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Road Genius makes it easy to find great car rental deals in Merced, California. Compare prices and make bookings in one place. Check live rates from Enterprise, Budget and other major brands at downtown locations or Merced Regional Airport, then take Highway 140 to Yosemite or drive Highway 99 through the Central Valley. Book early to lock in low prices before summer park crowds and UC Merced events send demand skyward.
| Location | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Downtown Merced |
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| Merced Regional Airport |
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| Fresno Yosemite Airport (FAT) |
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Additional Notes: Merced is served by Amtrak's San Joaquins line, and the station is downtown, making city center rentals convenient for train travelers. Enterprise and other national agencies have locations on Martin Luther King Jr. Way and G Street; some offer pick-up service from transportation hubs or hotels.
On average, car rentals in Merced cost around $81 per day, with the lowest-priced rentals starting at $33 per day.
Compare pickup spots: Downtown Merced rentals avoid airport facility fees and are easy to reach from the Amtrak station. If you can work with their business-hour schedule, you'll usually pay less than at the airport desk.
Watch the calendar: Prices jump during Yosemite's May–Sep rush and UC Merced graduation/move-in weekends. Shifting your pickup by even 24 hrs into a mid-week or shoulder window can trim the daily rate.
Check Fresno Yosemite Airport (FAT) too: It's 60 mi (97 km) away but has every major brand. Sometimes the larger fleet pushes prices lower—just add the fuel or shuttle cost to see if it really beats Merced.
Go weekly if you're close to 5–7 days: In Merced, weekly plans typically cut 15–20 % off the per-day price versus separate daily bookings.
Where to Park:
Local Driving Rules:
What's the best route to Yosemite from Merced?
We recommend taking Highway 140 (the "All-Weather Highway"), especially in winter. It follows the Merced River canyon, has the lowest elevation gain and is usually the last route to require chains during snowstorms.
Do I need a special vehicle for visiting Yosemite?
A standard car will work for most of the year. In winter (November–April), you might want an AWD/4WD vehicle. But even then, you may still need to use chains during snowstorms. Most car rental companies don't allow you to use chains, so you should check the weather forecast carefully.
How can I avoid driving in heavy fog?
You'll see Tule fog most often in the Central Valley from December to February, especially in the early morning. If you can, wait to drive until mid-morning when the fog usually lifts. When you drive in fog, use your low-beam headlights (not high beams) and slow down a lot.
Is it better to rent a car in Merced or use YARTS to visit Yosemite?
YARTS (Yosemite Area Regional Transportation System) runs a bus from Merced to Yosemite Valley. The bus is a good choice if you plan to stay just in the Valley and not explore other spots. Renting a car gives you more freedom to see different parts of the park and change your plans. But, it can be hard to find parking in Yosemite Valley when it's busy.
Are there any driving restrictions in Yosemite I should know about?
Yosemite puts driving restrictions in place when the park is very busy. Some roads, like Tioga Road and Glacier Point Road, close for the winter. On very busy summer days, you might need to make a reservation ahead of time to enter the park. You should check the national park website for the latest rules before you go.
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