Monthly & long-term car rentals in San Diego, California
Discover the Turo car rental marketplace
- Car rental
- United States
- San Diego
No loans. No leases. No dealerships
Drive the car you need, for as long as you need it, without the financial burden of buying or leasing.
Transparent pricing. Cancel or extend anytime
Know exactly what you'll pay with no hidden fees, no down payment, and no depreciation to worry about.
100% digital — browse, book, and manage from your phone
Skip the dealership entirely. Browse, book, and manage your rental from the Turo app.
Monthly car rental in San Diego on Turo
A monthly car rental in San Diego gives you reliable wheels without a loan, a lease, or a dealership visit. Whether you're settling into a new job, waiting out a long housing search, or just not ready to commit to buying, Turo lets you drive the car you actually want — month to month, on your terms.
San Diego draws a steady stream of monthly renters: military families arriving on PCS orders, biotech professionals relocating from Boston or the Bay Area, travel nurses on 13-week contracts, and UCSD grads entering the workforce. If you need a car for a month or several, Turo's long-term car rental options in San Diego keep things flexible, affordable, and free of fine print.
San Diego monthly car rental: How it works
Whether you need a car for a month or half a year, booking a monthly car rental in San Diego on Turo takes just a few minutes.
1. Browse and book
Open the Turo app or website and search for monthly rentals in San Diego. Filter by vehicle type, price, features, and pickup location. Once you find the right car, book it instantly — no phone calls, no paperwork, no waiting.
2. Drive as long as you need
Pick up your car in San Diego and drive it for 30 days or longer. Many vehicles on Turo come with monthly discounts for bookings of 30+ days, so the longer you stay, the more value you get.
3. Extend, swap, or cancel
If your plans shift, extend your booking, swap to a different car, or cancel free of charge up to 24 hours before your trip starts. You stay in control.
Recent reviews
First, I contemplated leaving a 4 star review for a few reasons. However, the prompt response to the issue with the original vehicle reserved, partly due to luck that someone happened to be onsite with the car, and the flexibility with returning the vehicle without requiring washing and vacuuming is deserving of some grace. The price for 5 day/4 night rental was fantastic, around $150 total. I certainly didn't expect a car in pristine shape for the cost. This car is a part of a Turo "rental company" fleet. It seems like a company that buys cheap, used cars to rent out. There are 12-15 cars parked behind a strip mall 8-10ish minutes from the airport in an area I was glad we were picking up and dropping off midday rather than the evening. The hybrid we originally reserved had stained seats and a lot of cosmetic wear. One tire looked like it was on a spare wheel and didn't have a lot of life left, honestly. A lot of the roads in San Diego aren't exactly in great shape, I was concerned about getting a flat. When we turned the car on to leave we immediately got check engine lights and a "pull over immediately" message. Fortunately, someone with the "rental company" was on site and qas able to quickly switched cars for us. It wasn't a hybrid, though. We didn't plan on a lot of driving, but originally opted for a hybrid to save money since we had two days of freeway driving. We definitely spent more on gas then originally planned. If there wasn't someone available onsite to help, it could have been a much longer ordeal which is a terrible way to start a vacation. Communication day of pick up felt slow with the owner. I didn't think to look back to the 2 month old message about how to find the car. I received a message from Turo saying we'd be sent details the day before the trip. I never got that confirmation text or measage the day before or day of pick up from the actual rental owner. When I first reached out to the rental company through the turo app to find the car at pick up time, I didn't get a response. I finally found a way to text someone about 20 minutes later. We did get a pretty quick response that way, but it's frustrating to be in a random parking lot messaging through an app and not get a response. The Honda interior is definitely cleaner than the hybrid we reserved, but the exterior, not so much. Its been side swiped and has a lot of sun damage. The TPMS light was on the whole time, but the actual tire pressure was fine. There was also a rattle and grinding noise when accelerating from a stop or on a hill, but it didn't cause an issue. The car drives fine for a 14-15 year old car, it's just a little noisy and you feel all the bumps on the road. I understand with the cheaper cost of renting through Turo amd choosing a 12-15 year old car, I'm not getting a newer car like I would with a standard rental company or paying more for a newer car. That said, with my last few Turo rentals, it feels a lot of these Turo "rental companies" aren't checking their cars or doing much more than standard maintenance as frequently as they should when they have over 150,000 miles on them. The confirmation message also suggested the cars are kept in great shape. These cars were not in great shape by any stretch of the imagination. No one wants to be on vacation and have their car break down or even be worried that the car they're driving is gonna get a flat or break down.
The Nissan Altima was great. Good mpg, clean, lots of power, great response time. The car needed to be picked up at an off site location called, economy car rental at 2367 India street. A proximity 2 1/2 miles from the airport. You will need to find a ride to their location. The price of taxi will be $30, however we took the free shuttle to the car rental center then walked 20 minutes the rest of the way. The team at this location did a great job, fast, friendly, polite, and after returning they able to offer a ride back to the airport. We would rent this Altima again, and I would recommend this vehicle.
Nice, little car at a great price. Cost 50% less than similar rental cars elsewhere. Easy pickup and dropoff too. Good deal!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Fantastic experience from start to finish! The car was clean, comfortable, and exactly as described. The host was friendly, responsive, and made the entire rental process incredibly easy and convenient. Pickup and drop-off were smooth, and the car drove perfectly throughout the trip. I couldn’t have asked for a better experience and would definitely rent from this host again. Highly recommend!
Geoff was an awesome host. I had to modify my reservation to start early and end early ands he d the request. I have never driven a Tesla before and Geoff explained how to operate the car. I recommend and would definitely rent from Geoff on my next trip to San Diego.
Absolutely incredible experience renting Barry’s BMW M850i! The car was immaculate, extremely comfortable, and an absolute blast to drive. The combination of luxury, power, and performance makes this car something truly special. It looks even better in person and gets plenty of attention wherever you go. Barry was an excellent host—professional, responsive, and very accommodating. The entire rental process was smooth and hassle-free, and everything was exactly as described. The car was clean, well-maintained, and ready to go when I picked it up. If you're looking for something luxurious, sporty, and exciting, I highly recommend renting from Barry. I would definitely rent the M850i again! 5 stars all around!
Amazing service, amazing car, great handling, great milage great car. TURO app makes it the best private car rental experience great!
Great budget option! $20 or less in an uber to the car from the airport. Much nicer than getting on the people mover to the car rental location. The car was clean and well maintained. Wonderful communication from the host. Thank you.
The car was a 2016 Ford Fiesta with 104K miles. We only needed a vehicle for a few days and for local day trips only. Leni's price was the lowest so we gave Leni our business. After the initial contract terms were set, we decided to extend a day and also asked if we could bring our two small dogs in the car with us. Although she was somewhat caught off guard by our dog request, she quickly pivoted and said if we paid the Turo pet fee, she would be fine with it. On delivery day, she was on time. The car was thoroughly clean and for a 10 year old car, it had only a few cosmetic defects, none of which affected the drivability of the car. During the rental, the car ran well without any issues! And on return day, Leni was prompt in meeting us for the transfer. One final note - Leni is a vibrant, cheerful person and was so positive throughout the entire transaction. I heartily recommended Leni and will look to use her again if her car matches our future transportation needs in the San Diego area! - CWO4 M. Brown USN Ret
For the price? Can’t beat this gorgeous model. This Gucci trim convertible was a dream to drive!! ♡ Super clean and taken care of. Celebrated my 25th birthday in a very memorable, cozy, and smooth car thank you Jin! Check in and check out was a breeze thanks to Jin’s clear directions, as well as checking in on us through the trip! 💌
This car rental experience was amazing! Jason was super communicative, pickup/drop off was very efficient and easy, and the car was in great shape and drove great! would book again
Great car, easy pick up location, great fuel economy and price. One of those special Turo deals that makes this platform worthwhile.
Pickup and drop off was super easy. Car was clean and fully charged at pickup. Host was great with communication and also let me extend my trip when my flight was rescheduled with no hassle. I always rent a tesla on vacation as I have my own back home. It was fun to drive a different model! Look forward to renting again when I come back to beautiful San Diego!
The car I received looked brand new! It even had that good new car smell. It was super clean, gas efficient and both the pickup and drop of was so fast and seamless. Way faster than waiting in line and getting a rental car from a rental company! My host was awesome. Anytime I had a quick question his response time was so fast. Great communication and if I book another trip to San Diego I am definitely searching for any cars coming him. Thank you! 🙏🏽 💛
Car was exactly what I needed. Easy pick up and an easy location at affordable price. Great on gas mileage. Thank you!
Long-term rental cars in San Diego
Chrysler 300
2018
•5.0
(2)
Tesla Model 3
2023
•5.0
(9)
Kia Forte
2017
•5.0
(1)
FIAT 500
2013
•4.96
(80)
Hyundai Elantra
2025
•4.71
(24)
Hyundai Veloster
2017
•New listing
Chevrolet Sonic
2014
•4.83
(6)
Hyundai Sonata Hybrid
2019
•4.95
(22)
Chevrolet Corvette
1996
•New listing
Why choose Turo for monthly car rental in San Diego?
Turo gives you car access without the commitment of car ownership — and in a city that's growing as fast as San Diego, that flexibility matters.
No loans or leases required
No loans. No leases. No commitment. Drive the car you need, for as long as you need it, without the financial burden of buying or leasing.
Flexible commitment
Rent a car for a month in San Diego — or three months, or six. Choose the duration that matches your situation. No long-term contracts, no buyout penalties, no pressure to commit before you're ready.
100% digital experience
Browse San Diego's selection of monthly rentals, book your car, and manage every detail from the Turo app. No dealership visits, no counter lines, no fax machines. Adjust your booking or extend your trip — all from your phone.
Cancel or extend anytime
Life changes. Extend your rental, swap your car, or cancel free of charge up to 24 hours before your trip starts, unless you opt to receive a non-refundable trip discount when you book.
Who is monthly car rental in San Diego for?
Just relocated to San Diego
You just got orders to Naval Base San Diego, landed a biotech role at Illumina or Dexcom, or accepted a transfer at Qualcomm — and you're still figuring out the city. You don't know your commute yet, you haven't picked a neighborhood, and buying a car right now feels premature. A monthly rental gives you reliable transport from day one while you settle in, with no pressure to make a long-term decision before you're ready.
Lease just ended — or just sold your car
You're between cars and taking your time deciding what comes next. San Diego's used car market can be pricey, and dealerships aren't shy about pushing you into something fast. A monthly rental on Turo bridges that gap — drive what you need while you shop on your own timeline. Extend month to month for as long as it takes. No rush, no pressure.
Extended work assignment or traveling professional
Travel nurses rotating through UC San Diego Health, Sharp, or Scripps on 13-week contracts. Military personnel on TDY. Biotech contractors on six-month projects in Torrey Pines. For defined-period stays, a monthly rental is far more cost-effective than stacking daily or weekly rates — and you can rent a car for a month in San Diego without a lease or a credit check.
Post-college or first car
You just finished at UCSD, you're starting your first job, and buying a car is a big financial commitment — especially with limited credit history and San Diego's high cost of living. A monthly rental lets you drive what you need without locking into a loan or draining your savings on a down payment. Keep your options open while your career takes shape.
Pickup locations for monthly car rental in San Diego
San Diego International Airport (SAN)
If you're flying in for an extended stay — a new job, a long-term contract, or a military assignment — you can have a car waiting near SAN when you land. Turo lets you arrange pickup at approved locations near the airport, so you can skip the rental counter and get moving. For monthly guests, it's the fastest way to go from arrival to settled.
UTC and University City
UTC sits right next to the UCSD campus and the Torrey Pines biotech corridor, making it one of San Diego's most popular landing spots for grad students, visiting researchers, and biotech contractors. The area is dense with apartments but spread out enough that a car is essential for commuting south or east. A monthly rental here means you're mobile from day one — no waiting, no borrowing rides.
Mission Valley
Mission Valley is one of the most connected spots in San Diego, sitting at the junction of I-8, I-15, and I-805. It's packed with high-density apartments and corporate housing, which makes it a natural fit for relocating professionals, military families, and travel nurses who need easy freeway access. A monthly rental gives you the run of the city without tying yourself to a lease or a car payment.
Turo vs. traditional ownership
Turo
App-based experience
Easy booking process
No large down payments
Pay in monthly installments
No interest
Routine maintenance included
Shorten or extend your trip
Traditional ownership
Dealership markups and upselling
Extensive credit checks
Large down payments
Loans and interest payments
Long-term commitment
Out-of-pocket maintenance costs
Instant depreciation
Top tips for monthly car rental in San Diego
San Diego is an easy city to drive, but a few things are worth knowing before you book your first month.
Finding the best deal
Use the duration filter to search for 30+ day trips — that's where you'll find the steepest discounts. Many listings also offer reduced rates at seven and 14 days. Browse by price range, and book in advance when you can. Availability for popular everyday cars tends to move fast, especially during summer.
How to pick a car
For a monthly rental, prioritize comfort and fuel efficiency over flash. Reliable sedans like the Toyota Camry or Honda Civic, compact SUVs like the Toyota RAV4 or Honda CR-V, and fuel-efficient compacts like the Hyundai Elantra tend to offer the best value for daily commuting in San Diego.
Road rules and conditions in San Diego
I-5 runs along the coast as the main north-south spine. I-8 cuts east-west through Mission Valley. I-15 heads north toward the suburbs and Temecula. Rush hour runs roughly 6:30 to 8:30 AM and 3:00 to 7:00 PM, with I-5 and I-15 seeing the heaviest slowdowns. Compared to LA, San Diego traffic is manageable.
Parking in San Diego
If you're living downtown, expect to pay $200 to $400 per month for a garage spot. Street meters run $2.50 per hour and are enforced seven days a week. Neighborhoods like Hillcrest and College Area have residential permit zones, so check the rules before parking on the street long-term.
Toll roads in San Diego
The I-15 Express Lanes use dynamic pricing for solo drivers and are free for vehicles with two or more passengers. The SR-125 South Bay Expressway is a toll road where all drivers pay. Keep guidance from your Turo listing in mind for any toll-related details.
Gas and EV charging in San Diego
ChargePoint stations are available citywide, with Electrify America chargers along I-5 and I-8 and EVgo at major retail spots. If you're considering an EV for your monthly rental, SDG&E's off-peak rate can drop below $0.10 per kWh — a real advantage for daily charging overnight.
Types of cars available in San Diego
You'll find a wide selection of practical, everyday vehicles on Turo in San Diego. Reliable sedans like the Toyota Camry and Honda Civic, fuel-efficient compacts like the Hyundai Elantra, and family-friendly SUVs like the Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V are popular choices for monthly guests. Browse by price and features to find what fits your commute and budget.
Picking a monthly car rental in San Diego that fits your budget
Whether you want to rent a car for a month in San Diego or stay for several months, rentals on Turo get cheaper the longer you book. Trips of 30 days or more unlock the deepest discounts, and many listings also offer reduced rates for seven-day and 14-day bookings. About 60% of available monthly supply in San Diego is priced under $800 per month, with a median around $1,300 per month. You'll see the total price before you book — no hidden fees, no surprise charges at the end.
Frequently asked questions about monthly car rental in San Diego
Is there a credit check to rent a car on Turo in San Diego?
No. Turo doesn't require a credit check to book a monthly car rental in San Diego. You'll need a valid driver's license, and the booking process is handled entirely in the app — no finance office, no credit application, no waiting.
Can I extend my monthly car rental in San Diego if I need the car for longer?
Yes. If your plans change, you can request a trip extension directly through the Turo app. Your host can approve the extension, and you'll continue at your existing rate. It's one of the biggest advantages of renting monthly on Turo in San Diego — no penalties, no new paperwork.
Can I swap my car during a monthly rental in San Diego?
You can end your current trip and book a different car on Turo whenever you'd like. If you need a bigger vehicle for a road trip or want to switch to something more fuel-efficient for your San Diego commute, you've got options.
What documents and paperwork do I need to rent a car on Turo in San Diego?
You'll need a valid driver's license. International licenses are accepted in most cases. The entire process — from verification to booking — is handled digitally through the Turo app, so there's no physical paperwork when picking up your monthly rental in San Diego.
What kind of license do I need to rent a car on Turo in San Diego?
A valid driver's license issued in your country of residence. For guests visiting San Diego from outside the US, most international licenses are accepted. Check the Turo app for specific requirements based on your location.
How does car rental protection work on Turo in San Diego?
Turo offers protection plans you can add when booking your monthly car rental in San Diego. Plans vary in coverage level, so you can choose the one that fits your needs and budget. Details are shown during checkout before you confirm.
Is there unlimited mileage car rental on Turo in San Diego?
Distance allowances vary by listing. Many listings on Turo in San Diego set a daily mileage limit, but you can filter for listings with higher allowances or unlimited distance — especially useful if you're commuting daily on a monthly rental.
Can I get discounts on monthly car rental on Turo in San Diego?
Yes. Many listings on Turo in San Diego offer discounts on longer bookings — including weekly (7+ day) and monthly (30+ day) rates. The longer your trip, the lower your effective daily rate. Browse by price to find the best monthly deal.
Can other people drive the car I rented on Turo in San Diego?
Additional drivers can be added to your trip through the Turo app. Each driver needs to meet Turo's requirements and be approved before getting behind the wheel of your monthly rental in San Diego.
Is monthly car rental on Turo cheaper than leasing a car?
For many people — especially those needing a car for one to six months — a monthly rental on Turo can cost significantly less than leasing once you factor in the down payment, monthly payment, insurance, and maintenance that come with a traditional lease. The average cost of car ownership in the US runs nearly $12,000 per year, and that's before depreciation eats into your equity. In a city as expensive as San Diego, that difference adds up fast. Turo's pricing is transparent and all-in — you see exactly what you'll pay before you book.