Car Rental California

Electric car hire

California's mix of dense cities and long coastal, desert, and mountain stretches makes it a natural fit for going electric. Hertz offers EV models for rent if you'd rather skip the gas station altogether.

Whether you're sticking to Los Angeles and San Francisco or planning a longer route out to Big Sur, Joshua Tree, or the Sierra Nevada, an EV rental gives you a quieter, lower-emission way to cover the distance.

New fast-charging sites continue to come online across the state, with hundreds of additional stations added along major highways in recent months, making it easier to plan longer trips across California with an EV.

Charging points

Charging isn't hard to find once you're on the road. The state has more than 20,000 public charging stations, and California now has more charging ports than gas nozzles statewide. Hence, when you rent an EV car with Hertz, you're free to top up even well outside the city.

Congestion charges

California doesn't have a congestion charge. What it does have is toll roads and toll bridges, mostly concentrated around the Bay Area and Orange County. So as of now, there's no congestion charge anywhere in the state, and most freeways remain completely toll-free.

Out-of-state visitors driving a rental should only expect a toll if they cross a Bay Area bridge like the Golden Gate, or use an Orange County toll road; both are billed automatically to the plate on file.

Key roads

• Highway 1 (Pacific Coast Highway): the iconic coastal route running along much of California's shoreline, known for cliffside views, Big Sur, and beach towns.
• Interstate 5 (I-5): the main north-south freeway running through the state's interior, connecting Los Angeles, Sacramento, and the Oregon border; the fastest way to cover long distances.
• US Route 101: runs along the coast and through major cities like Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Santa Barbara, often used as a scenic alternative or complement to I-5.

Toll roads

• Golden Gate Bridge: connects San Francisco to Marin County; fully cashless, tolled southbound only.
• San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge: one of seven state-owned Bay Area toll bridges.
• State Route 73: a toll road in Orange County connecting the I-405/I-5 area to Laguna Beach and San Juan Capistrano, with distance-based pricing.

Driving Tips: When you are in California

Driving conditions in California can vary considerably between busy cities, coastal highways and mountain roads. Keep these local rules and road conditions in mind when travelling with a rental car.

• Follow posted limits, which are commonly up to 65 mph on highways and 55 mph on two-lane undivided roads.
• You may turn right at a red light after stopping unless a sign or red arrow prohibits it.
• Keep your phone hands-free and avoid holding or operating it while driving.
• Check HOV and carpool-lane signs carefully, as occupancy requirements vary by route and time.
• Review your rental agreement for toll payments before using Bay Area bridges or express lanes.
• Read kerb colours before parking, as red, green, white and blue each carry different restrictions.
• Carry suitable snow chains when heading into mountain areas and fit them whenever roadside signs require it. Hertz offers winter essentials when you rent a car in California. Check for more details at your relevant locations.