Rent cars in Des Moines, IA
Discover the Turo car rental marketplace
Rental cars in Des Moines, IA
Find your vibe in Des Moines
Iowa’s capital city is more than just a fly-over town. Full of character and class, it’s home to exciting museums, picture-perfect parks, and important historical landmarks. In the city’s vibrant downtown, you can enjoy live music, local flavors, and a thriving arts scene.
When you’re ready for more, fuel up the tank and travel out of town for gorgeous parks, happening cities, and access to the beautiful Des Moines River.
Des Moines favorites
Get a taste of the old and new U.S. in Des Moines.
Salisbury House & Gardens
Stroll through the grandiose halls and grounds of this glamorous 1920s estate, modeled after the King's House in Salisbury, England. You can also see plenty of historic memorabilia, antiques, and musical instruments.
East Village
The historic and cultural hub of the city is the East Village, where you can see gems like the ornate State Capitol and the Historical Museum, as well as wander among hip shops and happening restaurants.
Blank Park Zoo
Get up close and personal with everything from otters to African elephants at the Blank Park Zoo. One of the park’s most popular areas is the Australian Adventure, where you can see kangaroos and koalas.
Rent cars in Des Moines, IA
Hit the road
A Midwest city full of character, Des Moines is surrounded by nostalgic small towns and rustic landscapes, perfect for escaping the daily grind. In historic Pella, a 19th-century Dutch settlement, you can travel back in time amid an old windmill and charming bakeries. Or soak in natural beauty at Ledges State Park. When you’re ready for the big city life, head to booming Kansas City for iconic museums, restaurants, and nightlife.
Rent the perfect carKansas City, MO
Just under three hours away is one of the midwest’s most happening destinations: Kansas City. Check out the expansive Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, the National WWI Museum, and the American Jazz Museum. Then check out the hip downtown area and sample some amazing barbecue.
Pella
Skip town and drive an hour southeast to Pella, a beautiful city founded in 1847 by Dutch immigrants. Here, you can visit authentic Dutch bakeries, amble along the Molengracht Canal, and explore the Historical Village & Vermeer Windmill.
Ledges State Park
From Des Moines, it’s just a short 30-minute drive to Ledges State Park. At this natural playground, you can hike a sandstone gorge, kayak in the Des Moines River, or picnic while keeping an eye out for wildlife.
Recent reviews
Nice fun car to drive around Des Moines if back again before the relocation in permanent, will definitely use again!
John was so great to work with and was able to accommodate my needs for my trip.
Car rental locations near Des Moines, IA
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Best Des Moines driving roads
Highway T14
If you’re planning a day trip to Pella, travel along Highway T14 to get there. This fun drive through Iowa’s central countryside twists and turns as it skirts wildlife areas and Lake Red Rock. End your journey at Jaarsma Bakery for delicious Dutch pastries.
Neal Smith Bison Area Scenic Drive
Short but sweet, this 5-mile route loops around the Neal Smith Wildlife Area near Prairie City. As you drive, you’ll see gorgeous wildflowers, vast plains, and plenty of bison. You’ll need to stay in your car, but you can usually see the bison fine without getting out.
Saylorville Lake
Head toward Saylorville Lake and take 415 north to Polk City. As you wind along this curvy road, you’ll encounter beautiful lakeside views and picturesque campgrounds. Complete your trip by heading further North to Big Creek Lake, a lovely park with lots of recreational options.
Frequently asked questions in Des Moines
What do I need to book a car on Turo?
What do I need to book a car on Turo?
To book a car on Turo, you must create a Turo account, be 18 years old or older with a valid driver’s license, and get approved to drive on Turo. When you’re booking your first trip, you’ll go through a quick approval process by entering your driver’s license and some other information. In most cases, you’ll get approved immediately, and you’ll be set for future road trips, business trips, and family vacations!
Do I need my own insurance?
Do I need my own insurance?
No, you don’t need personal insurance coverage to book a car on Turo. But, any personal insurance you may have that covers damage to the host’s vehicle would kick in before your Turo protection plan, except in limited situations for trips booked in Maryland, but this protects your own wallet. The liability insurance included in a protection plan is provided under a policy issued to Turo by Travelers Excess and Surplus Lines Company.*
What protection plan options are available on Turo?
What protection plan options are available on Turo?
When booking a car on Turo, you’ll choose between three protection plans — Premier, Standard, or Minimum — to get the level of coverage that’s right for you. With each plan, you’re covered with liability insurance provided under a policy issued to Turo by Travelers — $750,000 for the Premier plan.*
How do I get discounts on cars in Des Moines?
How do I get discounts on cars in Des Moines?
On your Account page, make sure you’ve checked the box to receive email notifications, and enable push notifications from the Turo app in your phone settings — we’ll send you occasional promotions, discounts, and deals on car rental alternatives in Des Moines!
Additionally, frequent travelers on Turo can get rewarded with the loyalty bonus — earn a promo code for one bonus day when you take trips totaling 10 days in a 90-day period!**
Are there discounts on weekly or monthly trips?
Are there discounts on weekly or monthly trips?
Yes, many Turo hosts offer discounted prices when you book trips lasting 3+, 7+, or 30+ days. Additionally, hosts can offer “early bird” discounts for Des Moines trips booked a week or more in advance. So, get the best deals and lowest rates possible by booking longer trips, at least a week in advance.
What types of cars can I book in Des Moines?
What types of cars can I book in Des Moines?
Browse a wide selection of vehicles for all kinds of occasions and budgets on Turo. Find a full-size SUV for a family road trip, a pickup truck for some errands, or a sporty convertible for a special night out in Des Moines. For the lowest prices, use the “budget-friendly” filter to browse economy vehicles. Or save on the amounts of fuel you’ll use and use the “Green vehicles” filter to find cars with good gas mileage.
How can I drive unlimited miles during my trip to Des Moines?
How can I drive unlimited miles during my trip to Des Moines?
Some hosts offer unlimited distance for a trip; others set a daily distance limit. On the vehicle pages, you’ll see the total miles or kilometres you’re allowed to drive under the heading “Distance included.” You can find cars offering unlimited mileage with every trip by using the “Unlimited distance” filter.
What payment methods does Turo accept?
What payment methods does Turo accept?
Turo accepts most credit cards issued by major financial institutions, including American Express and Discover cards, as well as debit cards with a Visa or Mastercard logo that are linked to a checking account.
Apple Pay and Google Pay on mobile devices are also accepted, but Turo does not accept cash or checks as valid payment methods.
What is the cancellation policy for guests on Turo?
What is the cancellation policy for guests on Turo?
You can cancel and get a full refund up to 24 hours before your trip starts. If you book a trip with less than 24 hours’ notice, you have one hour after booking to cancel free of charge. If you cancel after the free cancellation period ends, you will be charged a small cancellation fee.
What are the cleaning and safety policies on Turo?
What are the cleaning and safety policies on Turo?
Under the enhanced cleaning policy, hosts are required to clean and disinfect their vehicles thoroughly before every trip, so you can feel safe and comfortable behind the wheel. Turo hosts have access to training materials on enhanced cleaning practices, using the latest recommendations compiled from the CDC, EPA, WHO, and vehicle detailing experts, to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Is Turo a rental car company?
Is Turo a rental car company?
No. Unlike rental car companies, Turo is a peer-to-peer car sharing marketplace where you can book directly from trusted local car owners in the US, Canada, and the UK. Turo does not own any vehicles — Turo hosts share their own personal cars and set their own prices, discounts, vehicle availability, and delivery options.
Are there cars available near the Des Moines airport?
Are there cars available near the Des Moines airport?
Yes, there are hundreds of cars available on Turo at locations near the Des Moines airport and along Fleur Drive. After arriving at the Des Moines International Airport, Ankeny Regional Airport, or Ames Municipal Airport, skip the rental counter and have your car rental alternative delivered for pick-up and dropoff at your Des Moines hotel or the address of your vacation rental to save time and hassle.
Is there a fee to add additional drivers to my trip?
Is there a fee to add additional drivers to my trip?
There is no fee or additional charge for adding a driver to your trip on Turo. Only the guest who booked the trip (primary driver) can request to add drivers; Turo hosts cannot do it for you. We encourage you to request to add authorized drivers before your trip starts, though guests in the US and Canada can request to add a driver while a trip is in progress with no extra charges.
To speed up the process, have your additional driver create a Turo account and get approved to drive before you request to add them. All drivers must have a valid driver’s license and meet the age requirements for the car you’ve booked. You can request to add drivers via the “Trips” tab in the Turo app without additional driver charges or extra costs.
What types of sports cars, luxury cars, or exotics can I book in Des Moines?
What types of sports cars, luxury cars, or exotics can I book in Des Moines?
You can find nearly endless options for sports cars, luxury cars, and high-performance exotics on Turo. Filter your search by category, vehicle type, or vehicle make to refine your results, or try the “Deluxe Class” and “Super Deluxe Class” filters to browse high-end luxury car rental alternatives near Des Moines.
* Any personal insurance you may have that covers damage to the host’s vehicle would kick in before your protection plan, except in limited situations for trips booked in Maryland, but this protects your own wallet. Liability insurance is provided under a policy issued to Turo by Travelers Excess and Surplus Lines Company. Terms, conditions, and exclusions apply. The policy does not provide coverage for damage to a host’s vehicle.
For questions or information about the third party liability insurance that is included in protection plans, consumers in Maryland and the licensed states listed here may contact Turo Insurance Agency at (415) 508-0283 or claims@turo.agency. For questions about how damage to a host’s vehicle is handled, visit the Turo Support site.
When a trip is booked in the state of Washington, physical damage to the host’s vehicle is covered by insurance purchased by Turo, but Turo’s insurance does not change the contractual responsibilities of hosts or guests with respect to physical damage to a host’s vehicle.