Car rentals in Chico are a convenient way to travel outside the city. Although there are many public transportation options in the area, such as the Metro bus system, coverage can be patchy. Also, some routes only operate during certain times of the day, making car rentals a better option. Car rentals in Chico make it easy to explore the area's wilderness and urban landscapes. Take a break from your busy schedule and head to Wisconsin Dells, which is around 55 miles from Madison. Alternatively, you can take the Devil's Lake State Park, which is close by.
Before renting a car from cheap car rentals in Chico, you should review the routes to your destinations. Reviewing your routes would help you avoid or budget for toll roads you will be using within and outside Chico. If you're driving your rented car from Chico car rentals on State Routes 73, 133, 241 and 261, kindly include tolls in your budget. You also note that these road tolls are electronically collected. Failure to pay your tolls would prompt a violation notification to your car rental agency and an appropriate penalty communicated.
Most people who live in Chico will most likely fly into the Chico Airport, which is around seven miles from Madison. The airport's car rental center is located in the baggage claim area. Several car rental companies such as Enterprise, Alamo, National, and Budget offer their services there. The car lot is also a short walk away from the terminal. Some providers additionally provide pick-up locations near the terminal.
Before renting your car from the cheap car rentals in Chico as a Person with Reduced Mobility (PRM), consider reviewing a number of Chico car rentals' policies to determine the one with the best PRM-friendly amenities. Most Chico car rentals would modify your car with PRM-friendly amenities at no extra cost, while some would add installation charges to your car rental expenses. Among Chico car rentals that offer most of their PRM-friendly amenities, such as a GPS navigation system, a surrogate driver, control and pedal extensions, electric shifters, removable left-foot gas pedals, and spinner knobs, are; Budget, Enterprise and Avis.
One of the most important factors that you should consider when traveling through downtown Chico is the direction of traffic. There are numerous one-way streets in the area, which can confuse visitors. In addition, navigating through the intersection of Regent Street, Monroe Street, and Breese Terrace can be challenging. With a GPS, you can easily customize your car rentals in Chico to help navigate the city. Also, be aware of the cyclists on the road.
If you intend to rent a car from the cheap car rentals in Chico for your family, kindly take note of Chico's child seat safety guidelines. Based on these guidelines, a child under 13 should travel in either a child seat or wear a seat belt. Kids between 0 and 12 months should travel in a rear-facing child seat, kids between 2 and 4 should use a forward-facing toddler seat, while kids between 5 and 8 must use an appropriate booster seat. Lastly, kids between 8 and 13 must always wear a safety belt at the back of their car.
During rush hour, some streets in the city experience significant traffic congestion. The areas with the worst congestion are Midland Street, S Peterson, and Monroe Street.The morning rush hour in Chico usually begins at around 7 am to 9 am, and it continues until around 4 pm. The area is home to several universities, which can cause the traffic to get worse when classes are in session.
Book your car hire in Chico at least 1 day before your trip in order to get a below-average price
Oversize hire cars in Chico are around 25% cheaper than other car types, on average
FAQs about hiring a car in Chico
How much is the price of fuel in Chico?
The average price of fuel in Chico is €2.99 per litre over the past 30 days. Filling up a tank of fuel costs between €36 and €48, depending on the car size.
What is the most popular car hire in Chico?
Economy (Ford Fiesta or similar) is the most frequently booked car hire type in Chico.
Which car hire agencies are at Sacramento Intl airport (SMF)?
The only car hire company onsite at Sacramento Intl airport is Thrifty.
Which car hire companies will pick you up at Sacramento Intl airport (SMF)?
The only car hire company that offers shuttle or pick-up services from Sacramento Intl airport to off-airport locations is Thrifty.
How can I find car hires near me in Chico?
Take a look at our extensive car hire location map to find the best car hire deals near you.
How much does an Economy car hire cost in Chico?
An Economy car hire in Chico costs €56 per day, on average.
How much does an Intermediate car hire cost in Chico?
An Intermediate car hire in Chico costs €60 per day, on average.
How much does a Mini car hire cost in Chico?
A Mini car hire in Chico costs €108 per day, on average.
What type of car is recommended for driving in Chico?
If you're only staying in the area and need to access the limited parking spaces in the central portion of the city, consider acquiring a compact car rental. These cars can easily fit into the spaces that are available within the center. On the other hand, economy car rentals are more suitable if you don't need to go shopping in the area. An SUV is ideal for people who live in the area and require a larger vehicle to accommodate multiple people. If you're planning on visiting the area during the winter season, a four-wheel drive vehicle is a better choice. It can also be used to explore the various attractions in the city.
Which documents will I need when renting a car in Chico?
To rent a car from the cheap car rentals in Chico, you will need a valid driver's license with no major endorsements for the recent 12 months period. You will need a debit or credit card issued in your name. You will also need a valid passport as a non-US citizen and an I.D. for U.S. citizens.
What’s the speed limit in Chico?
In Chico, the speed limit is set at 20 miles per hour. On major streets, the limit has increased to 25 miles per hour. In addition, Chico car rentals should abide by the 55 mph speed limit on interstates and expressways. The police can issue tickets to drivers who exceed the speed limit due to the lack of speed cameras. However, if you're planning on traveling through the area during the winter season, you should consider slowing down to avoid getting hit by vehicles.
Can I rent an electric car in Chico?
Yes, you can easily rent an electric car from most of the cheap car rentals in Chico Most of the Chico car rentals, including Avis, Enterprise, and Budget, offer electric cars in most of their car rental locations. With about 5 E.V. charging stations situated outside malls, in the parking lots, and easily accessed at the airport parking lots, accessing an E.V. charging station should be a breeze.
Where are the best places to park in Chico?
Due to the limited parking spaces in the center, it can be hard to find a parking space in Chico. One of the most important factors that you should consider when it comes to finding parking in the area is the availability of permits. In downtown Madison, there are several parking facilities that provide affordable rates. Some of these include the Blair Lot, South Livingston Street Garage, and the Overture Center Garage. If you're planning on traveling to the city, take advantage of the services provided by the Metro Transit System. Some of the parking facilities that are located outside the central portion of the city are the Wingra Lot and the Evergreen Lot.
Staff was not friendly and drop-off was not fast. I want my car to be clean when I get it because I paid the price for it. This is my first time using them and will be my last. I will go somewhere else.
Cons:
It's not clean. I don't even want to get in the car because there is dirt on the doors. The seats was dirty and I can see spot of left over food. I got a RAV 4 and there was no bar on the back truck to cover my belonging. They should do a better cleaning and better job.
10.0 Wonderful
Kristi, Mar 2021
Pros:
Easy pick up at the Chico, Ca. Avis on Forest and 20th. Nice people running the place. Didn't push unneeded insurance on me. Easy and pleasant transaction!
The Chico staff at Pick-up are ALWAYS AWESOME. I will rent there every time. But, my trip was abruptly halted when, on my way home Monday AM, I and my husband were victims of a drive-by highway shooting. One bullet, both of us hit. Both of us are okay, treated and released from ER, need medical follow-up for wounds and possible internal damage - long story. We think the seat belt kept the bullet from entering his abdomen - long story. AND, I bought the extra coverage this time, THANKFULLY!!!
Cons:
When Calif Hwy Patrol or San Pablo police seized the vehicle to look for the shell casing and more investigation, my partner and I were taken to the ER for treatment in an ambulance, without the rental. We were released Monday morning and still had to travel 3 hrs home to Chico. We took a Yellow Cab to Enterprise at Richmond Hilltop. THESE GUYS WERE HORRIBLE!!!! NONE OF THEM WOULD HELP ME FIGURE OUT HOW TO RENT ANOTHER VEHICLE, AS THE ORIGINAL RENTAL WAS UNDER INVESTIGATION. THEY WERE RUDE, COLD, UNCARING, AND FLIPPANT. WOULDN'T OFFER ANY SOLUTIONS - JUST THAT THEY COULDN'T SCAN THE CAR, WHICH WASN'T THERE, BACK IN TO GIVE ME ANOTHER. THEY WOULDN'T CALL CHICO TO CONFIRM MY CONTRACT. RELUCTANTLY THEY CALLED THE SP POLICE AND KNEW THE CAR WAS WITH THEM. I PURCHASED THE EXTRA COVERAGE. THE CAR WAS 100% COVERED AND MY RENTAL CONTRACT SHOULD HAVE BEEN CONTINUED. THE RICHMOND GUYS WERE NOT INTERESTED TO HELP ME SOLVE THIS ISSUE, WOULDN'T EVEN GIVE ME A NEW RENTAL UNLESS I LIED AND USED ANOTHER NAME AND CREDIT CARD. WOULDN'T EVEN GIVE ME A RIDE TO ANOTHER RENTAL AGENCY TO GET A NEW CAR, 5 MILES AWAY. WOULDN'T CALL ME A CAB TO GET OUT OF THERE. WOULDN'T GET OFF THEIR SOCIAL MEDIA LONG ENOUGH TO PAY ATTENTION TO ANY POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS. JUST "WE CAN'T" AND THATS IT. BOTH OF US HAD GUNSHOT WOUNDS AND ALL THESE GUYS WERE SO SO COLD. AGAIN, CHICO IS AWESOME. RICHMOND SUCKS. I'M GOING TO CALL AND WRITE CORPORATE, EVERY DAY IF I HAVE TO, TO GET SOME ANSWERS WHY THESE EMPLOYEES ARE SO UNWORTHY. I'LL TAKE THIS TO THE TOP IF I HAVE TO. BAD ENTERPRISE!!!
Some Chico car providers already include Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) and Theft Protection Waiver into the hire price but not all of them. We recommend always be aware of your coverage when hiring a car in Chico.
Keep in mind that car hire insurances often have a deductible clause, which is the amount you’ll have to pay if something happens during the time of your hire. If you want to avoid unwanted surprises, you should consider adding a no-deductible option to your Chico car hire.
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