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No booking fees. Free cancellation on most cars
Save by finding great deals and securing low price rentals
Finding a car rental in Little Rock is simple with Road Genius. Compare prices from dozens of suppliers in Arkansas with no booking fees. Pick up at Clinton National Airport (LIT) or choose a downtown Little Rock rental to skip airport surcharges. Most deals include free cancellation and unlimited mileage, so you can drive to Hot Springs or Pinnacle Mountain.
Little Rock has multiple rental options. The airport is the most convenient for visitors arriving by air.
| Location | Pros | Cons |
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| Little Rock Airport (LIT) |
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| Downtown Little Rock |
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| Midtown/West Little Rock |
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Available Rental Companies at LIT: Avis, Alamo, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, National and Thrifty - all located in or next to the terminal
On average, car rentals in Little Rock cost around $78 per day, with the lowest-priced rentals starting at $30 per day.
Compare airport vs downtown quotes. Little Rock Airport adds about 10-15 % in concession fees. If your hotel runs a free shuttle, grabbing the car at a downtown branch can net instant savings.
Shift your pickup to the weekend if you can. Business travelers pump up weekday prices. A Fri noon–Mon morning rental often costs less than a Mon–Wed span of the same length.
Book 3-4 weeks ahead for big events only. Rates spike around Riverfest (May) and the Little Rock Marathon (March); outside those dates, a last-minute search can be just as cheap.
Skip the counter lines for free. Sign up for the rental brand's loyalty program before you fly. At LIT you can walk straight to the garage and bypass the midday queue.
Refuel in West Little Rock. Gas stations along I-430 usually post the city's lowest prices and sit only 10-15 minutes from the airport—cheaper than prepaying fuel.
Keep it a round-trip when possible. One-way drives to Memphis or Hot Springs are fun but carry drop fees. Returning to the same Little Rock branch avoids that extra charge.
Little Rock offers various options for leaving your car, especially in the downtown area.
Where to Park:
Public Parking Decks: Several downtown including the River Market and Statehouse Convention Center
Clinton Presidential Library: Free parking for visitors
Shopping Areas: Free parking at malls and retail centers
Hotels: Downtown hotels may charge for parking; suburban hotels often offer free parking
Local Driving Rules:
Toll Roads: There are no toll roads in Arkansas, including the Little Rock area.
A rental car opens up central Arkansas and nearby regional highlights that are hard to reach without your own wheels.
Hot Springs National Park – thermal baths, Bathhouse Row
Pinnacle Mountain State Park – hiking trails, Arkansas River overlook
Memphis, Tennessee – Beale Street, Graceland
Petit Jean State Park – Cedar Falls, park museum
Is it necessary to rent a car in Little Rock or can I rely on public transportation?
We highly recommend you rent a car. While Rock Region METRO buses run through downtown and along main roads, you'll find many attractions spread throughout the area that are hard to reach using public transit.
How is parking in downtown Little Rock?
You'll find parking downtown is pretty easy compared to bigger cities. You can find metered street parking, which is free in the evenings and on weekends. Several public parking decks also have reasonable rates, usually charging about $1–2 an hour and up to about $10 for a full day.
What type of vehicle is best for exploring Little Rock and central Arkansas?
A standard sedan will work just fine for driving in the city and to most attractions. If you plan to explore nature areas like the Ouachita Mountains, you might be more comfortable in an SUV on rural roads.
How is the traffic in Little Rock?
During rush hour (7–9 am and 4–6 pm), you might find traffic slows down on I-30, I-430 and I-630, especially near major exits. Outside of those hours, traffic is much easier to handle than in bigger cities.
Is it easy to drive to Hot Springs from Little Rock?
Yes, you can drive to Hot Springs in about an hour. You can take US-70 or I-30 to US-270. Both routes are good highways and the signs are easy to read. It makes for a great day trip.
Do I need to worry about severe weather affecting my driving plans?
Spring storms from April to June can bring bad weather and sometimes tornado warnings. If the forecast calls for storms, you might want to change your travel times. In the winter, ice can sometimes make the roads slick.
How far in advance should I reserve a rental car in Little Rock?
During most times of the year, you should reserve your car 1–2 weeks ahead of time. If you are visiting during a special event or a holiday, we recommend booking 3–4 weeks early to get the best price and car choice.
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