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Find rental car prices in Lafayette, Indiana with Road Genius. Compare live rates for SUVs, hatchbacks, minivans and reserve with no booking fees. Pick up in town, near Purdue University or at Purdue Airport, then hop on I-65 for a drive to Indianapolis or Chicago. Demand jumps during Purdue events, so book early to secure selection and rates.
The Lafayette-West Lafayette area has no major commercial airport, though the Purdue University Airport serves private and charter flights.
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| Purdue University Airport |
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| Lafayette Downtown/City |
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On average, car rentals in Lafayette (IN) cost around $73 per day, with the lowest-priced rentals starting at $38 per day.
Shop downtown vs airport desks: City locations skip airport concession fees and often run local promos. Compare both spots in our search to see if the quick Uber ride to town beats the on-airport convenience.
Watch the Purdue calendar: Football games, graduation and August move-in send prices soaring. Lock something in early for those dates. For winter break or early summer, chill—rates usually dip and last-minute deals pop up.
Toggle pickup points: If you need wheels for a week or more, price check Indianapolis Airport too. The 75-mile (121 km) drive back might be worth it thanks to bigger fleets and regular "weekly" specials.
Stretch to a weekly rate: Staying 5+ days? Weekly pricing in Lafayette often undercuts six separate daily rates by 20-30 percent. Run both scenarios in the search box.
Skip pricey extras: Bring your own phone charger, use your smartphone for GPS and decline the toll transponder unless you're Chicago-bound. Little add-ons at checkout add up fast.
Ask about free local pickup: Several city branches will collect you within Lafayette-West Lafayette limits. That saves the $15-$20 rideshare hop and starts the meter on your rental only when you hit the lot.
Where to Park:
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Book a rental car to get to:
Prophetstown State Park – trails, nature center
Wolf Park – wolves, bison
Tippecanoe Battlefield & Museum – monument, exhibits
Wabash Heritage Trail – river path, trailheads
Is a car necessary when visiting Purdue University? If you're staying on or very near campus and don't plan to explore much, you might get by without a car. You can easily walk around campus and the bus service is good. However, we highly recommend a rental car if you want to visit off-campus attractions, restaurants that aren't close by or explore both cities.
How far is Lafayette from Indianapolis Airport? Lafayette is about 70–75 miles (113–121 km) northwest of Indianapolis International Airport. The drive takes about 1 hour and 10–20 minutes on I-65.
Are there any driving restrictions on Purdue's campus? Yes, the university restricts access on many campus roads during weekday business hours. You can find visitor parking in specific garages and lots, and you'll have to pay an hourly or daily fee. Make sure to follow campus signs carefully, as they actively enforce parking rules.
What's the best way to navigate between Lafayette and West Lafayette? Several bridges cross the Wabash River to connect the two cities. The main bridges you can drive across are the Sagamore Parkway bridges (US 52), the Harrison Bridge (South Street/US 52/231) and the State Street Bridge (SR 26). You might hit traffic on these bridges during rush hour, so you should plan for extra time.
When is the busiest time for car rentals in Lafayette? People rent cars most often during big Purdue University events. These include home football games (September–November), graduation weekends (May and December) and the student move-in weekend (mid-August). You should book your car far ahead of time for these events.
Is parking difficult to find in downtown Lafayette or near Purdue? You can usually find a parking spot in downtown Lafayette at a street meter or in a public garage. It's harder to find parking near Purdue on weekdays. You can use visitor parking in certain areas, but it costs more and spots can be hard to find during special events.
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