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No booking fees. Free cancellation on most cars
Save by finding great deals and securing low price rentals
Compare rental car prices from major brands in Milpitas, California with Road Genius. From affordable cars to premium SUVs and minivans, you'll find vehicles at great prices in convenient locations. Pick up near the Great Mall, McCarthy Ranch, or at San Jose Airport just seven miles (11 km) away, and be on I-680 or I-880 in minutes for easy drives to Silicon Valley, San Francisco, or the coast.
| Rental Location | Advantages | Considerations |
|---|---|---|
| Milpitas Local Rentals | • Lower rates than airport locations • No airport fees or surcharges • Convenient for visitors staying in Milpitas |
• Limited hours (often weekdays and Saturday morning) • Smaller vehicle selection • May require advance reservation |
| San Jose Airport (SJC) | • Larger vehicle selection • 24/7 availability at most agencies • Convenient for air travelers |
• Airport fees increase costs by approximately 11% • 7 miles (11 km) from Milpitas • Potential for traffic between airport and Milpitas |
| Great Mall Area | • Shopping convenience • Extended hours at some locations • Public transit accessible |
• Limited inventory during peak shopping seasons • Weekend availability can be challenging |
Additional Notes:
On average, car rentals in Milpitas cost around $81 per day, with the lowest-priced rentals starting at $33 per day.
Pick up in Milpitas, skip SJC airport fees – city branches around McCarthy Ranch or Great Mall avoid the ~11 % airport surcharge and often run 10-15 % cheaper.
Play with pickup/return days – rates spike Mon-Thu when business travelers flood Silicon Valley. Shifting to a Fri-Mon or Sat-Tue booking can shave off dollars, just watch local office hours (many close Saturday afternoon).
Check weekly pricing even for shorter trips – a 7-day rate sometimes undercuts paying 5 separate days, so run both quotes in the search box.
Stick with the smallest car that fits your crew – economy classes sell out first. Booking one early locks in the lower price and you might get a free upgrade if they're out of stock at pickup.
| Area | Parking Availability | Regulations |
|---|---|---|
| Great Mall | Extensive free parking | Time limits in some priority areas; paid valet available |
| McCarthy Ranch Shopping Center | Ample free parking | Unrestricted during business hours |
| Milpitas BART Station | Paid parking structure | Daily fee; limited spaces available during weekdays |
Local Driving Rules:
Important Notes:
Get a car rental so you can easily:
San Jose – Downtown, The Tech Interactive
San Francisco – Golden Gate Bridge, Fisherman's Wharf
Santa Cruz – Beach Boardwalk
Monterey and Carmel – Cannery Row, 17-Mile Drive
What's the best way to get around Silicon Valley traffic from Milpitas?
Use a navigation app that shows live traffic. During busy hours, try taking other roads like Capitol Expressway or Montague Expressway instead of the freeways. If you can, travel outside the busiest commute times. You should avoid driving from 7-9 AM and 4-7 PM.
Is it worth paying for express lanes on I-680 and I-880?
During the busiest travel times, you can save 15-30 minutes on longer trips by using the express lanes. Most rental cars don't come with a FasTrak Flex transponder, and you need one to legally use these lanes. If you drive in an express lane without a transponder, cameras will take a picture of your license plate. The rental company will get a bill for the toll and any fines. Then, they will charge you for that cost plus their own service fee. To avoid this, you can ask the rental agency for a transponder or buy their toll package before you use the lanes.
What type of car is best for exploring the Milpitas area?
A standard sedan or compact car works great for getting around Silicon Valley. You can usually find plenty of parking, but some spots are tight. A larger vehicle can be hard to park. If you're planning trips to the coast or wine country, a comfortable midsize car is a good choice.
How do I handle bridge tolls in my rental car?
Bay Area bridges collect tolls electronically, so there are no cash lanes. Most rental companies offer toll packages, which let you pay a daily fee for unlimited crossings. Or, you can pay tolls online yourself within 48 hours of crossing. You will just need your rental car's license plate number.
What's the parking situation at the Milpitas BART station if I want to take the train to San Francisco?
The Milpitas BART station has a parking garage where you pay a daily fee. The parking spots fill up fast on weekdays, often by 8 AM, so you should get there early. You could also use a ride-sharing service to get to the station or park at Great Mall, but you should check the mall's current parking rules first.
Can I find electric vehicle charging stations in Milpitas?
Yes, you can find many places to charge an electric car in Milpitas. You can find Tesla Superchargers at McCarthy Ranch. You can also find Level 2 chargers at Great Mall, various hotels and public buildings. Silicon Valley has one of the best EV charging networks in the country.
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