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Road Genius makes it easy to find great rental car offers in Minneapolis. Compare prices and book in one place. Browse live rates from top brands at MSP Airport, downtown and the Mall of America, then filter by vehicle size, mileage and free-cancellation options to lock in a car that fits your Twin Cities plans year-round.
Compare the advantages and limitations of renting at different locations:
| Location | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Downtown Minneapolis | • Lower costs (no airport surcharges) • Often shorter lines • Good if staying in the city first • More personalized service |
• Limited hours (usually 7:30am-6pm weekdays, shorter on weekends) • No 24-hour service • Must arrange transport from airport • Smaller vehicle selection |
| MSP Airport | • Convenient arrival-to-car process • Larger vehicle selection • Extended hours (some 24/7) • Corporate-run locations for streamlined service |
• Higher taxes and fees (11% concession fee, $5.90/day facility fee) • Potential for long lines at peak times • Airport driving can be challenging for first-time visitors |
| Mall of America Area | • Access to light rail from airport • Avoids some airport fees • Convenient for shoppers |
• Additional transit time if arriving by air • May have limited vehicle selection |
Common Minneapolis Rental Locations:
On average, car rentals in Minneapolis cost around $68 per day, with the lowest-priced rentals starting at $33 per day.
Price-check downtown vs MSP Airport: downtown desks skip the 11% concession tax and $5.90/day facility fee, often coming out 10-15% cheaper. Just add the $2 light-rail fare or a rideshare from the airport to see if the math still works.
Shift your pickup day: rates in Minneapolis dip Tuesday–Thursday and outside big events (Vikings, Twins, State Fair). Play with date sliders on the comparison page to spot the sweet spot.
Grab winter bargains: January–February temps are brutal but rates aren't. If you can handle the cold, you'll find the lowest yearly prices and plenty of vehicle choice.
Shorten the contract, not the trip: spend your first city days on light rail and scooters, then collect the car only for the Duluth or North Shore leg. Fewer rental days = instant savings.
Weekly quotes often win: in the Twin Cities a 7-day rental can cost less than five separate days. Run both options before you click "book."
Stack discounts: plug in AAA, frequent-flier, or credit-card codes during checkout. Minneapolis agencies commonly knock off another 5-10% when these are applied.
Downtown Parking:
Seasonal Rules:
Local Driving Rules:
Get a car rental to easily:
Where is the best place to rent a car if I'm staying downtown?
You can find downtown rental offices near major hotels and the convention center. Enterprise, Hertz and Avis/Budget have locations you can walk to from most downtown hotels. If you arrive by light rail from the airport, many agencies are just a short walk from downtown stations.
How much should I budget for parking in Minneapolis?
For downtown street parking, plan on spending about $16 for a full 8-hour day at the meters. Ramps and garages charge from $10-20 for all-day parking, depending on the location. You can expect to pay $20-30 per night for hotel parking. Many attractions outside downtown offer free parking.
Do I need an all-wheel drive vehicle in winter?
All-wheel drive gives you better grip on snowy roads, but most visitors do just fine in a standard front-wheel drive vehicle unless they travel to remote areas. Crews usually plow the roads quickly, especially in the metro area. If you visit from December to February and plan to drive a lot, an AWD vehicle offers more confidence.
What driving apps are most useful in Minneapolis?
You can use Google Maps or Waze for navigation and traffic updates, the MPLS Parking app for paying meters and the MnDOT 511 app for real-time road conditions, which is very helpful in winter.
Are there toll roads in Minneapolis?
Minneapolis does not have standard toll highways. Some freeways, like I-394, I-35W and I-35E, have optional express lanes (E-ZPass lanes). Carpools can use these for free, but single drivers need a transponder. Anyone can use these lanes for free outside of rush hours.
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