Car rental in USA Arizona

Tips for scoring a cheap car to rent in Arizona

Need a cheap car rental in Arizona? With Economybookings, you can easily compare multiple providers to find the best possible deal, no matter where you plan to embark upon your Grand Canyon State adventure. Whether you're planning to visit the iconic Grand Canyon, the majestic landscapes of Monument Valley, the cool mountain town of Flagstaff, or the many urban treasures of Phoenix, a quick comparison can save you time and money.

• Compare pickup locations – Select the broader city instead of a specific location to unlock more deal options, including off-airport savings.
• Slightly adjust pickup times and dates – Even changing your booking by an hour can reveal lower rates.
• Choose the right car for your needs – For more rugged excursions into the mountains and deserts, a sportier four-wheel drive vehicle can help navigate through rougher terrain. But if you mostly plan on exploring major cities like Phoenix and Tucson, a compact car can help you save time on finding parking and money on fuel costs.
• Book early – Peak travel times like winter snowbird season (November-February) and spring break (March-April) often see higher prices, so reserving in advance helps secure better rates and availability.

Tips when renting a car in Arizona

• Rent a car if you plan to go beyond the big cities to reach suburban areas, smaller towns, theme parks, and the mountains, as mass transit options are limited outside major cities.
• Avoid rush hour traffic on major freeways like I-10, I-17, and I-40, especially around city centers and popular areas. (For example, I-10 and I-17 in Downtown Phoenix tend to be notoriously jammed during weekday rush hour.)
• Picking up your rental car at major airports like Phoenix-Sky Harbor (PHX) and Tucson International (TUS) provides the best vehicle selection and access to toll road options.
• Choose a mid-size or compact car for easier parking at attractions, resorts, and city centers, and to maximize fuel efficiency for day trips.
• Arizona currently has no emission zones, congestion pricing programs, or toll roads.
• Always inspect the car and take photos before and after your rental.

Driving tips in Arizona

• Drive on the right and overtake on the left.
• Headlights flash as a polite signal (e.g., to let you pass), not as aggression.
• On freeways faster drivers tend to drive in the left lanes, while the right lanes move more slowly.
• Use parking apps like ParkMobile or SpotHero to find and pay for metered spots in popular areas.
• Note parking signage: Many street parking spots in downtown areas have time limits during the day, and some residential areas restrict street parking to permit holders.
• Popular gas stations: Chevron, Shell, Marathon, and ARCO.
• Keep your license, rental papers, and insurance with you at all times. (You might also want to keep your passport or proof of valid passport within easy reach as well.)
• Major freeways like I-10, I-17, and I-40 connect popular destinations, so they often experience traffic on weekends and during major holidays. (For instance, the northbound lanes on I-17 can be busy on Fridays during the summer season, when Phoenix residents escape the heat and retreat to cooler mountain towns like Sedona and Flagstaff.)

Speed limits

Under Arizona state law, speed limits are 65 mph (105 km/h) on urban freeways and 25 mph (40 km/h) on smaller residential streets. In addition, Phoenix sets speed limits between 25 mph and 55 mph (89 km/h) on various major thoroughfare roads (or “stroads”). And over in Tucson, they are currently in the process of setting new speed limits ranging from 25 mph to 40 mph (64 km/h) on their major local thoroughfares.

In rural areas outside Maricopa and Pima Counties, freeway and highway speed limits can go as high as 75 mph (121 km/h). Always watch for posted signs, as limits can vary.

Road signs

US road signs follow international standards and are usually clear and well-placed. They’re primarily in English and use symbols for quick understanding. Speed limit signs are in miles per hour (mph). In Arizona, look out for signs marking one-way only streets, bus-only lanes, shared bike lines, and designated school lanes, which may have time-based restrictions and speed limits.

Tolls, fees, and restrictions

As of 2026, Arizona has no toll roads or congestion pricing programs in place. But in Phoenix, you may run into some interesting street set-ups, such as the reverse traffic lanes on Seventh Street and Seventh Avenue near Downtown. Check the signs and stay aware of “The Sevens” and their lanes’ current directions when driving around Phoenix’s urban core.

If you plan to drive to any of the region’s regional parks, state parks, and national parks, monuments, or other public lands, note that many of these parks do charge vehicle entry fees. In particular, if you will be doing a longer road trip to Grand Canyon National Park, the National Park Service typically charges a $35 vehicle fee, and that they have begun to charge higher fees for international visitors. (If you’re an international visitor who plans to visit multiple national parks, it might be worth paying $250 for the full annual pass.) And for Arizona State Parks, entrance fees tend to range from $10 to $30 per person.

Discover Arizona by car

Renting a car in California opens up wide swaths of the state to explore. Beyond the major resorts of Phoenix and Tucson, you can discover incredible national park lands, spectacular mountain scenery, and rich indigenous culture. From the glorious landscapes of Navajo Nation to the iconic saguaro cacti groves of the Sonoran Desert, Arizona is made for road trips. A rental car lets you explore areas that buses and trains don’t reach.

When to Visit

Arizona has many year-round destinations, but some areas are affected by seasonal conditions. In winter, the state’s ski resorts open for the season, and mountain roads can be affected by severe ice and snow storms. On the flip side, hot summer weather can be particularly brutal in Phoenix and Tucson, and Arizona Monsoon season thunderstorms add some extra unpredictability into the equation.

For the best road trip weather, try the winter and spring months in Maricopa and Pima Counties, when you will experience the most pleasant weather. Meanwhile, for Northern Arizona, summertime brings the nicest weather, while autumn is an underrated time for fewer crowds and beautiful fall foliage. Whenever you plan to hit the open road, make sure to pack water and sunscreen, and to check weather forecasts before leaving.

Languages & Communication

English is the primary language spoken in Arizona, but the state is highly multicultural and home to diverse communities. As you explore, you’re likely to hear a wide range of languages, including Spanish, Tagalog, Vietnamese, and Chinese. From national parks to restaurants and hotels, Arizona is well-equipped to welcome global visitors, with most signage and services available in English and staff often experienced in assisting non-English speakers.

Currency & Payments

Arizona uses the US Dollar (USD$). Credit and debit cards are widely accepted, with contactless payments commonly used at gas stations, parking meters, restaurants, and shops. ATMs are readily available throughout cities and surrounding areas, making it easy to withdraw cash if needed.

Top driving routes from Arizona cities

Arizona makes a particularly great state for road trips. Whether you aim to go climb some mountains, wander the open desert, or relax at a luxurious resort spa, these top driving routes highlight some of the best day trips and weekend getaways across the state:

• Tucson – This city abounds in fascinating Mexican-American and Native American cultural experiences, gorgeous natural landmarks like Mount Lemmon, the Catalina Foothills, and Saguaro National Park, and posh spa-centric resorts like Miraval and Loews Ventana Canyon
• Phoenix – Arizona’s state capital is also the centre of the action, with an increasingly lively Downtown, amazing museums like the Heard and Phoenix Art Museum, phenomenal nature parks like Camelback Mountain and Phoenix Mountains Preserve, and a treasure trove of luxury spa resorts and award-winning golf courses
• Lake Havasu City – Perhaps the closest Arizona comes to having a “beach town,” Lake Havasu offers ample opportunities to sail around the Colorado River, (responsibly) partake in the local boat party culture, and even see the real-life London Bridge that was moved here from the UK in 1971
• Prescott – This roughly mile-high mountain town is a nature lover’s paradise with parks and public lands like Granite Basin Recreation Area, Goldwater Lake, and Lynx Lake, and Downtown’s Whiskey Row is a fun spot for a nighttime pub crawl
• Sedona – Whether you drive here to experience the sandstone red rock “vortexes,” the wealth of tremendous hike and bike trails, or wellness-centric luxury spa resorts like L’Auberge and Enchantment, Sedona offers a full feast for the senses
• Flagstaff – Not only is Northern Arizona University (NAU) located here, but it also has a fun and funky historic downtown, along with what may be the state’s best ski area at the Arizona Snowbowl
• Grand Canyon National Park – It can be a long drive from Phoenix (and even longer from Tucson), but this is one of the United States’ most beloved national parks thanks to its majestic colourful landscapes, its abundance in historic (and prehistoric) treasures, and its wide array of trails for hikers and walkers at all levels
• Page – At first glance, this Northern Arizona town might seem far removed from everything, yet it’s actually close to tremendously beautiful public lands like Vermillion Cliffs National Monument (home of the famous Horseshoe Bend) and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument (just across the Utah state line), and it opens up to the magnificently azure waters of Lake Powell
• Monument Valley – Located on Navajo Nation indigenous tribal land, here is where to go for iconic rock formations like the Mitten Buttes that have featured in countless classic Western films, and for unique Navajo cultural experiences and authentic indigenous-made artisan goods