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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 Stockton, California. Compare prices and make bookings in one place. Simple. Pick up downtown or at Stockton Metropolitan Airport and hit I-5 or Highway 99 for quick drives to Sacramento, Lodi Wine Country, or Yosemite. Our Stockton car rental search pulls real-time rates from Enterprise, Hertz, Avis and other major brands, so you can lock in the right ride for your Central Valley trip in minutes.
| Location | Pros | Cons |
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| Downtown Stockton |
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| Stockton Metropolitan Airport (SCK) |
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| Sacramento Airport (SMF) |
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| Oakland Airport (OAK) |
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Additional Notes: Stockton has Enterprise, Hertz and Avis/Budget locations in the city, mostly in the downtown area and near March Lane or Pacific Avenue commercial districts. Some agencies offer pickup service from the Amtrak station, Bob Hope Theatre or Stockton Arena events if arranged in advance.
On average, car rentals in Stockton cost around $80 per day, with the lowest-priced rentals starting at $35 per day.
Pick up in Stockton, not the airport
Downtown and March Lane counters skip airport surcharges and usually price 15-25 % less than SMF or OAK. Compare both before you click "book".
Shift your dates and length
Mid-week pickups and 5-7-day rentals often unlock "weekly" rates that beat a three-day weekend rental. Tweak the calendar first, then compare.
Go small if you can
Economy cars handle I-5 and the Delta just fine and cost the least to rent, refuel and park. Skip SUVs unless you truly need the cargo space.
Use free local pickup
Several Stockton branches will collect you from the Amtrak station or downtown hotels. That saves a rideshare fare and keeps the total bill lower.
Fill up in Stockton
Gas here runs cheaper than the Bay Area or Yosemite gateways. Top off before you leave town and avoid both premium pump prices and rental refuel fees.
Check for unlimited-mileage deals
Planning a Sacramento–Yosemite–SF loop? Make sure your quote includes unlimited miles so you don't get dinged for every extra road trip detour.
Parking Availability:
Local Driving Rules:
Get a rental car to easily:
Lodi Wine Country – 85 wineries, Zinfandel tasting rooms
Sacramento – State Capitol, Old Sacramento district
San Francisco – Golden Gate Bridge, Fisherman's Wharf
Yosemite National Park – Yosemite Valley, trailheads
Sacramento–San Joaquin Delta – marinas, water recreation areas
Lake Tahoe – ski resorts, beaches
How does the toll system work if I drive to San Francisco or Oakland? Bay Area bridges have a system to collect tolls electronically. When you drive a rental car across a toll bridge, a camera records the license plate. It then sends a bill to the rental company. The company will pass that toll charge on to you, plus a service fee. Some rental companies let you buy toll packages if you plan to cross bridges often. You can also go to the FasTrak website to register your rental car. Or, you can use the Bay Area FasTrak "Pay a Toll Now" option to pay the toll yourself within five days.
What should I do if I encounter tule fog while driving? Tule fog is a thick ground fog you might see in the Central Valley during winter, especially in the early morning. If you run into fog, slow down a lot, use your low-beam headlights (not high beams) and leave more space between you and the car ahead. If the fog is very bad, you might want to wait to travel until mid-morning when the fog often lifts.
Is Stockton a good base for visiting the Bay Area? You can find cheaper places to stay in Stockton than in San Francisco or Oakland, so it can be a good way to save money. But, you should remember it takes 1.5 to 2 hours to drive each way, depending on traffic, and you may have to pay bridge tolls. If you only plan to visit the Bay Area a few times, staying in Stockton can be a smart choice. If you plan to go every day, think about the time and gas money you will spend.
What's the best route from Stockton to Yosemite? You can take CA-99 south to Manteca, then follow CA-120 east toward Yosemite National Park. This drive takes about 2.5 hours to get to Yosemite Valley. You should plan for extra time in the summer because the park entrances can get busy. Another option is to take Highway 99 to Merced and then Highway 140. This route is a little longer but gives you a gentler drive up into the mountains.
Are there any areas in Stockton I should avoid when driving? Like any city, some neighborhoods in Stockton are safer than others. You should take the same precautions you would in any large town. Keep your valuables hidden, lock your car and pay attention to what's around you. Police regularly patrol the downtown area and main business streets, especially during the day and for special events.
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