Car hire in Bethesda, United States

Compare car hire from trusted providers

Book car hire with confidence

Save big on car hire in Bethesda

Find a cheap car hire deal

Search for Bethesda car hire near you

Choose from 14 pick-up spots

Select your Bethesda pick-up location

There are 14 car hire providers in Bethesda. Check out the map below to find the most convenient pick-up spot.

The most popular car rental companies in Bethesda

Hiring a car in Bethesda: Fast facts

Here's everything you need to know to hit the road happy.
Most popular car hire companyHertz
Most popular carFullsize, Commercial Van
Average daily priceR 1,359
Best time to book1 week before

How to book the best car rental deals in Bethesda

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 Bethesda car rental search.

How to find a cheap car hire deal in Bethesda

  • Pick up a cheap rental car in Bethesda for around R 1,359 a day and hit the road happy. We do the hard work for you by searching all the top providers, making it easy to compare prices and book.

  • Daily rental prices in Bethesda start from just R 728.

  • Planning a longer trip and want to explore beyond the tourist trail? R 4,000 is the lowest rate for a weekly rental.

  • Book early to snap up the best price for a Bethesda car hire. On top of better deals, you'll have first pick of the most popular options.

  • Find your perfect ride with Avis, Hertz or Enterprise. They're some of the most reliable providers in the city.

  • Whether you go with Avis or another supplier, make sure you understand the coverage on your Bethesda car hire. Some companies include a collision damage waiver (CDW), while others charge extra for it.

  • Consider booking a one-way rental. You might be able to pick up a bargain if the provider needs to move its fleet around. Discover the best available rates by selecting 'Return car to a different location.'

  • Search for a vehicle with a 'Fair fuel policy.' You'll pick up and drop off your ride with a full tank, so you're only paying for what you use. No surprise refueling fees tacked on at the end either.

  • Want to explore without stressing about the number of miles you clock up? Find rentals with 'Unlimited mileage' under the 'Policies' filter and go as far as you like without the extra charges.

Best value car hire options right now

  • You'll find the best value with this company. Prices average R 1,176 a day.

  • Coming in second, this provider offers daily rates of around R 1,217.

  • The third option also stacks up well on price. Drive off in one of their rentals for roughly R 981 a day.

  • After a car that's a safe bet for most journeys? The Fullsize rental category comes in as the leading choice for travellers visiting Bethesda.

Compare car hire types in Bethesda

  • Small: Including classes like mini and economy, this cheap rental car in Bethesda puts you on the road for less. These zippy, fuel-efficient cars are good for city driving and short trips.

  • Medium: Not too small, not too big, this is the rental that's juuuust right! Typically including compact and intermediate cars, they offer a mix of fuel efficiency and interior space and are great for couples and small families.

  • Large: Offering a more comfortable ride and advanced tech features, this Bethesda car hire category includes full-size cars. With larger back seats and ample storage space, they let you load up and transport everyone, and everything, with ease.

  • SUV: Get a higher ground clearance and an open view of the journey ahead in an SUV. Whether you're winding through tough terrain or zipping along smooth highways, many offer all-wheel drive to keep you steady on any road.

  • Van: Featuring options like commercial vans and trucks, this category of car for rent in Bethesda takes heavy loads and larger groups in its stride. They're roomy, reliable, and ready to take on any task.

Insurance and optional extras

  • Excess insurance covers your out-of-pocket costs if your Bethesda car hire is stolen or damaged. While not mandatory, it's a smart add-on if you'd rather play it safe. Just remember that policies differ from one provider to another, so make sure you understand exactly what's included.

  • Make life easier when you rent a car in Bethesda by adding a few handy extras. Think things like a navigation system to be your go-everywhere guide, or reverse cameras that take the pain out of parking.

Good to know

  • The minimum age to rent a vehicle in the United States is typically 21 years old. However some providers set their own rules, so check your rental company's terms to find out where you stand.

  • Add a car seat to your Bethesda car hire reservation if you're planning to travel with the kids. Guidelines vary from one place to another, but using a child seat suited to their age, size and weight is always the safest way to travel.

  • You'll need to bring a few things when picking up your rental car: a current driver's licence, another form of photo ID, and a credit card with enough funds to pay the security deposit. Debit cards usually aren't accepted. Your booking will flag any other must-haves.

  • Familiarise yourself with your rental. Fix your seat and mirrors, find the lights and blinkers, and get a feel for its handling before you drive away. And remember to stick to the right side of the road in the United States.

  • Local speed limits may vary, but it's typically around 40kph in urban areas and 110kph or so on highways. Always obey the road signs.

  • In the United States, the legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit is 0.08%. If you're planning to drink, hand the keys to someone else or arrange a ride-share or taxi instead.

  • Aim to travel outside high-traffic periods for a faster run. 5pm is one of the busiest times to be on the road in this destination.

  • You'll be using the United States dollar (USD) for everyday expenses here. You may find it helpful to carry a mix of cards and cash to cover you in every situation.

  • English is the language spoken by most people in this country.

Best hotels in Bethesda for drivers

  • Offering parking, Courtyard Silver Spring Downtown takes the stress out of finding a place for your car. This hotel is about 6 kilometres from central Bethesda and also comes with a lounge and express check-in.

  • The Georgetown Inn makes travel simpler with parking and features like a 24-hour front desk and a spa. It's roughly 10 kilometres from the city centre.

  • Browse through the hotels in Bethesda for even more choices. Use the 'Parking,' 'Valet parking,' and 'Outdoor parking' filters to tailor your results to your trip. You can even select the 'Electric vehicle (EV) charging station' filter to zero in on EV-friendly stays.

  • Once you've found a car hire deal in Bethesda and your hotel, the only thing left is to decide where to explore first. Start your trip with leading attractions such as Capitol Crescent, Capital Crescent Trail, Trailhead and Rock Creek.

Hit the road: Where to drive to from Bethesda

  • Baltimore should be on your itinerary if you'd like to visit National Aquarium and Baltimore Aquarium. This city is around 56 kilometres northeast of central Bethesda.

  • Reliable accommodation options with parking in Baltimore include Hotel Indigo Baltimore Downtown and Baltimore Downtown.

  • Or pick up your cheap car hire in Bethesda and travel roughly 21 kilometres south to Alexandria. Featuring Old Town Alexandria and Ebenezer Baptist Church, its attractions are worth the drive.

  • Unwind after a big day out in Alexandria at InterContinental - Washington D.C. - the Wharf or Holiday Inn Washington Capitol - Natl Mall. These hotels are a good choice for guests bringing their own car.

  • Not ready to hit the brakes just yet? Motor on to Pittsburgh, around 290 kilometres northwest of Bethesda. From Carnegie Museum of Art to Andy Warhol Museum, it's the perfect finale to your trip.

  • All that's left to do now is sleep. Wyndham Grand Pittsburgh Downtown and Courtyard Pittsburgh University Centre have space for both you and your wheels while visiting Pittsburgh.

Frequently asked questions

On average, hiring a car in Bethesda will set you back around R 1,359 per day or R 5,502 per week. 
The cheapest car to rent in Bethesda is an intermediate SUV. The most popular is Fullsize, Commercial Van.
The cheapest car hire companies in Bethesda are currently Budget and Avis.
Bagging the best car hire deal depends on when you book  – often, it pays to book your wheels as far in advance as possible. But according to our data, the cheapest month to rent a car in Bethesda is currently June.
On average, around R 5,502. But the best price we found for car hire for a week in Bethesda is R 4,000.
Based on everything we know about daily prices, the average cost to hire a car in Bethesda for a whole month is R 29,122. 

But sometimes, you'll get a discount for booking a whole month instead of 3 and a half weeks. So play with your dates to find the best deals!
If you're looking for freedom to explore Bethesda, 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 Bethesda 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 Bethesda.
Most places – Bethesda 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 728 per day. The average price per day is around R 998.
Of course. Most major car hire companies like Hertz, National and Enterprise offer baby and child seats as an add-on when you book.
Other travellers rated Dollar as the best overall in terms of experience.
Yes – van hire is available in Bethesda.