Car Rental in United States
With vast distances between cities, diverse landscapes, and attractions spread across urban and rural areas, having access to a rental vehicle provides greater flexibility and convenience than relying solely on public transportation. The United States has one of the world's largest car rental markets with options, including economy cars, SUVs, luxury vehicles, pickup trucks, minivans, and electric vehicles.
Rental cars in the United States are widely available at airports, downtown locations, train stations, and suburban areas, making it easy to find a vehicle almost anywhere in the country.
The recent United States car rental market trends indicate that:
The car rental and leasing industry in the United States is officially classified under NAICS code 53211, which is the industry category used to identify businesses that rent or lease passenger vehicles.
Industry revenue reached $62.8 billion through the end of 2026, growing at a 2.9% CAGR despite a slight 0.5% dip this year alone, with profits recovering to 8.2% of revenue.
The car rental market is expected to grow significantly in the coming years, reaching an estimated $194.37 billion by 2033.
Electric vehicles are crossing the mainstream threshold, projected to comprise 25-30% of new rental fleet purchases in 2026 as charging infrastructure matures.
About 70% of car rentals are now booked online, with many companies offering contactless pickup and digital access.