Car rental in USA Colorado

Tips for scoring a cheap car to rent in Colorado

Are you hoping to save some money on a rental car in Colorado? If so, Economybookings can help. With us, it’s easy to compare multiple providers to find the best possible deal, no matter where you plan to start your Centennial State adventure. Whether you're planning to visit Colorado’s world-famous ski resorts, spend some quality time at the national parks, or try some urban exploring around Denver and Colorado Springs, a quick comparison can save you time and money.

• Compare pickup locations – Select the broader urban area 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, deserts, and rural regions, a sportier four-wheel drive vehicle can help navigate through rougher terrain. But if you mostly plan on exploring up and down the Front Range, a compact car can help you save time on finding parking and money on fuel costs.
• Book early – Peak travel times like summer hiking season (June-August) and winter ski season (November-March) often see higher prices, so reserving in advance helps secure better rates and availability.

Tips when renting a car in Colorado

• Rent a car if you plan to go beyond the big cities to reach deeper into the Rocky Mountains and other rural areas, as mass transit options are limited outside major cities.
• Avoid rush hour traffic on major highways like I-25, I-70, US 85, and E-470, especially around city centers and popular areas. 
• Picking up your rental car at major airports like Denver and Colorado Springs provides the best vehicle selection and access to toll road options.
• Choose a mid-size or compact car for easier parking at city centers and maximum fuel efficiency. But if your itinerary includes more rural areas, look for a car with four-wheel drive and ski racks to store your gear. 
• Colorado currently has no emission zones or congestion pricing programs, but the Front Range region does have some toll roads—ask your rental company about toll payment options.
• Always inspect the car and take photos before and after your rental.

Driving tips in Colorado

• 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: Conoco, Sinclair, Phillips 66, and Shell.
• 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-25 and I-70 connect popular destinations, so they often experience traffic on weekends and during major holidays. (For instance, the westbound lanes of I-70 west of Downtown Denver regularly get jammed on Fridays during ski season.)

Speed limits

Under Colorado state law, speed limits are 65 mph (105 km/h) on freeways, 55 mph (89 km/h) on non-interstate highways, 40 mph (64 km/h) on open mountain highways, 30 mph (48 km/h) on roads in most residential areas, 25 mph (40 km/h) on streets in urban business districts, and 20 mph (32 km/h) on narrow mountain roads.

When driving on Denver city streets without posted speed limit signs, note that the citywide default speed limit is 20 mph. Otherwise, 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 Colorado, 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.

Toll roads and express lanes

As of 2025, Colorado has a network of toll roads and express lanes that primarily serve the Front Range urban corridor. In short, E-470 operates as a full toll road east of I-25, from Thornton to Englewood, and Northwest Parkway and C-470 have some toll lanes that continue west. In addition, I-25, I-70, and the Denver-Boulder Turnpike have pay-to-use express lanes. 

Northwest Parkway does have a physical toll booth, but E-470 and the freeway express lanes have gone all-digital for billing and payment. Generally in Colorado, your rental car will likely already be registered with an ExpressToll account. Still, it pays to check with your rental car agency for their toll road coverage policies and surcharges (on top of the standard toll fees).

Discover Colorado by car

While it’s possible to go car-free in Denver, a rental car makes it much easier to explore more of the state. Especially if you’re planning to visit popular mountain towns like Aspen and Steamboat Springs, you will need a car to get around. It will also open up opportunities to discover natural treasures like Rocky Mountain National Park and Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve. In short, a rental car lets you explore areas that buses and trains don’t reach.

When to Visit

Colorado abounds in beautiful four-season destinations, but keep in mind that these destinations often fall prey to seasonal conditions. In winter, the ski resorts open for the season, and the combination of visitor traffic and snowy/icy roads can make for long drives on I-70. In addition, some mountain resort towns fill up during the summer season, when visitors come for epic hiking, biking, climbing, and water sports excursions. 

Though Colorado may not be as famous for its fall foliage as New England, it’s a wildly underrated leaf peeping hotspot, and early to mid-October is the best time for leaf peeping in the mountains. Meanwhile, if you’re traveling to go skiing or snowboarding, February and March tend to be the best months for a Colorado ski trip. 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 Colorado, 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, Hindi, Chinese, Vietnamese, and Tagalog. From theme parks to restaurants and hotels, Colorado 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

Colorado uses the U.S. 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 Colorado cities

If you like road trips into the wilderness, you will fall in love with the open roads of Colorado. Even if you’re more of a city slicker, there’s a lot to experience across the Front Range. No matter your preference of city or country, these top driving routes highlight some of the best day trips and weekend getaways across the state:

• Fort Collins – Anchoring the north end of Colorado’s Front Range corridor, Fort Collins is a cool mountain (and college) town with a lively Old Town and a rich craft beer scene.
• Rocky Mountain National Park – Once you make it to this iconic national park between Fort Collins and Boulder, you will understand why it’s one of the United States’ most popular with its vast array of “14er” (or 14,000 foot-plus) mountain peaks, roaring rivers, and tranquil lakes. 
• Boulder – The University of Colorado makes Boulder a uniquely brainy mountain town, but it also knows how to have fun with a funky downtown and a number of gorgeous mountain trails.
• Denver – Over the years, Colorado’s state capital and largest city has grown a “mile-high” reputation for dynamic culinary delights, ambitious sports teams, sophisticated neighborhoods like River North Art District (RiNo) and Lower Downtown (LoDo), and amazing nearby parks like Red Rocks and Genesee. 
• Colorado Springs – Come for iconic natural landmarks like Pikes Peak and Garden of the Gods, and stay to discover additional gems like the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Museum and the Cottonwood Center for the Arts.
• Salida – At the “Heart of the Rockies,” you will find soothing hot springs, world-class rafting in the Arkansas River, and ample opportunities to hike and climb the “14ers” of the Sawatch Range. Farther south, you can reach the otherworldly landscapes of Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve.
• Aspen – Perhaps Colorado’s most famous ski town, Aspen boasts the world-famous Aspen Snowmass ski area, the breathtakingly beautiful Maroon Bells, the fascinatingly historic Independence Ghost Town, and perhaps the United States’ most five-star array of luxury resorts, restaurants, and boutiques outside of Los Angeles and New York City. 
• Steamboat Springs – As more of a “denim and diamonds” kind of ski town, Steamboat Springs still has remnants of its more rustic “Old West” past in its historic downtown. Meanwhile, Steamboat Ski Resort is a nice, family-friendly place to ride down some of that signature “champagne powder.”
• Grand Junction – Situated in the arid Grand Valley, Grand Junction offers spectacularly colorful landscapes at Colorado National Monument, a refreshing array of water sports at the Colorado and Gunnison Rivers, and even a burgeoning local wine country region centered in the nearby town of Palisade.
• Telluride – While it requires a longer drive (from Denver or Colorado Springs) than most of Colorado’s other major ski towns, the drive to Telluride is absolutely worth it for incredible skiing and snowboarding at Telluride Ski Resort, as well as legendary waterfalls like Bridal Veil and Bear Creek, and one of North America’s most daring via ferrata climbing scenes.