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Find low car rental prices in Palm Springs with Road Genius. Find live rates for SUVs((cars/rental/usa/palm-springs-ca/suv)), hatchbacks, passenger vans and reserve with no booking fees. Compare real time offers from Avis, Hertz, Enterprise and other leading brands at Palm Springs International Airport((cars/rental/usa/palm-springs-ca/psp-airport)) or downtown desks, then cruise to Joshua Tree, Coachella Valley and the Palms to Pines Highway at your own pace. Reserve early for winter season or festival weekends when demand spikes.
| Location | Details | Additional Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Palm Springs International Airport (PSP) | • Rental counters in baggage claim area • Cars parked around 100 feet from terminal • Major companies: Avis, Budget, Hertz, Enterprise, Alamo/National |
• No shuttle needed - extremely convenient • Limited hours (around 6 AM - 11 PM) • Book early during winter high season |
| Downtown Palm Springs | • Several rental offices in downtown area | • Limited hours (often 8 AM - 5 PM weekdays, half-day Saturday) • Closed Sundays at many locations |
| Palm Desert / Cathedral City | • Various neighborhood locations • Enterprise and other companies in city centers |
• May offer lower rates than airport locations • Request pickup service if available |
On average, car rentals in Palm Springs cost around $87 per day, with the lowest-priced rentals starting at $40 per day.
Compare airport vs. downtown quotes – PSP pickups add concession and facility fees. Check Palm Desert or Cathedral City offices; a short rideshare can offset those extra charges.
Avoid the surge dates – Coachella weekends and the Jan-Mar snowbird rush push prices up. Shifting your rental by a day or two in our search tool can slash the total.
Test different rental lengths – a 5-7 day "weekly" rate often beats four separate daily rates, so run multiple date combos before you book.
Skip the oversized ride – compact or midsize cars handle desert highways just fine and cost less to rent and refuel than SUVs or convertibles.
Fill up in town, not at PSP – stations on Hwy 111 in Cathedral City are usually 50-70¢/gal cheaper than the pumps next to the airport.
Book a free-cancellation deal and keep checking – prices sometimes drop during the scorching summer lull; re-price your reservation and rebook if you spot a better offer.
| Location | Where to Park | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Downtown Palm Springs | Mix of metered street spots and public lots | Busiest during Thursday VillageFest (street closure) Some free spots on side streets |
| Palm Desert (El Paseo) | Free public lots and structures | Plenty of free spaces behind shops |
| Palm Springs Aerial Tramway | Paid lot at Valley Station | Credit card only; large lot with designated bus spaces |
| Resort Areas | Most resorts offer free self-parking | Some upscale properties charge or offer valet only |
| Joshua Tree National Park | Free lots at visitor centers and trailheads | Park entrance fee per vehicle |
| Coachella Festival | Large dusty fields | Expect long walk to festival grounds; carpool encouraged |
DUI checkpoints common on event weekends
Windstorms: Strong crosswinds on I-10 near wind turbine fields can impact driving
Flash Floods: During rare heavy rains, washes can flood quickly
Heat Impact: Summer temperatures regularly exceed 110 °F (43 °C)
Mountain Roads: Highways like 74 and 243 have steep grades and switchbacks
Get a rental car so you can drive to:
Joshua Tree National Park – trails, rock formations
Idyllwild – pine forests, mountain village
Salton Sea – shoreline, bird habitats
Palm Desert – El Paseo shops, restaurants
How long does it take to pick up a rental car at Palm Springs Airport?
Getting your rental car at PSP is very fast. You'll find the counters in the baggage claim area and the cars are parked just steps away. It usually takes about 10-15 minutes once you get to the counter.
Do I need a special vehicle type for visiting Joshua Tree National Park?
No, you can drive a standard car on all the main park roads to see the attractions. The park keeps its main roads paved and in good shape. You only need a vehicle with more ground clearance for the rough back-country roads, which most visitors don't use.
How does seasonal demand affect rental car availability in Palm Springs?
More people rent cars in the winter, from November to April. This is the peak season, especially around holidays and festival weekends. Fewer people rent cars in the summer because of the heat. You should book your car 2-3 months early for a winter trip. For the Coachella or Stagecoach festivals in April, book 4-6 months ahead.
Are there any toll roads in the Palm Springs area?
No, the Palm Springs area does not have toll roads. You'll only encounter toll roads if you drive toward Orange County or San Diego.
What should I do if caught in a sudden dust storm while driving?
You should slow down slowly and pull all the way off the road if you can't see well. Turn off your lights, set the emergency brake and take your foot off the brake pedal. This way, your brake lights won't attract other drivers toward you. Wait for the storm to pass before you start driving again.
Is it possible to drive to the top of the San Jacinto Mountains?
You cannot drive to the top of San Jacinto Peak. You can take the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway from the Valley Station, which you can drive to, up to the Mountain Station at 8,500 feet. From there, you can hike on trails that lead to the peak.
How much should I budget for fuel costs when exploring the Palm Springs area?
If you drive around locally for a week (about 300-400 miles), you should plan on using about 10-15 gallons of fuel. Gas prices in California are often 30-40% higher than the U.S. average. You can expect to spend about $50-75 for a week of average driving, but this depends on the current price at the pump.
Can I drive from Palm Springs to Las Vegas?
Yes, Las Vegas is about 230-250 miles (370-402 km) from Palm Springs, which takes about 4-5 hours to drive. The most direct route takes you on I-10 West to I-215 North and then I-15 North all the way to Las Vegas. For a more scenic desert drive, you can follow CA-62 east toward Twentynine Palms, connect to US-95 North and then join I-515/US-93 into the city. Whichever route you choose, make sure your car's air conditioning works well and carry extra water for the desert crossing.
Is it worth getting a convertible in Palm Springs?
Many people rent convertibles to get the full desert experience, but you should think about the time of year. You might enjoy a convertible during the winter and spring, from November to April. In the summer, the heat is so intense that you can only comfortably drive with the top down in the early morning or evening.
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