How to find a cheap car hire deal in Des Moines (DSM)
In search of a cheap Des Moines rental car? With an average price of $145 a day, you're on the road to big savings. Whether you're after a small ride, a roomy SUV, or anything in between, we round up all the best offers to land you a bargain.
$82 is the cheapest daily price for a rental at Des Moines.
Staying on in Des Moines for a while? Book a weekly rental from $405 and make room for more adventures.
To land the best deal on your DSM car hire, try to book ahead. Prices tend to rise as your travel dates get closer, and leaving it too late could mean missing out.
Hertz, Enterprise and Alamo are popular providers at Des Moines.
The coverage Hertz or another supplier offers for your Des Moines car hire can vary, so be sure to read the small print. While some include a collision damage waiver (CDW), others will provide it for an extra fee.
Consider getting a one-way rental. You might be able to score a good deal if the provider needs to move cars between branches. Find the best available rates for a car for hire in DSM by selecting 'Return car to a different location.'
Avoid any surprise charges by choosing a car hire in Des Moines with a 'Fair fuel policy.' Begin and end your trip with a full tank, and pay only for what you use.
Want to explore more without worrying about how many miles you rack up? Search for rentals with 'Unlimited mileage' under the 'Policies' filter and travel as far as you like without the extra costs.
Best value car hire options right now
The best value can be found with this company, with average prices coming in at $138 a day.
Next in line, this provider offers daily rates of around $153.
The third option also delivers savings with every booking. Expect to pay roughly $196 a day for one of their rentals.
After a car that makes sense for most travel plans? The Compact rental category is the number one choice for travellers at DSM.
Compare car hire types from Des Moines (DSM)
Small: These cheap Des Moines rental cars may be small in size, but they come with big advantages. Including mini and economy vehicles, they're easy to drive, great on mileage, and perfect for city runs or weekend trips.
Medium: Choose from compact and intermediate cars that combine comfort, fuel efficiency and space. Easy to handle in traffic and roomy enough for longer drives, they're a reliable fit for most trips.
Large: Offering a more comfortable ride and advanced tech features, this DSM car hire option includes full-size cars. With larger back seats and plenty of storage space, they let you load up and transport everyone, and everything, with ease.
SUV: When the urge to explore hits, an SUV's all in. It's your perfect road trip companion, ready for backroads, highways, and anything in between. These sports utility vehicles also offer extra space and improved safety features.
Van: Select this vehicle category when you want a car for rent in Des Moines that can handle the big jobs. With options like commercial vans and trucks, they're designed to transport more, whether that's supplies, suitcases or a bunch of your favourite people.
Insurance and optional extras
Choosing excess insurance for your DSM car hire gives you peace of mind. It protects you from paying a hefty excess fee in case of theft or damage. Insurance policies can vary between rental providers, so check how each one stacks up.
Upgrade your ride with extras like a reverse camera or navigation unit. These features can make your drive more efficient and enjoyable when you rent a car in Des Moines.
Good to know
The minimum age to rent a car in the United States is generally 21 years old. However some providers make their own rules, so check your rental company's terms to find out where you stand.
If the kids are coming with you, find out if you need to add a child car seat to your DSM car hire booking. Whether required by local laws or not, they're always the safest way for youngsters to travel.
You'll need some documents when you pick up your ride. As a rule, bring your physical driver's licence, a credit card with enough balance for the deposit (debit cards usually aren't accepted), and another form of photo ID. Your booking confirmation will spell it all out.
Driving in the United States can take some adjustment if it's your first time. Keep in mind traffic flows on the right side of the road.
Local speed limits are often about 40kph in built-up areas and around 110kph on highways. Road signs will show if a different limit applies.
In the United States, the legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit is 0.08%. If you intend to drink, hand the keys to someone else or arrange a taxi or ride-share instead.
You'll be using the United States dollar (USD) for all your purchases throughout your trip. You may find it handy to carry a mix of cash and cards to cover you in every situation.
Drive smarter from the start
Get into the fast lane once you've grabbed the keys to your DSM car hire. You've got the freedom to go wherever you choose, but if you're headed to central Des Moines, it'll take you about 15 minutes to cover the 11 kilometres or so northeast.
Driving from Des Moines to the city centre during peak hour can take up to 25 minutes.
Try to travel outside heavy traffic periods for a smoother run in general. 5pm is one of the busiest times to be on the road in this destination.
You can also get the keys to a car hire in Des Moines. If you don't need a vehicle right after you arrive, hold off until you're in the city and save on rental costs.
Hit the road: Where to drive from Des Moines (DSM)
Before leaving town, do some sightseeing around Des Moines first. Popular attractions like Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden and Science Centre of Iowa & Blank IMAX Dome Theatre are a great opening act for your trip.
Around 56 kilometres north of DSM, Ames should be on your itinerary. Head to can't-miss sights like Reiman Gardens and Audubon Trail.
Want to head even further out? Lincoln is a fun road trip destination that's about 274 kilometres west of DSM. Hyde Observatory and Museum of American Speed are ideal pit stops.
