How much does it cost to rent a car in Monterey?

On average, car rentals in **Monterey** cost around **$79** per day, with the lowest-priced rentals starting at **$33** per day.

Car Rental Monterey, CA

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Finding a rental car in Monterey is simple with Road Genius. Compare prices of vehicles from dozens of brands in Monterey, California with no reservation fees. Pick up your car at Monterey Regional Airport or downtown, then cruise Highway 1 to Big Sur, 17-Mile Drive or Carmel in minutes. Reserve early for summer weekends and Car Week to snag low prices and the car you want.

Car Rental Locations & Options

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Key Rental Locations and Options

Location	Pros	Cons
Monterey Regional Airport (MRY)	Inside terminal along with adjacent rental lot No shuttle needed Hours aligned to flight schedules All major companies represented Quick pick-up process	Airport facility fee (~$10/day) Higher base rates than city locations Limited selection at this smaller airport
Downtown Monterey	No airport fees Walk from hotels in some cases Convenient for adding a car to part of your stay	Limited hours (usually business hours) Often closed or limited hours on Sundays Transportation needed to reach rental office
Del Monte Avenue	Central location near Fisherman's Wharf Convenient for cruise/tour arrivals	Limited vehicle selection Possibly higher rates for walk-up rentals

Additional Notes: The airport is only 10 minutes from downtown Monterey, making MRY rentals convenient even for visitors not arriving by air. MST buses (Line 13) connect MRY to downtown Monterey if you want to save money on transportation.

Car Rental Prices

Average: $79/day
From: $33/day

How to save?

Compare pickup spots: MRY airport slaps on a ~$10/day facility fee. Downtown or Del Monte Ave offices skip that cost if their shorter hours work for you—price both on our site before you book.
Reserve early only for peak weeks: Car Week, Jazz Festival and July–August weekends sell out fast, so lock something in months ahead and re-shop later for drops. In winter or mid-week you can often snag cheaper last-minute deals.
Rent only when you'll drive: Monterey, Cannery Row and the Aquarium are walkable and the free MST trolley runs in summer. Pick the car up the morning you head to Big Sur or Carmel, drop it back that night, and skip extra days of fees.
Shift your dates: Starting or ending on a Tuesday or Wednesday can dodge weekend surcharges. Moving the booking by just 24 hours can save 10-20 %.
Cross-check nearby airports: If you're already flying into San Jose (SJC) or San Francisco (SFO), compare their prices plus fuel for the 1.5-2-hour drive—you might still come out ahead in high season.

Car rental prices in Monterey 2025/2026

Driving and Parking Tips

Where to Park

Cannery Row area: Metered street spots and large public garages (Cannery Row Garage on Foam Street offers over 1,000 spaces)
Downtown: East and West Garages at reasonable rates
Pacific Grove and Carmel: Mostly free street spots but time limits apply
Hotels: Downtown hotels often charge nightly fees; motels on Munras Avenue usually offer free spots

Local Driving Rules

Downtown and waterfront areas have narrow, sometimes one-way streets
Speed limits are low (25 mph or less) in tourist zones
Full stops required at numerous stop signs (strictly enforced)
California law requires at least 3 feet clearance when passing cyclists
Pedestrians have right of way at all crosswalks
No toll roads in the Monterey area (only toll is 17-Mile Drive entry fee)
Carmel-by-the-Sea has no street addresses and many one-way streets

Why rent a car in Monterey

Get a car so you can drive to:

Big Sur and Bixby Bridge – Pacific Coast Highway coastline
17-Mile Drive – Pebble Beach golf courses, ocean overlooks
Carmel-by-the-Sea – village center, Carmel Beach
Pinnacles National Park – talus caves, Condor Gulch trail
Santa Cruz – Beach Boardwalk, wharf

Local Rental Locations

FAQs

Is a car necessary if I'm staying in downtown Monterey?

Not really. You can walk to Downtown, Cannery Row and the Aquarium, or you can get there on the free MST Trolley in the summer. But, you'll want a car to visit Big Sur, Carmel or 17-Mile Drive.

What's the best time of day to drive the Big Sur coast?

You'll get the best views and light for photos from mid-day to early afternoon. Fog is common in the morning, especially in the summer. If you start early (around 7–8 AM), you'll see fewer tourists, but it might be foggy.

Are there restrictions on 17-Mile Drive?

You have to pay a $12.00 entry fee for each vehicle. You can get the fee back if you spend $35 or more at Pebble Beach restaurants or shops. They close the gates to visitors at sunset and don't allow motorcycles.

Can I drive my rental car on unpaved roads?

Most rental car companies don't let you drive on unpaved roads. You can reach many scenic areas on paved roads. If you go off-road, you could break your rental agreement and your insurance might not cover you.

How far in advance should I book during special events?

For Car Week in mid-August or the Jazz Festival in September, you should book at least 2–3 months ahead. For holiday weekends and the busy summer season, you should book 3–4 weeks in advance to get the best choice and prices.