Check rental rates at the airport and in town. City spots are often less pricey. But calculate the cost of getting there and back too. If the savings outweigh transport fees, rent downtown.
For pure convenience, just get your car hire at the San Francisco airport.
Returning the car elsewhere
Many San Fran renters take road trips. Driving up Highway 1 to LA or Vegas is popular. Some even venture to the Grand Canyon.
For one-way journeys, ensure your rental allows different drop-off locations. If crossing borders to Canada or Mexico, check policies too.
Renting in San Francisco Car Service to Los Angeles can be tricky. Here’s what to look out for.
You may think booking is easy. But they’ll charge extra at the counter.
Watch out – they might try to charge you fees like $19 per day for an extra driver, insurance, or mileage limits.
Before renting, make sure your deal includes:
- Unlimited mileage. Vehicle and third-party insurance. The right number of drivers.
- The RentCars site shows what’s included
- It’s simple to see extras on RentCars.
- They’ll probably “upgrade” your car
- Often, they won’t have your category. So they’ll give you a free upgrade. But watch out – they may pressure you to pay for it first!
- Don’t rush into pricey upgrades! Check what’s offered with your rental first.
Car GPS in the U.S.
Renting a GPS for your car in San Francisco isn’t worth it. It can cost $10 per day, making a 10-day trip $100 more expensive. Higher-end rental cars often come with built-in GPS. There are cheaper, better ways to navigate U.S. cities than renting a GPS.
- Download offline maps
- Save money by downloading your destination’s map to your phone. Check this post on getting offline Google Maps.
- But this won’t help with traffic updates or multiple cities.
Get unlimited data
For multi-city trips, buy an international SIM card with data. It’s our top choice for every trip.
With an international SIM, you get unlimited calls, WhatsApp, 4G data, and more. Order it, get it before your trip, and pop it in when you land. You’ll have full service like at home, for way less than renting a GPS.
Are kid car seats a must in the US?
Yes, for kids under 5. Rental firms offer them for $10-$15 per day. Kids under 2 must face away from the driver. 2-4-year-olds can face forward. Under 12, they ride in the back. For over 4 years, consider a booster seat. It helps them sit properly in the car seat.
Check for boosters at the rental counter. If not available, buy one from stores like Walmart.
Kid in a car seat – a US requirement
Is buying a car seat better than renting?
No, as you need one right from the rental office. To buy elsewhere, you’d need to:
Rent a car seat for a day. Go buy one and return the rented seat.
Only do this if you want to buy a US car seat for Brazil. Otherwise, just rent and enjoy your trip.
- San Fran Driving Tips
- Click a link to jump there:
- US Traffic Rules
- Parking
- Gas
- Tolls
Some US traffic rules differ from Brazil’s. Be careful after renting a car to avoid honking or accidents. If you’re from a big Brazilian city, you can drive anywhere! But US driving is super chill. Great roads, good signs, and wide lanes. Some cities have traffic, but it’s easy to get around.
Halt at the stop sign!
Stop signs mean you must fully stop your car. No peeking and going – that’ll get you a fine or cause a crash. At intersections with stop signs, right-of-way goes to whoever stopped first.
Green means go right
In the US, you can turn right at red lights unless there’s a “No Right Turn” sign. This confused me at first, with all the honking!
But watch for those “No Right Turn” signs!
The carpool lane rocks!
- US highways have a special left lane called the “carpool” or “HOV” lane. It’s just for cars with 2+ people! Use it if you’re riding with others.
- Stoplights before highways
- Traffic lights near highways change fast. Stay alert!
- American parking works differently.
- In San Francisco, some streets have meters. Insert coins for time.
- Parking meters charge by hour. Busy areas cost more. Compare low rates.
- Parking can cost $1-$10 hourly.
- Refueling rentals in the US is self-service.
- Use your card at the pump. Pick gas or diesel. Pump your tank.
- For details, see @dicasdeviagem’s highlights!
Two refuel options:
1) Insert card, pick fuel, and pump.
Paying for gas in the US is easy. Do it inside the store with a card or cash. Tell them how much you need, then fill up and get change if needed. Gasoline pump for refueling in the United States Gas pump style found in the USA Gasoline Price in the USA: How much does gasoline cost in the United States? Gas is sold by the gallon in the US, about 3.8 liters. The average price is $2.70 per gallon or $0.70 per litre. Check Global Petrol Prices for updates.
How tolls work in the USA
Most rental cars have a “No Stop” toll pass. But double check with the company. If not, be ready with coins for unmanned toll booths.
Problems on the Road: What to do?
Even careful travelers face issues like flat tyres or parking fines. Stay calm and call your rental company for help resolving the problem.
Having car issues abroad can be a hassle, but we’ve got you covered! Check out these tips:
Fines for traffic violations may get charged to your rental card. Avoid them, as those dollar fees add up fast!
My car is being towed in the USA, what now?
Keep calm! Grab all belongings from the car, including rental docs with contact info. Call the rental company to locate the impound lot. Easy peasy.
How to activate Car Insurance
Got in a fender bender? No sweat – keep your insurer’s number handy for a smooth claims process.
Have your policy number and emergency contact handy if you booked via credit card. Keep the rental company’s pamphlet if you contacted them directly.
Call your car insurance company if anything happens. Collect calls are possible.
An international cell phone chip is super helpful. It gives you unlimited calls and 4G data. Worth getting for peace of mind on your trip.
America Chip – Find out more about the international travel chip.
Buy your cell phone chip here with America Chip by clicking here!
Finalized Tips
We love using RentCars to find rental cars to and from Los Angeles. It’s the only site in Brazil that compares top rental companies worldwide, lets you pay in reais without extra fees, and offers 12 interest-free installments. Sweet deal!
# StayTip: Go for cars with full insurance coverage for you and others. Avoids surprises when picking up the rental.
