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Car rental in West Des Moines, IA

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Rental cars in West Des Moines, IA

Average daily prices for a 3-day trip

West Des Moines, EN

Car rental options in West Des Moines

West Des Moines, a vibrant suburb of Iowa's capital, offers a perfect blend of urban amenities and natural beauty. This thriving city boasts picturesque parks, excellent shopping destinations, and a rich cultural scene. Booking a rental car in West Des Moines allows visitors to fully explore its diverse attractions, from the serene Raccoon River Park to the bustling Jordan Creek Town Center. With a car rental at your disposal, you'll have the freedom to discover hidden gems and venture beyond the city limits to experience the charm of central Iowa.

Recent reviews

Demian
Tesla Model S 2016

Best experience I’ve had with the TURO car rental process. Communication was 5 star. Paul is a true professional. I had no problems with the car throughout the week. I was confident that if anything went wrong, he would be available with a list of trouble shooting instructions. Great price, great car, great communication.

Demian
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Nissan Altima 2025

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.

Cori
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Megan
Nissan LEAF 2016

Easy pick up and drop off. Car was very clean inside. A/C blows super cold even when it's 100 degrees out!! The windows are not tinted so I suggest bringing your own sun shades if you are going to be parked anywhere but the shade in the summer. Luckily I had those and that made my trip much better. The flip down visors do have the extenders to help block sun while driving thankfully. Charging prices are comparable to current gas prices - about $45 to get 250 miles of charge over a few sessions which is the same as I get from a full tank in my Toyota Yaris. This car DOES have the CHAdeMO fast charge input so it's 30-50 seconds per mile to charge depending on the fast charger & whether you're running the car (AC/radio) or it's fully off. Radio speakers were a little blown out so I had to adjust some settings to listen to my audiobooks but it was easy to do. I had no problem driving from the pickup spot to Kyle, then to the airport, and back into town without needing a charge which was about 90 miles, mostly highway. Just like any Turo rental make sure to take your own photos at pickup and drop off since scratches and such aren't usually documented after every drive by the car owners which seems standard in my experience. Overall a great deal, best price in town especially for a last minute rental. I requested the rental at 9pm on a Tuesday after my personal car died and was able to get this the next morning with no issue. Will definitely keep them in mind when I need a rental near by. Thanks again!

Megan
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Toyota Camry Hybrid 2026

Directions were very precise for both pick up and return (although I didn't realize there was an additional step to checkout in Turo). Car drove great and it was perfect for our trip. Will definitely rent via Jonathan if we are back in PHX. Better experience than renting from the big car rental companies

Katherine
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Toyota Camry Hybrid 2025

Kush was flexible and kind. Making the pickup and last minute car rental process easy!

Dayo
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Mireille
Mitsubishi Mirage G4 2023

I love the rental cars from Mohammed. He and his staff is friendly and helpful. The cars are small and good at gas. I would suggest anyone to rent a car with Mohammed.

Mireille
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Cary F.
Honda Civic 2012

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.

Cary F.
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Eliasmanuel
Subaru Impreza 2014

I had an excellent experience renting from this host and would highly recommend them to anyone looking for a reliable and smooth car rental experience. The vehicle was extremely clean, well-maintained, and exactly as described in the listing. Communication was outstanding from start to finish. The host was friendly, professional, responsive, and made both pickup and drop-off incredibly easy and convenient. The car drove perfectly and made my trip stress-free and enjoyable. It’s clear the host takes great care of both their vehicles and their customers. I truly appreciated the attention to detail and overall professionalism throughout the rental process. I would absolutely rent from this host again in the future and highly recommend them to others looking for a top-quality rental experience.

Eliasmanuel
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Ella
Mitsubishi Mirage 2023

Easy pickup and drop off, saved us when the car rental companies ran out of cars at the airport.

Ella
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Ford Focus 2018

This was the BEST car rental process ! Jerry communication and response time was impossible. The rental was clean, great on gas, and ran great. I extended my trip once and will be booking with them again!!! Thank you Jerry!

Ayak
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Jennifer
Ford Fiesta 2017

Solid rental experience. Car was as described. Had no issues and the host was communicative when I needed to change the reservation by a few days or hours. Super convenient location near the airport. Best price for the amount of time I needed it which was about 2 weeks. Will definitely rent again when I'm in town.

Jennifer
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Honda Civic 2018

First time user here. Easy peasy. Good vehicle. so glad I did this than a complicated rental for a day trip with regular car rental companies.

Jonathan
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Jennifer M.
Subaru Outback 2013

Andre was great, the car was somewhat still dirty, dust, dirt, what appeared to be cigarette ashes, animal hair, sticky spills around the cup holders in the center console and the door panels. Crumbs and dust/dirt left in the door handles and cubby's. In the center console cup holders and cubbys. On the top of the dashboard, around the steering column and gauges. Sticky dusty windows and stereo buttons. Rear view mirror had sticky smudges on it. All the windows inside were dusty and dirty with smudges and idk what really.. the car had a bad smell of animals like dogs, and faint cigarette smell.. however as I got further into my trip I got used to it and wasn't bothered by it anymore. A lot of these issues honestly didn't bother me very much. I was more worried of being blamed for them when I returned the car. Unfortunately I was put behind schedule due to a passenger side headlight and passenger side tail light being burned out. However upon informing andre, he was very quick with a solution to take the car to valvoline where they were able to repair the lights before I left for my trip. If I wasn't already running late It wouldn't of bothered me. Andre was also very quick to reimburse me the whole price of the repairs immediately upon me sending him the receipt of the work.. I very much appreciated that! I also appreciate that instead of canceling my trip Andre worked out a way to have the lights fixed with no trouble of my own. He was always quick to respond to all of my very long messages full of questions. This is my first time using turo and I did not know the ins and outs of the rental process. He was able to guide me threw every step all while being polite and keeping his patience with me! Hah. I ended up running behind schedule on my way back as well and was surprised how simple and easy it was to change the return time from noon to after 9 p.m. all without adding any fees to my bill! That was very helpful of andre to allow me to do. I also ended up being a little passed my return time due to vacuuming the car and dusting everything to my best ability. So that andre wouldn't have to deal with someone else's mess and the next person who rents the vehicle will not have to worry about it either. I had no issues with doing that for him after he was so helpful with me! The vehicle was a little different then what im used to. But in no time I settled in with the car and had a very enjoyable trip! I would forsure rent another vehicle from andre in the future due to how well he accommodated me on this trip. Even tho the car had the mess, that was not andre, But left over from previous renters. He even made sure to have a snow brush and ice scraper in the car for me. But unfortunately the previous renters also took that with them. Im sure there will be a new one for the next person who rents the car because thats how much andre cares about his customers !! 5 stars for andre !!! Whoever returned his vehicle like that should be ashamed and think about how it would feel if someone treated your things the same way! Once again THANK YOU andre! I will reach out to you next time I need to rent a car.. I appreciate all your help thru the process! I appreciate your professionalism and quick responses to all my questions and thank you for making sure the vehicle was 100% good to go for me before I left and wouldn't of been able to fix it. 5 of 5 stars for andre !!

Jennifer M.
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Azeema
Toyota Yaris 2012

My credit card wasn’t working for some odd reason and rental companies wouldn’t let me rent a car so I booked this Turo last minute and it was a reasonable price for five days. I will do it again when I come back to Vancouver in August.

Azeema
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Chevrolet Cruze Limited 2016

Excellent 1st experience using Turo. The host was very responsive and timely. The vehicle was in great condition and rode very well. The price was a good deal and would definitely use this again as opposed to a major car rental facility. It was a simple process overall and very straightforward.

Jaretta
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Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class 2015

Car was very clean and smelled good. Great condition. It was a good a smooth drive. Mo, was very responsive. I am very new to Turo and he was very patient with me. Thank you for giving these car rental companies a run for their money. It was an easy and pleasant experience!

Maryjacqueline
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Explore West Des Moines attractions by car

West Des Moines offers a wealth of experiences for visitors with a rental car. From outdoor adventures to cultural hotspots, the city has something for everyone. Having a car rental gives you the flexibility to visit popular attractions like the Valley Junction historic district, the lively West Glen Town Center, and the tranquil Walnut Woods State Park. With your own wheels, you can easily navigate between these diverse locations and discover the city's unique charm at your own pace.


Unwind at Raccoon River Park

Raccoon River Park is a must-visit destination for nature lovers in West Des Moines. This sprawling 632-acre park features a beautiful 232-acre lake, perfect for fishing, boating, and swimming. With your rental car, you can easily transport kayaks or paddleboards to enjoy on the water. The park offers ample parking near the beach area and boat ramp. Take a scenic drive around the lake, stopping at various points to admire the views or enjoy a picnic. Don't miss the nature lodge and the extensive trail system for hiking and biking.


Shop till you drop at Jordan Creek Town Center

Jordan Creek Town Center is a shopper's paradise in West Des Moines. This massive retail complex features over 150 stores, restaurants, and entertainment options. With your rental car, you can easily transport all your shopping bags and explore the surrounding area. The center offers plenty of free parking, including covered options. After shopping, take a short drive to nearby Waterworks Park for a relaxing stroll or head to one of the local breweries to sample craft beers. The flexibility of having a car rental allows you to combine shopping with other activities in the area.


Step back in time at Valley Junction

Valley Junction, West Des Moines' historic district, is a charming area filled with unique shops, antique stores, and local eateries. Having a rental car makes it easy to explore this quaint neighborhood and the surrounding areas. Park your car in one of the many free lots and spend the day wandering through the eclectic mix of businesses. Don't miss the weekly farmers market during summer months. After exploring Valley Junction, take a short drive to the nearby Clive Greenbelt Trail for a scenic ride or walk along Walnut Creek.


How to reach West Des Moines

Here's how to get to West Des Moines:
• By plane: Fly into Des Moines International Airport, then rent a car to drive to West Des Moines.
• By train: There's no direct train service to West Des Moines. The nearest Amtrak station is in Osceola, about an hour away by car.
• By car: West Des Moines is easily accessible via Interstate 80 and Interstate 35, making it convenient for road trips from nearby cities.


Smart tips for renting a car in West Des Moines

When booking a rental car in West Des Moines on Turo, consider these tips: Reserve early for the best selection, especially during peak seasons. Choose a vehicle that suits your plans, like an SUV for outdoor adventures or a compact car for city driving. Look for extras such as GPS navigation, Apple CarPlay, or Android Auto for easier navigation. If visiting in winter, consider a car with all-wheel drive for better handling on snowy roads. Don't forget to check for amenities like heated seats or a backup camera for added comfort and safety during your West Des Moines adventure.

Frequently asked questions in West Des Moines, IA

What are some popular pickup locations for rental cars in West Des Moines, and how do they benefit guests?

West Des Moines offers convenient pickup locations for guests seeking rental cars. The Jordan Creek Town Center area is a popular spot, providing easy access to shopping and dining options. Guests can also find rental cars near the University Avenue corridor, which is centrally located and close to many businesses. These locations benefit guests by offering flexibility and convenience. Hosts on Turo often provide delivery options, allowing guests to receive their rental cars at hotels, residential areas, or other agreed-upon locations in West Des Moines. This personalized service enhances the car rental experience, saving time and offering more choices compared to traditional options. Additionally, some hosts may offer pickup near major highways like I-35 or I-80, facilitating smooth transitions for guests arriving from other parts of Iowa or neighboring states.

What are some pleasant driving routes near West Des Moines for a scenic weekend getaway?

West Des Moines offers several picturesque driving routes for a delightful weekend escape. The Covered Bridges Scenic Byway, starting south of Des Moines, showcases charming rural landscapes and historic bridges. Another option is the Western Skies Scenic Byway, which winds through Iowa's rolling hills and quaint towns. For nature enthusiasts, the Loess Hills National Scenic Byway provides stunning vistas of unique landforms. These routes allow you to explore Iowa's diverse beauty at your own pace. Remember to pack snacks and plan stops at local attractions along the way to enhance your West Des Moines car rental adventure.

How can drivers prepare for winter driving conditions in West Des Moines and surrounding areas?

Preparing for winter driving in West Des Moines and nearby areas is crucial for safety. Equip your rental car with all-season or winter tires for better traction on icy roads. Keep an ice scraper, snow brush, and windshield washer fluid in your vehicle. Before setting out, clear all snow and ice from your car, including the roof. Familiarize yourself with your car's features, such as anti-lock brakes and traction control. When driving, maintain a safe distance from other vehicles and reduce speed on slippery roads. Stay informed about weather forecasts and road conditions in West Des Moines to plan your trips accordingly. These precautions will help ensure a safer winter driving experience in Iowa.

Where can guests find convenient parking facilities in downtown West Des Moines?

Downtown West Des Moines offers various convenient parking options for visitors. The Historic Valley Junction area provides ample street parking along 5th Street and surrounding side streets. There are also several public parking lots scattered throughout the downtown area, offering free parking for extended periods. For those visiting the West Glen Town Center, a mix of street parking and dedicated lots are available. When attending events at the Val Air Ballroom, guests can utilize their spacious on-site parking area. Remember to check parking signs for any time restrictions or special event regulations. Planning your parking strategy in advance will enhance your West Des Moines visit and allow more time to explore the city's attractions.

What are the best practices for navigating rush hour traffic in the Des Moines metro area?

Navigating rush hour traffic in the Des Moines metro area requires some strategic planning. Consider adjusting your travel times to avoid peak hours, typically between 7-9 AM and 4-6 PM. Utilize traffic apps or local radio stations for real-time updates on congestion and accidents. Familiarize yourself with alternative routes, such as using University Avenue instead of I-235 during heavy traffic. When possible, use the outer belt highways like I-35 and I-80 to bypass downtown congestion. Practice patience and maintain safe following distances, especially on busy interchanges. If feasible, consider using park-and-ride facilities and public transportation for commuting. These strategies can help make your Des Moines driving experience smoother and less stressful during busy periods.

Which car types are recommended for exploring West Des Moines and nearby attractions?

For exploring West Des Moines and its surroundings, versatile car types are ideal. A mid-size sedan offers a good balance of comfort and fuel efficiency for city driving and short trips. If you're planning to visit nearby state parks or rural areas, an SUV provides extra space and better handling on varied terrain. For families or groups, a minivan ensures ample room for passengers and luggage. In winter months, consider a rental car with all-wheel drive for better traction on snowy Iowa roads. Electric vehicles are also a great option, with charging stations available in West Des Moines and surrounding areas. Choose a car that suits your specific itinerary and group size to enhance your West Des Moines adventure.

How do guests handle toll roads when driving around Iowa and neighboring states?

While Iowa itself doesn't have toll roads, guests driving to neighboring states may encounter them. When planning trips from West Des Moines to surrounding areas, research your route for potential tolls. Many nearby states use electronic toll collection systems, so consider getting a temporary transponder if you'll be making frequent interstate trips. For occasional travel, most toll roads offer cash payment options or allow you to pay online after passing through. Keep some cash on hand for traditional toll booths. When renting a car in West Des Moines, discuss toll payment options with your host to avoid unexpected charges. Being prepared for tolls will ensure smoother travel as you explore the region beyond Iowa's borders.

What are some essential tips for long-distance driving from West Des Moines to other Midwest destinations?

When embarking on long-distance drives from West Des Moines to other Midwest destinations, preparation is key. Plan your route in advance, considering rest stops and points of interest along the way. Ensure your rental car is in good condition, checking tire pressure, fluid levels, and brakes before departure. Pack an emergency kit with essentials like water, snacks, and a first-aid kit. Take regular breaks to stay alert, ideally every two hours or 100 miles. Stay hydrated and avoid heavy meals that may cause drowsiness. Use cruise control on highways to maintain a steady speed and conserve fuel. Keep an eye on weather forecasts and be prepared for changing conditions across different states. These tips will help make your long-distance journey from West Des Moines safe and enjoyable.

Where can guests find reliable gas stations along major routes in and around West Des Moines?

Guests driving in and around West Des Moines will find numerous reliable gas stations along major routes. Along I-80 and I-35, which intersect near West Des Moines, you'll find well-known chains at most exits. University Avenue and Grand Avenue, two main arteries in West Des Moines, feature several convenient options. For those venturing into rural areas, it's wise to fuel up before leaving the city. Many stations offer 24-hour service, and some include convenience stores for snacks and basic supplies. When planning longer trips from West Des Moines, consider using a gas station locator app to find the best prices and ensure you're never far from a fill-up. This approach will keep you fueled and ready for your Iowa adventures.

Are weekend car rentals in West Des Moines typically more expensive than weekday rentals?

Rates may differ between weekdays and weekends. Look out for savings on longer bookings. Booking in advance and having flexible pickup times can also help you find the best price for your trip.

Is it possible to pick up a car in West Des Moines and return it in another city?

Some hosts offer one-way trips as an Extra. When you search on Turo, you can filter for one-way trips to see what’s available in your area.

  1. * Est. daily price. Search for up to date price information.