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No booking fees. Free cancellation on most cars
Save by finding great deals and securing low price rentals
Compare rental car prices from top brands in Salinas, California with Road Genius. From affordable cars to large SUVs and minivans, you'll find vehicles at great prices in convenient locations. Save money by picking up downtown or choose the larger inventory at Monterey Regional Airport 25 minutes away, then cruise Highway 68 to Monterey Bay, the River Road wine trail or Pinnacles National Park.
| Location | Pros | Cons |
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| Downtown Salinas |
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| Monterey Regional Airport (MRY) |
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| Salinas Municipal Airport |
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Additional Notes: Most visitors access Salinas through Highway 101 or Amtrak's Coast Starlight train service that stops in Salinas. Enterprise and other major agencies have offices on Auto Center Circle and North Main Street, and some offer pickup service from the train station or your hotel.
On average, car rentals in Salinas cost around $96 per day, with the lowest-priced rentals starting at $37 per day.
Compare pickup spots: Downtown Salinas counters often run 10-15 % cheaper than Monterey Airport because you avoid airport fees. Search both locations and see if a quick 25-minute drive saves real cash.
Watch the calendar: Prices jump during summer and California Rodeo week (mid-July). If you can, tweak your pickup/return dates to fall just outside these peaks.
Weekly beats daily: Renting 4+ days? A weekly rate in Salinas can cut 15-25 % off the per-day price and usually includes unlimited miles for trips to Big Sur or San Francisco.
Use free local shuttles: Many downtown agencies offer no-cost pickups from the Amtrak station or nearby hotels. Skip the rideshare fare and pocket the difference.
Finding a Spot:
Local Driving Rules:
Get a car so you can visit:
Carmel-by-the-Sea – Carmel Beach, Carmel Mission
Big Sur – Bixby Creek Bridge, Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park
Pinnacles National Park – Bear Gulch Cave, High Peaks Trail
River Road Wine Trail – Salinas Valley vineyards
Is it better to rent a car in Salinas or Monterey? You can usually find lower rental rates in Salinas because you avoid airport fees. However, Monterey is more convenient for activities along the coast. You should think about your travel plans and where you're staying to help you decide.
Can I easily drive from Salinas to Big Sur? Yes, but you should give yourself plenty of time. The drive to Big Sur takes about 1 to 2 hours, depending on where you're headed on the coast. Traffic on Highway 1 can also be slow when a lot of tourists are visiting.
What kind of vehicle is best for exploring the Salinas area? A standard sedan is fine for most people. You might want to get an SUV if you plan to explore rural farm roads or go to Pinnacles National Park.
How does Tule fog affect driving in Salinas? On winter mornings from December to February, you might find dense ground fog that makes it very hard to see. If you can, wait to drive until the fog lifts, which is usually by mid-morning. You should also use your low-beam headlights and drive slower.
Are there any toll roads around Salinas? You won't find any toll roads right in the Salinas area. If you drive to the San Francisco Bay Area, you will cross toll bridges that collect tolls electronically with a FasTrak pass or by billing your license plate.
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