What Zipcar is and who uses it
Zipcar is a car-sharing service where you pay by the hour or day to rent a vehicle parked near you, rather than owning a car outright. You reserve a car through their app or website, walk to the parking spot, unlock it with your Zipcard (a membership card), and drive. When you return it to the same spot, your rental ends and you're charged only for the time you used it.
People use Zipcar instead of owning a car when they drive occasionally — a few times a month rather than daily. It works best in cities and suburbs where Zipcar has parking locations, because you need a car within walking distance. If you live somewhere with good public transit but need a car for weekend errands, a doctor's appointment across town, or a trip to the hardware store, Zipcar can cost less than a car payment, insurance, maintenance, and parking combined.
Zipcar is owned by Avis Budget Group and operates in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Spain, and France. In the U.S., it's available in most major cities and many mid-sized ones, but not in rural areas or small towns.
Key Takeaways
- Zipcar charges an hourly rate (typically $9 to $13 per hour) or a daily rate (typically $75 to $125 per day), plus gas, tolls, and parking fees you incur during your rental.
- You must be at least 18 years old, have a valid driver's license, and pass a background check and driving record review to become a member.
- Your membership includes insurance, roadside information, and gas, so you don't pay those separately unless you damage the car or drive it outside your plan.
- You reserve a car through the Zipcar app or website, and you can book anywhere from a few minutes to weeks in advance, depending on availability.
- Zipcar is most cost-effective if you drive fewer than 10,000 miles per year or don't need a car every day.
Membership requirements and how to join
To become a Zipcar member, you must be at least 18 years old (21 in some locations), have a valid driver's license, and provide proof of insurance or agree to Zipcar's insurance coverage. Zipcar will run a background check and review your driving record. If you have recent serious violations — such as a DUI, reckless driving conviction, or multiple at-fault accidents — you may be denied membership.
The membership itself is free to join, though Zipcar sometimes offers a promotional code that waives the first month's membership fee. Once you're approved, you receive a Zipcard in the mail, which you use to unlock cars at parking locations. You'll also get access to the Zipcar app and website to search for available cars, make reservations, and manage your account.
Zipcar runs a soft credit check but does not require a credit card in your name — you can use a debit card. However, they will charge your card for any damage, tolls, or overage fees after your rental ends.
How pricing works: hourly, daily, and monthly plans
Zipcar charges by the hour or by the day. Hourly rates typically range from $9 to $13 per hour depending on the car type and your location, though rates vary by city. Daily rates (a 24-hour period) typically range from $75 to $125. The longer you rent, the lower your effective hourly cost — a full day is usually cheaper per hour than renting for just a few hours.
Your rental price includes gas, basic insurance, and roadside information. You do not pay separately for these. However, you are charged extra for tolls, parking fees you incur during the rental, and any damage to the car beyond normal wear. If you return the car late, you're charged an additional hourly rate.
Zipcar also offers monthly plans if you rent regularly. A monthly plan gives you a set number of hours (for example, 50 hours per month) at a discounted rate. If you exceed your monthly hours, you pay an overage rate. Monthly plans make sense if you know you'll use a car consistently — for example, weekly grocery shopping plus occasional longer trips.
Gas is included in your rental, but you're expected to return the car with at least a quarter tank. If you return it with less, Zipcar charges you a refueling fee (typically $5 to $15 depending on location) plus the cost of the gas itself.
What's included and what costs extra
| Included in your rental | You pay extra for |
|---|---|
| Gas | Tolls and parking fees during the rental |
| Basic insurance (liability and collision) | Damage beyond normal wear |
| Roadside information | Late return fees |
| Maintenance and repairs | Returning the car with less than a quarter tank of gas |
| Unlimited mileage | Traffic violations or parking tickets issued during your rental |
Zipcar's insurance covers damage to the car up to your deductible, which is typically $0 to $2,500 depending on your membership level and location. If you cause an accident, you pay the deductible, and Zipcar's insurance covers the rest. If you decline Zipcar's insurance and use your own, your personal auto insurance must cover rental cars — not all policies do, so check before you join.
You are responsible for any traffic violations or parking tickets issued during your rental. Zipcar will forward these to you, and you pay them directly to the city or court.
How to reserve and return a car
To reserve a car, open the Zipcar app or website and enter your location and the date and time you need the car. The app shows you available cars nearby, their type (compact, sedan, SUV), and the hourly or daily rate. You can book from a few minutes in advance up to several weeks ahead, depending on availability. Once you confirm your reservation, the car is held for you.
On the day of your rental, go to the parking spot where your reserved car is parked. Unlock it with your Zipcard or the app. Check the car for damage, take photos if needed, and note the mileage and fuel level. Drive the car as you normally would. You can extend your reservation through the app if you need more time, though you'll be charged the additional hourly or daily rate.
Return the car to the same parking spot before your reservation ends. Lock it with your Zipcard or the app. Your rental ends when ready, and you're charged for the time you used. Zipcar sends you a receipt by email within a few hours. If you're charged for damage or other fees, you'll see those on your receipt or in your account within a few days.
When Zipcar makes financial sense
Zipcar is usually cheaper than owning a car if you drive fewer than 10,000 miles per year. Car ownership costs include a monthly payment (or purchase price), insurance, registration, maintenance, and parking. In many cities, parking alone can cost $100 to $300 per month. If you drive only occasionally, those fixed costs add up faster than Zipcar's pay-as-you-go model.
Zipcar is also useful if you live in a city with good public transit and need a car only for specific trips — moving, a weekend getaway, or hauling something too large for public transit. You avoid the cost of parking a car you rarely use and the hassle of maintaining it.
Zipcar is usually not cheaper if you drive daily or need a car for a long commute. In those cases, owning a car or leasing one typically costs less per mile. Zipcar is also not practical in areas where Zipcar doesn't have parking locations nearby — you need a car within walking distance to make it worth your time.
Alternatives to Zipcar
Other car-sharing services operate in different cities. Car2Go (now part of Share Now) offers one-way rentals in some cities, meaning you can pick up a car in one location and drop it off in another. Turo is a peer-to-peer car rental where you rent from private owners rather than a company fleet. Maven (General Motors's car-sharing service) operates in select cities and focuses on longer-term rentals.
If you need a car for a single trip, traditional rental companies like Enterprise, Hertz, or Budget may be cheaper, especially if you rent for a full day or longer. However, they typically require you to go to a rental office, and their daily rates don't include gas or insurance in the same way Zipcar does.
If you own a car but don't use it often, renting it out through Turo or a similar platform can offset your ownership costs. If you need a car occasionally but Zipcar isn't available in your area, ride-sharing services like Uber or Lyft, or traditional taxi services, may be your only option — though these cost more per mile for longer trips.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I take a Zipcar on a long road trip?
Yes, you can rent a Zipcar for multiple days or even weeks. You'll be charged the daily rate for each day you keep it. However, Zipcar is designed for shorter trips, so daily rates are higher than you'd pay for a traditional car rental. For a week-long trip, a traditional rental company is usually cheaper.
What happens if I get in an accident?
Zipcar's insurance covers the damage up to your deductible (typically $0 to $2,500). You pay the deductible, and Zipcar handles the rest with their insurance company. You must report the accident to Zipcar when ready through the app or by calling their support line. If the accident is your fault and you cause repeated damage, Zipcar may revoke your membership.
Can I add another driver to my reservation?
No, only the member whose name is on the reservation can drive the car. If another person needs to drive, they must be a Zipcar member themselves and have their own reservation. Both drivers must be present when the car is unlocked.
What if there are no Zipcar locations near me?
Zipcar operates in most major U.S. cities but not everywhere. You can check the Zipcar website or app to see if it's available in your area. If it's not, traditional car rental companies, peer-to-peer services like Turo, or ride-sharing may be your alternatives.
Do I need my own insurance to use Zipcar?
No, Zipcar's insurance is included in your rental. However, your personal auto insurance policy is not affected by using Zipcar — you don't need to add a rider or notify your insurer. If you prefer to use your own insurance instead of Zipcar's, check with your insurance company first to confirm they cover rental cars.