How to find a cheap car hire deal in State College
Whether you need a compact for zipping around town or an SUV built for road trips, we'll help you find a cheap rental car in State College. Pick from options averaging 93 € a day and hit the road for less.
The cheapest daily price for a rental in State College is 66 €.
Planning an extended stay and want to explore beyond the tourist trail? 462 € is the lowest rate for a weekly rental.
Timing is everything when it comes to finding the best price on a State College car hire. Try booking around two weeks before you go.
Enterprise, Alamo and Avis are some of the most popular providers in the city. They're a smart place to start comparing offers.
Always check if a collision damage waiver (CDW) is part of your State College car hire policy, whether you go with Enterprise or another supplier. Some may leave it out of the standard package and offer it as an extra.
Booking a one-way car hire can be your secret weapon for finding a deal. Simply select 'Return car to a different location.' Providers often have to move vehicles from one location to another, which means you can snag some awesome one-way prices on a car for rent in State College.
Search for a vehicle with a 'Fair fuel policy.' You'll pick up and drop off your ride with a full tank, so you're only paying for what you use. No hidden refueling charges at drop-off either.
Hit the highway without watching the miles and racking up additional charges. Go to the 'Policies' filter and select 'Unlimited mileage' to find a ride that lets you roam without limits.
Best value car hire options right now
The best value overall comes from this company, with average prices at 101 € a day.
Offering daily rates of around 108 €, this provider comes in next.
The third option also shows up on the list of top-value suppliers. Drive off in one of their rentals for roughly 107 € a day.
The Compact rental category is a reliable choice if you're not sure what sort of ride you need. It's also the vehicle type that's rented the most in State College.
Flying to State College? Think about an airport pick-up
Kick off your State College trip quicker by picking up a car hire at State College Airport. The city centre is about 10 kilometres away from this airport, which is a drive of around 15 minutes.
Compare car hire types in State College
Small: These cheap rental cars in State College may be small in size, but they're big on practicality. Including mini and economy vehicles, they're easy to drive, great on mileage, and a match made in heaven for city driving.
Medium: Choose from compact and intermediate cars that combine fuel efficiency, comfort and space. Easy to manoeuvre in cities and roomy enough for longer drives, they work well for most trips.
Large: Long drives are effortless in this State College car hire category. Also known as full-size, they're built with bigger engines for better driving. The extra legroom and comfort make them a great option for families and groups of friends.
SUV: Enjoy a higher driving position and better visibility of what's ahead in an SUV. Whether you're navigating trickier terrain or cruising along smooth highways, many offer all-wheel drive to help you tackle any road.
Van: Select this vehicle category when you need a car for rent in State College that can handle the heavy stuff. Usually featuring commercial vans and trucks, they're designed to carry more, whether that's equipment, luggage or groups of people.
Insurance and optional extras
Adding excess insurance to your State College car hire can take the stress out of driving. It protects you from paying a hefty excess fee in case of theft or an accident. Insurance policies can differ between rental providers, so compare before you book.
From GPS units to mobile Wi-Fi hotspots, the right extras can make all the difference. Weigh up which features could make your trip more comfortable when you rent a car in State College.
Good to know
The minimum age to rent a vehicle in the United States is generally 21 years old. However providers may have their own rules, so always read your rental company's policy to make sure you meet the requirements.
If you're travelling with kids, check if you need to add a child car seat to your State College car rental booking. Whether local laws require them or not, they're always the safest way for youngsters to travel.
You'll have to provide some documents when you get to the rental counter. As a general rule, bring your physical driver's licence, a credit card with enough funds for the excess (most companies don't accept debit cards), and another form of photo ID. Your booking will lay out the exact list.
Driving in the United States can take some adjustment if it's your first time. Keep in mind you'll need to stick to the right side of the road.
Stay within local speed limits of about 40kph in built-up areas and around 110kph on highways. Road signs will indicate if the limit is different.
In the United States, the legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit is 0.08%. If you're planning to have a drink or two, get someone else to do the driving or arrange a ride-share or taxi instead.
One of the busiest times to be on the road in this destination is around 5pm. Make travel easier by steering clear of peak periods.
The United States dollar (USD) is the currency you'll be using for day-to-day purchases and activities. Pay with a debit or credit card when it's convenient, and keep some cash handy when electronic payments aren't accepted.
Best hotels in State College for drivers
Spend less time hunting for a parking spot and more time relaxing at The Nittany Lion Inn. Around 2 kilometres from central State College, it comes with parking, a restaurant and a 24-hour front desk.
Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, State College (Penn State Area), PA also works well for a trip built around driving. It features accessible parking, plus wake-up call services and a laundry. Make this your base and you'll be roughly 3 kilometres from the city centre.
Explore the full range of hotels in State College and pick the stay that matches your trip. Filters make it easy to tailor your search to your needs — like 'Parking,' 'Outdoor parking,' or 'Valet parking.' There's even an 'Electric vehicle (EV) charging station' filter to find hotels with charging access.
It's time to start exploring now you've found a car hire deal in State College and your hotel. From beaver stadium to Palmer Museum of Art and The State Theatre, you'll never run out of things to do here.
Hit the road: Where to drive to from State College
Altoona should be on your to-do list if you're eager to visit Railroaders Memorial Museum and Altoona Railroaders Memorial Museum. This city is about 56 kilometres southwest of central State College.
They've perfected the guest experience at Super 8 by Wyndham Altoona and TownePlace Suites Altoona, two accommodation options with parking in Altoona.
Add Williamsport to your travel plans. Pick up your cheap car hire in State College and drive about 88 kilometres northeast to take in hot spots like Original Little League Field and Susquehanna State Park.
Genetti Hotel, SureStay Collection by Best Western and Fairfield Inn & Suites Williamsport are comfortable places to stay in Williamsport if you've got more than a quick stop in mind. Book one of these and enjoy an easy pull-up-and-check-in experience.
Stretch your journey and road-trip it to Washington DC, around 225 kilometres south of State College. First, visit Lincoln Memorial, then follow it up with The White House.
All that's left to do now is sleep. The Royal Sonesta Washington DC Dupont Circle and Generator Hotel Washington DC have space for both you and your wheels while visiting Washington DC.
