Couple at home using a laptop to book a car rental early for a Presidents' Day weekend trip.

How early should I book for Presidents’ Day weekend to avoid sellouts?

Presidents’ Day weekend is peak demand. Book six to eight weeks ahead for ski markets and earlier for large vehicles....

2 min de lecture

Quick Summary

  • Presidents’ Day falls on the third Monday of February and drives peak demand.
  • Book early, especially for SUVs, minivans and ski markets, to avoid limited choice.
  • Hola Car Rentals offers Free Cancellation and All‑Inclusive+ so you can lock prices now and adjust later.

The Presidents’ Day demand curve

That long February weekend is a classic short break. Skiers head to Colorado and Utah, families fly to Florida and desert sunshine draws travellers to Arizona and Nevada. Inventory tightens first in high‑demand classes, so confirm your car rental before accommodation and lift tickets. For ski trips, aim six to eight weeks ahead. For sun cities and city breaks, three to five weeks can still work, but premium classes may already be limited.

How to choose your booking window

Vehicle type: seven‑seat SUVs and minivans are the first to sell out. If you need either, secure them eight to ten weeks ahead. Airport: big hubs hold more inventory. Orlando’s airport kiosks usually replenish faster than small city branches. Trip length: short weekends are more sensitive to flight timings; book pick‑up windows that fit your inbound arrival to avoid queues.

Practical picks for popular destinations

For desert escapes and national parks, Phoenix’s Sky Harbor pick‑up gives you fast freeway access. City‑and‑nature combos are easy from Nevada with the Las Vegas Rent‑A‑Car Center close to I‑215. Travelling with kids or sports gear? Choose a roof‑rack‑ready SUV and keep the boot clear for luggage.

Beat the rush with Hola Car Rentals

Hola Car Rentals helps you move early without risk. Lock a price with Free Cancellation up to 48 hours before pick‑up and switch times or classes as plans evolve. The All‑Inclusive+ Rate delivers maximum coverage, and selected itineraries include maximum liability protection up to 300,000 dollars. If your route uses toll roads, our Cashback on tolls benefit returns money to your pocket after the trip.

Further reading for peak dates

For a deeper strategy on how far ahead to secure vehicles across holidays, read our guide on the best time to book for U.S. holidays and apply the same timeline to Presidents’ Day.

FAQs

  • Is there a best day of the week to collect? Morning pick‑ups on Thursday or Friday can be quieter, but availability matters more than the day.
  • Do prices drop last minute? Sometimes, though availability usually shrinks for popular classes. Booking early protects you from sellouts.
  • Should I prepay? Prepay can be cheaper but less flexible. Many Hola Car Rentals rates allow Free Cancellation, which is valuable for holiday weekends.
  • What documents do I need? A valid driving licence, payment card and, for some renters, an additional ID. International visitors may be asked for a passport.
  • Are snow tyres guaranteed in ski markets? Not typically. Consider an AWD SUV and plan your route and timing for mountain traffic.

Ready to lock in Presidents’ Day plans? Secure your vehicle with Hola Car Rentals today and travel with confidence.