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| Location | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Garden Grove/Anaheim Local Rentals | • No airport fees (savings of around 18%) • Compact cars available from $25/day off-peak • Enterprise offers hotel pickup service |
• Limited hours (often 8AM-6PM weekdays, shorter weekends) • Some locations closed Sundays • After-hours pickup generally unavailable |
| John Wayne Airport (SNA, 12 miles/19 km) | • Convenient for Orange County arrivals • Rental facility right across from terminal • Short wait times • 20-minute drive to Garden Grove |
• Airport surcharges and facility fees • Limited international flight options • Higher base rates than local rentals |
| Los Angeles International (LAX, 35 miles/56 km) | • Most international flight options • All major rental companies available • 24-hour service |
• Long lines and shuttle bus transfers • Airport fees around $10-15/day • 1+ hour drive to Garden Grove (longer in traffic) |
On average, car rentals in Garden Grove cost around $79 per day, with the lowest-priced rentals starting at $27 per day.
Skip the airport counter: Pick up from a Garden Grove or Anaheim neighborhood branch and avoid the ~18 % airport surcharge. A quick rideshare from SNA (12 mi/19 km) still leaves you ahead.
Shift your dates: Rates in January and mid-September can run 30 % lower than spring-break or holiday weeks. Run a few date combos in our search to spot the dip.
Test weekly pricing: In SoCal a 7-day booking often costs the same as 4-6 single days. Select "1 week" in the quote box and compare.
Lock then re-shop: Book a free-cancel deal today, set a reminder, and recheck a week before pickup; local OC prices frequently drop last-minute.
Parking in Garden Grove/Orange County:
Regulations to Know:
Get a car so you can see:
Disneyland Resort – Anaheim
Huntington Beach – pier, Pacific City
Los Angeles – Hollywood, museums
Universal Studios Hollywood – Studio City

When is the best time to rent a car in Garden Grove?
You'll find the lowest rental rates in January, about 32% cheaper than usual. September after Labor Day is another good time because you can find lower prices and smaller crowds.
Do I need a car if staying near Disneyland?
Not always. Many hotels run shuttles to Disneyland and the ART (Anaheim Resort Transit) covers the resort area. But a car gives you the freedom to visit other places that are too far to walk to.
How do I handle toll roads with a rental car?
The toll roads in Orange County don't take cash. You need to either register your rental car's license plate before you drive on them or pay the toll online within 5 days. This helps you avoid extra fees from the rental company.
Is it easier to rent from John Wayne Airport (SNA) or LAX?
Renting a car at John Wayne Airport is much easier. The lines are shorter and you can just walk across the street to get your car. The airport is also a lot closer to Garden Grove (12 miles/19 km away compared to 35 miles/56 km from LAX).
How bad is traffic between Garden Grove and Los Angeles?
If you're driving on I-5 during morning rush hour (6:30–9 AM) going north or evening rush hour (3:30–7 PM) going south, expect the trip to take an extra 30–60 minutes. On weekends, traffic is usually not as bad, unless there's a big event or you're near a popular spot.