Compare Las Vegas car hire

Most major car hire companies have desks at McCarran International Airport (LAS), including Hertz, Avis, Europcar, Enterprise and Budget. With so many options, finding a competitive rate is a little easier. Before you travel, make sure to shop around online for the best chance of getting a cheap car hire deal.

The drive to Las Vegas Strip takes around 10–15 minutes, depending on the traffic. Driving to Las Vegas Boulevard from the airport is straightforward. Head south on Paradise Road, take the I-15 highway north for two miles and take exit 39 for the famous Las Vegas Strip.

McCarran International Airport has a central location for all car rentals. The McCarran Rent-A-Car Center on Gilespie Street is a three-mile drive south of the airport, and a free shuttle service runs from terminals 1 and 3. The center is open 24/7 and features 11 car hire companies.

Car rental companies at McCarran Rent-A-Car Center include:

• Enterprise: (+1 7027958842)
• Hertz: (+1 7022627700)
• Budget: (+1 7027361212)
• Sixt: (+1 7026666747)
• Alamo: (+1 8443707395)
• National: (+1 7022638411)
• Avis: (+1 8003311212)
• Advantage: (+1 8007779377)

If you're spending a few days in Las Vegas before going touring, it can be easier to pick up a car on the Strip rather than head back to the airport. Hertz has 20 offices around the city, including at the Wynn and Caesars Palace, while Avis has a desk at the Luxor Hotel.

Las Vegas is an easy city to get around. The I-15 runs through Downtown Las Vegas and alongside the Las Vegas Strip, while the I-515 and the I-215 circumnavigate the city.

Las Vegas is set out in the grid system favoured by most American cities. All roads and highways are well signposted, but it's worth bringing a satnav or using a GPS-enabled smartphone to navigate the lesser known routes – particularly if you plan to head out into the desert.

The main Las Vegas streets do get congested during rush hour – around 7am–9am and 4pm–6pm – and at weekends, and traffic is almost always busy along the famous Las Vegas Strip. If you're in a hurry, plan your route in advance and try to avoid the main drags.

Most of the big hotels and casinos offer valet parking at a price. Circus Circus, Treasure Island and The Venetian all offer free self-parking for customers and guests.

Red Rock Canyon

Driving time: 30 minutes

The Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area is only a short hop from Vegas, making it a must-do day trip. Located 17 miles south of Downtown, the park attracts fit, outdoorsy types who come to hike through its rugged red terrain and climb its sheer rock faces. The 13-mile scenic drive through the park takes in Turtlehead Peak, Sandstone Quarry and the Pine Creek trail.

Valley of Fire State Park

Driving time: One hour

Head further into the Mojave Desert to visit Nevada's oldest and largest state park. The Valley of Fire is one of the highlights of the Silver State. Famous for its blazing red Aztec sandstone outcrops, petrified trees and petroglyphs dating back over two millennia, the Valley of Fire makes a dramatic alternative from the bright lights of Vegas. Don't miss the Visitor Centre for an insight into the history, geology and ecology of the park.

Death Valley National Park

Driving time: Two hours 30 minutes

With nearly 1000 miles of paved and dirt roads, a drive through Death Valley is one of the highlights of a California/Nevada road trip. Visit the lowest point in North America at the unearthly Badwater Basin salt flats, hear the rattle of the indigenous rattlesnakes at Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes or snap a panoramic photo at Dante's View in the Black Mountains.

1. Parking charges have been going up in Las Vegas, so save money by using hotel self-parking where available. It can also save you time – valets can take a surprisingly long time to locate your car in these sprawling complexes.
   
   
2. Avoid driving down the Strip and Las Vegas Boulevard on weekend evenings, as traffic is often gridlocked on Friday and Saturday night.
   
   
3. You can pay with a credit card at Nevada petrol stations, but most self-service machines will ask for your zip code. It's easier to just pay inside – but note that you'll need to do this before filling up, not after.

Fair fuel policy

A fair fuel policy (also known as full-to-full or same-to-same) means you’ll only pay for the fuel you use. All car rental deals compared on TravelSupermarket come with a fair fuel policy, so you can book your hire car safe in the knowledge there will be no nasty surprises at drop-off. More information on TravelSupermarket’s commitment to fair fuel policies can be found here.

No hidden fees

All rental deals compared on TravelSupermarket include mandatory fees (for example, one-way and young driver surcharges) in your rental quote at the time of booking, meaning you’ll know the full price of your car hire upfront.