Best time to rent a car before your trip (based on booking data)

People often assume that booking as early as possible guarantees the best possible car rental price. In reality, car prices follow a predictable pattern that users might not expect. 

There are several factors that affect car rental prices, including seasonality, demand, car availability, location, and supplier pricing strategies. And it might still be possible to get a good car rental deal any time - whether it’s renting last-minute or more than a month prior. 

That said, we’ve observed clear patterns in how rental prices change depending on how far in advance a reservation is made, which helps answer a common question many travellers ask - do car rental prices go down closer to the pickup date?

When is the best time to rent a car before a trip?

Based on our research (see the chart below), the best time to rent a car before your trip is between 2-31 days before the pickup date, when the average daily prices are the lowest. Reserving 6 days before the pickup date has the lowest rates by small increments. 

How rental car prices change as the pickup date approaches

It might surprise some people that rental car prices don’t steadily decrease the earlier you book. Instead, they are a bit more expensive last-minute and steadily increase after 32+ days before pickup day. 

0-1 before pickup

Prices are typically a bit higher in the final 24 hours before pickup. At this stage, availability becomes tighter, and suppliers face more uncertainty, which can result in higher cost for the car rentals. While good deals are still possible, travellers may have fewer vehicle options to choose from.

2-31 days before pickup

This is the most optimal booking window. Prices reach their lowest levels and remain relatively stable, making this the cheapest time to rent a car on average. Supplier availability is clearer, competition is strongest, and travellers benefit from the best balance of price and vehicle choice.

32+ days before pickup

Prices steadily rise with each day after more than a month before the pickup date. Prices continue to rise until around 150 days, where they peak and start to become more volatile over time. Suppliers aren’t certain about the car availability and demand at this point, which can explain the rising prices. Booking this early is approximately 10-25% more expensive than last-minute bookings, according to our data.

When do most people actually book their rental car?

Most travellers book their rental car very close to the pickup date rather than far in advance. According to our internal data, 52% of the users book within a week before the pickup date and 84% book within 31 days before the pickup date. Booking activity is highest in the last few days before pickup, especially on the pickup day itself. Reservations become much less common the further out you look. To better illustrate this behaviour, we created a chart showing the share of total reservations made at each lead time before pickup.

Why are car rental prices higher both last-minute and far in advance?

Rental car prices are often higher at both the booking windows - same day to pickup and far in advance. Last-minute car rentals tend to cost more because availability becomes limited and suppliers can charge a premium for urgent demand. On the other hand, booking more than a month ahead can also be more expensive, as suppliers face greater uncertainty around future demand, fleet planning, and seasonal shifts. As a result, the best prices are usually found in the middle window (2-31 days).

Summary - Booking Timing Recommendations

To summarise, the best time to book a rental car is typically between 2 and 31 days before the pickup date. While last-minute car rentals can be slightly more expensive, the increase isn’t always as significant as many travellers expect. On the other hand, booking several months in advance usually isn’t necessary, as prices can become higher and more unpredictable the further out you reserve. But that being said, it is possible to find a good deal in any time frame. 

The good news is that there’s no need to stress about finding the perfect booking day. If your plans change or you find a better deal later on, Economybookings.com customers can cancel their reservation and receive a 100% refund up to 48 hours before pickup.