Compare car rental prices from leading providers in McKinney, Texas with Road Genius. From compact cars to premium SUVs and minivans, you'll find vehicles at low prices in convenient locations. Local branches on University Drive and near Downtown often cost less than DFW or Love Field rentals and some offer free pickup, putting you on the road to Allen Premium Outlets, Frisco or Downtown Dallas in minutes.
While McKinney doesn't have its own airport, several convenient rental options are available.
Location | Pros | Cons | Notes |
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McKinney City Locations |
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Multiple locations along University Drive (US-380) and near downtown |
DFW Airport |
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Consider if flying into DFW or requiring specialty vehicles |
Dallas Love Field |
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Better option if flying Southwest Airlines |
Nearby Cities (Allen, Frisco) |
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Consider if McKinney locations have limited availability |
Enterprise Pickup Service: Enterprise locations in McKinney often offer complimentary pickup from local hotels or addresses. Request this service at least 24 hours in advance.
On average, car rentals in McKinney cost around $86 per day, with the lowest-priced rentals starting at $28 per day.
Price out city vs airport pickups: McKinney/Allen/Frisco branches skip the 18-25 % airport surcharges. Add the rideshare or shuttle cost to see if the suburb pickup still wins on total price.
Use the free local pickup service: Many McKinney counters will collect you from your hotel or home if you book a day ahead, saving a taxi fare and the airport hassle fee.
Weekend and weekly deals: Suburban locations often discount Fri-Mon and 5-7-day rentals. Even a 5-day trip can be cheaper on a "weekly" rate, so toggle the dates in the search box.
Keep the booking flexible and re-check: Fleets here are small, prices swing. Make a free-cancellation reservation 2-3 weeks out, then compare again a few days before pickup and grab any drop.
Area | Parking Options | Cost | Notes |
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Historic Downtown Square | Street parking, public lots, garages | Free |
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Shopping Centers | Dedicated lots | Free |
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Municipal Buildings | Public lots | Free |
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Parks and Recreation | Dedicated lots | Free |
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Highway 380 Corridor | Shopping center lots | Free |
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Historic District Navigation: Narrow streets and occasional one-way roads in downtown
School Zones: 20 mph when lights flashing, usually 7-9 AM and 2-4 PM on school days
Highway 380 (University Drive): Major east-west corridor with frequent traffic lights
US-75: Primary north-south highway with express/HOV lanes
Toll Roads: Dallas North Tollway and Sam Rayburn Tollway (SH-121) require electronic payment
Right on Red: Allowed after complete stop unless signed otherwise
Book a rental so you can get to:
Historic Downtown McKinney – courthouse square, boutiques
Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary – nature trails, exhibits
Lake Lavon – parks, boat ramps
Frisco The Star – Cowboys headquarters, shopping venues
Allen Premium Outlets – outlet stores, food court
Downtown Dallas – arts district, sports arenas
What's the best way to explore Historic Downtown McKinney?
We recommend you park in a free public garage near the downtown square and then explore on foot. The historic district is small and easy to walk around, and the courthouse square is right in the middle. Most street parking has a 2 or 3-hour limit, but the garages let you park as long as you want. If you visit on a weekday, you'll find parking more easily. Weekends can get crowded, especially when there's an event.
Do I need to pay for tolls when driving to Dallas or DFW Airport?
If you want the fastest way to Dallas or DFW Airport, you'll drive on toll roads like the Dallas North Tollway or the Sam Rayburn Tollway. These roads only take electronic payments, so you won't find any cash booths. Most rental car companies will give you a toll pass that charges the tolls to your credit card. They also add a daily service fee of about $3.95 to $9.99. You can take other routes for free, but they usually add 10 to 20 minutes to your drive.
Is parking difficult to find in McKinney?
No, you can usually find plenty of free parking all over McKinney, even downtown. Two public parking garages offer free parking and are just a short walk from the square. Shopping centers and restaurants on Highway 380 have big parking lots where you can park as long as you want. The only time you might have trouble finding a spot is during special events like Oktoberfest or Home for the Holidays.
What type of vehicle is best for exploring McKinney?
A standard sedan will work just fine for driving in McKinney. The roads are in good shape and you can get to all the major sights on paved roads. Many locals drive SUVs, but mostly because they need the extra room for people and things, not because the roads are bad. If you're visiting when there's a rare ice storm, a front-wheel-drive car can handle the roads. Just be sure to always drive carefully on icy surfaces.
How far in advance should I book a rental car in McKinney?
Rental car places in McKinney have fewer cars than the ones at the airport. We recommend you book your car 2 to 3 weeks ahead of time, especially if you need it for a weekend or want a certain type of car. You should book even earlier if you're traveling during the summer or around the holidays.
Are there any good day trips from McKinney using a rental car?
McKinney is a great spot to start a day trip from. You can drive to popular places like Frisco (15 miles / 24 km away) to shop at Stonebriar Centre and see sports attractions at The Star. You could also visit the historic downtown of Denton (35 miles / 56 km away) which has a courthouse square and a college-town feel. For outdoor fun, you can go to Lake Lavon (12 miles / 19 km away). Or you can head to Dinosaur Valley State Park in Glen Rose (about 95 miles / 153 km away) to hike and see dinosaur tracks.
What's the parking situation at popular shopping areas like Adriatica Village?
You can find free parking in the lots at Adriatica Village and most other shopping centers in McKinney. Adriatica looks like a European village, so you can find street parking and several lots there. Big shopping areas on Highway 380 and in Craig Ranch also offer plenty of free parking, and you can stay as long as you like.