Sign In
24/7
App

Car Hire In Laredo, United States: Flexible Travel At Competitive Prices

Compare great-value options from airport and downtown pick-up points, with a practical UK-focused guide to insurance, fuel rules, fees, and local driving tips.

UK Traveller Essentials
Laredo Car Hire Guide: Where To Pick Up And What To Expect
Hiring a car in Laredo is one of the easiest ways to get around South Texas, particularly if you plan to visit business parks, outlets, or areas beyond the city centre where public transport is limited. For travellers from the United Kingdom, expect automatic gearboxes to be the norm, driving on the right, and higher importance placed on a credit card for the security deposit. Laredo is a border city, so if you are considering driving into Mexico, check permissions and insurance requirements in advance—many rentals restrict cross-border travel or require additional cover arranged before collection.
Avis
National
Budget
Hertz
Enterprise
Laredo International Airport (LRD) – Car Rental Area
Best for the quickest start after landing. Follow signs for ‘Ground Transportation’ and ‘Car Rental’. Most providers operate on-airport or in the immediate airport vicinity, with counters near arrivals and vehicles in a designated rental parking area. Advantages: longer opening hours, easier after-hours returns, straightforward navigation for first-time visitors. Disadvantages: slightly higher day rates and facility fees can apply versus off-airport locations, and queues can be longer at peak times.
Downtown Laredo (San Bernardo Avenue / City Centre Area)
Convenient if you are staying centrally or arriving by coach/rail or rideshare. Advantages: can be cheaper than the airport and useful for short city stays. Disadvantages: more limited opening hours, smaller fleets (fewer SUV/pick-up options), and parking/traffic can be busier during business hours.
I-35 Corridor (Midtown Commercial Areas)
Practical for quick access to major roads, hotels, and retail areas. Advantages: easy onward travel and often better availability of larger vehicles. Disadvantages: typically requires a taxi/rideshare to reach, and returns may be less flexible late in the evening.
Loading map...

Hire a Car in Laredo for South Texas Adventures

Compare popular makes and models suited to Laredo's fierce heat, the long I-35 corridor and the wider South Texas road network. Browse more top-rated options to plan your journey.

By Trip Type
Popular Makes

Heat & Highway

Medium

Cool Cabin, Long-Haul Comfort
5
2
Auto

South Texas summers often push the mercury above 38°C, while the I-35 corridor to San Antonio and Austin stretches for hours. A medium saloon pairs frugal fuel economy with strong air-conditioning, supportive seats and a smooth automatic gearbox. It is the most relaxed choice for long highway driving in fierce summer heat.

Border & Beach

SUV

Versatile Space for Border & Beach
5
3
Auto

Laredo sits on the busiest US-Mexico border crossing, and many travellers combine Texas drives with beach escapes to South Padre Island. An SUV gives higher seating, generous luggage space and the confidence to handle motorway stretches, sandy access roads and occasional unpaved tracks. It is the most versatile pick for mixed itineraries.

Desert Expedition

Pickup Truck

Tough & Ready for the Wild West
5
4
Auto

Big Bend National Park lies many hours west of Laredo, with long, fuel-sparse stretches and rough gravel tracks leading to the trailheads. A pickup offers higher ground clearance, robust four-wheel drive and a practical bed for camping kit, coolers and spare fuel. It is purpose-built for a true Texan desert expedition.

Choose Your Ride

Find the perfect vehicle for your trip. Compare options below.

Airport Pick-up
Downtown Pick-up

Collect At Laredo International Airport (LRD) For Maximum Convenience

Ideal if you want to be on the road quickly after arrival. Airport locations tend to offer the widest opening hours, straightforward returns, and good vehicle availability—useful for late flights or tight schedules. Do note that airport surcharges and facility fees can make the total price slightly higher than off-airport options.

logo
City RunaboutSmall
Mitsubishi Mirage

Mitsubishi Mirage

NationalIn terminal, Walk to counter
4
1
4
Auto
Cancellationcancellation fees apply
Deposit$400.00 - $850.00
MileageUnlimited
PaymentCredit Card, Debit card
Check Rates
logo
City RunaboutSmall
Mitsubishi Mirage

Mitsubishi Mirage

EnterpriseIn terminal, Walk to counter
4
1
4
Auto
Cancellationcancellation fees apply
Deposit$400.00 - $850.00
MileageUnlimited
PaymentCredit Card, Debit card
Check Rates
logo
City RunaboutSmall
Toyota Corolla

Toyota Corolla

NationalIn terminal, Walk to counter
5
3
4
Auto
Cancellationcancellation fees apply
Deposit$400.00 - $850.00
MileageUnlimited
PaymentCredit Card, Debit card
Check Rates
logo
Highway GliderLarge
Toyota Camry

Toyota Camry

NationalIn terminal, Walk to counter
5
3
4
Auto
Cancellationcancellation fees apply
Deposit$400.00 - $850.00
MileageUnlimited
PaymentCredit Card, Debit card
Check Rates
logo
Highway GliderLarge
Toyota Camry

Toyota Camry

BudgetFree shuttle bus
5
3
4
Auto
Cancellationcancellation fees apply
Deposit$936.98 - $1,036.98
MileageUnlimited
PaymentCredit Card, Debit card
Check Rates
logo
Highway GliderLarge
Toyota Camry

Toyota Camry

EnterpriseIn terminal, Walk to counter
5
3
4
Auto
Cancellationcancellation fees apply
Deposit$400.00 - $850.00
MileageUnlimited
PaymentCredit Card, Debit card
Check Rates
logo
Border ExplorerSUV
Jeep Renegade

Jeep Renegade

NationalIn terminal, Walk to counter
5
2
4
Auto
Cancellationcancellation fees apply
Deposit$400.00 - $850.00
MileageUnlimited
PaymentCredit Card, Debit card
Check Rates
logo
Border ExplorerSUV
Jeep Renegade

Jeep Renegade

EnterpriseIn terminal, Walk to counter
5
2
4
Auto
Cancellationcancellation fees apply
Deposit$400.00 - $850.00
MileageUnlimited
PaymentCredit Card, Debit card
Check Rates
logo
Border ExplorerSUV
Hyundai Kona

Hyundai Kona

NationalIn terminal, Walk to counter
5
2
4
Auto
Cancellationcancellation fees apply
Deposit$400.00 - $850.00
MileageUnlimited
PaymentCredit Card, Debit card
Check Rates

Laredo (LRD) Car Hire Reviews from Real Travellers

Browse honest customer feedback on vehicle collection in Laredo, Texas, and confidently choose a rental firm that matches your journey needs.

Rental companyRatingAvg. Daily RatePickup Method/DistanceSecurity depositAccepts Debit CardsKey Advantages
National
2.9
57 reviews
$169In terminal, Walk to counter
$400
  • Emerald Club car selection
  • Quick airport pickup
  • Friendly professional staff
Enterprise
1.8
23,900+ reviews
$182In terminal, Walk to counter
$400
  • Smooth Pickup Process
  • Friendly Helpful Staff
  • Clean Well-Maintained Vehicles
Budget
1.2
5691+ reviews
$269Free shuttle bus
$635 - $1,106
  • Excellent roadside assistance
  • Friendly helpful staff
  • Smooth pick-up process
Avis
1.2
99 reviews
$162In terminal, Walk to counter
$614 - $767
  • Great price booking online
  • Outstanding service at airport
  • No hidden extra charges

*Rating and review data are sourced from Trustpilot. Policy details may vary by location and vehicle type. Please confirm at the time of booking.

Data source: QEEQ Car Rental
Last updated: Jun. 12 2026
Essential Rental Hub
Everything you need to know before you drive off. Select a topic to get the full brakdown.
A Brit's Guide to Fueling Hire Cars in the USA
This guide simplifies the process of filling up a hire car with petrol in the USA for British visitors, covering terminology, payment methods, and step-by-step instructions.
View details
A Brit's Guide to Fueling Your Rental Car in the USA
This guide helps UK travellers navigate American petrol stations and refuel their rental cars confidently, covering payment processes, fuel types, and essential tips.
View details

Platform Insights

Car Rental Expert Advice

By QEEQ Platform Expert Team

Expertise Metrics

Platform Recognition

Asia's Best Car Rental Booking Website 2023&2024

Booking Volume

Review Quality

10,000+ verified 5-star reviews

Market Experience

Data Authority

Expertise Verification

QEEQ data verified against local official data sources

Key Expert Insights

Platform Analysis

"Laredo International Airport (LRD) is the dominant pickup point, with Enterprise, Hertz, Budget and Avis desks; Laredo also leads US-Mexico personal vehicle crossings, totalling 5,157,634 in 2025."

Booking Patterns

"Enterprise dominates Laredo with three on-airport/city branches; SUVs and mini-vans are top picks (33% mini bookings), average daily rate $99 (range $71-$173), driven by cross-border demand."

Customer Pain Points

"Around 40% of Laredo border renters report cross-border insurance confusion, while US-wide 64% of leisure renters cite unexpected add-on fees as their main grievance."

Data Sources

  • QEEQ internal booking databse
  • Laredo International Airport Car Rental Statistics (Gross Receipt Report)
  • Bureau of Transportation Statistics Border Crossing Data Annual Release 2025
  • Laredo Morning Times, CBP Port of Laredo statistics
  • Enterprise Rent-A-Car Laredo International Airport
  • momondo Enterprise Rent-A-Car Laredo Airport statistics
  • Bureau of Transportation Statistics Border Crossing Data 2025
  • Texas Department of Transportation Laredo Region Border Sheet
  • ConsumerAffairs Car Rental Industry Statistics 2026
  • ConsumerAffairs Car Rental Industry Statistics (hidden fees and insurance complaints)
  • CBP Laredo Field Office border crossing guidance
  • EnterpriseAppsToday Car Rental Statistics 2024

Laredo, Texas: Essential Travel and Driving Guide

Your comprehensive resource for navigating Laredo with up-to-date information on local driving laws, road regulations, and travel essentials for the United States border city.

LANGUAGES

English, Spanish

CURRENCY

USD

DRIVE ON

Right-hand side

COUNTRY CODE

+1

AVERAGE CAR RENTAL PRICE

$70 per day

AVERAGE CAR RENTAL LENGTH

4 days

SPEED LIMIT WITHIN TOWN

40-48 km/h

SPEED LIMIT OUT OF TOWN

113-137 km/h

ACCEPTABLE LIMIT OF BAC

0.08%

AVERAGE GAS PRICE

$0.88/L

LOWEST / HIGHEST GAS PRICE

$0.75/L - $1.10/L

Laredo Car Hire & Driving FAQ

Practical answers for UK visitors hiring and driving around Laredo, Texas

Can I drive in Laredo with just my UK photocard licence, or do I need an IDP?
Your UK photocard licence lets you drive in Texas for up to 90 days, so legally you do not need an IDP. In practice, however, every major rental firm at Laredo International Airport — Hertz, Enterprise, Avis, Budget, Sixt — will refuse to hand over the keys without a 1968-convention International Driving Permit, available for about £5.50 from the Post Office. Bring both documents. You must also have held the licence for at least one year and be aged 21+ to rent at all; 25+ is the only way to avoid the daily young-driver surcharge.
Can I take the rental car across the border into Nuevo Laredo, Mexico?
Standard US rental agreements restrict the car to the 50 states — taking it into Nuevo Laredo is a breach of contract and voids every line of your insurance on the spot. If crossing is essential, book a firm that explicitly permits it and buy Mexican Liability Insurance from a state-licensed insurer at the bridge (about £20–30 per day). Vehicles remaining beyond the border free zone also need a Temporary Vehicle Import Permit, paid online in advance. Most travellers simply park at the US side and walk across — the crossing is genuinely only ten minutes on foot.
How do I pay tolls on the I-35 corridor north of Laredo?
I-35 through Laredo itself is toll-free, but heading north towards San Antonio you will hit tolled express lanes and the SH 130 bypass around Austin. Cash is rarely accepted — every gantry reads an electronic tag only. Rental firms offer a daily toll device for £3–5 plus the tolls themselves, which is far cheaper than the post-trip admin fee of around £30 per missed notice. Tick the all-inclusive toll pass option at the counter. Returning the car with unpaid tolls almost always triggers a penalty plus admin charge, often exceeding £100 in total.
How brutally hot does Laredo get, and what should I do if the car overheats?
Laredo is one of the hottest cities in the United States, with June-to-September highs of 38–43 °C and humidity that often makes it feel closer to 50 °C. Run the air-conditioning on recirculate, keep washer fluid topped up (love-bugs and grasshoppers are ferocious on I-35 in late spring) and check tyre pressures weekly, as heat pushes them well above the cold-weather figure. If the temperature needle climbs into the red, pull over immediately, switch the A/C off and run the heater full blast to bleed heat from the engine — never lift a hot bonnet by hand.
I'm 23 — will every rental firm in Laredo charge me a young-driver fee?
Almost certainly yes. Every major brand in the US applies a daily young-driver surcharge to anyone under 25 — typically £20–30 (around $25–38) on top of the quoted rate at Laredo Airport counters. Some firms (Dollar, Thrifty) cap it at roughly £225 per rental; others (Hertz, Avis) charge it uncapped per day, which adds up fast on a two-week trip. The only reliable way to avoid the fee is to add a named driver aged 25 or over on the contract — that person must be present at the desk with their own licence. Travelling as a couple often makes this worthwhile.

QEEQ Platform Awards

Recognized globally for excellence in car rental booking services and customer satisfaction.

Asia's Best Car Rental Booking Website 2025

Asia's Best Car Rental Booking Website 2025

Asia's Best Car Rental Booking Website 2024

Asia's Best Car Rental Booking Website 2024

Asia's Best Car hire Booking Website 2023

Asia's Best Car hire Booking Website 2023

Asia's Best Car hire Booking Website 2022

Asia's Best Car hire Booking Website 2022

Best Car hire Platform Partner 2022 OF ABG

Best Car hire Platform Partner 2022 OF ABG

Business Excellence Awards 2024

Business Excellence Awards 2024

The Magellan Awards in Car hire Service Category

The Magellan Awards in Car hire Service Category

The Travolution Awards for Best On the Road

The Travolution Awards for Best On the Road

Recommended by our customers

Trusted by customers worldwide and we're always working to improve.

Trustpilot