Rent a Car in College Park, GA – Affordable Rates & Complete Guide

Discover the best car rental deals near Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta Airport (ATL) and in downtown College Park. Get expert tips on insurance, fees, and more.

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Your Complete Guide to Renting a Car in College Park

Renting a car in College Park offers unparalleled convenience, especially with its proximity to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL). Whether you're arriving by plane or exploring the Atlanta metro area, College Park provides easy access to major highways and countless rental options. This guide covers everything from airport pickup pros and cons to downtown rental offices, helping you make an informed choice.

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)

The airport's Rental Car Center (RCC) is accessible via the ATL SkyTrain, located just minutes from terminals. It houses over a dozen major rental companies, offering a wide selection of vehicles. Open 24/7, it's ideal for immediate pickup after your flight.

Enterprise Rent-A-Car – Main Street

Conveniently located on Main Street in downtown College Park, this neighborhood branch offers personalized service and competitive rates. It’s a short drive from major hotels and the Georgia International Convention Center.

Hertz Local Edition – Camp Creek Parkway

Situated near the Camp Creek Marketplace, this Hertz location provides easy access to both I-85 and I-285. It’s a great option for those staying in the southern Atlanta suburbs or visiting nearby attractions.

What do you need to rent a car in College Park?

Renting a car in College Park is quite convenient, but there can be some specific requirements, especially for foreign renters.

Form of ID: A valid physical United States national photo ID must be presented by the main driver (and any additional drivers, if required).
Driving licence: The main driver and any additional drivers must present a full physical U.S. driving licence with no major endorsements, held for at least 2 years. NO LEARNER PERMITS OR PHOTO COPIES OF DRIVING LICENSE ARE ACCEPTED.
Notes: A full physical licence held for a minimum of 2 years is required. Learner permits and photocopies or digital/scanned licences are not accepted.
Accepted cards: Physical credit cards in the full name of the main driver are required. Accepted cards: Visa and MasterCard. Cards must be presented physically at pickup; other payment tools are not supported unless specifically stated.
Age requirements: Minimum driver age is 24 and maximum is 99. Drivers aged 24–25 may rent but are subject to a young driver surcharge of $27.00 per day (tax status as indicated).

Driving licence: The main driver and any additional drivers must present a full physical driving licence with no major endorsements, held for at least 2 years. Accepted driving licence include:
• Original driving licence + International Driving Permit (IDP). Please note the IDP is only a translation; you must present your original driving licence together with the original IDP. Photocopies or scanned copies are not accepted. NO LEARNER PERMITS OR PHOTO COPIES OF DRIVING LICENSE ARE ACCEPTED.
Notes: A full physical licence held for a minimum of 2 years is required. Original national licence must be accompanied by an original International Driving Permit if indicated. Learner permits and photocopies or digital/scanned licences are not accepted.
Form of ID: A valid passport must be presented by the main driver (and any additional drivers, if required).
Accepted cards: Physical credit cards in the full name of the main driver are required. Accepted cards: Visa and MasterCard. Cards must be presented physically at pickup; other payment tools are not supported unless specifically stated. If using insurance coverage from a credit card or car insurance provider, you must bring a printed letter with your name or card details, coverage information, validity dates, applicable countries, and vehicle types.
Age requirements: Minimum driver age is 24 and maximum is 99. Drivers aged 24–25 may rent but are subject to a young driver surcharge of $27.00 per day (tax status as indicated).

Choose Your Ride

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

Why Pick Up at ATL Airport?

Picking up your rental car directly at Hartsfield-Jackson Airport means you can hit the road minutes after landing. The Rental Car Center offers the widest selection of vehicles and companies, often with competitive rates due to high competition. Plus, you avoid the cost and hassle of a shuttle or taxi to an off-airport location.

College Park Car Rental Ratings from Verified Drivers

Read authentic customer reviews of car rentals in College Park, MD. Compare service quality, vehicle cleanliness, and pricing from real renters before booking your ride.

Rental company	Rating	Avg. Daily Rate	Pickup Method/Distance	Security deposit	Accepts Debit Cards	Key Advantages
	2.8 200+ reviews	$55	2.1 mi from College Park Downtown	$1,500		●Friendly and Professional Staff ●Easy Online Booking Process ●Smooth Airport Pickup Service

*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. 22 2026

Essential Rental Hub

Everything you need to know before you drive off. Select a topic to get the full brakdown.

Stress-Free Guide to Fueling Your Rental Car in the USA

This guide provides a step-by-step approach for international visitors on how to fuel up a rental car in the USA, covering fuel types, payment methods, and essential tips for a stress-free experience.

View details

Ultimate USA car rental guide avoid hidden fees insurance traps and extra charges

Discover how to avoid hidden car rental fees in the USA with a practical step by step strategy. Learn the real cost of CDW LDW SLI and PAI insurance, how to use third party coverage like QEEQ full protection, and when credit card coverage works. Understand fuel policy tricks like prepaid fuel vs full to full, airport concession surcharges, young driver and additional driver fees, and expensive extras such as GPS and child seats. Get clear guidance on handling toll roads without overpriced transponder packages and follow a detailed checklist for booking, pickup, and return so the price you book is the price you pay on your US road trip.

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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

"Enterprise leads the U.S. car rental market with 39% booking share; the top three (Enterprise, Avis Budget, Hertz) control ~94%. BWI Marshall Airport anchors rentals near College Park."

Booking Patterns

"Short-term rentals hold 65% of U.S. share; leisure drives 64% of demand. SUV/premium bookings grew 12% YoY and average rental duration is 4.8 days, with 41% booked within 2 weeks."

Customer Pain Points

"53% of U.S. car rental customers cite unexpected fees as the top complaint, causing an average satisfaction of just 3.8/5."

Data Sources

QEEQ internal booking databse
Statista via Market.us - Car Rental Bookings by Brand (United States, December 2023)
Global Market Insights - U.S. Car Rental Market Share Analysis
BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport - Economic Development / Rental Car Facility
Global Market Insights - U.S. Car Rental Market by Rental Length and Application
Worldmetrics - Car Rental Statistics (Average Duration, Online Booking Trends)
Market.us - Car Rental Pricing & Booking Time Frame Statistics (NerdWallet)
Worldmetrics - Car Rental Statistics (Customer Pain Points 2023-2026)
Compens.ai - Car Rental Disputes: Complete Legal Guide (U.S. consumer losses)
CarInsuRent Study via EIN Presswire - $1.21B Annual Excess Insurance Overpayments at Airports

Popular Routes & Trips from College Park

Top Car Rental Routes:

College Park to Washington, D.C.

City25–45 min

Just a short drive south on Baltimore-Washington Parkway or I-495, this route takes you into the heart of the nation's capital. Perfect for exploring the National Mall, museums, and monuments.

National Mall, Smithsonian Museums, U.S. Capitol, White House, Georgetown Waterfront

College Park to Baltimore, MD

City35–50 min

Head north on I-95 to Baltimore's vibrant Inner Harbor, historic neighborhoods, and renowned seafood scene. A quick escape for culture, sports, or waterfront dining.

Inner Harbor, National Aquarium, Fort McHenry, Fells Point, Oriole Park at Camden Yards

College Park to Annapolis, MD

Historic30–45 min

Drive east on US-50 to Maryland's charming capital. Stroll brick-paved streets, tour the Naval Academy, and enjoy Chesapeake Bay views.

Maryland State House, U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis City Dock, Ego Alley, Quiet Waters Park

Recommended Day Trips:

National Mall & Smithsonian Day

Full day (8–10 hours)

Park near the National Mall and spend the day exploring iconic monuments and world-class museums. Free admission to all Smithsonian institutions.

Baltimore Inner Harbor & Aquarium

Half day (5–7 hours)

Visit the National Aquarium, wander around the Inner Harbor, and sample Maryland crab cakes. Ideal for families and couples.

Annapolis Historic Walking Tour

4–6 hours

Tour the U.S. Naval Academy, admire colonial architecture, and enjoy a seafood lunch on the waterfront. Don't miss the Maryland State House.

Great Falls Park Scenic Drive

3–5 hours

Drive to the Potomac River's Great Falls for breathtaking waterfalls, hiking trails, and picnic spots. Just a short hop from College Park via I-495.

Car Rental Planning Tips

Book Early for Best Rates: Reserve your rental at least two weeks ahead, especially during peak travel seasons or university events.

Choose the Right Pickup Location: College Park has rental offices near campus and at nearby metro stations. Compare on-airport vs. off-airport prices.

Understand Rental Duration: Daily rates often assume 24-hour periods. Returning a car late may incur extra fees, so plan your trip timing carefully.

Check Insurance Coverage: Your personal auto insurance or credit card may cover rental cars. Verify before declining the rental company's coverage.

Fuel Policy Matters: Opt for a full-to-full fuel policy. Refuel near the return location to avoid premium refueling charges.

Inspect the Vehicle Thoroughly: Document any existing damage with photos before leaving the lot to avoid disputes upon return.

Know Your Tolls: Many routes from College Park use toll roads like the Intercounty Connector (MD 200). Ask about toll passes or use cash lanes.

College Park Maryland Driving & Travel Essentials

Your complete guide to driving rules, rental costs, fuel prices, and road safety in College Park, Maryland

LANGUAGES

English

CURRENCY

USD

DRIVE ON

Right-hand side

COUNTRY CODE

AVERAGE CAR RENTAL PRICE

$57 per day

AVERAGE CAR RENTAL LENGTH

7 days

SPEED LIMIT WITHIN TOWN

24-56 km/h

SPEED LIMIT OUT OF TOWN

64-113 km/h

ACCEPTABLE LIMIT OF BAC

0.08% (Strictly Enforced)

AVERAGE GAS PRICE

$1.00/L

LOWEST / HIGHEST GAS PRICE

$0.87/L - $1.46/L

TRAVELER RATING

8.5 / 10

College Park Car Rental & Driving FAQ

Practical answers for University of Maryland students and visitors driving in the D.C. metro area

I'm an international student at UMD - can I rent a car with my home country license?

Yes. Maryland honors valid foreign licenses for stays under one year, and the International Driving Permit (IDP) is strongly recommended as a translation. Enterprise (8530 Baltimore Ave) and Hertz (BWI Airport, 25 min away) accept IDP + passport. Minimum age is 21, with a $20-30/day young driver surcharge for ages 21-24.

E-ZPass or pay-by-plate - what's the cheapest way to handle tolls around College Park?

Get E-ZPass. MD-200 (Intercounty Connector) and the I-495 Express Lanes are all-electronic, with no cash option. Without E-ZPass, video tolls cost 1.5x the rate plus a $3 admin fee per trip. Rental car E-ZPass runs $3-5/day plus tolls, and skipping it can add $50-100 to a week's driving in the D.C. region.

I'm 21 and just want a car for the weekend - how much extra will the young driver fee cost?

Expect $20-30/day on top of the base rate for drivers aged 21-24. Hertz charges $19/day, Enterprise around $25/day, Sixt about $30/day. Most agencies will not rent to anyone under 21 at all. If you're under 25, skip the airport counters and compare off-airport branches in College Park or Greenbelt for better deals.

Do I really need winter tires for driving in College Park from December through February?

Not legally required - Maryland doesn't mandate them - but College Park averages 15-20 inches of snow per season, and side streets in neighborhoods like Calvert Hills often go unplowed for 12+ hours. Quality all-season tires handle plowed routes fine. If you're commuting from further out (e.g. Bethesda, Laurel) or driving an SUV, a set of dedicated winter tires is worth the $400-500 investment.

Where can I actually park near UMD campus without getting a $75 ticket?

Daily meters on Baltimore Avenue and Knox Road cost $1.50/hour, enforced 8am-6pm Mon-Sat. Lots 1, 2, 3, and 4 are open to visitors for $2/hour or $12/day. Free after 6pm and all day Sunday. Never park in yellow zones, fire lanes, or resident-only Lots 5-11 - enforcement is aggressive, and unpaid tickets block your student account or rental return.

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