Renting a car in Arizona: I said no to the first car

The car they had left looked like a tin can. I said no, and they cleaned out a Dodge Charger for me instead. That is the short version of my Arizona rental. The rest is what I would check before you book.

Sources checked September 28, 2026. Confirm your rental terms before booking. Some links on this page are affiliate links. MileCheck earns a commission if you book through them.

The line, then the tin can

I rented in person at a non-airport location of a major rental company. The wait at the counter was long. Then I saw the car they had left. It looked like a tin can death trap, and I said nope.

They cleaned out a Dodge Charger instead.

That worked for me. It will not work every time, since a branch can only hand you what it has. But look at the car before you sign for it, and if it looks wrong to you, say so.

The Charger and Canyon Lake

We took the Charger to Canyon Lake. The road there is super windy, and it was great to feel the pavement. The Charger was dinged up a bit and we still loved it. If yours has dings too, photograph them before you leave the lot.

The debit card problem

I could not rent with a debit card because I had an in-state license. I had to use a credit card. Debit card rules differ by company and by location, so call the branch before you go and ask what a local renter needs to bring. Do it before you book, not at the counter.

Taking a rental to Rocky Point

I have also driven a rental from Phoenix to Rocky Point. We bought the insurance. Check whether your rental company allows the car into Mexico before you book. Avis requires written permission, and some companies prohibit it. Extra insurance does not override a border restriction.

Picking up at Sky Harbor

Take the PHX Sky Train from the terminal to the Rental Car Center at 1805 E. Sky Harbor Circle South. The train runs 24 hours a day. That does not mean every rental counter is open all night, so confirm your location's hours. Allow time after landing to reach the Rental Car Center and collect your car. The airport's rental car page has the current route.

If you plan to return the car at another location, check the one-way fee before booking. Enter the other location as the drop-off when you compare prices on Discover Cars.

Rental fees

Arizona has no toll roads. Texts demanding payment for Arizona tolls are scams, according to ADOT. If you drive into another state, check your route for tolls before declining the rental company's toll program.

Arizona requires rental companies to collect a 5% surcharge on contracts of 180 days or less. It applies to the rental rate and to charges such as insurance and fuel. Compare the full quoted totals before booking. Discover Cars lets you search several rental companies at once.

Check your insurance before you rent

Collision damage waivers and liability coverage cover different costs. If your card includes rental-car coverage, check its coverage terms before you rent. It may cover damage to the rental car without covering injury or damage you cause to others. Check that the benefit covers the vehicle you plan to rent and how you must pay for the rental.

Check the unpaved road clause

Avis prohibits driving its rentals on unpaved roads. Check your rental company's agreement before planning a drive on dirt. If you drive on a road the agreement excludes, your damage waiver may not apply.

Monument Valley's 17-mile loop is a dirt road. Near Sedona, the Forest Service requires high clearance on the unpaved part of Dry Creek Road, FR 152, on the way to Devil's Bridge, and lists alternate parking for low-clearance vehicles. A vehicle that suits the road is not the same as a rental company that permits the drive. Ask for permission in writing.

Distances and fuel

Phoenix to Flagstaff is about 144 driving miles. Phoenix to the Grand Canyon's South Rim is 231 miles via Flagstaff and Williams. Phoenix to Tucson on I-10 is about 115 miles. Phoenix to Sedona is about two hours before stops or traffic delays. Your pickup and destination addresses change these numbers.

Check fuel stops along your route before leaving town. Cell coverage is limited in parts of northern Arizona. Give the highway name and direction when reporting a breakdown. Add a nearby mile marker if you have one. MileCheck shows highway mile markers offline.

Check the car before leaving

Check the tires and test the air conditioning before leaving the rental lot. Ask for another car if you find a problem. Do not leave children or pets in a parked car. Keep water in the car for every trip, including short ones.

Driving in dust storms

Arizona's official monsoon season runs from June 15 through September 30. Do not drive into a dust storm. ADOT's guidance is called Pull Aside, Stay Alive. If you meet one on I-10 or another desert highway, the steps are:

1. Check surrounding traffic and start slowing down when you encounter blowing dust.
2. Leave the highway completely if possible, before visibility worsens. Otherwise, stop beyond the pavement if you can do so safely. Keep clear of travel lanes and the emergency lane.
3. Once stopped off the roadway, switch off all lights, including flashers. Other drivers may follow visible lights toward your parked car.
4. Apply the parking brake and release the brake pedal. Remain inside with your seatbelt fastened until the storm passes.

Flooded washes

Arizona roads cross dry washes that can fill with fast water after a storm miles away. Under A.R.S. 28-910, a driver whose car becomes inoperable after entering a flooded, barricaded public road can owe up to $2,000 in emergency response costs. Other liability can apply. Do not drive through water over a road. Turn around and wait. Check your damage waiver's exclusions too. Damage caused by a prohibited use of the car may not be covered.

Driving beyond Phoenix

Grand Canyon's standard entrance pass costs $35 per private vehicle for seven days. Non-U.S. residents aged 16 and older also pay $100 each unless covered by a qualifying annual pass. Check the park's fee page before you go, and see the NPS nonresident rules.

The Navajo Nation observes daylight saving time. Most of Arizona, including the Hopi Reservation, does not. Confirm the local time for tours and reservations. Arizona highway cameras show conditions before you leave.

If you are driving on a foreign licence

If you are visiting Arizona temporarily, you can drive with a valid licence from your home country. Arizona does not require an International Driving Permit. Your rental company may have additional document requirements, per ADOT.

Questions, answered

Related: Rental toll passes · Rental insurance vs. credit card · International Driving Permits · Foreign licence · Arizona cameras