Holiday Car Rental in Los Angeles 2026: Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year and Spring

Updated October 30, 2026 · By Yaniv Segal, RentCarUSA

In short: The busiest periods for renting a car in Los Angeles in the coming season are Thanksgiving (November 26, 2026), the Christmas and New Year season (late December to early January), and spring 2027, from Easter and spring break (late March) to Passover (April 21–29). In these periods, regular rental prices jump, and categories such as minivans and 7-seat SUVs run out first. If you book early and at a fixed price, you do not feel it.

When exactly are the holidays in the 2026–2027 season?

The table lists the dates to mark in your calendar, and what they mean in practice for traffic and demand in the Los Angeles area.

Note: because Easter 2027 falls on March 28 and Passover ends on April 29, demand for cars in Los Angeles is expected to be high in most weeks from late March to late April 2027, not only in one holiday week.

What happens to car rental prices on holidays?

The large rental companies set prices according to demand. When a branch starts to run out of cars, the daily price rises, sometimes sharply, and at the same time the cheap options disappear. On holidays this is felt especially in two places:

• Large cars. Minivans such as the Chrysler Pacifica and three-row SUVs such as the Nissan Pathfinder are the first to run out, because exactly in these periods families arrive with grandparents and suitcases.
• Rentals that start or end at the peak. If you pick up a car on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving or return it on January 2, you compete for the same cars with thousands of other travellers.

With us, prices stay fixed at Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year, and in spring. The price for 26 days, including damage cover, third-party liability up to $300,000, all taxes and airport fees, and unlimited miles, stays the same in every season of the year:

"Or similar" applies here too: the exact model is decided at pickup, but the category is guaranteed. What a fixed price does not solve is availability. On holidays it is a good idea to book early, especially if you need 7 seats.

How do you book a car for the holidays without surprises?

1. Send your dates as soon as you have a flight ticket. For spring 2027 this is already relevant now, especially for families that need a minivan.
2. Think about the real number of passengers. If parents or cousins will join some drives during the holiday, a 5-seat car will not be enough. Which car fits you? helps you decide.
3. Move your landing by one day if you can. Landing on Tuesday instead of the Wednesday before Thanksgiving saves queues at the shuttles and at the branch.
4. Plan the return. The return is at the LAX terminal itself, at no extra cost, but on busy days leave for the airport an hour earlier than usual. The 405 and Sepulveda Blvd around the airport get stuck.
5. Make sure you have available credit. On holidays people spend more on their card, and you also need room for the deposit hold. Details are in the guide to the credit card deposit hold.

What is driving in Los Angeles like in these periods?

Thanksgiving. The Wednesday before the holiday, from noon until late at night, is the worst time to leave the city. If you are driving to Las Vegas on the I-15 or to San Francisco on the I-5, it is better to leave on Thursday morning, when many people are already at home. On the Sunday after the holiday, traffic back into the city is very heavy, especially from the direction of Las Vegas. On the holiday itself, many shops are closed and the city roads are relatively empty.

Christmas to New Year. In shopping areas such as The Grove, Beverly Center and the Santa Monica Promenade, parking fills up early. On January 1, the day of the Rose Parade and the Rose Bowl game, there are wide road closures in Pasadena from the night before. If you are driving to the mountains, for example to Big Bear for snow, check the weather forecast and road conditions, because chains are sometimes required in the mountains and there is heavy traffic on the road up.

Spring. Late March to late April is a good time for trips: not too hot in the desert, and you can combine family visits in the Valley or on the Westside with a trip to the national parks. If you plan long drives, unlimited miles are especially important.

Why is a monthly rental especially suitable for holidays?

Most people who come for the holidays do not come for three days. They come for three or four weeks, visit family, work remotely and travel. A long rental at a fixed price removes the risk of a daily price that changes with demand, and the need to change cars in the middle. It also lets you pick up the car before the peak and return it after, so you are not standing in line on exactly the same day as everyone else. For a full comparison of the options, see the guide to monthly car rental in Los Angeles.

Frequently asked questions

Does the price go up if the rental includes Thanksgiving or Christmas?

No. Our prices are fixed at Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year, and in spring, and the total payment is never more than the quote you received.

How far in advance should I book a car for spring 2027?

The earlier the better, especially for a minivan or a 7-seat SUV. As soon as you have your flight dates, send them and we will come back with an exact quote.

Are rental branches open on Thanksgiving and Christmas?

Airport branches usually operate on holidays too, sometimes with reduced hours. Coordinate your pickup time with us if you land on a holiday or at night.

Can I take the car on a snow trip during the winter holidays?

Yes, within the USA and with unlimited miles. Check road conditions in the mountains in advance, and adjust your driving to wet or snowy roads. Driving to Mexico is not allowed.

Coming for the holidays? Send your dates and get a quote, or start with Which car fits you?