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Finding a rental car in Tracy is easy with Road Genius. Compare prices from dozens of brands across California with no reservation fees. Browse live deals from Enterprise, Hertz and other suppliers at local Tracy branches or nearby Oakland, San Francisco and Stockton airports, then choose a car to tackle I-580, Livermore wine country or Yosemite on your own schedule.
| Location | Pros | Cons |
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| Tracy City Locations |
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| Stockton Metropolitan Airport (SCK) |
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| Oakland Airport (OAK) |
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| San Francisco Airport (SFO) |
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Additional Notes: Tracy has Enterprise and Hertz locations in the city, usually on West Grant Line Road or near the West Valley Mall. Most visitors to Tracy either rent locally after arriving by other means or rent from Bay Area airports and drive to Tracy. Some agencies offer pickup service from hotels or the Tracy Transit Station if you book in advance.
On average, car rentals in Tracy cost around $78 per day, with the lowest-priced rentals starting at $38 per day.
Quote both Tracy city desks and Bay Area airports: local pickup usually beats SFO/OAK rates by 20-30% because there are no airport concession fees, and parking in Tracy is free. Only pay the higher airport price if your flight times make the drive impractical.
Play with start/end dates: weekly rentals often unlock 15-20% off the daily price. Run a 6-7-day quote even for a 5-day trip—sometimes it's cheaper to keep the car an extra day and drop it early.
Weekend deals are common in this commuter hub: demand dips when locals are off work, so Friday noon to Monday morning pickups can be a sweet spot. Compare a Fri-Mon booking against weekday quotes.
Watch bridge toll handling fees: if you'll cross Bay bridges more than twice, check each company's toll program before you book. A flat daily toll package can beat per-crossing admin fees.
Where to Park:
Local Driving Rules:
A rental car lets you quickly reach major Northern California destinations in every direction.
San Francisco – Golden Gate Bridge, Fisherman's Wharf
Sacramento – State Capitol, Old Sacramento
Yosemite National Park – Yosemite Valley, waterfalls
Livermore Valley – wineries
How does the toll system work if I drive to San Francisco or Oakland?
Bridges in the Bay Area collect tolls electronically. When you drive a rental car over a toll bridge, a system records your license plate and sends a bill to the rental company. The company then passes that toll charge and an extra fee on to you. Some rental companies offer toll packages if you plan to cross often. You can also pay the toll yourself. Go online within 48 hours of crossing to register the rental car for a one-time payment or add it to a temporary FasTrak account.
What should I do if I encounter tule fog while driving?
Tule fog is a thick fog that stays close to the ground. It's common in the Central Valley during winter, especially in the early morning. If you drive into fog, you should slow down a lot, use your low-beam headlights (not high beams) and leave more space between you and the car in front. If the fog is very thick, you might want to wait to travel until mid-morning when it clears up.
Is Tracy a good base for visiting the Bay Area?
You can find hotels in Tracy that cost a lot less than in San Francisco or Oakland, so it can be a cheaper place to stay. However, you should plan for a 60-90 minute 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 Tracy can be a good choice. For daily trips, think about the extra time and gas money you will spend.
Do I need a special vehicle to drive to Yosemite from Tracy?
You can use a standard car for most of the year. If you visit in winter (November-March), you might want an SUV that has good ground clearance, since the mountain roads can have snow. Keep in mind that you may need to use tire chains during winter storms. Some rental agreements have rules against using chains, so you should always check with your rental company.
What's the best time of day to drive between Tracy and the Bay Area?
To miss the worst traffic, you should drive to the Bay Area after 9:30 AM. When you drive back to Tracy, leave before 3:00 PM or after 7:00 PM. Traffic on weekends is usually lighter, but it can get heavy on Sunday afternoons and evenings. The Altamont Pass on I-580 gets very crowded during rush hour.
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