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Find competitive rental car prices in El Monte, California with Road Genius. Find rates for SUVs, hatchbacks, passenger vans and make reservations with no booking fees. Neighborhood branches on Peck Road and Valley Boulevard often run 15-25% cheaper than LAX counters and put you right on I-10 or I-605 for quick trips to Pasadena, downtown Los Angeles and the rest of the San Gabriel Valley. Reserve early for summer weekends and holidays when El Monte car rental demand spikes and larger vehicles go first.
| Location Type | Pros | Cons | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| El Monte Local Branches | • Lower rates (no airport fees) • Less waiting time • Convenient for local residents |
• Limited hours (usually 8AM-6PM) • Reduced weekend availability • Smaller selection of vehicles |
Enterprise on Peck Rd offers standard rentals; Exotic Cars branch available at local dealership |
| LAX Airport | • Wide vehicle selection • 24/7 operation • All major companies available |
• Around 18% higher rates • Airport surcharges apply • Long shuttle rides (10-15 minutes) |
Located around 30 miles (48 km) from El Monte |
| El Monte Airport | • Very close to city center • Small, less crowded facility |
• Limited to small aircraft • No major rental operations • Limited hours |
Small general aviation airport without commercial flights |
On average, car rentals in El Monte cost around $74 per day, with the lowest-priced rentals starting at $22 per day.
Pick up in El Monte, not LAX – neighborhood branches avoid airport surcharges and are usually 15-25 % cheaper.
Shift your dates by a day – a 5-7 day "weekly" rate often beats paying 4 single days; test different start/return combos in the search box.
Choose the smallest car that fits your crew – compact models handle LA traffic better and rent for less while sipping the cheaper gas sold along Valley Blvd.
Aim for mid-morning pickup (10-11 AM) – lines are shorter, so you're likelier to get the class you booked instead of paying for an upgrade.
El Monte provides various options for parking and has specific regulations:
Downtown El Monte: Mix of free public lots and metered street spaces
Shopping Centers: Free parking at Valley Mall and Santa Fe Trail Plaza, but time limits apply during peak hours
Residential Areas: Street parking available but watch for permit-only zones and street cleaning days
Speed Limits:
Book a car rental to see:
Downtown Los Angeles – museums, arenas
Pasadena – Rose Bowl, Norton Simon Museum
Santa Monica – pier, beach
San Gabriel Valley – Arcadia, Temple City, Rosemead eateries
What rental companies are available in El Monte?
Enterprise (Peck Rd), Hertz and Avis have local offices in El Monte. Dollar, Thrifty and Yesaway mostly work out of nearby airports (like LAX) but they also help customers who travel to the El Monte area. Yesaway focuses on helping Chinese-speaking customers.
Do I need a car in El Monte?
Yes, the area has limited public transportation. Renting a car is the best way you can get around and see El Monte and the surrounding San Gabriel Valley.
When is the best time to pick up a rental car?
You will usually find shorter lines at rental counters in the mid-morning (10-11 AM) or mid-afternoon (2-4 PM).
Is parking difficult in El Monte?
No, you can find parking easily in the city. Most businesses have their own parking lots and you can also find street parking in most areas.
Can I rent a car if I don't speak English?
Yes, some companies like Yesaway have employees who speak Chinese. You might find that other companies have staff who speak Spanish or other languages.
What's the minimum age to rent a car in El Monte?
You have to be 21 to rent a car. If you are under 25, the rental company will charge you an extra "young-driver fee" of about $25-30 each day.
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