Park – Keys View, Barker Dam
Palm Springs – boutiques, galleries
Idyllwild – trails, art centers
Big Bear Lake – marina, resorts
When should I avoid renting a car in Cathedral City?
You should try to avoid renting during the Coachella and Stagecoach Festival weekends in April. That's when lots of people want to rent cars, so prices get very high. If you have to travel on those dates, make sure you book your car far ahead of time.
Is an SUV necessary for driving in Cathedral City?
No, you'll find a regular car is fine for most trips. An SUV might feel more comfortable if you're driving in the desert, but you don't need one for paved roads or to visit the main sights.
Are there toll roads in the Cathedral City area?
No, you won't find any toll roads in the Coachella Valley or on the nearby parts of I-10 and CA-111. All roads in the area are free to use.
What should I do if caught in a dust storm while driving?
You should slow down right away and use your low-beam headlights. If it's really hard to see, pull your car over as far off the road as you can. Turn on your hazard lights and wait for the storm to pass.
Can I take my rental car to Mexico from Cathedral City?
Most major rental companies won't let you drive their cars into Mexico. To do so, you would need to buy special Mexican liability insurance beforehand and get written permission from the company. The nearest border crossing at Calexico–Mexicali is about 115 miles (185 km) south of Cathedral City. The drive usually takes a little over two hours, but that can change based on traffic.
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