EN
No booking fees. Free cancellation on most cars
Save by finding great deals and securing low price rentals
Find low rental car prices in El Centro, California with Road Genius. Compare live rates for SUVs, compact cars, passenger vans and reserve with no booking fees. Pick up at Imperial County Airport (IPL), a downtown El Centro branch or even Yuma or San Diego airports and view deals from Enterprise, Hertz, Avis and more in one search. Then roll out on Highway 111 or I-8 to the Salton Sea, Anza-Borrego Desert or Mexicali with an AC-ready ride.
| Location | Details | Additional Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Imperial County Airport (IPL) | • Small regional airport • Limited rental options (Enterprise) |
• Very limited flight service • Advance reservation essential • Limited hours |
| El Centro City Locations | • Enterprise, Hertz locations • Primarily along Imperial Avenue |
• Closed Sundays at most locations • Limited hours (around 8 AM - 5 PM weekdays) • May offer pickup service |
| Yuma International Airport (YUM) | • More rental options (Hertz, Avis, Enterprise) • 60 miles (97 km) east in Arizona |
• More flight connections • Crossing state line for rental may affect rates • May have better selection |
| San Diego Airport (SAN) | • Full selection of companies • 120 miles (193 km) west |
• 2-hour drive to El Centro • Much larger selection of vehicles |
On average, car rentals at El Centro Airport cost around $96 per day, with the lowest-priced rentals starting at $49 per day.
Compare pickup spots in our search tool. El Centro city branches often skip the airport concession fee that bumps up prices at Imperial County Airport.
Price-check Yuma (60 mi east) or San Diego (120 mi west) against El Centro. Even with the drive, lower base rates or a bigger vehicle choice can offset the extra miles—just watch any one-way drop charge.
Avoid peak "snowbird" months (Nov-Apr) if you can. Shifting your trip to May-Oct or even by a couple of mid-week days can drop the rate noticeably in this low-demand desert market.
Look at weekly quotes for 5+ days. A 7-day rate often undercuts five separate daily prices, and our site flags those deals automatically.
| Location | Spot Type | Additional Info |
|---|---|---|
| Downtown El Centro | Free street parking and public lots | Time limits in some areas during business hours |
| Imperial Valley Mall | Free parking | Largest shopping center in the area |
| Supermarkets/Shopping | Free parking at all major centers | Ample parking throughout El Centro |
| County Offices | Public lots with time limits | Enforced during business hours |
| Border Parking | Paid lots at border crossings | Daily rates for border parking |
| Recreational Areas | Free at most desert recreation sites | Some require adventure passes/permits |
Complete stops required at stop signs (enforced in Imperial County)
Most rental car agreements prohibit driving into Mexico
Get a car to visit:
Salton Sea – saltwater lake
Anza-Borrego Desert State Park – trails, wildflowers
Imperial Sand Dunes (Glamis) – dune fields
Painted Gorge – rock formations
What's the best place to rent a car if I'm staying in El Centro? If you're already in El Centro, you'll find Enterprise and Hertz are the easiest places to rent from. If you're flying, you should know the Imperial County Airport doesn't have many rental cars. Many people rent from Yuma International Airport (about 60 miles/97 km east) or San Diego International Airport (about 120 miles/193 km west) instead.
Do I need a specific type of vehicle for driving in the Imperial Valley? You can use a standard midsize or larger car for most paved roads. However, we recommend an SUV or a vehicle that sits higher off the ground if you plan to visit recreation areas on unpaved roads. You'll definitely need reliable air conditioning, especially from April through October when it often gets hotter than 100 °F.
Can I take my rental car into Mexico from El Centro? Most rental companies don't allow you to drive their cars into Mexico. If you want to visit Mexicali or other border areas, you'll need to get special permission from the rental company and buy extra Mexico insurance. Many visitors choose to park in a secure lot at the border for about $5–10 a day and then walk across.
What should I know about driving in the desert around El Centro? You should always carry plenty of water in your car, even on short trips. Make sure your cell phone is charged, but know that you might not get a signal in remote areas. You should also check the weather for dust storms that can make it hard to see. Fill up your gas tank before you head to remote places because you won't find many gas stations out there.
Is it possible to drive to San Diego or Palm Springs for a day trip? Yes, you can drive to both cities for a day trip. You can get to San Diego in about 2 hours by taking I-8 west for 120 miles (193 km). Palm Springs is about a 1.5-hour drive (95 miles/153 km) northwest using Highway 111 and I-10. They are long day trips, but you can do them. Staying overnight would give you more time to explore.
What are the best scenic drives from El Centro? If you drive north on Highway 111 past the Salton Sea, you'll see unique desert and lake views. For colorful desert scenery, you can take Highway 78 west toward Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. It's especially beautiful when the wildflowers bloom in spring. You can also use Painted Gorge Road to see the colorful, worn-down hills in the Coyote Mountains.
How does the weather affect driving in Imperial Valley? In the summer (May–September), the heat can be extreme. Temperatures often go over 110 °F, so you must have working air conditioning in your car. The winter is mild and nice for driving. Sometimes dust storms make it hard to see, especially in the spring and during monsoon season (July–September). It doesn't rain often, but when it does, it can cause flash floods.
Where can I find the lowest gas prices in the area? You'll usually find lower gas prices in El Centro than in San Diego or Palm Springs. You can often find good prices at stations along Imperial Avenue and near the I-8 exits. If you're a member, you can get a discount on gas at the Costco in El Centro. Gas stations in nearby Calexico also sometimes have lower prices because they compete against stations across the border in Mexico.
Popular Countries
24/7 Support