Car hire in Arcata, United States

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Choose from 6 pick-up spots

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There are 6 car hire providers in Arcata. Check out the map below to find the most convenient pick-up spot.

The most popular car rental companies in Arcata

Arcata's cheapest car hire providers

Enterprise has the cheapest car hire in Arcata right now, with prices from R 1 140 per day. You'll save an average of R 868 per day when you book with them.
Enterprisefrom R 1 140 per day
Turofrom R 1 501 per day
Avisfrom R 2 262 per day
Budgetfrom R 2 262 per day
Cheapest providerEnterprise
Book with them to save aroundR 868 per day

Hiring a car in Arcata: Fast facts

Here's everything you need to know to hit the road happy.
Most popular car hire companyHertz
Most popular carEconomy, 4-5 doors
Average daily priceR 1,947
Best time to book2 weeks before

How to book the best car rental deals in Arcata

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 Arcata car rental search.

How to find a cheap car hire deal in Arcata

  • Pick up a cheap rental car in Arcata and be on your way for around R 1,947 a day. From solo adventures to group travel, we'll find the right wheels for whatever you have planned.

  • Daily rental prices in Arcata start from just R 1,140.

  • Staying a while and want to explore beyond the tourist trail? R 7,980 is the lowest rate for a weekly rental.

  • Book early to snag the best price for a Arcata car hire. As well as cheaper rates, you'll have first pick of the most popular options.

  • Know what kind of coverage comes with your Arcata car hire. Some companies include a collision damage waiver (CDW), while others offer it as an optional add-on.

  • Consider booking a one-way rental. You might be able to land a good deal if the provider needs to move cars between branches. Discover the best available rates by selecting 'Return car to a different location.'

  • Avoid any unexpected fees by choosing a vehicle with a 'Fair fuel policy.' Start and end your trip with a full tank, and pay only for what you use.

  • Pack more into your journey by searching for rentals with 'Unlimited mileage.' Located under the 'Policies' filter, these rides let you drive as far as you want without extra charges.

Best value car hire options right now

  • You'll find the best deal with this company. Prices average R 2,183 a day.

  • Taking second place is [this provider](this provider](https://www.skyscanner.co.za/car-hire/car-hire-with-provider/avis/640)), offering daily rates of around R 2,064.

  • The third option also makes the list of budget-friendly suppliers. Pick up one of their rentals for roughly R 2,077 a day.

  • If you're still weighing up what kind of ride you need, consider something from the Economy rental category. It's the most commonly booked type of vehicle in Arcata.

Flying to Arcata? Think about an airport pick-up

  • Make arrival day easier by booking a car hire at Arcata Airport. If you're flying to Arcata through this airport, simply pick up your ride after landing and go. The drive to the city centre is about 11 kilometres and takes around 20 minutes.

Compare car hire types in Arcata

  • Small: These cheap rental cars in Arcata may be small in size, but they live up to big expectations. Including mini and economy vehicles, they're nimble, fuel efficient, and a match made in heaven for city driving.

  • Medium: Choose from compact and intermediate cars that combine fuel efficiency, comfort and space. Easy to handle in traffic and with enough space for longer drives, they're a reliable fit for most trips.

  • Large: Offering greater driving comfort and advanced tech features, this Arcata car hire category includes full-size cars. With roomier back seats and ample storage space, they let you load up and take everyone, and everything, with ease.

  • SUV: Enjoy a higher driving position and a better view of what's ahead in an SUV. Whether you're weaving through remote countryside or gliding down stretches of highway, many come with all-wheel drive to help you tackle any road.

  • Van: Featuring options like commercial vans and trucks, this category of car for rent in Arcata is built to handle heavier loads and bigger groups. They're tough, versatile, and ready to tackle whatever task lies ahead.

Insurance and optional extras

  • Excess insurance covers the fee you'd have to pay if your Arcata car hire is stolen or damaged. While not compulsory, it's worth considering for extra protection. Keep in mind that insurance policies vary between providers, so make sure you know exactly what's included.

  • Level up your ride with handy extras like a reverse camera or navigation unit. They can turn your drive into a smoother experience when you rent a car in Arcata.

Good to know

  • To rent a vehicle in the United States, you generally have to be at least 21 years old. Some providers may rent vehicles to younger drivers for an additional fee, so carefully review the policies before locking in your ride.

  • Travel plans include the kids? Child car seat laws vary by location, and the correct setup may depend on their height, age and weight. Find out if you need to add one to your Arcata car rental reservation.

  • You'll need to show some documents when you get to the rental desk. As a rule, bring a valid driver's licence, a credit card with enough balance for the deposit (most companies don't accept debit cards), and another form of photo ID. Your booking confirmation will spell it all out.

  • If you're new to driving in the United States, keep in mind that traffic here sticks to the right side of the road.

  • Make sure you follow the local speed limits. Usually that's around 40kph in urban areas and 110kph or so on highways, unless signed otherwise.

  • In the United States, the legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit is 0.08%. If you're planning to have a drink or two, get someone else to do the driving or find an alternative way to get around.

  • One of the busiest times to be on the road in this destination is around 5pm. Make things easy by driving outside rush hours in general.

  • The United States dollar (USD) is the currency you'll be using for everyday expenses and activities. Pay with a debit or credit card when you can, but have some cash handy when electronic payments aren't available.

Best hotels in Arcata for drivers

  • Pull in, drop your bags, and start relaxing at Carter House Inns. Offering parking as well as express check-out and a bar, this hotel is around 10 kilometres from central Arcata.

  • Hampton Inn & Suites Arcata makes life simpler with accessible parking and features like a 24-hour front desk and an indoor swimming pool. It's roughly 3 kilometres from the city centre.

  • Explore the full lineup of hotels in Arcata and pick the stay that matches your trip. Filters make it easy to tailor your search to your needs — like 'Parking,' 'Outdoor parking,' or 'Valet parking.' There's even an 'Electric vehicle (EV) charging station' filter to find hotels with charging access.

  • Once you've found a car hire deal in Arcata and the right hotel, the only thing left to decide is where to go first. Start your trip with popular attractions such as Redwood Park, Arcata Community Forest and Humboldt State University Natural History Museum.

Hit the road: Where to drive to from Arcata

  • Around 31 kilometres south of central Arcata, Fortuna belongs on your itinerary. Head straight for must-see sights like Chapman's Gem & Mineral Shop & Museum and Fortuna Depot Museum.

  • Reliable accommodation options with parking in Fortuna include Bear River Casino Resort and Best Western Country Inn.

  • Alternatively, pick up your cheap car hire in Arcata and then set out for Crescent City. Around 97 kilometres north of Arcata, Battery Point Lighthouse and Howland Hill Road are top attractions that are well worth the trip.

  • Unwind after a big day out in Crescent City at Best Western Plus Northwoods Inn or Anchor Beach Inn. These hotels have arrangements for guests with cars.

  • Keep the momentum going and road-trip it to Chico, about 225 kilometres southeast of Arcata. Kick things off at Bidwell Mansion, then head to Bidwell park.

  • Get some shut-eye in Chico at either Quality Inn Near Chico State or Doubletree by Hilton Chico. They have a room waiting for you and a spot for your wheels too.

Frequently asked questions

On average, hiring a car in Arcata will set you back around R 1,947 per day or R 13,627 per week. 

The cheapest car to rent in Arcata is a compact SUV. The most popular is Economy, 4-5 doors.

The cheapest car hire companies in Arcata are currently Enterprise and Avis.

On average, around R 13,627. But the best price we found for car hire for a week in Arcata is R 7,980.

If you're looking for freedom to explore Arcata, 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 Arcata 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 Arcata.

Most places – Arcata 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 R 1,153 per day. The average price per day is around R 1,947.

Of course. Most major car hire companies like Hertz, Budget and Avis offer baby and child seats as an add-on when you book.

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

We search the internet for all kinds of vehicle hire deals, including vans. But at the moment, we can't find any van hire in Arcata.