Survey reveals the most expensive car rental destinations in the U.S.

News Release from CheapCarCentral.net, April 29, 2021

Kahului, Hawaii, is the most expensive U.S. destination in which to rent a car this spring, according to a survey conducted by Cheapcarrental.net. The survey compared rental car rates at the top 100 U.S. airports according to traffic for May 2021. At an average of $972 per week for the most affordable car, Kahului leads the ranking as most expensive destination.

Another destination in Hawaii, Kona, ranks second-most expensive, with rates starting at $923 per week, while Pensacola, Florida, rounds out the podium with starting rates of $817 per week.

According to Michelle Walters from Cheapcarrental.net, rental car rates across the U.S. are, on average, about 30% higher than average rental car rates from May 2019. In Hawaii and Florida, however, average rates have increased by more than 50% compared to 2019's rates. Still, May 2021 rates are significantly more affordable than those experienced over Presidents' Day Weekend 2021, when weekly rates in some destinations rose to as much as $3,000 per week due to overall rental car shortages. 

Below are the 10 most expensive destinations for car rental rates this spring. Prices shown reflect average weekly rates (from Sunday to Saturday) for the most affordable rental cars, May 1-31, 2021. Only rental car companies located directly at a destination's airport or at the airport's rental car center have been considered for the survey.

1. Kahului, HI (OGG) $972

2. Kona, HI (KOA) $923

3. Pensacola, FL (PNS) $817

4. Charleston, SC (CHS) $712

5. Honolulu, HI (HNL) $705

6. Lihue, HI (LIH) $652

7. Sarasota, FL (DRQ) $635

8. Savannah, GA (SAV) $581

9. Madison, WI (MSN) $571

10. St.Petersburg, FL (PIE) $569

For the full results of the survey, visit: https://www.cheapcarrental.net/press/spring21.html