Survey
Atlanta Tripling the Price of Car Rentals for Thanksgiving Travel
November 22, 2016

Thanksgiving travelers whose holiday plans involve renting a car in Atlanta, Ga. can anticipate a 200% price increase over normal rates. A new survey from CheapCarRental.net has come to this determination after comparing the rental costs of major U.S. destinations.

Specifically, the survey determined the price to rent the cheapest available car in 30 destinations across the United States. The time period spanning November 23 to 27, 2016 served as the basis of comparison. For comparative purposes, the survey chose each city’s biggest airport as the pick-up and drop-off location.

In Atlanta, a car renter can expect to pay $91 per rental day for the cheapest available car over the long Thanksgiving weekend. Compared to the usual rate for the same vehicle during the rest of November, that price tag represents an increase of 212%. Only New York City comes in more expensive. A daily rental rate of $101 for its most affordable car puts the Big Apple in the survey’s number one spot.

Pittsburgh, Pa. rounds out the Top 3 podium at an average rate of $79 per day, while Las Vegas, Nev. reports the biggest relative price increase. In the gambling capital, Thanksgiving car renters will have to pay $70 per day. That’s almost 300% more than they would usually spend for the same rented vehicle.

The following table compares car rental rates of 30 destinations for the long Thanksgiving weekend along with a comparison to regular prices. The rates shown reflect the average daily rate for the cheapest available car for the period of November 23–27, 2016. Regular rates reflect the average car rental rates for November.
  • 1. New York City $101 (+187%)
  • 2. Atlanta $91 (+212%)
  • 3. Pittsburgh $79 (+121%)
  • 4. Washington DC $75 (+96%)
  • 5. Las Vegas $70 (+287%)
  • 6. Baltimore $68 (+149%)
  • 7. New Orleans $68 (+107%)
  • 8. Kansas City $65(+103%)
  • 9. Detroit $59 (+112%)
  • 10. Chicago $51 (+63%)
  • 11. Seattle $51 (+113%)
  • 12. Charlotte $51(+94%)
  • 13. Portland $49 (+42%)
  • 14. Dallas $48 (-5%)
  • 15. St.Louis $47 (+38%)
  • 16. Boston $41(+19%)
  • 17. Los Angeles $43 (+144%)
  • 18. Phoenix $39 (+37%)
  • 19. San Francisco $37 (+61%)
  • 20. Miami $35 (+145%)
  • 21. Cleveland $34 (+22%)
  • 22. San Diego $33 (+125%)
  • 23. Philadelphis $33 (+8%)
  • 24. Tampa $33(+43%)
  • 25. Houston $32 (-17%)
  • 26. San Antonio $31 (-12%)
  • 27. Denver $31 (-11%)
  • 28. Minneapolis $30 (-18%)
  • 29. Orlando $30 (+12%)
  • 30. Honolulu $16 (+2%)


About the Survey:
Rates were established on November 16, 2016 via a leading car rental comparison engine. Each city’s main airport was chosen as the Pick-Up and Drop-Off location.

Press Contact: Michelle Walters, press@cheapcarrental.net