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No booking fees. Free cancellation on most cars
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Finding a car rental in Palm Bay is easier with Road Genius. Compare prices from dozens of brands in Florida with no reservation fees. Browse everything from compacts to SUVs, lock in free-cancellation deals, then pick up in Palm Bay, at Melbourne Orlando International Airport or even Orlando International to cruise the Space Coast, Kennedy Space Center and Orlando theme parks on your own schedule.
| Location | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Palm Bay City | • Lower rental rates (no airport fees) • Convenient for local explorations • Less paperwork and faster pickup |
• Limited vehicle selection • Restricted hours (usually 8am-6pm) • Few rental company options |
| Melbourne Airport (MLB) | • Closest airport (15 minutes away) • Several major rental companies • Convenient location for Palm Bay visitors |
• Limited flight options • Smaller vehicle inventory • May have limited hours compared to larger airports |
| Orlando International (MCO) | • Largest selection of vehicles • Competitive rates and promotions • 24/7 operation at all major companies |
• 70 miles (113 km) from Palm Bay • 1+ hour drive after your flight • Higher one-way fees if not returning to Orlando |
On average, car rentals in Palm Bay cost around $72 per day, with the lowest-priced rentals starting at $32 per day.
Compare pickup spots: Palm Bay city desks skip the ~25 % airport surcharge but have shorter hours. If your flight lands early, grab the cheaper in-town car and pocket the difference.
Watch the calendar, not just the clock: Prices jump for winter "snowbird" months and rocket-launch weeks. Lock in 3-4 weeks out for those periods, but in slower fall months keep checking—rates often drop and you can re-book.
Quote a full week: A 7-day rental in Florida often costs less than 5–6 days. Return early if you must; you'll still pay the lower weekly total at most suppliers.
Skip the pricey toll package: Buy a $5 SunPass at a gas station and pay actual tolls on SR-528 to Orlando instead of the $3–5 per-day rental fee.
Where to Park:
Local Driving Rules:
Toll Roads:
Get a car rental so you can easily:
Melbourne Beach & Indialantic – Atlantic beaches
Kennedy Space Center – rocket launches
Sebastian Inlet State Park – fishing, surfing
Turkey Creek Sanctuary – hiking trails, kayaking
What documents do I need to rent a car in Palm Bay?
You'll need a valid driver's license, a major credit card in your name and proof of insurance. Visitors from other countries should bring their passport and may need an International Driving Permit if their home license isn't in English.
Is Palm Bay a good base for visiting Orlando attractions?
Palm Bay is about 75 miles (121 km) from Orlando's major theme parks, which takes around 1.5 hours to drive. You can do day trips, but remember to factor in the drive time if you're planning several visits. If you want to spend more than two days at the theme parks, you might find it easier to split your stay between Palm Bay and Orlando.
What's the best way to get to the beaches from Palm Bay?
To reach the closest beaches, you can drive about 10–15 miles (16–24 km) east on Palm Bay Road or Malabar Road to Highway A1A. Popular spots like Melbourne Beach, Indialantic Beach and Paradise Beach have public parking that costs around $2–5 per day.
Are there EV charging stations in the Palm Bay area?
Yes, Brevard County is adding more EV charging stations. You can find Level 2 chargers at some shopping centers, hotels and public places. Tesla Superchargers are also in Melbourne. You can use an app like PlugShare to help you find the closest charging spots.
Can I drive my Palm Bay rental to Miami or the Florida Keys?
Yes, most rental companies let you drive the car anywhere in Florida. Miami is about 170 miles (274 km) south, which is a 2.5 to 3-hour drive. Key Largo is around 230 miles (370 km) away and takes about 3.5 to 4 hours to reach. For longer drives, remember to plan for fuel stops and expect some traffic.
Where can I park to watch a rocket launch?
You can pay to watch from the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. There are also free viewing spots like Space View Park in Titusville and Cocoa Beach, but they fill up fast for big launches. For popular events, you should try to arrive 2 to 3 hours early.
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