Delivery rental cars cost more upfront but save time and travel
A rental car delivered to you costs between $15 and $50 extra per day depending on the company, your location, and how far the delivery point is from their lot. That premium buys you the convenience of not driving to an airport or downtown office to pick up the car — the rental company brings it to your home, hotel, or workplace instead. For a three-day rental, you are looking at $45 to $150 in delivery fees on top of the base rental rate.
The trade-off is straightforward: you pay more money to save an hour or two of your time. Whether that trade makes sense depends on whether you are renting in a city where you have your own car parked somewhere, or whether you are traveling and would otherwise need a taxi or rideshare to reach the rental lot. If you are already paying $30 for an Uber to get to the rental counter, delivery becomes less of a premium.
Not all rental companies offer delivery, and those that do often limit it to certain areas. Enterprise and Hertz have the broadest delivery networks. Avis, Budget, and National offer it in major cities. Local and independent rental companies sometimes deliver but rarely advertise it — you have to call and ask.
Key Takeaways
- Delivery fees typically run $15 to $50 per day and are added to your base rental rate, making it most cost-effective for multi-day rentals.
- Enterprise and Hertz offer delivery in the most locations, while Avis, Budget, and National limit it to major metropolitan areas.
- You must book delivery when you reserve the car online or by phone — you cannot add it after the fact.
- Delivery usually takes 24 to 48 hours, so plan ahead rather than booking same-day if you need the car urgently.
- The rental company will ask for a valid driver's license, proof of insurance, and a credit card at delivery, just as they would at a counter.
Which rental companies actually deliver
Enterprise offers delivery through its "Enterprise Plus" service in most U.S. cities and many suburbs. You can request delivery when booking online or by calling your local branch. Enterprise typically charges $25 to $40 per day for delivery, though the fee varies by location and distance from their nearest lot.
Hertz delivers through its standard booking system in major cities and airport areas. The delivery fee is usually $20 to $35 per day. Hertz is often faster than Enterprise — many locations can deliver within 24 hours if you book early enough in the day.
Avis, Budget, and National all offer delivery, but only in larger cities and usually only from their premium or downtown locations. Budget's delivery is the least widely available of the three. Call ahead to confirm whether delivery is an option at the specific location where you want to rent.
Regional and independent rental companies sometimes deliver, but they do not advertise it prominently. If you are renting in a smaller city or from a local company, call and ask directly — many will deliver for a flat fee of $30 to $50 rather than a per-day charge.
How to book delivery when you reserve the car
Delivery must be selected at the time you book, not added later. When you search for a rental online, look for a checkbox or dropdown that says "Delivery" or "Home delivery" — it usually appears after you enter your pickup location. Select it, then enter the address where you want the car delivered.
The website will show you the delivery fee and a delivery window (usually a range of hours on a specific day). Confirm that the address is correct and that the delivery time works for you — you will need to be home or have someone there to receive the car and sign the paperwork.
If you do not see a delivery option online, call the rental company's local branch directly. Not all companies display delivery prominently on their websites, and some locations offer it only by phone. Have your desired delivery address and preferred dates ready when you call.
What to expect when the car arrives
The rental company will contact you one or two days before delivery to confirm the time window and ask you to be available. Delivery windows are typically two to four hours wide — you will not get an exact time. Plan to be home during that window; if you are not there, the driver will usually leave a notice and you will need to reschedule.
When the driver arrives, bring your valid driver's license, proof of insurance, and a credit card. The process is identical to picking up at a counter: the driver will show you the car's condition, point out any existing damage, and have you sign the rental agreement. Take photos of the car's condition yourself before signing, just as you would at a lot.
The driver will explain how to return the car. Some companies require you to drive it back to a specific location; others offer return delivery for an additional fee. Confirm the return process before the driver leaves, because the rental agreement will specify where and when the car must be returned.
When delivery costs less than the alternative
Delivery makes financial sense when the cost of getting to the rental lot exceeds the delivery fee. If you are renting at an airport and would otherwise take a $40 taxi or rideshare to the rental counter, a $25 delivery fee saves you money and time. If you are renting in a city where you have your own car parked at home, delivery avoids the cost and hassle of driving to a downtown location.
Delivery also makes sense if you are renting for a week or longer. A $30 per-day delivery fee on a three-day rental is $90 — a noticeable addition. On a seven-day rental, that same $30 per day is $210, but it is spread across a longer rental period and may still be worth it if it saves you multiple trips or taxi rides.
Delivery does not make sense if you are renting for one day and the rental lot is within a few miles of your home. The delivery fee will likely exceed what you would spend on gas or a short rideshare trip. In that case, pick up at the lot.
Return options and what happens at the end
Most rental companies require you to return the car to a physical lot, not have it picked up from your home. This means you will need to drive the car back to the rental location on your last day — usually the same branch where it was delivered, though some companies allow returns to different locations.
A few companies, including Enterprise in some markets, offer return delivery for an additional fee (usually $20 to $40). If return delivery is important to you, ask about it when you book the initial delivery. Not all locations offer it, and it must be arranged in advance.
When you return the car, the rental company will inspect it for damage, check the fuel level, and process your final bill. If you added delivery on pickup, that fee will already be on your bill. Return delivery, if you used it, will be charged separately.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a rental car delivered same-day?
Same-day delivery is rare and usually only available if you book before 10 a.m. and live within a few miles of the rental lot. Most companies require 24 to 48 hours' notice for delivery. Hertz is typically faster than Enterprise, but neither guarantees same-day service. Call your local branch directly if you need the car urgently.
What if I am not home when the car is delivered?
The driver will leave a notice and you will need to reschedule. Delivery windows are firm — the company will not wait beyond the scheduled time. If your schedule is uncertain, pick up at the lot instead or ask whether someone else can sign for the car on your behalf.
Do I pay the delivery fee if I cancel the rental?
That depends on the company's cancellation policy and when you cancel. If you cancel before the delivery is dispatched, the delivery fee is usually waived. If you cancel after the driver is en route, you may be charged. Check the cancellation terms when you book.
Is delivery available outside major cities?
Enterprise and Hertz deliver in many suburbs and smaller cities, but availability varies. Budget, Avis, and National are mostly limited to major metropolitan areas. Call the rental company's local branch to confirm whether delivery is an option in your area.
Can I add delivery to a reservation I already made?
No. Delivery must be selected when you book. If you already have a reservation without delivery, you will need to cancel and rebook with delivery selected, or pick up at the lot as originally planned.