Renting a Car at Los Angeles Airport
Last updated: 29 July 2026
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) moved all rental car operations to the Consolidated Rent-A-Car Facility (ConRAC) in 2023 — a $2 billion facility connected to the terminals by the free LAX-it shuttle and the new Automated People Mover (APM). All major brands — Hertz, Avis, Budget, Enterprise, National, Alamo, Dollar, Thrifty, Sixt — share the massive building.
🎯 Quick Tip
Use the new APM (Automated People Mover) train to reach the ConRAC — it's faster and more reliable than the shuttle buses. The APM runs from each terminal to the ConRAC in under 5 minutes and operates 24/7.
Compare QEEQ, Localrent, Economybookings, AutoEurope, GetRentacar & Europcar at LAX
Economybookings.comAggregates 800+ rental companies including all major brands operating at LAX
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QEEQStrong fleet selection at Los Angeles Airport with competitive United States rates
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GetRentacar.comMarketplace of local owners and agencies with live inventory in 80 countries — check live listings at LAX
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Localrent.comLists local US operators, but the fleet here is small compared with its core markets — worth comparing against the brokers at LAX
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Europcar (US & Canada)Direct supplier with its own airport desks — not a broker. Credit card in the driver’s name required at LAX; debit and prepaid cards are not accepted.
Check LAX PricesAirport Pickup Tips
Take the APM or shuttle to the ConRAC. Counters are organized by brand on the ground floor — find yours and present your license, credit card, and booking confirmation. LAX is one of the busiest rental markets in the US — summer waits can hit 30-45 minutes. Reserve the highest-tier loyalty program status you can for priority pickup lanes.
LA's stop-and-go freeway traffic means bumper damage is endemic. Check front and rear bumpers carefully, plus door dings from tight parking lot maneuvers. California's strong sun damages dashboards and headlights — check for UV clouding. The ConRAC's lighting is good, but a phone flashlight helps for small scratches.
Explore Los Angeles by Car
LA is America's car culture capital — you essentially need wheels to function here. The Pacific Coast Highway stretching north to Big Sur is one of the world's great drives, and Joshua Tree is just two hours east.
Top drive from Los Angeles: Pacific Coast Highway — LA to Big Sur
Full Los Angeles Car Hire Guide →
Hotels near Los Angeles Airport
Landing late or returning the car before an early flight? The map below compares live hotel prices around Los Angeles Airport and nearby areas — handy for the night before pickup or drop-off:
Getting from Los Angeles Airport to the City
LAX is in Westchester. For Santa Monica, take Lincoln Blvd north (20 min off-peak). For Hollywood, take I-405 north to US-101 (35 min off-peak). For Downtown LA, take I-105 east to I-110 north (30 min off-peak). For San Diego, take I-405 south to I-5 (2 hours). For Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) to Malibu, head north on PCH (30 min to Malibu).
Fox Rent A Car and Midway operate from South La Cienega Boulevard, a few km from the ConRAC. Both offer budget rates 20-30% below major brands. For premium vehicles, Turo (peer-to-peer car sharing) operates extensively at LAX with Tesla, BMW, and Mercedes listings at competitive rates.
What to Know Before Driving from LAX
USA drives on the right. California freeway speed limit is 65 mph (some sections 70 mph), surface streets 35-45 mph. Right turns on red are legal after stopping. Carpool (HOV) lanes on I-405 and I-10 require 2+ passengers during rush hour — solo violators face $490+ fines. Parking in LA is expensive: $15-30/day in most neighborhoods. Metered street parking uses the ParkMobile app.
The ConRAC exits onto Aviation Boulevard, connecting to the I-405 (north/south) and I-105 (east). LA without GPS is impossible — program your destination before leaving the building. Traffic is heavy 6-10 AM and 3-8 PM on virtually every freeway. Consider renting a car with SiriusXM or a good Bluetooth system — you'll spend significant time in the car.
Fuel Stations Near LAX
Chevron, Shell, and ARCO stations are on Sepulveda Boulevard and La Cienega near LAX. Gas prices in LA average approximately $5.10/gallon — among the highest in the US. ARCO is consistently the cheapest brand (cash only at some locations). If driving to San Diego or toward the desert, gas drops by $0.50-1.00/gallon outside LA County.
Local Driving Tip
LA's carpool (HOV) lanes on the 405 and 110 freeways require 2+ passengers — using them solo earns a $490+ fine. The 10 freeway between Santa Monica and downtown can take 90 minutes in rush hour despite being only 15 miles.