Car Rental in Louisville, United States

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How to book the best car rental deals in Louisville

We’re frequently named as the most trusted travel search site out there. We scan hundreds of trusted travel providers and put it all in one place, allowing you to instantly compare car hire rates and then book with no fees. Here's how to get the most out of your Louisville car rental search.

How to find a cheap car hire deal in Louisville

  • Get into the driver's seat with a cheap rental car in Louisville. With prices averaging $127 a day, you get freedom without the high price tag. From economy models to full-size family cars, we'll match you with the perfect ride for the right price.

  • The cheapest daily price for a home in Louisville is $46.

  • For longer trips, grab a weekly home from $316 and fit more into your itinerary.

  • Book early to lock in the best price for a Louisville car hire. Beyond just getting a great rate, you'll have first pick of the most popular options.

  • Grab your wheels from Thrifty, Budget or Enterprise. They're some of the most well-known providers in the city.

  • Whether you book with Thrifty or a different supplier, make sure you understand the coverage on your Louisville car hire. Some companies include a collision damage waiver (CDW), while others offer it as an optional extra.

  • Booking a one-way car hire can be your secret weapon for finding a deal. Click 'Return car to a different location.' Providers sometimes have to move vehicles from one site to another, which means you can lock in some excellent one-way prices on a car for rent in Louisville.

  • Spend less on fuel by picking a vehicle that offers a 'Fair fuel policy.' You pick up your ride with a full tank and refill it before drop-off, so you're only paying for what you use.

  • Hit the road without watching the miles and racking up extra charges. Go to the 'Policies' filter and choose 'Unlimited mileage' to find a ride that lets you roam without limits.

Best value car hire options right now

  • You'll get the best value with this company. Prices average $135 a day.

  • Offering daily rates of around $138, this provider comes in next.

  • The third option also delivers savings with every booking. Expect to pay roughly $160 a day for one of their homes.

  • After a car that works for most trips? The Economy home category comes in as the leading choice for travellers visiting Louisville.

Flying to Louisville? Think about an airport pick-up

Compare car hire types in Louisville

  • Small: Including classes like mini and economy, this cheap rental car in Louisville gets you moving without breaking the bank. These zippy, fuel-efficient rides are good for city driving and short trips.

  • Medium: Choose from compact and intermediate cars that combine fuel efficiency, comfort and space. Easy to manoeuvre around cities and roomy enough for longer drives, they work well for most trips.

  • Large: Offering a more comfortable driving experience and improved tech features, this Louisville 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 country routes alike.

  • Van: Usually featuring commercial vans and trucks, this category of car for rent in Louisville makes short work of heavy loads and large groups. They're roomy, reliable, and ready to take on any task.

Insurance and optional extras

  • Excess insurance covers what you'd otherwise have to pay if your Louisville car hire is stolen or damaged. While not mandatory, it helps cover you in a tough spot. Just remember that insurance policies vary between providers, so make sure you understand exactly what's offered.

  • From navigation systems to mobile Wi-Fi, the right extras can make all the difference on the road. Think about which features will make your trip more comfortable when you rent a car in Louisville.

Good to know

  • You usually have to be at least 21 years old to rent a car in the United States. Younger drivers aren't always turned away — just be ready for a few added rules or costs. Check the suppliers' terms and conditions before booking.

  • Add a car seat to your Louisville car rental reservation if you're planning to travel with the kids. Rules vary from one location to another, but using a child seat suited to their size, weight and age is always the safest approach.

  • You'll need to bring a few things when picking up your rental car: an official driver's license, extra photo ID, and a credit card with enough funds to pay the security deposit. Debit cards usually aren't accepted. Your booking will show the full list of what's required.

  • Driving in the United States may take some getting used to if it's your first time. Keep in mind you'll need to stick to the right side of the road.

  • Local speed limits can vary, but it's usually around 40kph in built-up areas and 110kph or so on highways. Always follow the posted signs.

  • The blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit in the United States is 0.08%. Because alcohol affects each person differently, the best way to be sure you're safe to drive is not to drink anything at all.

  • Aim to travel outside high-traffic periods for a faster run. 5pm is one of the busiest times to be on the road in this destination.

  • You'll be using the United States dollar (USD) here. Along with your bank cards, have some cash handy for smaller purchases.

Best hotels in Louisville for drivers

  • Spend less time hunting for a parking spot and more time settling into the comfort of The Purple Martin - The Perch. Around 10 kilometres from central Louisville, it comes with parking, room service and an airport shuttle.

  • Residence Inn Louisville East/Oxmoor is another good fit if your plans involve plenty of exploring. It features parking, plus Wi-Fi and ATMs. Make this your base and you'll be roughly 3 kilometres from the city centre.

  • Browse through the range of hotels in Louisville for even more choices. Use the 'Parking,' 'Valet parking,' and 'Outdoor parking' filters to find exactly what you're after. You can also use the 'Electric vehicle (EV) charging station' filter to limit results to EV-friendly stays.

  • Once you've found a car hire deal in Louisville and the right hotel, the only thing left is to decide where to head to first. Start your trip with top attractions like Louisville Mega Cavern, Actors Theatre of Louisville and Belle of Louisville.

Hit the road: Where to drive to from Louisville

  • Lexington should be on your itinerary if you'd like to visit Kentucky Horse Park and Keeneland Association Inc. This city is around 97 kilometres east of central Louisville.

  • Go-to accommodation options with parking in Lexington include Bluegrass Extended Stay and Red Roof Inn Lexington South.

  • Add New Albany to your travel plans. Grab your cheap car hire in Louisville and drive about 21 kilometres west to explore main draws such as Carnegie Centre for Art & History and Floyd County Historical Society Padgett Museum.

  • New Albany has some great places to stay including Econo Lodge Louisville Downtown and The Brown Hotel. Both are convenient choices for guests with cars.

  • Stretch your journey and road-trip it to Nashville, roughly 257 kilometres southwest of Louisville. Make your first stop Grand Ole Opry, then follow it up with Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.

  • Find a room at Hutton Hotel or Hampton Inn Nashville-Vanderbilt. Use one of them as your base and enjoy everything Nashville has to offer. They also offer parking.

When's the cheapest time to hire a car in Louisville?

Our data shows that October is the cheapest month to rent a car in Louisville. It’s around $68 per day in October, compared to the yearly average of $105 per day.
Cheapest month avgOctober • $68
Yearly avg price$105

Select your Louisville pick-up location

There are 70 car hire providers in Louisville. Check out the map below to find the most convenient pick-up spot.

The most popular car rental companies in Louisville

Dollar
Dollar diamond
Thrifty
U-Save
Europcar
Hertz

What's the most popular car to hire in Louisville?

Based on recent Skyscanner data, the Mazda CX-50 is the most popular car to hire in Louisville, with prices starting from $46 per day. The Chevrolet Trax and similar models are also popular drives in Louisville.
Mazda CX-50
Mazda CX-5013% chose this
Chevrolet Trax
Chevrolet Trax9% chose this
Chevrolet Spark
Chevrolet Spark8% chose this
Hyundai Elantra
Hyundai Elantra7% chose this
Most popular carMazda CX-50
Why?Spacious, practical, good for families

Louisville's cheapest car hire providers

Hertz has the cheapest car hire in Louisville right now, with prices from $46 per day. You'll save an average of $34 per day when you book with them.
Hertzfrom $46 per day
Dollarfrom $57 per day
Avisfrom $64 per day
Alamofrom $119 per day
Cheapest providerHertz
Book with them to save around$34 per day

Hiring a car in Louisville: Fast facts

Here's everything you need to know to hit the road happy.
Most popular car hire companyDollar
Most popular carEconomy, 4-5 doors
Average daily price$127
Best time to bookLess than 1 week before

Frequently asked questions

On average, hiring a car in Louisville will set you back around $127 per day or $775 per week. 

The cheapest car to rent in Louisville is an intermediate van or truck. The most popular is Economy, 4-5 doors.

The cheapest car hire companies in Louisville are currently Payless and Alamo.

Bagging the best car hire deal depends on when you book  – often, it pays to book your wheels as far in advance as possible. But according to our data, the cheapest month to rent a car in Louisville is currently June.

On average, around $775. But the best price we found for car hire for a week in Louisville is $316.

Based on everything we know about daily prices, the average cost to hire a car in Louisville for a whole month is $2,013. 

But sometimes, you'll get a discount for booking a whole month instead of 3 and a half weeks. So play with your dates to find the best deals!

If you're looking for freedom to explore Louisville, choose a car with unlimited mileage, or look for car hire deals with a ’full to full' fuel policy as opposed to a 'half-full to full' one.

We also clearly highlight car and van hire options in Louisville that have free cancellation

Yes – you can easily find car hire companies that allow you to pick up your car in one place, and then drop it off in another. Just select ‘Return car to a different location’ when you search with us.

Public transport can only get you so far, and could be tricky to navigate with children or luggage. With your own set of wheels, you can go wherever you want, whenever you want, for as long as you want. And you'll be able to discover more outside of Louisville.

Most places – Louisville included – allow under 25s to rent a car as long as they provide a valid driver's license and the correct documentation. It may cost slightly more due to a higher insurance excess for young drivers. 

The cheapest price we found for an economy car is $85 per day. The average price per day is around $127.

Of course. Most major car hire companies like Dollar, Dollar diamond and Thrifty offer baby and child seats as an add-on when you book.

Other travellers rated Dollar as the best overall in terms of experience.

Yes – van hire is available in Louisville.