Car Rental in Cleveland, Ohio: Driving through the “New American City”
Located on the banks of Lake Erie, Cleveland is a Midwestern metropolis full of arts, great eateries, and the sites of fun experiences. Even though the city was founded in 1796, you’ll find that the streets accommodate the size of modern-day American cars and that the city grid is easy to navigate. Make the most of your visit to Cleveland by staying comfortable and independent in your rental car. Here is a brief guide to finding the cheapest rental cars in Cleveland.
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Cleveland rental cars are available in over 10 locations throughout the city, including at the Cleveland Airport, downtown, in Beachwood, and in Solon. Cleveland car hire typically starts just under $50 a day for short-term rental car contracts. You can typically save around $15 a day by extending your rental period to 10 days or more.
Tips for Finding Cheap Car Rentals in Cleveland, Ohio
The cheapest location at which to rent a car in Cleveland, Ohio is the Cleveland Airport (CLE). Also known as the Cleveland Hopkins International Airport, the Cleveland Airport is located just 12 miles southwest of downtown Cleveland. Prices for rental cars are so cheap at the Cleveland Airport, because over 6 rental car companies are in constant competition to provide customers the best deals on rental cars in the Cleveland area. These rental car companies include Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, and Hertz.
Keep an eye out for additional discounts on rental cars at the Cleveland Airport, where the rental car company, Thrifty, often offers discounts of around 17%. By taking advantage of these discounts, you can often book a premium rental car for the typical price of an economy rental car in Cleveland.
Daily rates for rental cars typically stay low in Cleveland no matter how far in advance you book your rental car. Particularly if you are planning on visiting the city during major events or the busiest tourist seasons, book your rental car in advance to get the best deals on economy rental cars throughout the city.
Tips for navigating the city in your Cleveland rental car
Parking your rental car in downtown Cleveland
- On-street parking can be a challenge to find in downtown Cleveland, and meters in some zones may require you to pay for parking as late as 10 pm. On-street parking fees, time limits, and time periods are currently in flux in Cleveland, so be sure to double-check signs when you leave your rental car on the street side in downtown Cleveland. On-street parking typically costs between 75 cents and $1.50 throughout all the metered streets in the city.
- Parking in parking garages is often more convenient, and you can often find great daily rates as low as $9. The price of hourly parking varies depending on when you enter the garage and how close the parking garage or lot is to major attractions.
- You can also avoid the hassle of driving and parking your rental car in downtown Cleveland by parking at one of the free park and ride parking lots in the outer areas of the city. Over 30 park and ride parking lots are located in Cleveland’s outer suburbs, offering over 8,000 free parking spots conveniently located at public transportation terminals. If you need to leave your car overnight, be sure to use one of the designated overnight parking spots. Overnight parking is permitted for up to 3 days on the Blue or Green Lines and for up to 5 days on the Red Line. Fares for public transportation typically cost between $2.50 and $4.
Toll roads in Ohio:
- The only tolled highway in the state of Ohio is the Ohio Turnpike, the section of highway I-80 that runs East-West south of Cleveland, connecting Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to Chicago, Illinois. If you were to drive the total length of the Ohio Turnpike in your rental car, you would pay just over $18. The toll is payable via cash, credit card, or EZ-Pass. This fee is $6 cheaper if your rental car is outfitted with an EZ-Pass. If you plan on driving the Ohio Turnpike frequently during your visit to Cleveland, be sure to ask if your car has been outfitted with an EZ-Pass and whether surcharges apply to your use of electronic toll monitoring.
