Cheap Car Rental in Las Vegas, NV

Tips for renting a car inexpensively in Las Vegas

Looking for a cheap car rental in Las Vegas? With Economybookings, you can easily compare multiple providers to find the best possible deal across Nevada. Whether you're planning to explore the iconic cityscape or take a drive into nearby desert and canyon regions, a quick comparison can save you time and money.

• Compare pickup locations – Select the broader city instead of a specific location to unlock more deal options, including off-airport savings.
• Slightly adjust pickup times and dates – Even changing your booking by an hour can reveal lower rates.
• Choose economy or compact cars – These vehicle types are usually the most budget-friendly.
• Book early – Las Vegas is a year-round destination, but rental demand spikes during popular travel times like summer (June to August), major holidays, and large events. Booking in advance helps secure lower prices and better vehicle selection.

Tips When Renting and Driving a Car in Las Vegas

• Rent a car if you plan to explore off-Strip, where public transport options may be limited.
• Avoid rush hour traffic on the I-15, I-215/CC 215, and I-11/US 95 freeways.
• You can pick up your car at Harry Reid Airport or various Strip resorts.
• Choose a small car for better mileage and easier parking around town.
• Pick a car with four-wheel drive if you will be driving to the national parks and monuments.
• Inspect the car and take photos before and after rental.

Driving Tips in Las Vegas

• Drive on the right side of the road, and prepare to wait your turn when you need to turn left.
• Look out for stop lights—green means go, yellow signals that you must prepare to stop, and red is stop. At most intersections with stop lights, there will also be dedicated stop lights for left-turn lanes.
• Roundabouts are found in select suburban neighborhoods (mainly, Summerlin on the west end of the Las Vegas Valley) – give way to traffic coming from the left.
• Nevada law requires headlight use from 30 minutes after sunset to 30 minutes before sunrise, and during rain storms and other periods of limited visibility.
• Horn use should be reserved for emergencies or warnings.
• Traffic usually moves faster in the left lanes on freeways and highways.
• Most Strip resorts and major downtown attractions charge for parking. When downtown, you can use the Flowbird or ParkWhiz app for contactless payment.
• NEVER cross a set of double yellow lines.
• Try the GasBuddy app to locate area gas stations and check prices. If you have a Costco membership, you can refuel there and take advantage of their very cheap gas.
• Keep your driver’s license, rental papers, and proof of insurance with you at all times.
• The I-215/CC 215 freeway encircles the Las Vegas Valley, while I-15 is the central north-south freeway and I-11/US 95 generally runs northwest-southeast. These freeways can be useful for reaching more of the valley, but expect heavy traffic during weekday rush hours (7:00 to 9:00 AM, and 4:00 to 6:00 PM).

Speed Limits

In the Las Vegas Valley, speed limits are typically 65 mph (105 km/h) on freeways, 45 mph (72 km/h) on major thoroughfares (or “stroads,” like Charleston Blvd.), and 25 mph (40 km/h) on smaller residential streets. In some residential neighborhoods, speed limits may be lower. But in rural areas, freeway and highway speed limits may go as high as 75 mph (121 km/h). Always watch for posted signs, as limits can vary.

Road Signs

U.S. road signs are typically noticeable and well-placed. They are almost always in English and use symbols for quick understanding. Speed limit signs are in miles per hour (mph). In Las Vegas, look out for signs marking dedicated bus lanes, bike lanes, and school streets, which may have special speed limits and other restrictions.

Tolls, Fees, and Restrictions

As of 2025, Nevada has no toll roads or congestion pricing programs in effect. But if you plan to do a longer road trip, keep in mind that some parts of Southern California do have toll roads, such as the SR 91 Express Lanes in Orange and Riverside Counties, and the I-15 Express Lanes in San Diego County.

If you plan to drive to any of the region’s national parks, monuments, or other public lands, note that many of these parks do charge vehicle entry fees. If you plan a drive to Red Rock Canyon, expect a $20 fee to access the Scenic Loop. If you want to do a longer road trip to Zion National Park in Utah or Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona, the National Park Service typically charges a $35 vehicle fee.

Discover Las Vegas by Car

Las Vegas may be best known for the bright lights and dazzling sights of the Strip, but it also makes a great base for exploring the larger Desert Southwest region. With a rental car, you can reach majestic national parks, mysterious ghost towns, and cool beaches, all within a few hours.

Whether you're planning long hikes through Zion, epic sightseeing at the Grand Canyon, or a trip to the balmy beaches of San Diego, a car offers flexibility and freedom to discover hidden spots that are much harder to reach via public transportation in the U.S.

When to Visit

Las Vegas is a year-round destination, so there’s never really a bad time to drive around these parts. With this said, note that summers can be incredibly hot in Vegas, with daytime highs sometimes surging past 110° Fahrenheit (or 43° Celsius) in June and July. Also, note that summer is monsoon season in the Desert Southwest, so afternoon thunderstorms can’t be ruled out during July and August.

Though winters tend to be mild, snowfall occasionally occurs during cold snaps, especially in higher-elevation neighborhoods like Summerlin and Anthem. And if you plan longer road trips to the national parks (see above), prepare to pack layers and check road conditions in advance for potential closures.

Languages & Communication

English is spoken nearly everywhere in and around Las Vegas. However, Vegas is also a multicultural city, so you may also hear Spanish, Tagalog, Vietnamese, Chinese, Korean, and Japanese in certain neighborhoods. Most signage is in English, and visitors rarely face language barriers.

Currency & Payments

Since Nevada is part of the United States, the U.S. dollar ($) is used everywhere. Credit and debit cards are widely accepted, and contactless payments are becoming more commonplace on and off the Strip. ATMs are easy to find throughout the city and suburbs, but keep in mind that ATMs will charge extra fees if they are not affiliated with your bank.

Top Driving Routes in and Around Las Vegas

• A drive down the fabulous Las Vegas Strip is an absolute must-do when in town. Depending on traffic, prepare for a 30 to 45-minute ride from the iconic Las Vegas Sign to the Strat (or vice versa).
• Spring Mountain Chinatown – Just 10-25 minutes from Center Strip (think Bellagio and Caesars Palace), with a wide variety of Asian restaurants, cafes, and specialty stores
• 18b Arts District – Also about 10-25 minutes from Center Strip, with Vegas’ most cutting-edge contemporary art galleries, quirky vintage boutiques, and offbeat restaurants
• Red Rock Canyon – About 30-50 minutes west of Center Strip; ideal for a great escape into an otherworldly environment full of sandstone rock formations, indigenous petroglyph art, and a variety of fascinating hiking trails
• Hoover Dam – About 45 minutes to an hour east; spanning some 726 feet over the Colorado River and the Nevada-Arizona state line, this 1930s infrastructure project remains a modern marvel in the middle of the Mojave Desert
• Zion National Park - About 3 to 4 hours northeast of Las Vegas; this may be a longer journey, but it’s definitely worthwhile for nature lovers, especially if you’re eager to explore the park’s steep sandstone cliffs and intimate slot canyons
• Grand Canyon National Park – About 4 to 5.5 hours east of Las Vegas; drive here to discover the many wonders of this 277 mile-long and 6,093 foot-deep gorge, including grand sandstone rock formations, verdant mountain forests, and rich indigenous culture and heritage

When driving around Las Vegas, keep your eyes out for the notorious orange traffic cones. The desert climate can be difficult on local roads, so maintenance and repair projects are always underway somewhere.