






Road Genius makes it easy to find great rental car deals in Moline, IL. Compare prices and book in one place. Simple. Pick up at Quad Cities International Airport (MLI), SouthPark Mall or downtown and be in Davenport, Rock Island or cruising the Great River Road in under 20 minutes. We surface live rates from Enterprise, Hertz, Avis, Budget and more so you can snag a low-price ride that fits your trip.
| Location | Advantages | Considerations |
|---|---|---|
| Quad Cities International Airport (MLI) |
|
|
| SouthPark Mall Area |
|
|
| Downtown Moline |
|
|
On average, car rentals in Moline cost around $64 per day, with the lowest-priced rentals starting at $12 per day.
Compare airport vs city branches: MLI counters add about 10–15 % in extra fees. If you're already in town, a quick rideshare to SouthPark Mall or downtown often saves serious cash.
Match booking timing to demand: Lock in early for summer or John Deere Classic weeks when cars vanish fast. In quieter months, watch for last-minute markdowns instead of auto-booking months out.
Tweak the rental length: A 7-day "weekly" can beat five individual days, and Thursday-to-Monday weekend promos regularly undercut weekday rates.
Ask for business or corporate discounts: Visitors tied to John Deere or local conferences usually have negotiated rates—worth a polite question at checkout.
Leverage free pick-up and key-drop: Neighborhood branches will scoop you from your hotel, and 24/7 drop boxes let you return late without paying for an extra day.
Refuel on Avenue of the Cities or I-74 exits: These stations are cheaper than airport pumps, dodging the premium your rental company charges to top off.
Downtown: You'll find a mix of metered street spots and public lots/garages. Meters are enforced Monday-Friday 8 AM-5 PM.
TaxSlayer Center (formerly iWireless Center): Large event venue offering dedicated lots. During events, downtown spots fill up fast.
John Deere attractions: The John Deere Pavilion has parking in downtown Moline. The John Deere Headquarters and other facilities have visitor areas.
Local driving rules:
Speed limits:
Rent a car to get to:
Quad Cities neighbors – Davenport waterfront, Rock Island Arsenal, Bettendorf riverfront
John Deere sites – Pavilion, World Headquarters, Harvester Works
Great River Road – Mississippi River overlooks, river towns
Galesburg and Peoria – Knox College grounds, riverfront museum district

Do I need a special license or papers to drive between Illinois and Iowa?
You don't need any special papers to cross between Illinois and Iowa. You just need a standard U.S. driver's license, which works in both states. If you're visiting from another country, you should carry your passport and either an International Driving Permit or your valid driver's license from home.
How does the I-74 bridge construction affect travel between the Illinois and Iowa sides of the Quad Cities?
The new I-74 Mississippi River bridge between Moline, IL, and Bettendorf, IA, is now fully open to traffic. Crews are finishing up work and taking down the old bridge, so you might see occasional lane closures or shifting traffic patterns. You should allow extra travel time and stay alert for posted detours. You can also cross using the I-80 bridge (north) or the Arsenal Bridge (between Rock Island and Davenport).
Is it easy to get around the different Quad Cities?
Yes, it's pretty easy to get around the Quad Cities because they are well-connected. You can use major roads like River Drive along the Mississippi, Avenue of the Cities/23rd Avenue running east-west and interstate highways I-74, I-80 and I-280 that go around the area. Most attractions are only a 15-20 minute drive from each other.
What's the most scenic drive in the area?
For the best views, you should take the Great River Road. You can look for the river-pilot-wheel signs to find it. The road follows the Mississippi on both the Illinois and Iowa sides, giving you beautiful scenery and a way to visit river towns. To make a loop tour, you can cross a bridge, drive along the river road and come back over a different bridge. The fall colors make this drive especially beautiful from September to October.
Do I need an SUV or can I use a compact car in the Quad Cities?
A compact or mid-size car will work just fine for getting around the Quad Cities. All the major roads are well-paved and the attractions have parking lots. You should only think about getting an SUV if you plan to do a lot of driving in the countryside or if you visit in the winter when it might snow.
What unique attractions can I get to with a rental car in the Quad Cities?
Having a car makes it easy for you to explore different states and towns. You can visit great attractions like the John Deere Pavilion in downtown Moline, Black Hawk State Historic Site in Rock Island, the Village of East Davenport's historic district and Crow Creek Park or Leach Park in Bettendorf. On the Great River Road National Scenic Byway, you can find many historic sites and natural areas that you can only get to by car.