Popular Countries
24/7 SupportCar Rental Des Moines, IA
Free comparison tool · 1000s of rental cars · Major brands · No booking fees
Compare 1,000s of Car Rentals
No Booking Fees
No booking fees. Free cancellation on most cars
Find Low Prices
Save by finding great deals and securing low price rentals
Road Genius makes it easy to find car rental deals in Des Moines. Compare prices and make reservations in one place. Grab a car at Des Moines International Airport DSM or save on a downtown pickup to dodge airport fees. We pull live rates from Enterprise, Hertz, Budget and other major brands so you can choose the right vehicle and hit I-235 toward the Capitol, Ames or the Bridges of Madison County.
Car Rental Locations & Options
Key Rental Locations and Options
| Location | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Des Moines International Airport (DSM) | • Immediate pickup after landing • Multiple rental companies • Extended hours (some 24/7) • Larger vehicle selection | • Airport fees and surcharges (approximately $5-$10 per day) • Higher base rates • Potential for lines after busy flights |
| Downtown Des Moines | • No airport fees • Convenient to hotels and businesses • Often lower base rates | • Limited hours (usually business hours) • Transportation needed from airport • Smaller selection of vehicles |
| Suburban Locations | • May offer better weekend rates • Convenient for specific neighborhoods • Often less busy than airport | • Limited hours, especially weekends • Advance reservation recommended • May have smaller fleet |
Airport Pickup Process: Rental counters are located in the baggage claim area and cars are parked in adjacent lots. Simply walk from the counter to the nearby lot - no shuttle required.
Car Rental Prices
Saving Tips
- Skip the airport pick-up if you can: Downtown Des Moines counters usually skip the $5-$10/day airport surcharge. A quick rideshare from DSM (about 10 minutes) can wipe out the extra fees.
- Target winter or shoulder seasons: December–January rates hover around $64/day versus $128+ in July or during the Iowa State Fair. Flex your travel dates and watch the price drop.
- Compare weekday vs weekend starts: Business locations around the suburbs often discount Friday–Monday rentals, while midweek pickups can be cheaper downtown. Run both sets of dates in the search box.
- Go long if you need 5+ days: Weekly pricing in Des Moines often beats paying the daily rate for the same span, so price out a 7-day rental even if you only need six.
- Mix and match locations on the same search: Checking DSM Airport, downtown, and West Des Moines side by side can reveal $10-$20/day swings—worth the two extra clicks.
Car rental prices in Des Moines 2025/2026
Parking and Driving
Where to Park
- Downtown: Mix of metered street spots and public ramps
- East Village: Metered street spots and public lots
- Court Avenue District: Public ramps and limited street spots
- Suburban areas: Free spots at most shopping centers and malls
Local Driving Rules
- I-235 speed limit reduced to 55 to 65 mph through the city
- School zones: 20 to 25 mph when children are present
- Downtown features some one way streets
- No toll roads in Iowa
Why rent a car in Des Moines
Renting a car in Des Moines lets you reach city sights and regional attractions with ease.
- Downtown Des Moines and East Village – Capitol Complex, Pappajohn Sculpture Park
- West Des Moines – Jordan Creek Town Center
- Bridges of Madison County – covered bridges, Winterset
- Ames – Iowa State University campus, Reiman Gardens
- Iowa City – University of Iowa campus, Iowa River Landing
- Omaha, Nebraska – Old Market, Henry Doorly Zoo
Local Rental Locations
- Ankeny, IA
- Car Rental Des Moines International Airport (DSM)
- Car Rental The Eastern Iowa Airport (CID)
- Cedar Falls, IA
- Cedar Rapids, IA
- Davenport, IA
- Dubuque, IA
- Iowa
- Iowa City, IA
FAQs
What rental car companies are available in Des Moines?
All the major rental car companies are in Des Moines, including Enterprise, Hertz, Avis, Budget, Alamo and National. You can find their counters at the airport and in different locations around the city.
When is the busiest time at DSM Airport rental counters?
The rental counters get busiest from 9–10 PM, especially on Wednesdays. You should allow extra time if you arrive during these busy hours.
Is there a young driver fee for renters under 25?
Yes, most companies will charge you about $25 per day if you're a driver aged 21–24. Some companies have special rules for drivers under 21.
Do I need to pay for toll roads in Iowa?
No, Iowa has no toll roads, so you don't need to worry about toll passes or special rental car toll programs.
