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Finding a rental car in Long Beach is easier with Road Genius. Compare prices of vehicles from dozens of brands across California with no booking fees. Browse live deals from Long Beach Airport and downtown spots, then grab the keys to cruise the Pacific Coast Highway to Disneyland, Huntington Beach or downtown LA.
Long Beach offers several rental options concentrated around key areas:
| Location Type | Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|---|
| Downtown/Convention Center | • Walking distance from hotels • Multiple rental companies • Near tourist attractions |
• Higher rates than outlying areas • Parking challenges during pickup • Traffic congestion during events |
| Long Beach Airport (LGB) | • On-site rental counters • No shuttle required • Often competitive rates |
• Limited hours (usually 7am-10pm) • Smaller selection than LAX • Fewer rental companies |
| Lakewood/East Long Beach | • Often lower rates • Easier parking for pickup/drop-off • Less congestion |
• Limited weekend hours • Fewer luxury options • May require transportation to reach |
Major Rental Companies in Long Beach:
On average, car rentals in Long Beach cost around $75 per day, with the lowest-priced rentals starting at $33 per day.
Compare pickup spots: Check prices at LGB Airport, downtown, and Lakewood/East Long Beach branches. Neighborhood locations can undercut downtown by 10-15% and the airport sometimes beats both despite added fees.
Start mid-week: Friday and Saturday pickups cost more. Shifting to Monday-Thursday can knock 5-10% off the rate.
Stretch to weekly pricing: Hitting the 5-day mark usually unlocks weekly discounts of 15-25%. Adding an extra day can be cheaper than returning early.
Use free local pickup: Many neighborhood branches will collect you from your hotel, letting you skip ride-share and still grab the off-airport rate.
Refuel smart: Stations in Signal Hill or along Lakewood Blvd are usually the cheapest; avoid pumps near the waterfront or freeway ramps.
Hunt event promo codes: Conventions at the Long Beach Center often come with discount codes or parking validation—punch them in at checkout for extra savings.
Long Beach has specific challenges that visitors should understand:
| Area | Options | Local Tips |
|---|---|---|
| Downtown/Pine Ave | • Public garages • Metered street spaces • Private lots |
• Event pricing during conventions • Many meters accept credit cards • Most meters enforced until 9pm |
| Shoreline Village/Aquarium | • Designated lots • Limited street spaces • Validation available |
• Spots fill quickly on weekends • Some businesses validate • Consider Pike Outlets garage for longer stays |
| Belmont Shore/2nd Street | • Metered street spaces • Limited free side streets • Some public lots |
• High competition for spots on weekends • Read signs carefully – complex restrictions • Time limits strictly enforced |
| East Long Beach | • Free spaces at most shopping centers • Abundant street options • Fewer restrictions |
• Street cleaning restrictions in residential areas • School zone restrictions during school hours • Straightforward compared to downtown |
Key Local Driving Regulations:
A rental car lets you easily reach coastal icons, theme parks and neighboring cities across Southern California.
Queen Mary – museum ship
Catalina Express terminal – Catalina Island ferry
Disneyland – Anaheim
Huntington Beach – Orange County coast
Downtown Los Angeles – Downtown Los Angeles cultural districts
Pacific Coast Highway – drive to Newport Beach
Is Long Beach a good base for exploring Southern California?
Yes, Long Beach is in a great spot between Los Angeles and Orange County. You can easily get on three major freeways (I-405, I-710 and CA-22), so you can drive to most Southern California attractions in about an hour, depending on traffic.
How does parking work in downtown Long Beach?
In downtown Long Beach, you can find metered street parking and public garages. Most meters take credit cards and usually have a 2-hour limit, but some zones let you park longer. Public garages charge about $7–15 a day, based on the location and any events happening. The Pike Outlets and Shoreline Village have their own parking lots and will often validate your parking.
Is it difficult to navigate downtown Long Beach?
Downtown Long Beach has many one-way streets, so it can be confusing if you're visiting for the first time. We highly recommend you use a GPS. When special events like the Grand Prix are happening, expect major street closures and detours. Outside of downtown, the streets in Long Beach follow a simple grid pattern.
How far is Long Beach from major attractions?
Disneyland is about 17 miles (27 km) away (a 25–40 minute drive), LAX is roughly 22 miles (35 km) (30–45 minutes), downtown Los Angeles is about 25 miles (40 km) (35–55 minutes) and Hollywood is around 30 miles (48 km) (45–70 minutes). These times can change a lot based on traffic.
Are there any toll roads near Long Beach?
No, there are no toll roads right in Long Beach. The closest toll roads are in Orange County (SR-73, 133, 241, 261). You will only run into these if you drive to south Orange County.
Can I rent at LGB Airport and return to LAX?
Yes, most rental companies let you do one-way rentals between airports in Southern California. The one-way fee for returning at LAX is usually $25–75, but this changes by company. You should book this type of rental ahead of time, since the company may need to reserve a specific car for you.
What's the best vehicle for visiting both beach areas and theme parks?
For most people, a midsize car is the best choice. It gives you enough space but still gets good gas mileage and is easy to park. If you're a family visiting theme parks, you might want an SUV or minivan for extra room and comfort.
How does the Long Beach rental car experience compare to LAX?
Renting a car at LGB is a lot more relaxed. The rental counters are right in the airport so you don't need a shuttle. You'll also find shorter lines and usually lower fees than at LAX. The only downside is that you have fewer cars and rental companies to choose from.
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