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

On average, car rentals in **Dallas** cost around **$61** per day, with the lowest-priced rentals starting at **$19** per day.

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Find competitive rental car prices in Dallas, Texas with Road Genius. Find live rates for SUVs, hatchbacks, minivans and make reservations with no reservation fees. Compare offers from DFW Airport, Love Field, downtown and suburban branches in one search, then secure a flexible booking you can cancel or modify later.

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Dallas offers several convenient car rental locations, each with distinct advantages depending on your travel plans.

Location	Pros	Cons	Notes
DFW International Airport	24/7 service from 11+ rental companies Free shuttle every 10-15 min from terminals Largest vehicle selection	18-25% price premium due to airport fees Potential wait times during peak hours Additional taxes and facility charges	Shuttle runs continuously from all terminals to the consolidated rental center
Dallas Love Field (DAL)	Convenient for Southwest Airlines passengers Major rental brands in baggage claim area Shuttle service every 5-7 minutes	Smaller vehicle selection than DFW Airport fees increase costs Limited international flight connections	Rental counters in baggage claim hall; shuttle takes you to nearby car lot
Downtown Dallas	Lower rates and fewer airport fees Convenient if staying downtown first Shorter pick-up lines	Often open only during business hours May require transportation from airport More limited vehicle selection	Consider this option if you won't need a car immediately after arrival
Suburban Locations (Plano, Arlington, etc.)	Lowest rates and minimal fees Some offer customer pickup service Often less busy than airport locations	Limited hours (often 8AM-6PM) Requires arrangement to reach location May be closed on Sundays	Good option for longer stays if you're comfortable arranging transportation

Car Rental Prices

Average: $61/day
From: $19/day

Low-cost rental tips

Skip the airport premium: DFW and Love Field rentals ride an extra 18-25 % in fees. If you'll be downtown your first day, grab a rideshare into the city and pick up a car at a downtown or Uptown branch the next morning.
Shop suburban counters: Locations in Plano, Arlington or Irving often post the lowest base rates and lighter taxes. Just confirm their 8 AM-6 PM hours so you're not paying an extra day for late pickup.
Tweak your dates: In Dallas, mid-week pickups (Tue-Wed) and 5-7-day "weekly" quotes can undercut weekend or 3-day pricing by double-digits. Run a few date combos on the comparison grid before locking in.
Book then stalk the price: Make a free-cancellation reservation early, especially for summer, Thanksgiving or Cowboys home games. Check back weekly—last-minute dips happen and you can simply re-book the cheaper deal.
Watch the return costs: One-way to Austin or Houston can add a drop fee, but the reverse route sometimes has none. Flip the direction in the search box to see which way is cheaper.
Refuel smart: Top off 5-10 miles from the airport—stations on TX-183 or Belt Line Rd are usually 30-40 ¢/gallon less than the on-site pumps and save you the rental company's refill surcharge.

Car rental prices in Dallas 2025/2026

Local Parking and Driving

Area	Availability	Tips
Downtown Dallas	Moderate	Use Parkmobile app for street meters Many meters free evenings after 6PM and Sundays Check for event-day pricing increases
Uptown/Deep Ellum	Good	Some free street spots in Deep Ellum if you search Busy Friday/Saturday nights when availability is limited
Shopping Centers/Malls	Abundant	NorthPark Center and Galleria Dallas offer free spots Park farther from entrances for easier exit during busy times
Attractions	Varies by venue	Consider ride-share for major sports events
Hotels	Reserved for guests	Downtown hotels often charge for overnight parking Suburban hotels usually offer free parking

Speed Limits: 30 mph on city streets; 60-70 mph on freeways within city limits
Right on Red: Allowed after a complete stop unless signed otherwise
Toll Roads: Dallas North Tollway, President George Bush Turnpike (PGBT) and Sam Rayburn Tollway are all electronic tolls (no cash booths)
School Zones: Speed limit drops to 20 mph when lights flash, usually 7-9 AM and 2-4 PM on school days
Hands-Free Law: No handheld phone use while driving; use Bluetooth or mounted phone holders
Move Over Law: When approaching stopped emergency vehicles that have flashing lights, move over one lane or slow down by 20 mph
Frontage Roads: Many highways have parallel access roads where traffic patterns and U-turn lanes differ

Why rent a car in Dallas

Get a car rental to get to:

Fort Worth – Stockyards, Kimbell Art Museum
Arlington – AT&T Stadium, Six Flags Over Texas
Waco – Magnolia Market, Dr Pepper Museum
Austin – South Congress, Texas State Capitol
Lake Texoma – marinas, fishing spots

FAQs

What documents do I need to rent a car in Dallas?

You need a valid driver's license in English (or with an International Driving Permit), a major credit card in your name and your passport if you're visiting from another country.

Can I drive to other states from Dallas?

Yes. Big rental companies let you drive to nearby states. Dallas is about 1 hour from the Oklahoma border, around 3 hours from Arkansas (Texarkana) and 5–6 hours from Louisiana (Shreveport or Baton Rouge, depending on your route).

How much is the security deposit?

Rental companies usually hold $200–$300 on your credit card on top of the rental cost. They release the hold after you return the car without damage.

What other fees should I expect?

On top of the main rental price, you'll also pay for airport fees (around 11%), vehicle license and recovery fees, sales tax (8.25% in Dallas), extra fees for young drivers (under 25) and fees for extra drivers (about $10 per day for each one).

How do I handle toll roads in a rental car?

Most rental cars have an electronic toll tag. If you use toll roads, the rental company will charge you for the toll plus a service fee (usually $4–$10 per day, only on days you use a toll road). To avoid these fees, tell your navigation app to "avoid tolls."

What's the minimum age to rent a car in Dallas?

You have to be at least 21. If you're under 25, you'll often pay a "young driver" fee of about $25–$30 per day and some companies won't let you rent fancy or special cars until you're 25.

Is it worth upgrading to an SUV for a Dallas trip?

A smaller car is fine for driving in the city. Choose an SUV if you have four or more people, need more room for bags or plan to visit country areas or state parks.

What happens if I return the car outside business hours?

You can return cars to the airport locations anytime. Many city locations have a secure box where you can drop the keys, but it's different for each place. You should check with your rental office ahead of time to be sure.