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

On average, car rentals in **Riverside** cost around **$70** per day, with the lowest-priced rentals starting at **$21** per day.

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Compare car rentals from major brands in Riverside with Road Genius. From compact cars to luxury SUVs and minivans, you'll find vehicles at great prices in convenient locations. Choose a city pickup to skip airport fees or collect your car at Ontario International Airport 17 miles (27 km) away, then cruise CA-60 or I-215 to Los Angeles, Palm Springs or Big Bear on your own schedule. We surface live rates from Hertz, Budget, Enterprise and more so you can lock in a low-cost Riverside car rental in minutes.

Car Rental Locations & Options

Riverside doesn't have its own commercial airport, but is well-served by nearby airports and local rental facilities.

Rental Location	Pros	Cons
Riverside City Locations	• Lower rates without airport surcharges • Shorter wait times (usually 10-15 minutes) • Convenient for local exploration	• Limited operating hours (usually 8am-6pm) • Fewer vehicle options • May require advance reservation
Ontario International Airport (ONT)	• Closest airport (17 miles/27 km) • Multiple rental companies • Extended operating hours	• Airport fees added to rental rates • 20-30 minute drive to Riverside • Traffic congestion possible on I-10/I-15
San Bernardino	• Nearby alternative (12 miles/19 km) • May have additional rental options	• Requires transportation to/from Riverside • Similar limitations to Riverside locations
LAX Airport	• Widest selection of vehicles • Competitive rates between companies • 24/7 operation	• Approximately 70 miles (113 km) from Riverside • Higher airport fees • Heavy traffic congestion likely

If arriving without a car:

Metrolink commuter rail connects Los Angeles to Riverside station
RTA (Riverside Transit Agency) provides local bus service
Limited public bus service between Ontario Airport and Riverside
Rideshare services (Uber/Lyft) operate throughout the area
Taxi services available but can be expensive from airports

Car Rental Prices

Average: $70/day
From: $21/day

Low-cost rental tips

Skip airport pick-ups: Riverside city branches avoid airport surcharges and can be $5-10 cheaper per day than Ontario or LAX. Just plan for their 8 am-6 pm hours.
Test different dates & pickup times: Mid-week or an hour later drop-off can shift you into a lower rate bucket, especially outside summer holidays.
Weekly deals beat daily math: In Riverside a 5-7-day "weekly" quote often costs less than 4 single days. Always price both options.
Refuel in town: Stations along Magnolia or University Ave are usually 30-40¢/gal under airport prices. Fill up before returning to dodge the premium refuel fee.
Bring your own tech & gear: Using your phone for GPS and packing a child seat can save $10-15 per add-on, per day.
Arriving via LAX or ONT? Consider the Metrolink train or rideshare to Riverside, then rent locally—sometimes the rail fare plus city rental still beats multi-day airport fees.

Car rental prices in Riverside 2025/2026

Parking and Local Driving

Downtown Riverside: Mix of metered street spots and public lots/garages
Mission Inn Area: Garages available for visitors
University Areas: Permit areas on campus; visitor lots available
Residential Areas: Generally unrestricted except in specific neighborhoods
Shopping Centers: Free at most malls and shopping centers

Rule Type	What You Need to Know
Basic Rules	• Drive on the right side of the road • Right turn on red is legal after a complete stop (unless signed otherwise) • Yield to pedestrians at crosswalks • Seat belts mandatory for all occupants
Speed Limits	• City streets: 35-45 mph (55-70 km/h) • Residential areas: 25 mph (40 km/h) • Highways (I-215, CA-91): 65 mph (105 km/h) • School zones: 25 mph when children present
Enforcement	• California Highway Patrol monitors highways • Local police patrol city streets • Red light cameras at some intersections • Strict DUI enforcement (0.08% blood alcohol limit)
Special Considerations	• Heavy truck traffic on some highways • Be aware of train crossings throughout the city • Watch for pedestrians near universities • Note event traffic around fairgrounds and convention center

Many gas stations throughout Riverside, particularly along major boulevards
Gas prices usually lower than the Los Angeles metropolitan area
Regular unleaded gasoline (87 octane) is standard for most rental cars
EV charging stations available at University of California Riverside, downtown garages and some shopping centers
Tesla Superchargers located at Galleria at Tyler mall

There are no toll roads in the immediate Riverside area, but travel to Orange County may involve toll roads:

Toll Payment Option	How It Works	Considerations
Rental Agency Toll Program	Automatically charges your credit card	Includes a daily convenience fee plus the toll cost
Personal FasTrak Transponder	Add the rental car's license plate to your account	Charges tolls at the normal rate with no extra fees

Why rent a car in Riverside

Rent a car so you can easily:

Los Angeles – museums, Hollywood, beaches
Palm Springs – resorts, shopping, spas
Big Bear Lake – skiing, hiking, lake activities
Temecula Wine Country – vineyards, wineries, tastings
Disneyland Resort, Anaheim – theme parks, entertainment, fireworks
Joshua Tree National Park – rock formations, stargazing, flora

FAQs

What documents do I need to rent a car in Riverside?

You will need a valid driver's license and a credit card in your name. If you're visiting from another country, you'll also need your passport. Some rental companies might ask for an International Driving Permit in addition to your license from your home country.

Which airport is best for renting a car to visit Riverside?

Ontario International Airport (ONT) is your best choice since it's only 17 miles (27 km) away. You'll find many rental companies there that offer good prices and you'll save a lot of driving time compared to LAX or other regional airports.

Do I need a special vehicle for mountain driving?

For mountain trips in the summer, a standard car should work fine. For winter visits to Big Bear or other mountain resorts, we recommend an SUV that has AWD/4WD. You may need snow chains for winter mountain driving, no matter what vehicle you drive.

How far in advance should I book a rental car?

If you need a standard vehicle, you should book 1–2 weeks before your trip. If you need a special vehicle or are traveling during a holiday, book 3–4 weeks ahead to get the best selection and price.

Are there any seasonal considerations for renting in Riverside?

Yes. If you travel to the mountains in winter, you might need a vehicle that has AWD/4WD. In the summer, you'll want a car with good air conditioning to handle the heat. In the spring, more people rent cars on weekends to go see the flowers, so demand can be higher.

What are the driving distances to major attractions?

Riverside to Disneyland: 40 miles (64 km) (45–75 minutes) Riverside to Joshua Tree National Park: 85 miles (137 km) (1.5 hours) Riverside to Los Angeles attractions: 60–70 miles (97-113 km) (1–2 hours) Riverside to San Diego: 95 miles (153 km) (1.5–2 hours) Riverside to Palm Springs: 55 miles (89 km) (1 hour)