#United States #Palm Springs #Los Angeles #Long Beach #car rental

Uncovering the High Costs of Car Rentals This Winter

As winter sets in, travelers often find themselves facing unexpected expenses, particularly when it comes to car rentals. Recent research conducted by CheapCarRental.com uncovers the startling fact that Palm Springs has emerged as the third most expensive airport in the nation for car rentals during this winter season.

According to the survey results, travelers heading to Palm Springs will find themselves paying an average of $91 per day for the most economical rental vehicle. This figure firmly positions Palm Springs behind only the Hawaiian locations of Kona and Kahului, where daily rates soar to $127 and $104, respectively.

The nationwide analysis spanned rental prices from 100 airports across the U.S., covering the time frame from December 2025 to February 2026. The findings reveal that while Palm Springs has earned its spot near the top of the list, it narrowly outpaces Long Beach Airport, where the average daily rate for a car rental is $90.

California’s Dominance in High Rental Costs

Continuing with the trend of steep prices, other airports in California are also prominently featured throughout the rankings. For instance, Burbank Airport ranks seventh, boasting an average daily charge of $79. Following closely behind are Oakland Airport at $75 and San Francisco International Airport at $72. Meanwhile, Los Angeles International Airport offers rentals around $71, and Santa Ana Airport remains comparatively lower at $65.

Despite these high costs, the overall average for car rentals across the surveyed airports stands at $62.25 per day, representing a minor uptick of 1% from last winter. Interestingly, these winter rates are significantly lower than those typically seen during the busy summer months, showcasing a reduction of more than 17% compared to peak summer pricing.

Top 10 Most Expensive U.S. Car Rental Locations

To further illustrate the current landscape of car rental prices, here’s a brief overview of the ten most exorbitant destinations for car rentals this winter, along with their average daily rental rates:
1. Kona (KOA) - $127
2. Kahului (OGG) - $104
3. Palm Springs (PSP) - $91
4. Long Beach (LGB) - $90
5. Madison (MAD) - $83
6. Boise (BOI) - $81
7. Lihue (LIH) - $79
8. Burbank (BUR) - $79
9. Louisville (SDF) - $77
10. Phoenix (PHX) - $76

This list underscores the growing trend of increased car rental costs in key locations, particularly as travelers gear up for holiday getaways and leisure trips.

Conclusion

As travelers navigate the ongoing challenges of booking affordable transportation, the findings from CheapCarRental.com serve as a timely reminder to budget adequately for car rental expenses this winter. With rates surging in popular hot spots like Palm Springs and Long Beach, it’s wise for travelers to consider their options early and make arrangements well in advance to avoid the peak prices.