Car rental in Ames, IA

Ames offers excellent access to Iowa's scenic countryside and nearby Des Moines attractions, making car rental ideal for exploring beyond the city limits. A rental car provides convenient transportation to Iowa State University events, local festivals, and regional destinations throughout central Iowa. Having your own car in Ames gives you the flexibility to visit nearby Ankeny or venture to other Iowa communities at your own pace.

Gas stations are readily available throughout Ames, with multiple locations along Lincoln Way and Grand Avenue serving the downtown area. You'll find convenient fuel stops near Iowa State University campus and along major routes leading to Des Moines and Ankeny. Most gas stations in Ames offer 24-hour service, making it easy to refuel your rental car regardless of your travel schedule.

Compact and economy cars handle Iowa's well-maintained highways excellently, offering good fuel efficiency for trips between Ames and Des Moines. SUV rentals provide extra comfort and storage space for longer Iowa adventures or when traveling with family groups. Full size cars work well for business travelers or those planning extended stays in the Ames area.

The countryside surrounding Ames features rolling farmland and picturesque small towns perfect for leisurely drives in your rental car. Routes leading toward central Iowa showcase the state's agricultural heritage and charming rural landscapes. Many scenic roads connect Ames to nearby communities, offering beautiful views of Iowa's natural beauty throughout different seasons.

Plan your route in advance when driving from Ames to destinations like Chicago or Dallas, ensuring you know major highway connections. Check weather conditions before departing, as Iowa weather can change quickly and affect driving conditions. Keep your rental car's gas tank full and identify rest stops along your planned route for comfortable long-distance travel.

Iowa roads are generally well-marked, but rural areas may have limited lighting, so exercise extra caution during evening drives from Ames. Weather conditions can change rapidly in Iowa, particularly during winter months, so adjust your driving accordingly. Familiarize yourself with local traffic patterns around Des Moines and other major Iowa cities before venturing into busy areas with your rental car.

To rent a car on Turo, you must create a Turo account, have a valid driver's license, get approved to drive on Turo, and be 18 years old or older in the US, 21 years old or older in Australia, or 23 years old or older in Canada. In the UK, you must be 21 years old or older and have held a UK or EU license for at least one year, or another driver's license for at least two years. In France you must be 18 years old or older and have held a driver's license for at least 2 years, longer for certain makes and models of cars. 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 all future road trips, day trips, and business trips!

Turo accepts valid licenses (not expired, suspended, or revoked) that allow for full driving privileges; this includes driver's licenses issued outside of the US. Licenses that Turo doesn't accept in the US include any that have expired, have been altered, are conditional, probational, provisional, or restricted. Learner's permit/instruction permits are not accepted.

Some hosts offer unlimited distance for a trip; others set a daily distance limit — you'll need to check on each rental car individually to see if this service is provided. On the car pages, you'll see the total miles or kilometers 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.

No, you don't need personal insurance coverage to rent a car on Turo. In the US, any personal insurance you may have that covers damage to the host's car would kick in before your Turo protection plan. When booking a car in the US, you'll choose between three protection plans — Premier (eligibility requirements apply), Standard, or Minimum — to get the level of protection that's right for you. On each trip, you're covered with third-party automobile liability insurance provided under a policy issued to Turo by Travelers Excess and Surplus Lines Company.* In New York state, you'll also choose between Premier (if available), Standard, or Minimum. With each plan, you're covered with liability insurance of $1,250,000.* Protection plans for New York trips also include access to roadside assistance, priority phone support, and 24/7 customer assistance.

To prevent unexpected fees when you rent a car on Turo in Ames, make sure to return the vehicle on time. All applicable fees are clearly displayed in the Turo app.

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.

Yes, you can return a car on Sunday, and many hosts offer convenient after-hours return options. Be sure to check the specific return procedures with your host when you pick up the car.