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Economy | $26/day |
Compact | $23/day |
Intermediate | $26/day |
Standard | $31/day |
Full-size | $41/day |
Minivan | $66/day |
Full-size SUV | $95/day |
Intermediate SUV | $50/day |
Standard SUV | $65/day |
On average a rental car in Santa Maria costs $65 per day. But prices differ between operators and you can save money through a price comparison of car rental deals from different agencies. The cheapest price for a car rental in Santa Maria found in the last 2 weeks is $45.
In the past 72 hours, the cheapest rental cars were found at Budget ($23/day), Enterprise Rent-A-Car ($44/day) and Avis ($95/day). In the last 72 hours the cheapest rental car price was found at Budget 3249 Terminal Drive 93455 (4 miles from city center).
The average gas price in Santa Maria is $3.89 per gallon over the past 30 days. Filling up a gas tank costs between $47 and $62, depending on the car size.
Premium (Volkswagen Passat or similar) is the most frequently booked rental car type in Santa Maria.
Car rental companies onsite at Public airport include Budget, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Avis and Hertz.
Car rental companies that offer shuttle or pick-up services from Public airport to off-airport locations include Budget, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Avis, and Hertz.
Take a look at our extensive car rental location map to find the best rental cars near you.
A Premium car rental in Santa Maria costs $34 per day, on average.
A Standard car rental in Santa Maria costs $40 per day, on average.
An Economy car rental in Santa Maria costs $44 per day, on average.
On average a rental car in Santa Maria costs $453 per week ($65 per day).
On average a rental car in Santa Maria costs $1,940 per month ($65 per day).
Most car rental providers in Santa Maria offer insurance but the level of protection can differ substantially. If you're unsure whether to get extra protection for your car rental in Santa Maria, check out KAYAK's car rental insurance guide.
KAYAK has deals for you to compare from 5 car rental agencies in Santa Maria.
Finding the right price, understanding the add-ons and staying up to date with policy changes can be a challenge. That’s why KAYAK has produced the ultimate guide to renting a car to help you cut though the jargon and make the right choice for your rental car. Find tips and insights for how to book your rental, what car rental insurance you’ll need, how to deal with a car rental agency and what extra fees to expect (and avoid!).
KAYAK searches thousands of car rental agencies to provide you with offers from all car rental agencies operating in Santa Maria so that you can compare car rental rates, reviews and pick-up and drop-off locations to find the best deal for you.
The roads in Santa Maria are wide enough for you to use despite the type of Santa Maria car rentals you choose. The type of car however to be used within the city should be determined however by the number of people and the actual purpose of your visit. If you are a large group, then a large group would do you much good. However, if you are a smaller group, then you can opt for a compact car instead. It is important to note that cars too are of different categories such as hybrid and electric cars. Hybrid cars are more economical to use than regular diesel or petrol cars.
When using the car rentals in Santa Maria, you are advised to strictly observe the speed limits enlisted in the area. The speed limit in the urban areas in and around the city center is set at 18 mph (30kph) due to the large traffic in the area from both pedestrians and other road users. While heading further away from the city center into the suburban, the speed restriction is dropped from 18 mph to 36 mph (60kph) due to the increased width of the roads and a reduced traffic from other road users and pedestrians.
There are a couple of parking options within Santa Maria from which you can leave your vehicles and proceed on foot around the town. When parking, you are advised to secure your vehicle well onto the designated slot and avoid double parking to ensure the lots are used efficiently. Some of the authorized parking zones within the city includes the Abids Chermas one side MCH Car parking, and the Abids GPO MCH Parking Complex. Ensure you have cleared with the relevant authorities before exiting the parking lot to avoid further complications such as the clumping of the Secunderabad car rental.
One location in Santa Maria
Locations in Santa Maria
3249 Skyway Drive
+1 805 922 4533
Filters
Reviews
10.0 Wonderful
Jan 2024
10.0 Wonderful
May 2021
Pros:
That the on-site office at the hotel, that we did not know was there, was easily able change our car pick up to her office from the airport. Saved us so much time! And that she was willing to do it!Cons:
It was a simple and easy process which was refreshing and greatly appreciated. I really couldn’t have asked for anything to be better.2.0 Poor
May 2021
Pros:
LAX staff was great even at 12 midnight8.0 Very good
Mar 2021
Cons:
I never received an emailed copy of my invoice.6.0 Okay
Feb 2020
Pros:
The service at LAX was greatCons:
The santa maria location service was unwelcoming, on their phone the entire experience. Not given a choice of cars8.0 Very good
Oct 2019
Pros:
Somewhat friendly on pickup. Great on dropoff.Cons:
Nicer2 locations in Santa Maria
Locations in Santa Maria
1730 South Broadway
+1 805 922 2158
3249 Terminal Drive
+1 805 922 3113
Filters
Reviews
10.0 Wonderful
May 2021
Pros:
Pick up was a breeze. Drop off a hassle with the construction and no one to guide you for the drop off.Cons:
Drop off needs work.8.0 Very good
May 2021
Pros:
PriceCons:
The screen was broken when we got into the rental and the drop off process was unclear when we got back to airport2.0 Poor
Mar 2021
Pros:
The car was nice to drive and overall clean but did have a masked smoke smell to it.Cons:
The person at budget, in the airport on the 25th of March when we picked it up was horribly rude. We were 30 min late and pretty much told us we were out of luck that there was no car for us. We went to all the counters very scared as to be stranded and apparently was transfered to avis who were very friendly. When we got the car man from budget who was rude actually flipped us off because we pointed him out to the person dropping us off. Horrific customer service on the budget side2.0 Poor
Feb 2021
Pros:
Convenient pick up location.Cons:
Cars were dirty. Enhanced cleaning? How about any? First car we picked up had mechanical issues was not drivable. Spent 25 minutes cleaning and disinfecting it. Had to return to get a different vehicle. No other car was available in the class, got a much smaller car with no modern amenities for the 6 hour drive. Spent another 25 minutes cleaning the car. No apology, no discount. Bad service, gross vehicles. -2.0 Poor
Sep 2020
Pros:
Nothing. I thought the car was going to break down the entire time.Cons:
Smelly car with malfunction9.2 Wonderful
Jul 2020
Pros:
Check in took longer than expected but check out was very efficient. Super happy to have gotten a sunroof.Cons:
The extreme extra charge to drop off at another location almost prevented using the rental at all vs other options. Also we were given a car low on wiper washer fluid.2 locations in Santa Maria
Locations in Santa Maria
3249 Terminal Dr
+1 805 200 4868
415 W Central Avenue
+1 805 736 4206
Filters
Reviews
9.6 Wonderful
Feb 2020
Pros:
Pick up and drop off was easy, no wait. Car was good enough.Cons:
The opening time for the office is 7:30, so I had to have the car an extra day to get on the road early. If the office was open at 7:00 would have been better. Also, I had hoped the car was a Mazda 3 because I have considered buying one, but they only had another vehicle.2.0 Poor
Sep 2019
Pros:
Nothing. Horrible experience. I received a call at 840am about my 9am car rental stating that they overbooked vehicles and that they would not have my vehicle at all. No apology or offer for another vehicle. They said all vehicles were rented and tough luck and this was the "manager" who called me.Cons:
Communication. Why call 20 minutes before a reservation to say no vehicles and cancelled. Don't book it in the first place. Again, horrible service and no apology or alternatives offered by Hertz.2.0 Poor
Sep 2019
Pros:
NOTHING AT ALL. HERTZ CALLED ME 1 HOUR BEFORE I WAS SCHEDULED TO PICK UP THE RENTAL AND TOLD ME THAT THEY DID NOT HAVE ANY CARS. THEY MADE NO ATTEMPT TO ASSIST ME IN LOCATING ANOTHER RENTAL AND WERE JUST VERY COLD AND UNCARING.Cons:
EVERYTHING.10.0 Wonderful
Sep 2018
Pros:
THE CAR WAS PERFECTCons:
NOTHING, IT WAS PERFECT8.8 Very good
Mar 2018
Pros:
Online rental, car was ready to go. Minimal paperwork with no wait. Exactly what I wanted.10.0 Wonderful
Nov 2017
Pros:
Reasonable rate, very helpful staff, great car. Much better than our other local rental company!3 locations in Santa Maria
Locations in Santa Maria
1738 S Broadway
+1 805 349 9552
3249 Terminal Drive, Ste 114
+1 805 352 1016
502 W Grand Ave Ste A
+1 805 489 6161
Filters
Reviews
2.0 Poor
Nov 2023
10.0 Wonderful
Jan 2020
Pros:
Staff was very friendly and thorough.10.0 Wonderful
Oct 2019
Pros:
Woman at sjc was very sweet and the process was very fast.2.0 Poor
Jun 2019
Cons:
They are not at the Santa Maria Airport and did not answer the phone when I called. Enterprise should be taken iff the list. However, the woman at Hertz was very nice and helped me get a car.6.4 Okay
May 2019
Pros:
the staff was nice it was high traffic time at the store not enough help long wait .9.6 Wonderful
Jan 2019
Pros:
Was able to get comparable car to what I reserved. Super friendly staff.Cons:
Came damaged. Though it was out of their control.One location in Santa Maria
Locations in Santa Maria
Filters
No reviews available
One location in Santa Maria
Locations in Santa Maria
Filters
No reviews available
Pick-up location | Santa Maria |
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Car types | Compact, Economy, Full-size, Full-size SUV, Intermediate, Intermediate SUV, Minivan, Standard, Standard SUV |
Rental locations | 7 |
Airport locations | 5 |
Popular agencies | Budget, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Turo, Avis |