A true gem for nature lovers, Prescott in northern Arizona is surrounded by the majesty of ponderosa pine forests offering four season recreation. More than 450 miles of trails welcome hikers. The area is ripe for mountain biking, kayaking, and mountain climbing. Also an attraction for history fans, Prescott served as the territorial capital before Arizona statehood and was founded in 1864. For those looking for a livelier experience a visit to Prescott’s world-famous Whiskey Row is a must while checking out the area’s nightlife.
Downtown Prescott (Photo: Kevin Lund via Flickr / CC BY-SA 2.0)
Whether taking an historical day trip to visit nearby Fort Whipple or tracking down the city’s abundant landmarks many visitors choose to rent a car during their stay for maximum convenience. More than a dozen car rental agencies, each offering their own selection of cars to cater to varying budgets and needs, make their home in Prescott. To help you find the right deal, we’ve selected what we consider the best agencies based in the downtown district and at the regional airport, as well as our favorite RV rental company for those wanting a house on wheels. Here are our picks.
For downtown rentals in Ann Arbor, our preferred option is Enterprise. Although their downtown office is only open for limited hours – with complete closure on weekends – when we looked for week-long rentals we were convinced by their diverse choice of cars, from no-frills models like a Mitsubishi Mirage priced at $174 per week, to more high-spec options such as a Nissan Maxima for $289 per week. For something big and sporty, we also found a Toyota RAV4 also costing $289 per week. For returns, there’s an after-hours service so you can drop the keys off in a drop box even if the office is shut.
Serviced by United Airlines, the Prescott Regional Airport sits 10 miles outside of downtown. Only two rental car companies make the airport their home; rental counters are located within the terminal, a short walk to the car lot. Our choice for the best agency based at the airport is Budget, simply because of selection. In the economy category, Budget offers a Ford Fiesta for just $269 per week. A more spacious Chrysler Pacifica minivan can move the whole family for $548 per week. For a sportier ride around Prescott a Ford Mustang Coupe is available for $474 per week. The rental desk is open from 6:30 a.m. till 9:00 p.m. daily. After hours returns are not available at this location.
Outdoorsy is a peer-to-peer marketplace that invites RV owners to advertise and hire out their vehicles to people needing a short-term RV rental. They come in multiple sizes and styles, from 2-person trailers to much more spacious vehicles that can sleep larger groups. One big advantage of booking an RV through a company like Outdoorsy is the cheaper deals over normal rental agencies. When we searched for RVs in Prescott, we found numerous options available for pick-up across the area. Among them was a pet friendly, fully stocked, 2018 Gulf Stream Conquest Class C motorhome. This ride sleeps 10 with a weekly rate of $1,770 plus fees and insurance. A 33-foot, 2017 Class A Fleetwood Flair with a slide out and retractable awning runs $1,734 plus fees and insurance per week. For something smaller we found a 21-foot, converted 2001 R-Vision van with a solar power option for off-grid amenities. The van sleeps 3 cozily and rents at $990 plus fees and insurance per week.
