EN
No booking fees. Free cancellation on most cars
Save by finding great deals and securing low price rentals
Find competitive car rental prices in Grand Rapids, Michigan with Road Genius. Compare live rates for SUVs, hatchbacks, minivans and make reservations with no reservation fees. From Gerald R. Ford International Airport pickups to downtown Grand Rapids rentals, we aggregate offers from the big brands so you can grab low daily or weekly rates and hit the lakeshore faster.
| Location | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GRR) |
|
|
| Downtown Grand Rapids |
|
|
| 28th Street Corridor |
|
|
| Alpine Avenue/North Side |
|
|
Additional notes:
On average, car rentals in Grand Rapids cost around $64 per day, with the lowest-priced rentals starting at $32 per day.
Compare pickup spots. Airport rentals tack on an ~11 % concession fee. If you're overnighting downtown, grab a rideshare from GRR and collect the car next morning at a city branch to skip that surcharge.
Price-check 28th Street. Locations along 28th Street often undercut both airport and downtown on base rates and stay open later for returns.
Time your booking around big events. ArtPrize (late Sep) and peak summer weekends push prices up. Reserve 2-3 weeks out for those periods, but feel free to play chicken in quieter months when rates sometimes drop last-minute.
Go weekly if you're past day four. In Grand Rapids a 5–7-day "weekly" plan usually costs less than five separate daily rates.
Rent only when you'll drive. Downtown is walkable and has the free DASH shuttle. Delay pickup until the day you head to Lake Michigan or the breweries in the burbs to shave off extra rental days.
Use the spouse freebie. Michigan lets spouses drive without the usual $10-15/day extra driver fee—bring their license and save the cash.
Downtown Parking:
Medical Mile/Hospital Area Parking:
Driving Regulations:
A car lets you explore West Michigan comfortably and reach popular spots beyond downtown.
Lake Michigan beaches - Holland, Grand Haven, Saugatuck
Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park
Craft brewery trail - Founders, Brewery Vivant, The Mitten
Shopping hubs - Woodland Mall, RiverTown Crossings, Tanger Outlets
Fruit orchards and vineyards - Lakeshore Wine Trail
Day trips - Kalamazoo, Muskegon, Traverse City
How far is Gerald R. Ford Airport from downtown Grand Rapids?
Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GRR) is about 15 miles (24 km) southeast of downtown Grand Rapids. The drive on I-96 takes 20–25 minutes when traffic is normal.
What's the best way to get around downtown Grand Rapids?
Downtown Grand Rapids has a lot of one-way streets, and the Grand River divides it, leaving few places to cross. We suggest first-time visitors use a navigation app. The downtown area is small, so after you park, you can walk to many attractions.
Do I need an SUV for winter driving in Grand Rapids?
You don't absolutely need one, but an SUV that has all-wheel drive gives you better grip during the winter (December to March). In those months, we get a lot of lake-effect snow. Crews do a good job maintaining the main roads, but snow can pile up fast during storms.
What parking is like during ArtPrize?
During ArtPrize (late September to early October), downtown parking is very hard to find. You can find several parking ramps that charge up to $15–20 for the day, but they fill up fast. Consider parking in a lot on the edge of town and taking a shuttle. You could also use The Rapid bus system from a park-and-ride spot.
Is it easy to find parking at popular breweries?
Most breweries in Grand Rapids have their own parking lots or you can find street parking close by. You may have a tougher time parking at downtown breweries like Founders when it's busy. Brewery Vivant in East Hills and The Mitten Brewing Company on the West Side have smaller lots that often fill up on weekends.
Can I visit Lake Michigan beaches as a day trip from Grand Rapids?
Yes, Lake Michigan beaches in Holland, Grand Haven and Saugatuck are all a 30–45 minute drive from Grand Rapids, so they're perfect for a day trip. You should plan for a longer drive on summer weekends because beach traffic gets a lot heavier.
Are there any toll roads in the Grand Rapids area?
No, Michigan does not have toll roads, so you can use all highways and major roads for free. (Note: A few bridges in other parts of the state do charge tolls, but none of them are near Grand Rapids.)
Popular Countries
24/7 Support