EN
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 rental car offers in Denver, Colorado. Compare rates and book in one place.
Pick up at Denver International Airport (DEN) or in central Denver. Note that off-airport branches within 20 miles of DEN may add airport fees if you flew in within 24 hours, and for Rocky Mountain drives consider an SUV or AWD in winter.
| Location | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Central Denver |
|
|
| Suburban Locations |
|
|
| DEN Airport |
|
|
Note: Denver's airport fee applies even to off-airport rentals. Locations within 20 miles of DEN add this fee if you flew in within the last 24 hours. To avoid it, rent farther away (Boulder, Fort Collins) or wait 24 hours after your flight.
On average, car rentals in Denver cost around USD $73 per day, with the lowest-priced rentals available from USD $13 per day.
Compare pickup spots. Central Denver is often ~18% cheaper than DEN, but hours are limited. Also check suburban branches, then weigh any extra transport time.
Watch Denver’s airport fee rule. Off-airport rentals within 20 miles of DEN add fees if you flew in within 24 hours. To avoid them, rent 24+ hours after landing or pick up beyond 20 miles like Boulder or Fort Collins.
Book early for peak times. Reserve 1-2 months ahead for summer and 2-3 months for ski season, but April and late Oct–early Nov usually have softer prices. Use free cancellation and re-check for drops.
Play with dates and durations. Mid-week pickups can be cheaper, and weekly rates can beat 5-6 day prices. Shift pickup/return times to avoid paying for unused hours.
Choose the right car class. If you’re mostly in the city, an economy car is usually enough. Bigger vehicles cost more and aren’t necessary for city centre errands.
Cut extras. Avoid E-470 and express toll lanes by setting “avoid tolls” in maps to skip toll charges plus per-day service fees. If staying in the city centre, delay pickup until you actually leave the city to avoid parking costs.
Denver Car Parking Options:
Event Car Parking:
Local Driving Regulations:
Winter Driving:
Book a rental so you can drive to:
Red Rocks Park - amphitheatre, trails
Boulder - Pearl Street, Flatirons
Rocky Mountain National Park - Trail Ridge Road, lakes
Colorado Springs - Garden of the Gods, Pikes Peak
Do I need an AWD/4WD vehicle in Denver?
For the Denver metro area, a standard 2WD car is usually fine, even in winter, as the city ploughs the roads quickly. However, if you plan to visit mountain areas, especially during winter (November-April), we recommend an AWD/4WD car so you can travel more safely.
Where can I find the cheapest parking in Denver's city centre?
You'll find parking metres are free on Sundays and after 10pm until 8am. For longer stays, parking garages are often cheaper than metres. Some garages offer early bird specials (in before 9am, out by 6pm) for around $8-12. You can also use apps like SpotHero to find discounted garage rates.
How do I avoid Denver's airport fees when renting in the city?
The airport charges fees on car rentals picked up inside a 20-mile radius of DEN if you flew in less than 24 hours ago. To avoid these fees, you can either wait more than 24 hours after you land to rent your car, or rent from a place further than 20 miles away, like Boulder or Golden.
Is street parking available near city centre hotels?
You can find some street parking, but most spots have a 2-hour time limit during the day. On some streets, you can park for free after 6pm and on Sundays. Keep in mind that many city centre hotels charge for parking (around $30-50 per night), so you should add this to your accommodation budget.
How do I handle toll roads with a rental car?
Most rental cars don't come with a toll transponder. When you drive on a toll road, the rental company will charge your credit card for the toll and a service fee. To stay off toll roads, you can set your navigation app to 'avoid tolls'. Another option is to sign up for your rental company's daily toll program if they offer one. This program charges a set daily fee and might give you unlimited toll use if you plan on driving on toll roads a lot.
What's the best way to avoid I-70 mountain traffic?
If you're heading to the mountains on a weekend, leave early (before 6:30am) or late (after 7pm). When you're coming back to Denver on a Sunday, leave the mountain towns before 1pm or after 7pm. If you can, travel on weekdays when there is much less traffic.
Are there any parking restrictions during snow events?
Yes, when it snows heavily, you cannot park on special 'snow routes'. You should check the street signs and the Denver Department of Transportation and Infrastructure (DOTI) website in a snowstorm. If you park on a snow route while the restrictions are active, the city might give you a ticket or tow your car.
Popular Countries
24/7 Support