Car hire in Des Moines, United States

Use the same magic that powers our flight search to find cheap car rental in Des Moines

Compare car hire on price, ease of pick-up, a fair fuel policy and more

Find Des Moines car rental deals you can amend or cancel if your plans change

Select your Des Moines pick-up location

There are 16 car hire providers in Des Moines. Check out the map below to find the most convenient pick-up spot.

The most popular car rental companies in Des Moines

Hiring a car in Des Moines: Fast facts

Here's everything you need to know to hit the road happy.
Most popular car hire companyAvis
Most popular carIntermediate/Standard, 4-5 doors
Average daily priceR 1,215
Best time to book3 weeks before

How to book the best car rental deals in Des Moines

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 Des Moines car rental search.

How to find a cheap car hire deal in Des Moines

  • Pick up a cheap rental car in Des Moines for an average of R 1,215 a day and drive away happy. We do the hard work for you by searching all the top providers, making booking quick and easy.

  • February is the cheapest month to rent a car in Des Moines. With average daily rates of R 785, you're riding easy with savings like these.

  • To score a cheap rental car in Des Moines, get in early. Prices tend to climb as your travel dates get closer, and any last-minute deals can vanish like a disappearing act.

  • Hertz, Budget and Avis are some popular providers offering car hire deals in Des Moines.

  • Whether you go with Hertz or a different supplier, double-check the coverage on your Des Moines car hire. Some companies include a collision damage waiver (CDW), while others offer it as a paid add-on.

  • Choosing a one-way car hire is often a great hack for finding a deal. Select 'Return car to a different location' when searching for a car for rent in Des Moines. Providers sometimes have to move vehicles from one site to another, which means you can snag some awesome one-way prices.

  • Skip the hidden fees by choosing a car hire in Des Moines with a 'Fair fuel policy.' Start your journey with a full tank and return it the same, paying only for what you use.

  • Hit the road without counting the miles and racking up extra charges. Go to the 'Policies' filter and click 'Unlimited mileage' to find a car that lets you explore without limits.

  • If you're flying into Des Moines, you might prefer to skip the city pickup and grab one of the car rentals in Des Moines International Airport instead. Toss your bags in the back seat and drive straight to where you need to go.

Compare car hire types in Des Moines

  • Small: These cheap rental cars in Des Moines may be small in size, but they come with big advantages. Including mini and economy vehicles, they're agile, fuel efficient, and just the thing for city driving.

  • Medium: A smart pick when you want something that's easy to drive but with some added perks. This category covers compact and intermediate models that offer a bit of extra space compared to smaller options.

  • Large: You've got the kids, the bags, the snacks, the works. Large vehicles have got the capacity to carry it all without breaking a sweat. Ideal for long-distance journeys, this Des Moines car hire category includes full-size cars.

  • SUV: Enjoy a higher driving position and a wide-angle view of what's ahead in an SUV. Whether you're navigating rugged country lanes or cruising along wide-open highways, many offer all-wheel drive to help you take on any road.

  • Van: Go for this vehicle category when you need a car for rent in Des Moines that makes light work of heavy loads. Featuring commercial vans and trucks, they're designed to transport more, whether that's supplies, suitcases or the whole travel crew.

Insurance and optional extras

  • Car rental excess insurance isn't mandatory, but it's worth considering. If you're in an accident, no matter how minor, it can save you from paying a big excess fee. Different Des Moines car hire providers have different insurance policies and coverage levels, so check the terms before booking.

  • From navigation systems to mobile Wi-Fi, the right extras can make all the difference on the road. Weigh up which features could make your trip more comfortable when you rent a car in Des Moines.

Good to know

  • Usually, you have to be at least 21 years old to rent a car in the United States. Younger drivers aren't always turned away — just expect some extra fees or restrictions. Check the suppliers' terms and conditions before booking.

  • Add a car seat to your Des Moines car hire reservation if you're travelling with small kids. Rules change from one place to another, but using a child seat suited to their size and age is always the safest way to travel.

Hit the road: Where to drive from Des Moines

Frequently asked questions

On average, hiring a car in Des Moines will set you back around R 1,215 per day or R 3,702 per week. 
The cheapest car to rent in Des Moines is a compact SUV. The most popular is Intermediate/Standard, 4-5 doors.
The cheapest car hire companies in Des Moines are currently Hertz and Payless.
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 Des Moines is currently February.
On average, around R 3,702. But the best price we found for car hire for a week in Des Moines is R 3,207.
Based on everything we know about daily prices, the average cost to hire a car in Des Moines for a whole month is R 60,722. 

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 Des Moines, 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 Des Moines 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 Des Moines.
Most places – Des Moines 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 760 per day. The average price per day is around R 1,399.
Of course. Most major car hire companies like Avis, Budget and Alamo offer baby and child seats as an add-on when you book.
Other travellers rated Payless 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 Des Moines.