What a week-long rental actually costs and what's included

A week-long car rental typically costs between $200 and $600 depending on the car type, location, and season — but the price you see online often doesn't include insurance, fuel, tolls, or airport fees. Most rental companies charge a daily rate that drops slightly when you book seven consecutive days instead of paying day-by-day, but that savings disappears if you add a second driver, decline their insurance and buy your own, or pick up at an airport instead of an off-site location.

The rental agreement itself is straightforward: you pay upfront or at pickup, you return the car on the same day of the week you rented it (usually within the same hour), and you're charged for any damage beyond normal wear, missing equipment, or fuel if you don't return it full. What catches most people is that the base rate shown on comparison sites excludes taxes, which can add 10 to 25 percent depending on your state and whether you're picking up at an airport.

Understanding what's bundled into that weekly rate matters because a $35-per-day sedan becomes a $280 base cost, but adding a second driver ($10–15 per day), declining their collision coverage and buying your own ($15–25 per day), and picking up at an airport instead of downtown ($20–40 one-time fee) can push the real cost to $450 or more before you drive off the lot.

Key Takeaways

  • Weekly rates are cheaper per day than daily rates, but taxes, insurance, and airport fees can double the advertised price.
  • Your personal auto insurance or credit card may cover rental damage, so check your policy before paying the rental company's collision waiver.
  • Returning the car with a full tank costs less than letting the rental company refuel it, even if you have to buy gas at a premium pump near the lot.
  • Off-airport locations and weekday pickups are usually 20 to 40 percent cheaper than airport counters and weekend rates.
  • Booking directly with the rental company sometimes costs more than third-party sites, but only the company can waive fees or extend your reservation without penalty.

Where to book and how prices differ by location

Comparison sites like Kayak, Autoslash, and Priceline search multiple rental companies at once, but they don't always show the lowest price — some companies exclude their best deals from third-party sites, and some sites add booking fees that don't appear until checkout. Booking directly with Hertz, Enterprise, Avis, Budget, or National usually costs the same or slightly more, but you keep the flexibility to modify or cancel without a third-party intermediary.

Airport pickups carry a facility fee (typically $5–15 per day) on top of the rental rate, plus local taxes that are often higher at airports than downtown. Picking up at an off-airport location — a downtown office, a shopping center, or a neighborhood lot — can save $50 to $100 over a week. If you're flying in, check whether a rental location is within walking distance of your hotel or a cheap rideshare ride away; sometimes paying for a $15 Uber to an off-airport lot saves more than the facility fee itself.

Weekend and holiday rates spike because demand is highest. Renting Monday through Sunday costs less than Friday through Thursday, and renting during a holiday week (Christmas, Thanksgiving, spring break) can double the price. If your dates are flexible, shifting your rental by a few days can cut the cost significantly.

Insurance, damage, and what your own policy covers

Rental companies offer collision damage waiver (CDW) or loss damage waiver (LDW) — these are not insurance, they're waivers that shift the cost of damage from you to the rental company. They typically cost $15–30 per day and cover damage to the rental car itself, but not liability (injury or damage you cause to someone else). For a week, that's $105–210 added to your bill.

Before you buy the rental company's waiver, check your own auto insurance policy. Most personal policies cover rental cars at the same level as your own vehicle, which means you're already protected for collision and comprehensive damage. If you don't own a car or your policy excludes rentals, check your credit card — many premium cards (American Express Platinum, Chase Sapphire Reserve, Capital One Venture) include rental car coverage as a cardholder benefit, though you have to decline the rental company's waiver to use it.

If you're not covered by either source, the rental company's waiver is worth buying. Without it, you're liable for the full repair cost if the car is damaged, even in a minor accident. The waiver has a deductible (usually $500–1,500), so you're still paying something out of pocket, but it caps your exposure. Read the fine print: most waivers exclude damage from off-road driving, racing, or driving under the influence.

Fuel, mileage, and what happens at return

Nearly all weekly rentals come with unlimited mileage, so you don't pay per mile. Fuel is your responsibility: you can rent the car full and return it full (you pay for what you use), rent it full and return it empty (the rental company refuels it at a premium price, usually $6–8 per gallon), or prepay for a full tank upfront at a discounted rate ($5–6 per gallon) and return it empty. The cheapest option is almost always to return it full yourself — fill up at a regular gas station within a mile of the rental lot, not at a premium pump or convenience store.

When you return the car, the rental company inspects it for damage, checks the fuel level, and verifies the mileage. If there's damage you didn't report, you'll be charged. If the fuel level is below full, you'll be charged for refueling. If you're late returning the car, you'll be charged for an extra day or a partial day (policies vary). Take photos of the car's condition before you leave the lot and keep your receipt — if a charge appears on your credit card weeks later, you'll have proof of what you returned.

Avoiding common fees and gotchas

The most common surprise charges are for a second driver ($10–15 per day), young driver fees if you're under 25 ($15–25 per day), tolls and traffic violations (the rental company charges you plus an administrative fee), and early return penalties (some companies charge a full day if you return even one hour early). Read the rental agreement before you sign — it's long, but the fee section is usually near the end.

If you're driving in a different state or country, check whether your rental agreement covers that. Some companies restrict where you can take the car, and crossing state lines or international borders without permission can void your coverage. If you're planning to drive to Canada or Mexico, tell the rental company when you book — they may require additional insurance or a different agreement.

GPS and phone chargers are often offered as add-ons. Skip them — use your phone's navigation app and bring your own charger. Child car seats are required by law if you're traveling with children; most rental companies charge $10–15 per day to rent one, so if you have a seat at home, it's cheaper to bring it or buy a cheap one and leave it.

Comparing rental companies for a week-long booking

The major rental companies — Enterprise, Hertz, Avis, Budget, and National — have similar pricing for a week, but they differ in customer service, car condition, and hidden fees. Enterprise and Budget tend to be cheaper for economy cars at off-airport locations. Hertz and Avis are more expensive but often have newer cars. National and Enterprise offer loyalty programs that waive some fees if you rent frequently.

Smaller companies like Turo (peer-to-peer car sharing) and regional chains can be cheaper for a week, but they have different rules: Turo lets you rent from individuals, so the car might be older or have more mileage, and you're dealing with the owner, not a corporate counter. Costco Travel and AAA sometimes offer discounted weekly rates through partnerships with major companies, so check whether you're a member.

Read recent reviews on Google and Trustpilot before booking, especially about damage disputes and refund handling. A company that's $20 cheaper per day but notorious for charging for pre-existing damage isn't a bargain.

Timing your booking and getting the best rate

Rental prices fluctuate based on demand, so booking too early or too late can cost more. Most companies allow free cancellation up to 24 hours before pickup, so booking as soon as you know your dates — even if you're not certain — locks in the current price. If the price drops, you can rebook at the lower rate and cancel the old reservation. If the price rises, you keep the lower rate.

Booking on a Tuesday or Wednesday is often cheaper than booking on a Friday, because weekend demand is already reflected in Friday bookings. Booking a week in advance is usually cheaper than booking the day before, but booking three months in advance doesn't always save money — rental companies adjust prices based on current demand, not how far out you book.

If you're a member of AAA, AARP, a military branch, or a corporate travel program, mention it when you book — some companies offer 10 to 20 percent discounts for these groups, though you have to ask or enter a code.

What to do if something goes wrong during the rental

If the car breaks down or has a mechanical problem, call the rental company when ready. They'll either send a replacement car or arrange a tow and a loaner. If you're in an accident, call the police (if anyone is injured or there's significant damage), take photos, get the other driver's information, and call the rental company before you move the car. Don't admit fault or sign anything except the police report.

If you're charged for damage you didn't cause, dispute it with the rental company in writing within 30 days. Provide photos you took at pickup, your receipt, and any police report or witness information. If the company won't budge, contact your credit card company — they can often reverse the charge if you have evidence the damage was pre-existing.

If you lose your keys or lock them in the car, the rental company will charge you for a locksmith or replacement key ($50–200). Some rental companies offer roadside information that covers this; ask when you pick up the car.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it cheaper to rent a car for a week or to rent it day-by-day?

Weekly rates are almost always cheaper per day than daily rates — typically 20 to 40 percent less. A car that costs $50 per day rented daily might cost $35 per day when booked as a seven-day rental. The savings explore only if you keep the car for the full seven days; if you return it early, you're usually charged the daily rate for the days you used it, not the weekly rate.

Can I return the rental car to a different location than where I picked it up?

Yes, most rental companies allow one-way rentals, but they charge a drop-off fee (typically $50–200 depending on distance). For a week-long rental, a one-way fee might be worth it if you're traveling across the country, but for short distances, returning to the original location is cheaper. Ask the rental company for the one-way fee before you book.

What happens if I return the car late?

Late return charges vary by company. Some charge for a full extra day if you're even one hour late; others charge a partial day rate. A few companies give you a grace period (usually 30 minutes to one hour). Check your rental agreement or call the company before you return to confirm their policy. If you're running late, call ahead — some companies will extend your reservation without penalty if you ask.

Do I need to buy extra insurance if I'm renting a car for a week?

Not necessarily. Check your personal auto insurance policy first — most cover rental cars. If you don't own a car or your policy excludes rentals, check whether your credit card offers rental coverage. Only if you're not covered by either should you buy the rental company's collision waiver. Read the terms carefully, because some policies and credit cards exclude certain types of damage.

Is it worth booking through a third-party site or directly with the rental company?

Third-party sites often show the same price as booking directly, but some rental companies offer better deals on their own websites. The trade-off is flexibility: booking directly with the company lets you modify or cancel without a middleman, and the company can sometimes waive fees or extend your reservation. If the price is the same, book directly; if a third-party site is significantly cheaper, book there but read the cancellation policy carefully.