Denver car rentals

All rental car drivers in Colorado must provide a current driver’s license.

Non-U.S. citizens will need to show a valid driver’s license and a passport to rent a car in Colorado. If the license is not in the Roman alphabet, an International Driving Permit will also be required.

If you are visiting Denver in the winter, it’s best to get a rental car that has 4-wheel drive (4WD) or all-wheel drive (AWD), especially if you are going to the mountains and expect to encounter snow and ice – not just on the road but also where you might park the car.

In Colorado, it’s common to drive a Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV), and there are certain advantages to these types of cars, especially on dirt roads or during winter driving conditions.

Hybrid and electric SUVs also feature on the car rental menu and can be reserved in advance with Hertz, Budget, Avis, and other car rental companies. Ask for the best app to find charging stations along your chosen route or ask if your hotel offers EV charging.

Most people traveling to Denver will arrange to get a rental car at the airport (Denver International Airport – DEN) and return it there when they fly back. This is often encouraged by the rental car companies and the cost can be lower when using this option for pick-up and drop-off. Be aware that there aren’t any gas stations close to the airport and it can be an extra charge if the car is brought back without a full tank.

Imagine that you are staying in downtown Denver and didn’t rent a car, and you get invited to Colorado Springs for the day. Renting a car by the hour or for the day via car sharing is easy with lots of cars available right in downtown Denver. Check out some of the possibilities:

Colorado CarShare has gas-powered cars, electric cars, hybrids, SUVs, and AWD vehicles available. The first step is signing up to become a member, then finding the best rate for your needs.

Free2move is another option for car sharing, and it requires downloading their app on your phone first, then giving them your ID information and other details to get started.

Zipcar has on-demand cars available to use by the hour or by the day for currently licensed drivers.

Many of these companies operate in other major cities so frequent travelers can benefit from having a monthly membership.

Once you rent a car, you can drive it wherever you like in Colorado and possibly return it at another location. Always ask before signing the rental agreement about returning the car at a location different to where you picked it up as there might be additional fees for this convenience.

For people who have car insurance on their cars, it’s a choice as to whether you want to pay for extra coverage when renting a car. If you do not currently have car insurance, you will need to pay for liability coverage through the rental car agency.

If you’re looking for a wide selection of rental cars, it is true that your best bet is the airport. Although you may have to pay for each day of having the car during your trip, this option has its advantages, especially if you have a specific car in mind.

However, if you’re in the city and looking to rent a car, you’ll find that rental car company prices are highly competitive. In fact, many companies offer discounts for memberships. Enterprise, Budget, Avis, and SIXT all have locations within walking distance of Union Station. While it’s unusual to find significant discounts between companies, you can still save money by only renting the car for the days you need it.

Once you have rented a car in Denver, you can plan on doing a lot of highway driving to get to the most popular destinations on the Front Range or in the mountains. Interstates 25 and 70 bisect near downtown and these are the major east-west and north-south highways for this region.

The highway speed limit will be anywhere from 55 to 75 miles per hour and there are signs posted regularly on these roads to alert drivers to a change in speed. In the city, the speed limit is usually 25 to 30 miles per hour, and there are signs.

Be aware that many of Denver’s downtown streets are one way as you navigate the historic city center.

Each hotel has their own parking options: on site with valet, a relationship with a nearby public parking garage, or you’ll need to find on-street parking that has a parking meter or 2 hours of free parking.

There is usually no cost for overnight parking on public streets in Denver, but read the posted signs carefully for things like street sweeping on certain days and specific hours for paid parking.

Gas prices are generally the same around the city and the state so there is not a particular gas station to recommend for better prices. Apps like Gasbuddy and Upside can provide the most current cheap gas prices nearby.

If you’re coming to Denver and planning to ski on your own skis, make sure the car you rent has roof racks for transporting your gear and that you know how to use them. When returning the car, be sure to check the roof for any gear before you depart for your flight.