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No booking fees. Free cancellation on most cars
Save by finding great deals and securing low price rentals
Road Genius makes it easy to find great rental car deals in Poway, California. Compare rates and make bookings in one place. Simple. Check real-time prices from Enterprise, Hertz, Budget and more at Poway's local depots or nearby San Diego International Airport, and reserve the ideal car for visiting beaches, mountains and downtown San Diego, with free cancellation on many deals.
| Location | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Poway Local Agencies | • No airport fees • Enterprise location on Poway Road • Potential for hotel/home pickup service |
• Limited business hours (often 8AM-6PM weekdays) • Closed or limited hours on weekends • Smaller vehicle selection |
| San Diego International Airport (SAN, 25 miles/40 km) | • All major rental companies available • Wider selection of vehicles • 24-hour service for late arrivals |
• Airport fees add approximately 10-15% to rates • 30-45 minute drive to Poway • Potential for long wait times during peak travel |
| Montgomery Field (MYF, 15 miles/24 km) | • Closer to Poway than SAN • Less crowded than major airports • Shorter lines and wait times |
• Limited flight options (general aviation) • Fewer rental companies • Limited hours of operation |
On average, car rentals in Poway cost around $69 per day, with the lowest-priced rentals starting at $24 per day.
Price out Poway pick-ups vs SAN Airport. Local counters skip 10-15 % airport surcharges. Factor in the $35-$45 rideshare from SAN—often still cheaper for week-long trips.
Mind the clock. Poway desks close around 6 PM. If you land late, book one cheap airport day then switch to a Poway rental next morning instead of paying higher airport rates all week.
Shoulder season steals. January–February and most non-holiday weeks see the lowest rates. Book a free-cancellation reservation early, then keep checking and rebooking if prices drop.
Go weekly at 5+ days. Weekly pricing often beats four separate daily rates—sometimes even if you return a day early. Always run both scenarios in the comparison tool.
Right-size your ride. Poway parking is roomy and roads are paved, so a compact sedan or small crossover will do the job and save on rental cost and gas.
Stack discounts. Coupon codes, warehouse-club travel portals and loyalty programs can shave 5-10 %. Enter them when you run your comparison—instant way to undercut the base quote.
Parking in Poway:
San Diego Area Parking:
Local Driving Rules:
Rent a car so you can drive to:
Downtown San Diego – Gaslamp Quarter, Petco Park
La Jolla Beaches – sea caves, marine life
San Diego Zoo & Balboa Park – museums, gardens
Julian – apple pies, gold rush history
Anza-Borrego Desert – wildflowers, night skies
Iron Mountain and Mt. Woodson – trailhead parking
Is Poway convenient for visiting San Diego attractions?
Yes, from Poway, you can get to San Diego attractions pretty easily. You can drive to most major sites in about 25-45 minutes, depending on traffic. Since Poway is centrally located, you'll have a fairly easy drive to the beaches, downtown and inland attractions.
Do I need a 4-wheel drive vehicle in Poway?
No, you'll be fine driving a regular car on all the paved roads there. A car that sits higher off the ground could be helpful if you plan to visit remote mountain or desert areas, but you don't need one for the usual tourist spots.
What's the best time to visit Poway?
In the spring (March-May), you'll find nice weather and see wildflowers blooming in nearby parks. The fall (September-November) has warm days and cool evenings. Summer can get very hot, as the temperature often goes above 90 °F.
Are there toll roads around Poway?
Poway itself doesn't have toll roads. However, the I-15 Express Lanes run next to the city and charge a toll for drivers who are alone. If you're in a carpool of two or more, you can usually use these lanes for free if you have a FasTrak pass set up correctly. The South Bay Expressway (CA-125) farther south is another toll road. You can avoid both by just staying in the regular lanes.
What should I know about driving to desert areas from Poway?
If you drive to Anza-Borrego Desert State Park or other desert spots, you should check the weather before you leave. Make sure your car's cooling system works well, bring extra water and keep at least half a tank of gas in your car. Gas stations are hard to find in remote areas.
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