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Finding a car rental in Concord, California is easy with Road Genius. Compare prices of vehicles from dozens of brands all around California with no booking fees. Pick up at downtown branches or Buchanan Field Airport, then cruise I-680 to Mount Diablo, Napa Valley or San Francisco while enjoying lower rates and plenty of free parking.
| Location | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Concord City Locations | • No airport fees • Multiple providers (Enterprise, Hertz, Budget) • Convenient to downtown hotels and BART • Often lower base rates |
• Limited business hours (usually 8am-6pm) • Most closed Sundays • Smaller vehicle selection • Transportation needed to reach location |
| Oakland Airport (OAK) | • Larger selection of vehicles • All major rental companies • 24/7 availability for most counters • 30 miles (48 km) from Concord |
• 10% airport concession fee • Transportation needed to Concord • Possible bridge tolls • Traffic considerations |
| Buchanan Field Airport (CCR) | • Convenient if flying into Concord • Enterprise located at airport • Easy pickup process • No shuttle needed |
• Very limited flight options to CCR • Limited hours • Smaller selection than major airports • Fewer rental companies |
On average, car rentals in Concord cost around $53 per day, with the lowest-priced rentals starting at $36 per day.
Compare city vs airport pick-up: Concord neighborhood branches skip the 10 % airport fee you'll pay at OAK and often run cheaper daily rates. Just make sure their 8 am-6 pm hours work for you.
Shift your dates: Starting on a Friday or weekend can be cheaper than a Mon-Thu pick-up because business demand drives mid-week pricing in the East Bay.
Book weekly for 4-5+ day trips: In Concord, a 7-day "week" is often only a few dollars more than 5-6 separate days, so price out both options.
Use free local branch pick-up: Many Concord locations will collect you from your hotel or BART station; that kills the need for a rideshare to the counter.
Park & ride BART to San Francisco: Leave the rental at the $3/day Concord BART lot, skip the $7 Bay Bridge toll and $30+ garage fees downtown.
Refuel in Concord: Gas here runs cents cheaper than San Francisco, Napa or airport stations, so top off before heading out or before drop-off.
Where to Park:
| Type | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Downtown Concord | Varies | • Metered street spots in business district • Time limits usually 2-3 hours • Free city garages for first 3 hours • Free evenings and weekends in most areas |
| Shopping Centers | Free | • Plenty of free spots at Sunvalley Mall • The Veranda and other centers offer ample space • No major time restrictions at commercial areas |
| BART Stations | Daily fee | • Concord BART station has paid lots • Fills early on weekdays • Free on weekends • Consider for commuting to SF |
| Mount Diablo State Park | Vehicle entry fee | • Day use fee for state park • Limited spots at summit • Multiple lots at various trailheads • Annual passes available for frequent visitors |
| Todos Santos Plaza | Free | • Central downtown plaza near restaurants • Time-limited street spots • Nearby free garages • Busier during events and farmers markets |
Important Local Driving Rules:
Rent a car so you can drive to:
Mount Diablo State Park – summit, hiking trails
Napa Valley – wineries, tasting rooms
San Francisco – Golden Gate Bridge, waterfront
Livermore Valley Wine Country – vineyards, farm stands
Is it better to rent a car in Concord or San Francisco?
You can usually save a lot of money if you rent a car in Concord instead of San Francisco. You'll often find lower rental rates, and parking is easier and mostly free. You'll also avoid the hassle of driving in the city. If you want to visit SF, you can take BART from Concord to skip bridge tolls and expensive parking. Concord is also a great starting point for trips to wine country and the East Bay.
How do bridge tolls work when renting a car in Concord?
All Bay Area bridges have cashless tolling, so you can't pay with cash. Most rental companies offer a toll program. They charge you a small daily fee (about $4-6) on the days you cross a bridge, plus the actual toll costs. Another option is to pay the tolls yourself online within 48 hours. You can pay on the Bay Area FasTrak website using the car's license plate number.
Is Mount Diablo safe to drive for visitors?
Most visitors find it safe to drive on Mount Diablo, but you should know the roads are narrow and winding, and they have many sharp turns. The speed limit is 15-25 mph on most parts of the road. Any standard car can make the trip. If you are not comfortable driving on mountain roads, you might want to visit on a weekday when there is less traffic. The views from the top are worth the drive. On a very clear day, you can see almost 180 miles (290 km).
What's the best way to visit San Francisco from Concord?
Taking BART from Concord Station to downtown San Francisco is usually the easiest option. This way you don't have to worry about bridge tolls, city traffic and expensive parking. If you prefer to drive, you should plan for about a 45-75 minute trip, depending on traffic. You will have to pay a Bay Bridge toll that changes by time of day ($5 off-peak, $7 weekday peak, $6 weekends, going into the city only). You will also have to pay for parking, which can cost $20-40 for the day in a garage.
Is it difficult to find parking in downtown Concord?
You can find plenty of parking in downtown Concord, and most of it is free. Street parking usually has 2-3 hour time limits during business hours, but the city garages let you park for free for the first 3 hours. The area around Todos Santos Plaza can get busy during farmers markets and events, but the nearby garages almost always have open spots. Most parking in downtown is free in the evenings and on weekends, which makes it much easier than parking in San Francisco or Oakland.
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