Compare Alaska Car Rental Companies

Flying into Anchorage and renting a car gives you the freedom to go wherever Alaska's road system (aside from a few unpaved roads) will take you, while traveling at your own pace. You'll find plenty of good car-rental companies at the Anchorage airport and downtown. While rates vary with season, duration, and car category, here's some information that will help you make your rental decision:

Standard Rental-Car Policies

  • Rates do not include Alaska tax and licensing fees
  • Most one-way drop-offs require steep fees-anywhere from $100 to $500!
  • Rental cars aren't usually allowed on unpaved gravel roads, such as the Denali, Dalton, Elliott, and Steese highways

Travelers who want to drive to the Arctic Circle, the Brooks Range, or other spots along the Dalton Highway north of Fairbanks can rent an SUV in Fairbanks.

CompanyProsConsLocation & TimeWhat's Different
Alaska 4X4 Rentals
  • 4 Wheel drive fleet - Trucks, Jeeps, SUVs, Vans
  • No restrictions on where you can go
  • Truck Campers complete with kitchen and queen bed available
  • Unlimited Mileage
  • One-way drop offs ($375)
  • Hotel pick-up & drop off available ($35)
  • After-hour pick-up & drop-off are available
  • Discounts: corporate, AAA, AARP, military, AK resident & long-term rental of 15 days or longer (10%)
  • Newer model vehicles
  • Optional accessories available: GPS, satellite phone, coolers & more
  • 2nd driver pays a one-time extra fee of $25 (spouse free)
  • Must be 21+ years of age to rent

Anchorage Airport North Terminal: 5-6 minute walk from the South Terminal baggage claim

  • Winter Hours: 10 am-6 pm | 7 Days a Week
  • Summer Hours: 9 am-midnight | 7 Days a Week
  • 100% Alaskan-owned business
  • Rentals into Canada
  • Gravel Highway Rentals (Dalton Hwy, Denali Highway, etc)
  • One-way rentals to/from any destination
Alaska Auto Rental
  • Rentals available year round
  • No restrictions on where you can go with Gravel Highway vehicles
  • One-way drop-offs
  • 24-hour self-service check-out
  • Cars, trucks, and SUVs, on up to 15-passenger vans
  • Most cars one-year-old or newer
  • Debit cards accepted ($500 deposit)
  • Unlimited Mileage
  • Ages 21-24 allowed; extra fee
  • Delivery available to Hotels, Airports & Train Stations in Fairbanks & Anchorage
  • Winter Tires & Advanced Winterizations included during the winter months
  • Not always the cheapest option
  • Surcharge for drivers under the age of 25
Anchorage
  • Hotel, Airport & Train Station Drop-Off
Denali
  • Train Station

Fairbanks

  • Hotel, Airport & Train Station Drop-Off

Seward

  • Cruise Ship Terminal Parking Lot

Whittier

  • Cruise Ship Terminal Parking Lot
  • Family-owned and operated
  • Five locations
  • Flexible pick-up locations based on itinerary & rental needs
  • Rentals in Canada are available
  • One-way rentals to & from the Lower 48
Alaskan Car Rental
  • Airport shuttle available to and from Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport.
  • 24/7 Roadside Assistance included at no additional charge
  • Unlimited mileage
  • One-way rentals to almost anywhere in Alaska with an extra fee
  • Open 24/7 during summer for pick up and drop off
  • Long-term & group rental discounts are available
  • Extremely competitive prices throughout the summer season
  • Gravel roads are allowed with SUVs, trucks, and minivans
  • Large fleet of cars, trucks, SUVs, minivans, and 12-passenger vans
  • Ages 21-24 could rent for extra fee
  • Additional drivers pay an extra fee
  • Underage fee for drivers under the age of 25

Anchorage

  • Airport Shuttle Available
    • Summer Hours - Open 24/7
    • Winter Hours - Mon - Sat 9 am-6 pm

Denali

  • Hotel & Train Station

Fairbanks

  • Hotel, Airport & Train Station Drop-Off

Seward

  • Cruise Ship Terminal Parking Lot

Whittier

  • Cruise Ship Terminal parking lot & Train Station
  • Locally owned & operated
  • Family-owned small business
  • Personalized and customizable One-way rentals
  • Flexible pick-up and drop-off options
Thrifty
  • Cars, Trucks & SUVs are 6-12 months old
  • Discounts: corporate, AAA, senior citizens
  • Frequent flyer miles
  • Free pickups from hotels, B&Bs, and railroad depot
  • Unlimited mileage
  • Ages 21-24 ok; extra fee
  • Open 7 days/wk
  • Use Promo Code 101063
  • Paved roads only
  • No one-ways
  • No debit cards
  • 2nd driver extra fee/day
  • (extra fee if 21-24)

Airport

  • 6:00 am - 2:00 am

Midtown

  • June - Aug, 7 am - 7 pm
  • Sep 1 - May 31, 8am - 6pm
Some of the newest cars in town
Budget
  • One-way drop-offs ($250.00)
  • 6 Alaska locations
  • Discounts: corporate, AAA, AARP, military (10%)
  • Frequent flyer miles: American and Alaska
  • Courtesy shuttle for Anchorage Bowl (no airport pickups)
  • Unlimited mileage
  • Ages 21-24 ok; extra fee
  • Most cars one-year-old or newer
  • Debit cards ok ($300 deposit)
  • Paved roads only
  • 2nd driver extra fee/day
  • (extra fee if 21-24)

Airport

  • June 1 - Aug 29, 5:30am - 2:30am
  • Aug 30 - May 31, 6am - 2am

Off-Airport

  • June 1 - Aug 29, 6 am - 7 pm
  • Aug 30 - May 31, 8am - 7pm

Downtown

  • Yr-round, Mon-Sat: 7 am - 8 pm
  • Sun: 11 am - 7p
Three Anchorage locations
Avis
  • One-way drop-offs
  • Cars are a current-year or one-year-old
  • Discounts: Corporate and associations
  • Frequent flyer miles: Alaska Airlines
  • Free pickups from hotels and railroad depot
  • Unlimited mileage
  • Ok to pay with w/debit; you must have a credit card to rent
  • Paved roads only
  • 2nd driver pays a one-time extra fee (spouse free)
  • Surcharge for drivers under the age of 25

Downtown (5th and K)

  • Mon - Fri: 7 am - 7 pm
  • Sat: 9 am - 5 pm
  • Sun: 9 am - 5 pm
  • 10 Alaska locations
  • 50 yrs in Alaska in ‘05
  • No fee for under-25
Hertz
  • Vehicles always current year
  • One-way drop-offs
  • Discounts: corporate, AAA Frequent flyer miles
  • Debit cards OK
  • Paved roads only
  • 2nd driver extra fee/day
  • Must be 25 or older (extra fee if 21-24)
  • The mileage rate depends on the contract

Airport

  • 6 am-3 am

Downtown

  • Mon-Fri 8 am-5 pm
  • Only corporate location in Alaska—resources of world’s largest car-rental company
  • 6 Alaska locations
  • Debit cards no problem

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