How to find a cheap car hire deal in Portland (PWM)
Just touched down? Pick up a cheap Portland rental car and start your adventure for around $155 a day. From short drives to open-road adventures, we'll help you find a rental that keeps up with your trip.
$78 is the cheapest daily price listed for a rental at Portland.
Making it more than a quick visit? Book a weekly rental from $471 and see more than just the top attractions in Portland.
Timing can make all the difference when it comes to finding a cheap PWM car hire. Book around one week before you travel to land the best price.
At Portland, you can choose from top-rated providers such as Dollar, Budget and Hertz.
Check if a collision damage waiver (CDW) is part of your Portland car hire policy, whether you book with Dollar or any other supplier. Some may leave it out of the standard package and offer it as an extra.
Booking a one-way car hire can be your secret weapon for cheaper deals. Simply select 'Return car to a different location' when searching for a car for hire in PWM. Providers sometimes have to move vehicles between branches, which means you can bag some great one-way prices.
Spend less on fuel by choosing a car hire in Portland that has a 'Fair fuel policy.' You pick up the car with a full tank and drop it off full, so you only pay for what you use.
Hit the highway without tracking every mile and racking up additional charges. Go to the 'Policies' filter and pick 'Unlimited mileage' to find a ride that lets you explore without limits.
Best value car hire options right now
You get the best value with this company, with average prices coming in at $140 a day.
Sitting in second place is this provider, which offers daily rates of around $136.
The third option also keeps costs reasonable. Expect to pay roughly $135 a day for one of their rentals.
The Economy rental category is a reliable choice if you're not sure what kind of wheels you need. It's also the car type that's rented the most at PWM.
Compare car hire types from Portland (PWM)
Small: These cheap Portland rental cars may be small in size, but they live up to big expectations. Including mini and economy vehicles, they're easy to manoeuvre, light on fuel, and perfect for city driving or short trips.
Medium: Not too small, not too big, this is the just-right ride you need in your life. Typically including compact and intermediate cars, they strike a balance of fuel efficiency and interior space and are suited to couples and small families.
Large: Offering a more comfortable driving experience and extra tech features, this PWM car hire category includes full-size cars. With larger back seats and plenty of storage space, they let you load up and transport everyone, and everything, with ease.
SUV: SUVs are your four-wheel ticket to adventure. All-wheel drive and everyday versatility equip them for city streets and scenic backroads alike.
Van: With options like commercial vans and trucks, this category of car for rent in Portland makes light work of big hauls and group travel. They're spacious, versatile, and ready to take on any task.
Insurance and optional extras
Choosing excess insurance for your PWM car hire lets you drive with confidence. It protects you from paying a big excess fee in case of a collision or theft. Insurance policies can differ between rental providers, so check how each one stacks up.
Travel smarter when you rent a car in Portland by adding a few handy extras. Think things like a GPS unit to keep you headed the right way, or reverse cameras that upgrade your parking game.
Good to know
To rent a car in the United States, you typically have to be at least 21 years old. Some places may rent vehicles to younger drivers for a higher rate, so carefully review the policies before finalizing your booking.
Add a car seat to your PWM car hire reservation if you're travelling with small kids. Rules can change from one place to another, but using a child seat suited to their age and size is always the safest choice.
You'll be asked for a few things when collecting your rental car: your physical driver's licence, extra photo ID, and a credit card that can cover the security deposit. Debit cards usually aren't accepted. Any extra must-haves will be shown in your booking.
If you've never driven in the United States, keep in mind that traffic here keeps to the right side of the road.
Make sure you follow the local speed limits. In general that's around 40kph in urban areas and 110kph or so on highways, unless signed otherwise.
In the United States, the legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit is 0.08%. If you intend to have a couple of drinks, hand the keys to someone else or choose another way to travel.
The United States dollar (USD) is the currency you'll be using for day-to-day expenses and outings. Pay with a debit or credit card when you can, and keep some cash handy for places that don't accept electronic payment.
Drive smarter from the start
Get the adventure started once you've grabbed the keys to your PWM car hire. You've got the freedom to follow your own road, but if you're off to central Portland, it'll take you around 15 minutes to drive the 8 kilometres or so east.
Allow roughly 25 minutes to drive from Portland to the city centre during rush hours.
One of the busiest times to be on the road in this destination is around 5pm. Make things easy by driving outside rush hours in general.
Don't need a set of wheels the moment you land? Consider grabbing a car hire in Portland instead of at the airport. That way, you won't be paying for days you don't use.
Hit the road: Where to drive from Portland (PWM)
Before you go anywhere else, do some sightseeing around Portland first. Top attractions like Portland Museum of Art and Eastern Promenade Trail make an excellent first impression.
Lewiston should be on your itinerary if you'd like to visit Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul and Auburn Riverwalk Great Falls Viewpoint. This city is about 48 kilometres north of PWM.
Or hop in your Portland car hire and set out for Dover. Around 64 kilometres southwest of the airport, Woodman Institute Museum and Children's Museum of New Hampshire are standout attractions that make the extra drive worth it.
There's plenty of road left if you're up for more. Set out for Providence, around 225 kilometres southwest of PWM. From Museum of Natural History and Planetarium to RISD Museum, it'll round out your trip nicely.
