Check out the latest trends and booking tips to hire a car in Detroit with confidence.
How far in advance should you book a rental car in Detroit?
You should book your rental car in Detroit around 7 days before your trip in order to get a below-average price.
What is the cheapest car rental company in Detroit?
In the past 72 hours, the cheapest rental cars were found at Dollar (S$ 27.63/day), Enterprise Rent-A-Car (S$ 39.69/day) and Hertz (S$ 44.03/day). The cheapest car hire price was found at Dollar 334 Lucas Dr (25.6 km from city centre).
What is the most popular rental car in Detroit?
Hires in the SUV category (Chevrolet Blazer or similar) are the most popular option in Detroit, costing S$ 100/day on average. Some users have found deals as low as S$ 67/day.
What is the cheapest month to hire a car in Detroit?
The cheapest month to hire a car in Detroit is January at an average cost of S$ 63/day. July is the most expensive month to hire a car in Detroit when prices are S$ 106/day on average, which tends to be 68% above the yearly average hire price for Detroit.
Detroit car rental price comparison by vehicle type
Find the right rental car in Detroit by comparing prices across vehicle types.
Small
Medium
Large
SUV
Van
Pickup truck
Luxury
Convertible
Small cars
S$ 47 - S$ 74
All Car Types
S$ 85 - S$ 124
How much does it cost to hire a small car in Detroit?
How much does it cost to hire a medium car in Detroit?
How much does it cost to hire a large car in Detroit?
How much does it cost to hire an SUV in Detroit?
How much does it cost to hire a van in Detroit?
How much does it cost to hire a pickup truck in Detroit?
How much does it cost to hire a luxury car in Detroit?
How much does it cost to hire a convertible in Detroit?
Small car hire in Detroit typically costs around S$ 60 per day. The best time to book is January, when prices average S$ 47 per day, which is about 22% less than the yearly average. Small cars are usually 42% cheaper than the average car hire in Detroit, making them ideal for budget-conscious travellers.
Medium car hire in Detroit typically costs around S$ 95 per day. The best time to book is September, when prices average S$ 71 per day, which is about 26% less than the yearly average. Medium cars are usually 8% cheaper than the average car hire in Detroit, offering a good balance of space and value.
Large car hire in Detroit typically cost around S$ 96 per day. The best time to book is November, when prices average S$ 82 per day, which is about 15% less than the yearly average. Large cars can be 7% cheaper than the average car hire in Detroit, offering more comfort for longer trips at a reasonable price.
SUV hire in Detroit typically costs around S$ 94 per day. The best time to book is January, when prices average S$ 76 per day, which is about 20% less than the yearly average. SUVs can be 9% cheaper than the average car hire in Detroit, providing extra space and capability for groups or road trips at a reasonable price.
Van hire in Detroit typically costs around S$ 123 per day. The best time to book is February, when prices average S$ 87 per day, which is about 30% less than the yearly average. Vans are typically 17% more expensive than the average car hire in Detroit but are the best choice for families or groups needing maximum passenger capacity.
Pickup truck hire in Detroit typically costs around S$ 98 per day. The best time to book is January, when prices average S$ 82 per day, which is about 17% less than the yearly average. Pickup trucks are 5% cheaper than the average car hire in Detroit, making them a practical choice for hauling gear or outdoor adventures.
Luxury car hire in Detroit typically costs around S$ 152 per day. The best time to book is November, when prices average S$ 110 per day, which is about 28% less than the yearly average. Luxury cars are typically 33% more expensive than the average car hire in Detroit but deliver premium comfort and style for special occasions.
Convertible hire in Detroit typically costs around S$ 129 per day. The best time to book is December, when prices average S$ 98 per day, which is about 25% less than the yearly average. Convertibles are typically 21% more expensive than the average car hire in Detroit but are perfect for scenic drives and warm-weather destinations.
Good to know
Most popular agency
Most popular car type
Average price
Good deal
Hertz
Small
S$ 73/day
S$ 56/day
Detroit car rental experiences: the best tips from KAYAK users
Insights shared by verified travelers who rented a car in Detroit
Give extra time for drop off as car return is 5-10 minutes away. Also cheaper gas to refill in Romulus
Verified travelerAug 2025
plan ahead - the car rental facilities are a 10-15 minute ride from the terminal, and the busses only come every 10-15 minutes so allow time for this when you return. Also, the busses are incorrectly marked - i.e. the one I rode said it was for Avis and Budget, but the Avis customers were told to use a different bus, so check to see that you are on the right bus that serves the facility of your rental company.
HeidiJun 2025
Plan in extra time for picking it up. The shuttle to the car place takes time and there might be a line
JaneAug 2025
Choose a place where you can walk to the car without going to the counter.
IbrahimOct 2024
Make 2-3 reservations from different companies because you never know who is good and have a car or staff available that day
Verified travelerSept 2024
allow plenty of time at pickup
BrandonOct 2024
The shuttle pickup at the airport is incredibly slow. The shuttle to return to airport is hit or miss, so plan accordingly, and add extra time to in your itinerary.
VincentSept 2024
Use any other rental car agency besides National , take a picture of the returning gas gauge and check your final receipt, BEFORE ,getting on any shuttle back to the airport .
Verified travelerJul 2024
The airport location is best. The counter is manned 24/7 land your car is waiting in a lot for you. It was easy to take the 24hr. waiting shuttle from the airport to the rental location, and from the car rental to the airport. This was the most helpful part of coming in on a late flight and leaving on early flights. Pick ups and returns was zero hassle.
Verified travelerAug 2024
I would try to book with a service that lets you go straight to collect your car, instead of waiting in long line to talk to service rep
DaliaJun 2024
Do not book a car at airport. Uber to a different location and pick up there. The airport car rental places are under staffed and will happily leave you in line for hours as staff take long breaks and have zero urgency to speed up the process.
Verified travelerApr 2024
Just take an Uber to an off site rental agency the airport car rental pick up situation is slow and disorganized.
TedDec 2023
Uber/Lyft if you can. Then rent a car off site in you really need a car.
Verified travelerDec 2023
Do not get gas at the closest gas station, they intentionally price the gas way too high. There are plenty of other gas stations close to fill up for extremely cheaper.
Verified travelerSept 2023
Schedule your rental for a longer time away from your flight arrival than you think. It can be a long walk in the terminal to the exit, then you have to shuttle at least five minutes to the rental car lots and the lines are long. It took 1.5 hours from the time we landed to the time I left the lot. Be prepared for that. The return process was much faster and easier.
Verified travelerNov 2023
It's a bigger town than you think. Always give yourself a little extra time to make your events.
Verified travelerAug 2023
I was very pleased my service at the Detroit facility.
Verified travelerJun 2023
Lots of road work (including freeways) happening in and around Detroit, MI - Check your routes before hand for any road closures.
JohnJun 2023
Desk says it opens at 7am. Rep is usually there at 5am.
HalAug 2023
Fairly easy to get around… avoid rush hours
MikeJun 2023
Go to enterprise or Avis.
KAYAK’s top tips for renting a car in Detroit
Experience the freedom and ultimate flexibility during your stay in Detroit and opt for a hire car upon your arrival. Public transport can be a hassle with delays, changing timetables, and expensive fares, so discover everything Detroit and the surrounding areas have to offer conveniently at your own place with a car.
Detroit Metropolitan Airport is situated just over 21 miles from the city center of Detroit, so with a hire car you will be at your next destination in under half an hour. Free shuttles pick travelers up from the terminals and bring them to the car hire center with companies offering vehicles of all shapes and sizes. The quickest way into Detroit is via the I-94 E.
Driving in Detroit can be a pleasant experience compared to many other US cities, as the streets are broad and usually well-lit. However, road conditions could be improved and potholes or cracks are not uncommon. Also be careful with lane changing, as in Detroit the left lane is not necessarily used by drivers to overtake, and they may even go slower than drivers in the right lane. Driving attentively and defensively will help getting around the city without any hassle or problems.
Michigan regularly has very cold winters with lots of snow, so when driving in Detroit during the cold season, make sure the hire car is equipped appropriately or ask for snow chains at a surcharge. During morning and evening rush hours (about 7-9 AM and 5-6 PM), traffic jams can occur, especially on the I-94, so, if possible, these times should be avoided to start a day trip. Always plan at least one hour in advance when driving during these times, and allow more time when going to the airport.
25% of our users found rental cars in Detroit for S$ 46 or less
Small rental cars in Detroit are around 62% cheaper than other car types, on average
FAQs about renting a car in Detroit
What type of car is recommended for driving in Detroit?
A 4-wheel drive car is advisable for this area, especially during the winter season. Even though pick-up trucks are a beloved choice of vehicle of the people in Detroit, a more compact car is recommended when driving in the city, as changing lanes and finding a parking space becomes considerably easier.
What’s the speed limit in Detroit?
Always adhere to the speed limits given on posted signs. Generally, 25 mph are permitted in residential areas, 55 mpg on unposted highways and up to 75 mph on freeways. The Basic Speed Law also applies, which means driving as fast as is sensible and adapting to the weather and road conditions.
Where are the best places to park in Detroit?
Street parking, parking lots, and garages are all good options for parking a hire car. Street parking is mostly metered and operated usually between 8 AM and 6 PM Mondays through Saturdays, so parking outside these times is free of charge. Garages include the Buhl Garage or Cadillac Square, but with prices ranging from $15 to $24 per two hours, they are a rather pricey solution. Generally, parking in Detroit comes at a cost, so opting for a hotel with a parking lot is recommended.
How much does it cost to rent a car in Detroit?
On average a rental car in Detroit costs S$ 73 per day.
Which car rental companies are at Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County airport (DTW)?
The only car hire company onsite at Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County airport is Hertz.
Which car rental companies will pick you up at Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County airport (DTW)?
The only car hire company that offers shuttle or pick-up services from Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County airport to off-airport locations is Hertz.
How can I find car hires near me in Detroit?
Take a look at our extensive car hire location map to find the best car hire deals near you.
How much does a Small car rental cost in Detroit?
A Small car hire in Detroit costs S$ 114 per day, on average.
How much does a Medium car rental cost in Detroit?
A Medium car hire in Detroit costs S$ 115 per day, on average.
How much does a Large car rental cost in Detroit?
A Large car hire in Detroit costs S$ 115 per day, on average.
The wait at the airport to pick up the car was really long. They were understaffed
2.0 Poor
Anonymous, Jun 2026
Economy
Drove from Detroit to Phoenix. 1 hour 45 minutes to get car at pick up. One person working counter. Forced to pay for upgrade because reserved car (or like) was not available. Car drove fine until 50 miles east of El Paso. Oil life left at 5% message came on. Middle of nowhere. No cell service. 90 degrees. No shade. Stressed about not making it to El Paso. Did make it and drove immediately to the first budget place (small one) rep there said oil change not needed to another 5k miles. Apparently, it was nit reset upon previous oil change. Unacceptable. Went to airport and swapped car out. Took 2 1/2 hours out of travel time. Horrible experirnce
10.0 Wonderful
Anonymous, May 2026
Premium
We were thrilled to find a car available to drive from Detroit to Chicago late Sunday evening when our flight was cancelled. The employee at the rental counter was friendly and professional despite it being the middle of the night and us being frazzled. The price was reasonable (especially for a one-way trip) and the car was spacious and clean!
2.0 Poor
Anonymous, May 2026
Intermediate SUV
The employees working there are not very good, they make fun of their customers, if they don't know about the rental policy. And the car they gave me was not good at all, the breaks was not working properly and car was making noise.
6.0 Okay
D, May 2026
Intermediate SUV
Over 30 people on line when we got to the Detroit airport check in and online check in was not working. More than 25 folks in the Avis line in the same building. Over an hour wait and some folks leaving as we got there said near 2 hours. Lines were not labeled either so my wife waited on one and I another till we figured out which was budget and which was Avis, .then when we get outside to row K there were no cars and we had to wait. Folks were good in terms of what they could do, car was excellent. Extremely understaffed with our arrival
4.0 Mediocre
Anonymous, May 2026
Intermediate SUV
My car had serious suspension issues. Something broke loose with a calaper, ball joint, control arm etc... I photographed it as there were white paint dots and marks on the drivers side rear seat area, scratches across the hood and quarter panels. At different times I did not feel comfortable driving it. I was expecting something to disable me on the road at some point. I do want to say the staff that took care of us on pick up and drop off were outstanding. You are hiring the right people for the front line employees. I can't say much for who inspects and performs the maintenance on the vehicles. Not your best rental***
Service was quick. Gas tank was not topped off when we picked it up
10.0 Wonderful
IULIAN, Sept 2024
People carrier
Good job
10.0 Wonderful
Jon, Sept 2024
Standard
No issues, easy in and out both ways.
10.0 Wonderful
S, Sept 2024
Supplier choice
Very efficient
8.0 Very Good
Greg, Jul 2024
Standard
I like the personable, professional and integrity of the staff persons I interacted with and everyone was proactive in helping me as well as had positive attitudes.
Friendly and professional staff, got a great car at a great price too
2.0 Poor
Anonymous, Dec 2024
People carrier
Enterprise refused to rent to me. They would not accept a state-issued temporary driver's license from the state of WI. I was literally turned away at the counter. So, I made a reservation under my wife's name. When she went to pick up the car, she was turned away at the counter because the vehicle had just been rented to someone else, and the desk agent said it was against their policy to allow for same-day, one-way rentals. Going 0 for 2 with Enterprise was exceedingly frustrating. I won't be giving them my business in the future. Also, the fact that Kayak allowed a same-day, one-way rental against the policies of the store was frustrating. A better agreement between Kayak and its vendors should be established. Perhaps Kayak's partners should be obliged to honor agreements made on their behalf through Kayak.
2.0 Poor
Anonymous, Jul 2024
People carrier
They supposedly had a recall on minivans. Never called to tell us and was very unprofessional about it. I had to cancel my trip.
2.0 Poor
Marc, Jun 2024
Compact
Disappointed
2.0 Poor
Anonymous, Mar 2024
Pick-up truck
Difficult.
6.0 Okay
Anonymous, Nov 2023
Supplier choice
Everything was fine. When I asked to extend the rental from another 18 hours, though, I was told the fee would have been $103. That is excessive.
The car is fine. I checked in myself. Had a hard time finding my parking space. Had to walk back and forth through the parking lot. But the worst part was when I needed to extend the rental, I had to spend 1/2 an hour on the phone constantly being put on hold because I had booked my rental through Kayak rather than directly through Hertz. More and more I’m learning these 3rd party apps do nothing but make things worse. I was offered a link to extend the rental via email. But the link did not work because of Kayak. Just like every other company, all you care about is money.
10.0 Wonderful
Anonymous, Sept 2025
Full-size
The staff was very helpful and friendly when I picked up my car, they even brought it to me and explained everything. When I dropped it off , it was so easy. Thank you so much.
6.0 Okay
Jane, Aug 2025
Compact
I liked the ease of pickup and dropoff, did not like charge for spouse driving
2.0 Poor
Anonymous, May 2025
Compact SUV
Terrible customer service. Would never use again
10.0 Wonderful
Anonymous, Oct 2024
Full-size
Car at the pick up needed some more clean.
2.0 Poor
Anonymous, Aug 2024
Supplier choice
Advertised rate for my trip was $105 on Kayak. When I picked up the car it was $211 and after returning the car the final receipt was $250. (Not incldu
Line was very long even thought I pre checked in for faster pick up. There were only two ladies working the counter and they were obviously overworked and were being rude and yelling at customers. I Waited about 30-40 minutes even with pre check in. When I got to the car there was trash in the back seat and someone's phone charger. Went back in and they gave me another car.
2.0 Poor
Anonymous, Nov 2025
Passenger van
I paid for a Ford Transit van or similar through Kayak, and at pickup was told that type of van would not be available to me. A Kia carnival was the largest van I was told in the category that I ordered. Clearly there is an issue in communication and transparency between the reservation process through Kayak and what Dollar claims is ordered. I wanted a large van to move luggage for a school field trip and was extremely dissatisfied that I did not receive what I had reserved.
2.0 Poor
Anonymous, Sept 2025
Passenger van
I had booked a Ford Transit due to the large number of people and luggage. Upon arrival, the employee informed me that the vehicle was not available and offered me a van instead. Clearly, the van was not sufficient, but in the end I had no choice but to accept it. I ended up renting the van and had to transfer part of the luggage while also hiring a taxi to carry the remaining luggage and passengers. Because of the issues with the vehicles I received, the process took more than two hours. Meanwhile, my children were waiting for me at the airport after a long flight. The staff, including the manager, treated me rudely and with complete disregard. I will never use this company again, and I will make sure to share my experience with others.
8.0 Very Good
Heidi, Jun 2025
Intermediate SUV
The kiosks were down at pickup so it took a long time. They were very friendly and quick once you got to the front of the line. Car was perfect, no hard sell on extras, I would go back!
Terrible customer service on pick up time , really rude attendant , after I decline insurance coverage she changed her tone . She told me gas was 6.50 within a 5 mile radius from airport to get the gas plan , I didn’t I put gas for 4.19 , she was deceiving .
4.0 Mediocre
Anonymous, Oct 2025
Intermediate
Girl at the gate at pickup was very rude
4.0 Mediocre
Anonymous, Oct 2025
Open-air all-terrain
I was incorrectly charged despite declining collision coverage (which our car insurance already covers) and roadside assistance (which we have through AAA).
2.0 Poor
Anonymous, May 2025
Luxury SUV
Don’t rent from Thrifty at this location if you 1) want the car you paid for and reserved (or similar), have an hour to waste standing in line just to pick up the keys, or have the time to wait for 30 minutes in line just to have your ID checked to leave the parking lot. Staff is rude and just stand around talking. This airport and rental location are a nightmare.
2.0 Poor
Anonymous, Nov 2024
Economy
Destination fee was outrageous
2.0 Poor
Loren, Apr 2024
Premium
I have been been double charged by you and car rental place and I am highly upset. Furthermore your customer service is impossible to deal with!!!! I can not get any help.
Have more than 2 counter people checking customers in. Some people were there 4 hours . Myself was 1 hour
8.0 Very Good
Christopher, Apr 2026
Intermediate
Good car. One small thing: signage in the lot for where to return the car was not clear. Overall, quite happy with the rental.
8.0 Very Good
Anonymous, Apr 2026
Standard
easy no hassle return and bus there to take us back to terminal
6.0 Okay
Louise, Mar 2026
Full-size
The Avis line to pick up the car was over 35 minutes long and one agent's shift ended just as I approached. Not bad for me since I was next but the line extended even longer than when I got there. Possibly if I have Avis Preferred I could have eliminated all that wasted time. Also, my reservation was weird where they made me put down over $400, the $250 deposit plus some. Somehow the 'voucher' where I already paid for the vehicle just wasn't jiving with their system. I checked days later and showed no charge from Avis so I believe it was ok but the 'checkout' didn't work well with their system at all. A manager had to be called to figure out what to do.
4.0 Mediocre
Anonymous, Jul 2025
Intermediate
It took 45 minutes to get my vehicle with only 6 people ahead of me and 3 Avis employees working the counters. The employees were nice and seemed knowledgeable but the system is ridiculously slow.
6.0 Okay
Anonymous, Dec 2024
Supplier choice
When I showed up I was told that the rental I had selected was a “mystery deal” which was either a fully electric vehicle or a pickup, neither of which met my needs. They were able to switch me to an SUV. I was quoted at $370 for a rental, which seemed fair, but ended up paying $1000 at the end of the week.
Getting and returning the car was easy and fast. The car itself was meh - needed washer fluid and a muffler.
2.0 Poor
Craig, Dec 2024
Compact
Over an hour in line to pick up the car. There was trash including a rotting apple in the center console. When I took out the trash I could smell cigarette smoke in the car.
2.0 Poor
Charley, Oct 2024
Intermediate
The pickup experience was completely out of control, Apparently multiple workers had called out that day, but there were basically only two people working the counter, then three when the manager joined. I stood in line longer than it took for me to fly from NYC to Detroit. Then they sent me to an empty parking spot because they had lost control of where their stock was or wasn't. I ended up with a very different class of vehicle, and one that used significantly more gas than I expected to use. Check in was better, but the handheld system kept disconnecting from their wifi or satellite link, so again, a little delay. The staff, on the other hand, was always nice, pleasant, hard working and attendant; they just didn't have what they needed to offer an acceptable level of service.
2.0 Poor
Casey, Jul 2024
Economy
Absolutely awful. They didn’t have anyone at the Payless so everyone had to be in one line at the Avis. Line was SO long and the staff was moving so slowly. I saw one staff member texting slowly while looking at all of us in the long line. Extremely hot in there, felt like no AC. We ended up walking out and choosing to Uber the hour drive to our hotel and waste the money because we had a wedding to get to. Truly one of the worst experiences ever. Do NOT use this company!!!!
2.0 Poor
Anonymous, May 2024
Full-size
Check in was ridiculous! 2 hours in line! Awful. Will never rent from Avis or Payless again.
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