Can I take a rental car to Mexico?

We are often asked if it’s possible to take a rental car from the US into Mexico, the simple answer is yes, but there are a plethora of restrictions and variations between rental agents. We’ve done that research for you to provide the best overview of taking a rental car into Mexico from the US to show which rental agents don’t allow it, which do and any restrictions.

Which car rental agents allow travel to Mexico?

Of the rental agents that do permit cross border travel to Mexico, there is a common theme. Extra insurance is required to legally drive a US registered rental car in Mexico. This must be purchased locally at the rental desk when collecting the car and you should check in advance whether your chosen rental location permit this as not all locations allow travel to Mexico. You’ll find generally that only rental agents in relatively close proximity to the Mexican border allow travel across the border from states such as California, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas. It's quite common for people renting a car in San Diego to ask if they can take it to Mexico and likewise as far north as Los Angeles and San Francisco. It should also be noted that there is a limit as to how far south the insurance is valid for, the policy only covers travel up to 250 miles south of the border, we’ve broadly demonstrated this on the map below;


Map for illustrative purposes only, check with rental agent if your intended destination is within the limit.

Alamo

Most locations do not allow travel into Mexico. If you wish to travel into Mexico, you will be required to purchase additional insurance to cover the vehicle while in Mexico. Please contact the branch directly to determine limitations and availability.

Budget

If you are a U.S resident, you may drive a Budget car into Mexico only if you purchase Mexican Automobile Liability Insurance at certain U.S. rental locations. To determine whether your location allows travel into Mexico, inquire at the counter or contact us. This insurance is available only at specific locations in Texas, Arizona and California. It is not available in Mexico. Foreign nationals who can’t establish legal permanent U.S. resident status or current valid visa status can’t purchase this insurance because Mexico prohibits such persons from driving a U.S. car in Mexico, making them subject to arrest and the car subject to seizure. Before taking vehicles into Mexico, customers must notify Budget that the vehicle is going to cross the International Border. This policy will allow current corporate customers only to travel south into Mexico in a Budget rental.

Dollar

Vehicles rented in the United States may not be driven into Mexico without obtaining Mexico Insurance. Mexico Insurance provides a customer with liability and damage protection on the rental vehicle to be in compliance with Mexican law when visiting Mexico. The Mexico Insurance policy permits the customer to travel up to 250 miles south of the U.S./Mexico border in the rented vehicle. Coverage is subject to all limits, terms, limitations and exclusions in the Mexico Insurance policy. Mexico Insurance is available only at select locations.

Enterprise

Most locations do not allow travel into Mexico. If you wish to travel into Mexico, you will be required to purchase additional insurance to cover the vehicle while in Mexico. Please contact the branch directly to determine limitations and availability.

National

Most locations do not allow travel into Mexico. If you wish to travel into Mexico, you will be required to purchase additional insurance to cover the vehicle while in Mexico. Please contact the branch directly to determine limitations and availability.

Thrifty

Vehicles rented in the United States may not be driven into Mexico without obtaining Mexico Insurance.  Mexico Insurance provides a customer with liability and damage protection on the rental vehicle to be in compliance with Mexican law when visiting Mexico.  The Mexico Insurance policy permits the customer to travel up to 250 miles south of the U.S./Mexico border in the rented vehicle. The policy provides coverage for liability to third parties arising from the use of the rental vehicle (to the applicable limit of liability), collision and comprehensive coverage for the rental vehicle (subject to applicable deductibles) and limited medical expense coverage. Coverage is subject to all limits, terms, limitations and exclusions in the Mexico Insurance policy. Mexico Insurance is available only at select locations.
 

Which car rental agents don’t allow travel Mexico?

It’s pretty clear cut from the following rental agents, under no circumstances are you permitted to take a rental car across the border in to Mexico, we’ve take extracts from the respective terms and conditions* for reference;

Avis

Driving U.S. owned cars into Mexico is always prohibited.

Hertz

Hertz vehicles may not be driven into Mexico.
 

Where can I cross into Mexico in a rental car?

If you are taking your rental car from the US into Mexico, the following border crossings are available;

Popular California–Baja California border crossings in a rental car;

* You can rent a car at Cross Border Xpress (CBX) from Tijuana Airport to avoid crossing the border by road.

Popular Texas–Chihuahua / Coahuila / Nuevo León / Tamaulipas border crossings in a rental car;

You can also cross the border at locations from;

• Arizona to Sonora in a rental car
• New Mexico to Chihuahua in a rental car

If you've not driven in Mexico before, there are some notable differences to driving in the USA and whilst you shouldn't be afraid to drive in Mexico, it's wise to be as prepared as possible and we'd recommend you read our guide to driving in Mexico.

*Extracts from the relevant Terms and Conditions from the relevant rental agent websites taken at time of publication and may be subject to change, you should check current terms for any updates.