Weekly car rentals cost less per day than daily rates, but the actual price depends on the rental company, the car type, and how far in advance you book
A weekly rental means you keep the car for seven consecutive days. Most major rental companies — Enterprise, Hertz, Budget, Avis, National — charge a flat rate for the week rather than multiplying the daily rate by seven. That weekly rate is usually 30 to 50 percent cheaper per day than renting the same car for one day. A compact car that costs $60 per day might rent for $200 to $250 for the week, bringing the daily cost down to $29 to $36.
The catch is that the weekly rate itself varies widely. The same car from the same company can cost $180 one week and $320 the next, depending on local demand, the season, and whether there is a holiday or event happening nearby. Booking early — at least a week in advance — usually locks in a lower price. Booking the day before or the day of pickup almost always costs more.
Your location matters too. Airport rental counters charge airport fees on top of the base rate. Picking up from an off-airport location (a downtown office or a neighborhood lot) can save 10 to 20 percent. Returning to a different location than where you picked up usually adds a drop-off fee, though some companies waive it for weekly rentals.
Key Takeaways
- Weekly rates are typically 30 to 50 percent cheaper per day than daily rates, but the total price still varies by company, car type, location, and time of year.
- Booking at least seven days ahead usually gives you the lowest price; booking the day before or day of pickup costs significantly more.
- Picking up from an off-airport location instead of an airport counter can save 10 to 20 percent on the rental cost.
- Check the total price including insurance, fuel charges, and drop-off fees before you commit, because these add-ons can double the base rate.
- Membership programs (AAA, AARP, corporate discounts) and credit card protections can reduce your out-of-pocket cost if you compare them against the quoted price.
Where to search and compare weekly rates
Start with the rental company websites directly: Enterprise.com, Hertz.com, Budget.com, Avis.com, and National.com all let you enter your pickup date, return date, and location, then show you the weekly rate when ready. Enter the dates as a full week (Monday to Monday, for example) to see the weekly pricing, not the daily rate multiplied out.
Comparison sites like Kayak, Priceline, and Autoslash pull rates from multiple companies at once. These sites are useful for spotting which company is cheapest that week, but you should always click through to the company's own website to book. Booking through the company directly means you deal with them if something goes wrong, and you can see their full cancellation policy without a middleman's terms getting in the way.
Autoslash has one advantage: it watches your reservation after you book and emails you if the price drops. If it does, you can rebook at the lower rate. This only works if you booked directly with the rental company or through Autoslash itself, not through Priceline or Kayak.
How to lower the base rate before you book
Check whether you have a membership discount. AAA members get 10 to 15 percent off at most major companies. AARP members get similar discounts. If you work for a large employer, your company may have a negotiated rate with one or more rental companies — check your HR benefits page or intranet. Military members, government employees, and healthcare workers often have dedicated discount codes.
Your credit card may offer a rental car discount as a cardholder benefit. Call the customer service number on the back of your card and ask whether they have a rental car discount code. Some cards also include rental car insurance, which means you may not need to buy the company's collision damage waiver — that alone can save $15 to $25 per day.
Book on a Tuesday or Wednesday if you have flexibility. Rental rates tend to be lowest mid-week and highest on weekends and around holidays. If you are renting during a holiday week (Thanksgiving, Christmas, spring break), book as early as possible — prices rise sharply as the dates get closer.
Understanding what is and is not included in the quoted price
The price you see on the website usually includes only the base rental. It does not include fuel, insurance, tolls, or parking fees. Read the fine print before you confirm the booking.
Fuel: Most companies rent the car with a full tank and expect you to return it full. If you return it empty or partially empty, they charge you for fuel at a rate that is usually 50 to 100 percent higher than gas station prices. Some companies offer a "fuel service" where you prepay for a full tank at a discounted rate; this makes sense only if you know you will use most of it.
Insurance: The rental company's collision damage waiver (CDW) or loss damage waiver (LDW) costs $15 to $30 per day. Your personal auto insurance or credit card may cover rental cars, so check your policy before you buy the company's insurance. If you are not covered, buying it is worth the cost — without it, you are liable for any damage to the car.
Tolls and parking: If you drive on toll roads, the company may charge you a processing fee on top of the toll itself. Parking tickets and traffic violations are your responsibility and will be billed to your credit card after you return the car.
Pickup and return logistics that affect the final cost
Picking up at an off-airport location is cheaper than the airport counter. If you are flying in, take a rideshare or public transit to an off-airport rental office instead. The savings on the rental (10 to 20 percent) often exceed the cost of getting there.
Returning the car to the same location where you picked it up costs nothing extra. Returning it to a different location may add a drop-off fee of $50 to $200, depending on the distance. Some companies waive the drop-off fee for weekly rentals, so ask before you book if you plan to return it elsewhere.
Return the car during business hours on the day it is due. Returning it after hours or on a day when the office is closed may result in an extra day's charge, even if it is only a few hours late. If you are unsure about the return time, call the rental office the day before to confirm their hours.
What to inspect before you drive away
Walk around the car with the rental agent and point out any existing damage — dents, scratches, stains, broken lights. Ask the agent to note it on the contract or take photos on your phone and email them to the company's customer service address. This protects you from being charged for damage you did not cause.
Check that the fuel gauge reads full, the spare tire is present, and the jack and lug wrench are in the trunk. Test the wipers, lights, and air conditioning. If anything is broken or missing, tell the agent before you leave the lot. Once you drive away, the company assumes you accepted the car in the condition it was in.
Keep your rental agreement and take a photo of the odometer reading. You will need the agreement to return the car, and the odometer photo protects you if there is a dispute about mileage charges later.
Avoiding unexpected charges at return
Return the car with a full tank of fuel. Fill up at a gas station near the rental office, not at the rental company's fuel service pump — their prices are always higher. Keep your receipt in case there is a dispute about whether the tank was full.
Return the car clean. The rental company can charge a cleaning fee of $50 to $150 if the interior is visibly dirty. Vacuum the seats, wipe down the dashboard, and empty the trash. You do not need to wash the exterior, but remove any obvious mud or debris.
Return it on time. Late returns are charged at the daily rate, which is usually much higher than the weekly rate. If you are running late, call the rental office and ask whether they can extend your reservation. Sometimes they can add a day at the weekly rate rather than charging the daily rate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it cheaper to rent for seven days or to rent for five days and return it, then rent again?
Renting for seven consecutive days is almost always cheaper. The weekly rate is designed to be lower than the daily rate. Renting for five days, returning, and renting again means you pay two separate daily rates, which will be higher than one weekly rate. The only exception is if the second rental falls on a day when rates drop significantly, which is rare.
Can I cancel a weekly rental if my plans change?
Most companies allow free cancellation up to 24 hours before pickup. If you cancel within 24 hours, you may be charged a cancellation fee or lose your deposit. Check the cancellation policy on your confirmation email before you book. If you need to cancel, do it through the company's website or by calling them directly — do not rely on a third-party booking site to process the cancellation.
What happens if I keep the car longer than a week?
You will be charged the daily rate for each extra day, which is usually much higher than the weekly rate. If you think you might need the car longer, ask the rental company whether they can extend your reservation at the weekly rate. Some companies will, some will not. It is cheaper to extend before you return than to rebook after.
Do I need to buy extra insurance if my credit card covers rental cars?
Check your credit card's rental car coverage before you book. Most premium cards cover collision and theft but not liability. Liability is your responsibility if you damage someone else's property or injure someone. If your card does not cover liability, buy the company's liability insurance. Call your credit card company to confirm what is and is not covered before you pick up the car.
Is it worth prepaying for fuel?
Prepaying for a full tank is worth it only if you know you will use most of it. If you prepay and return the car with a quarter tank still in it, you have paid for fuel you did not use. If you are unsure, decline the prepay option and fill up yourself at a gas station near the rental office before you return the car.