What Is the Cheapest Way to Rent a Car Long Term in the US (2026)?
In the US the cheapest long term car rental is usually a monthly program booked direct: Enterprise long-term rates start past 28 days, Avis Flex runs 15 to 330 days and Hertz Multi-Month starts at 63 days. Compare totals after ShopBack.
In the US, the cheapest way to rent a car long term is usually a monthly rental booked direct through a big rental company's long-term program, then compared on the price after ShopBack. According to each company at the time of writing, Enterprise's long-term rates begin on rentals of more than 28 days, Avis Flex covers 15 to 330 days, and Hertz Multi-Month needs a 63-day minimum keep, all without mileage caps on most cars.
The order of steps matters: price the right program for your length of stay, pick a branch, then go through ShopBack before you pay.
New to ShopBack? ShopBack US is a free app and website that gives you Cashback when you book or shop at partner stores, including Enterprise, Hertz and Avis. Before you pay for an online order, go through ShopBack first, then book on the rental company's site as usual. Join ShopBack US for free.
The cheapest way to rent a car for a month: match the program to your dates
The cheapest option depends mostly on how long you need the car, because each company starts its long-term pricing at a different length. Book a program whose minimum fits your stay, and you avoid paying daily or weekly rates for a month of driving. Here is what each company publishes at the time of writing:
| Program | Rental length | Mileage | What the company says is included |
|---|---|---|---|
| Enterprise long-term rental | Rates begin on rentals of more than 28 days | No limit on most vehicle classes | More than 4,400 US locations |
| Subscribe with Enterprise | Monthly fee covers 30 days | Per program terms | Insurance, maintenance and roadside assistance in one payment; swap cars up to 4 times a month; Minnesota, Missouri and Nevada only |
| Hertz Multi-Month | 63-day minimum keep | No mileage limits or penalties | No upfront fees, preventative maintenance, over 1,700 Hertz Local Edition locations, one-way monthly rentals for a fee |
| Avis Flex | 15 to 330 days | Unlimited | $0 down payment, option to swap cars, preventative maintenance |
So a simple rule of thumb:
- Two to four weeks: Avis Flex starts at 15 days, and Enterprise's long-term rates start past 28 days.
- One to two months: Enterprise long-term and Avis Flex both fit. Price both for the same dates.
- Two months or more: Hertz Multi-Month becomes an option from 63 days, alongside Enterprise and Avis.
- A month or more in Minnesota, Missouri or Nevada: Subscribe with Enterprise is worth pricing, since its fee includes insurance and maintenance.
Long term car rental in 2026: how monthly pricing works
A long term car rental in 2026 is priced differently from a short trip: once your booking passes the company's long-term threshold, the rate structure changes. Enterprise says its long-term rates begin with rentals of more than 28 days, and Avis says that with Avis Flex "the longer you rent, the more you save."
That has a practical effect. If you need a car for close to a month, price your booking at a few different lengths before you commit. A 29-day quote at Enterprise sits inside its long-term pricing, while a 27-day quote does not, so the shorter booking is not always the cheaper one. Rates vary by branch and date, so let the quotes decide.
Three other things move the monthly total:
- The branch. Hertz runs its Multi-Month program through Hertz Local Edition neighborhood locations, and Enterprise has more than 4,400 US locations. Quote a neighborhood branch as well as the airport, since taxes and fees vary by location.
- The car class. A compact car and a large SUV can differ a lot over 30 days. Enterprise notes that most, not all, vehicle classes carry unlimited mileage on long-term rentals.
- Protection products. Hertz says Multi-Month rentals are available with or without a Loss Damage Waiver at reduced rates. Decide what cover you need before you add it at the counter.
Long term car rental best deals in the US for 2026
The best long term car rental deals in the US for 2026 usually come from combining the right program length, a neighborhood branch and a booking that goes through ShopBack. No single company is cheapest everywhere, so a short routine beats hunting for one magic code:
- Get same-date quotes from Enterprise, Hertz and Avis for the car class you need.
- Check the long-term threshold for each one, and quote a length that sits inside it.
- Read each company's deals page for current long-term offers. Offers change through the year, so check on the day you book.
- Go through ShopBack before you pay. Open the store's page on ShopBack US, tap through, and finish the booking.
- Compare the price after ShopBack, not the sticker price. The quote with the lowest effective price wins, even if its headline rate looked higher.
No code is needed for Cashback: go through ShopBack before you pay.
Other car rental companies on ShopBack US include Budget. For the wider picture on where to book, see the best site to use for cheap car rentals.
Enterprise vs Hertz vs Avis for a long term car rental
Enterprise, Hertz and Avis each built their monthly programs for a slightly different renter, so the cheapest one depends on your dates and city. For an Enterprise vs Hertz long term car rental price comparison in 2026, get quotes for identical dates and car class; published rates change daily, but the program rules below stay fairly stable.
Enterprise long-term rental
Enterprise's long-term rates start on rentals of more than 28 days, with no mileage limit on most vehicle classes and more than 4,400 US locations. Enterprise says you can rent "for as long as needed, whether it's several weeks, a month, or longer." That makes it a strong fit for a stay of one to two months, or for a car while yours is in the shop.
Hertz Multi-Month
Hertz Multi-Month has a 63-day minimum keep and no mileage limits, and Hertz lists no upfront fees, extendable monthly rentals, preventative maintenance and one-way monthly rentals for a fee. It is aimed at people who need a car for several months, such as a seasonal move or a long work project.
Avis Flex
Avis Flex runs from 15 to 330 days, with $0 down, unlimited mileage, the option to swap cars and preventative maintenance included, according to Avis. Its 15-day start makes it one of the more flexible choices for a stay that is longer than two weeks but shorter than a month.
Whichever you choose, go through ShopBack US before you book. Each of the three has a store page on ShopBack US: Enterprise, Hertz and Avis.
Renting vs leasing vs a car subscription
For a few weeks or months, renting usually costs less up front than leasing, because there is no down payment and no multi-year contract. Hertz's comparison table sets Hertz Multi-Month, with a 63-day term and no down payment, against a typical dealer lease with a 39-month term, a down payment and a 12,000-mile yearly limit; Hertz notes the lease figures are for illustration. Avis says a lease usually runs 2 to 4 years.
Here is how the three options line up:
- Monthly rental: best for a defined stretch, from a few weeks to most of a year. You can return the car when you are done.
- Car subscription: one monthly payment that, with Subscribe with Enterprise, includes the car, insurance, maintenance and roadside assistance. Enterprise says you can cancel any time after your second full month, but it is only offered in three states.
- Lease: usually the lower monthly payment for several years of driving, in exchange for a long commitment, mileage limits and money due at signing.
If you will need a car for more than a year, price a lease or a purchase too. Rentals win on flexibility, not always on cost per month over the long run.
Go through ShopBack US before you pay
Before you pay for a long term car rental online, go through ShopBack US so part of what you spend comes back as cash. ShopBack works as a post-purchase discount: go through it before you pay and the effective price drops. Cashback lowers what you actually pay for an order. It comes back as cash, so it works like a discount on the price, not like points or miles.
The steps on ShopBack US:
- Open the store's page on ShopBack, such as Enterprise, Hertz or Avis.
- Tap through to the rental company's site and book.
- Keep the booking as made. Go through ShopBack before you pay.
- Withdraw the cash once the booking is confirmed.
Working out the effective price
Your effective price is the rental amount minus the Cashback, at the live rate shown on each store's ShopBack page. When two quotes are close, compare the effective price after ShopBack, not the sticker price.
Card rewards and rental cover on a long term rental
Your credit card's own rewards usually still apply to a car rental, because the card issuer pays them separately from the rental company and from ShopBack. You can usually earn both, but it is not guaranteed for every card or booking, so read your card's terms.
Rental car coverage needs more care on a long rental. Some cards include coverage, but card benefits often limit how many days of a single rental they cover, so a month-long booking may fall outside it. Check your card's benefit guide and your own auto policy before you decline the rental company's protection. For more on how card rewards and ShopBack work together, see Cashback vs card rewards.
What you need to rent a car for a month
To rent a car for a month you generally need a valid license, a card in your name and to meet the company's age rules. For Avis Flex, Avis says:
- You must be at least 21 to rent in most US states, and at least 25 to avoid the underage surcharge.
- You can pay with a credit or debit card at most locations, but you must be at least 25 to use a debit card (18 in New York).
- Smoking is not permitted in Avis vehicles.
Enterprise and Hertz set their own requirements, so read them on each company's site before you book a long rental.
Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest way to rent a car long term or for a month?
In the US it is usually a monthly rental booked direct through a rental company's long-term program, priced for your exact dates at a neighborhood branch, then paid for after going through ShopBack. Enterprise long-term rates begin on rentals of more than 28 days, Avis Flex runs 15 to 330 days and Hertz Multi-Month needs a 63-day minimum, according to each company at the time of writing.
How long do you need to rent a car to get a monthly rate?
It depends on the company. According to Enterprise, its long-term rental rates begin with rentals of more than 28 days. Avis says its Avis Flex long-term rentals start at 15 days, and Hertz says Hertz Multi-Month has a 63-day minimum keep.
Is Enterprise or Hertz cheaper for a long term car rental?
Neither is cheaper everywhere; the price depends on city, dates and car class. Enterprise's long-term rates start past 28 days at more than 4,400 US locations, while Hertz Multi-Month suits rentals of 63 days or more at over 1,700 Hertz Local Edition locations. Get quotes for the same dates from both and compare the totals after ShopBack.
Do long term car rentals have unlimited mileage?
Usually, on the big programs. Enterprise says there is no mileage limit for most vehicle classes on its long-term rentals, Hertz lists no mileage limits or penalties on Hertz Multi-Month, and Avis lists unlimited mileage for Avis Flex.
Is renting a car for a month cheaper than leasing?
For a few months, a rental usually costs less to start because there is no down payment or multi-year term. Avis notes that leases usually run 2 to 4 years, and Hertz's own comparison shows a typical dealer lease with a 39-month term and a 12,000-mile yearly limit. For several years of driving, a lease or purchase can work out cheaper, so compare total cost over the time you need the car.
What is a car subscription and is it cheaper than a monthly rental?
A car subscription bundles the car, insurance, maintenance and roadside assistance into one monthly payment. Subscribe with Enterprise works this way and lets you swap cars up to 4 times a month, but Enterprise lists it only in Minnesota, Missouri and Nevada. It can cost less than a rental plus separate insurance, so compare both on the full monthly total.
Can I earn ShopBack Cashback on a long term car rental?
Enterprise, Hertz and Avis all have stores on ShopBack US. Go through ShopBack before you book, then finish the booking. The live rate is shown on each store's ShopBack page.
How do I work out the real price of a monthly rental after ShopBack?
Take the eligible booking amount and subtract the cash that comes back. Compare that effective price across companies, not the sticker price; the live rate is on each store's ShopBack page.
Does my credit card cover a long term rental car?
Sometimes. Some cards include rental car coverage, but card benefits often cap the number of days a single rental is covered, so a month-long rental may fall outside it. Read your card's benefit guide and your own auto policy before you decline the rental company's protection.
How old do you have to be to rent a car long term?
For Avis Flex, Avis says you must be at least 21 in most US states and at least 25 to avoid the underage surcharge, and at least 25 to pay with a debit card (18 in New York). Other companies set their own age rules, so check before you book.
Key takeaways
- Match the program to your dates: Avis Flex from 15 days, Enterprise long-term rates past 28 days, Hertz Multi-Month from 63 days.
- Most long-term programs from the big three carry unlimited mileage on most cars, according to each company.
- Subscribe with Enterprise bundles insurance and maintenance but is only offered in Minnesota, Missouri and Nevada.
- Quote neighborhood branches as well as airports, and price a few rental lengths around the long-term threshold.
- Before you pay, go through ShopBack US, then compare the price after ShopBack, not the sticker price.
Related reads
Go through ShopBack US before you book a rental car at: Enterprise · Hertz · Avis · Budget
About this guide
Program rules come from Enterprise's Long-Term Car Rental and Subscribe with Enterprise pages, Hertz's Monthly Car Rentals (Hertz Multi-Month) page and Avis's Long-Term and Monthly Car Rental Options page, read at the time of writing. Rates and offers change daily, so this guide does not quote rental prices or ShopBack rates and points to the live rate on each store's ShopBack page instead.
Disclaimer
The views and recommendations expressed in this article are those of the author. Rental programs, minimum lengths, mileage terms, locations, age rules and prices are set by each rental company and change over time. Cashback rates, eligible bookings and exclusions on ShopBack vary by store and over time and are shown on each store's ShopBack US page. This article is intended for general informational purposes only and should not be considered professional or financial advice.
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