This post contains affiliate links.
Zipcar is a convenient, affordable, flexible means of transport that allows you to enjoy the benefits of owning a car without the burdens of car ownership. However, various costs are attached to using a Zipcar.
The cost of Zipcar will depend on the monthly/yearly membership fee and the driving rate charged in that city. According to the monthly plan, the driving rate starts between $9.5/hour and $12.50/hour. Additionally, the yearly plan starts at anywhere between $83/day – $103.75/day.
Various factors impact how much a Zipcar car sharing will cost. Let's explore how much Zipcar will cost in 6 common scenarios.
Approximately How Much Zipcar Costs In 6 Scenarios
The cost of using a Zipcar will depend on various factors in different scenarios. Here are a few estimates of how much a Zipcar rental will cost in six scenarios.
1. How Much is A Zipcar Monthly Membership Plan Is
Zipcar is available in 25 cities in the United States. The monthly membership price differs depending on the town in which Zipcar operates.
A monthly plan costs $8 in the following cities: Boston, Chicago, and Washington, D.C.
However, monthly memberships cost $9 in the following cities: Atlanta, Austin, Baltimore, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Honolulu, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, Minneapolis, Milwaukee, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Portland, Providence, Sacramento, San Diego, San Francisco, and Seattle.
2. How Much is A Zipcar Yearly Membership Plan Is
A yearly membership plan in the following cities costs $90: Atlanta, Austin, Baltimore, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Honolulu, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, Minneapolis, Milwaukee, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Portland, Providence, Sacramento, San Diego, San Francisco, and Seattle.
A yearly membership plan in the following cities costs $80: Boston, Chicago, and Washington D.C.
3. How Much do Zipcar Driving Rates Cost
In addition to the difference in the membership cost in each city, the driving rates between cities also differ.
The hourly rate is $10/hour, and the daily rate is $83/day in the following cities: Atlanta, Austin, Baltimore, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, Portland, Sacramento, San Diego, and Seattle.
The driving rate is $11/hour and $91.50/day in the following cities: Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Detroit, Honolulu, Minneapolis, Milwaukee, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, San Francisco, and Washington D.C.
The Zipcar driving rate in Providence is $9.50/hour and $79/day. Additionally, the Zipcar driving rate in New York and New Jersey is $12.50/hour and $103.75/day.
It is important to note that these driving rates are estimated starting rates. These rates do not consider variations that may arise due to availability, holidays, discounts, or other factors. To ensure that you do not pay more than expected, you may review your Zipcar's total estimated reservation cost before you confirm your reservation.
4. How Much It Costs To Use A Zipcar For An Entire Day
Before using a Zipcar, you must pay the $25 application fee. Subsequently, regardless of whether you use a Zipcar rental once a month or every day, you will still need to pay the membership fee to use the Zipcar service.
If you only intend to use a Zipcar once and need a car for one entire day, it would be best to pay for the monthly membership, which will be either $8 or $9, depending on the city where you will be using it.
The total cost to use a Zipcar rental will be impacted by your area's driving rate, typically $9.5/hour, $10/hour, $11/hour, or $12.50/hour. Furthermore, the total cost of using a Zipcar for an entire day will depend on how far you drive.
5. How Much it Costs to Use A Zipcar For A Month
If you only intend to use a Zipcar for one month within the year, you should pay for the monthly Zipcar membership. Depending on the city you're in, the membership will be either $8 or $9.
Apart from the membership cost, you will be charged based per hour by that city's driving rates. These driving rates range from $83/day to $103.75/day.
Consequently, the cost to use a Zipcar for a month will include your membership fee but depends entirely on how often you drive and whether you incur additional expenses such as needing to pay the young driver fee, mileage fee, booking change, or cancellation fee.
6. How Much It Costs To Rent A Zipcar If You Are Under 25 Years Old
Zipcar charges a young driver fee to members between 18 and 24 who book trips within the United States.
For Zipcar members between 18 and 20, the young driver fee is $1.25/hour or $15 per day. However, if the young driver uses a Zipcar rental in the New York metro area, it is an exception, and the fee will be $3.75/hour or $62.50/day.
Zipcar members aged 21-24 will pay a young driver fee of $0.88/hour or $12.50/day. Young New York metro area drivers will pay $2.50/hour and $31.25/day.
Once the driver turns 25, the fee will no longer apply to trips in the future.
What Are Included In A Standard Zipcar Membership?
A standard Zipcar membership includes the following:
- Secondary car insurance coverage for all trips
- Free gas for all trips
- Maintenance and 24/7 roadside assistance
- 180 miles per day ($0.58 per mile after that)
These benefits apply in the instance of monthly and annual memberships.
What The Additional Costs Are When Using A Zipcar
Other fees might apply besides the cost of a Zipcar membership and the standard driving rates. Here are the additional costs that may arise when using a Zipcar rental.
An Additional Cost For Zipcar Is The Application Fee
When prospective drivers apply for a membership, be that a monthly or yearly membership, they will have to pay a one-time $25 application fee. This application fee is non-refundable and will be charged regardless of whether the driver's membership is approved.
An Additional Cost For Zipcar Is The Mileage Fee
Most Zipcar trips come with 180 miles that are included per 24-hour period. Additional mileage is billed at $0.58 and is charged upon trip completion.
An Extra Cost Is Zipcar's Booking Change Or Cancellation Fee
If you cancel or shorten your Zipcar reservation, you will not incur additional costs if you provide notice within the required timeframe. To get a full refund for changing or canceling your Zipcar trip, you must ensure that your modification occurs within the Zipcar notification period.
If you are making a trip less than 8 hours long, you must give notice of cancellation or booking change at least three hours before the trip begins. Additionally, if you are using the Zipcar for a trip longer than 8 hours, you will need to give notice at least 24 hours in advance to receive a full refund.
However, if you fail to give notice within the requisite time frame, you will be responsible for the full amount for the trip.
Conclusion
The cost of using Zipcar begins with the $25 application fee to become a Zipcar driver. Subsequently, you will need to choose whether you would like to join for a monthly or annual Zipcar membership. The city where you use the Zipcar will dictate the membership fee and the applicable driving rate. Consequently, how much Zipcar costs will depend on the membership fee, the driving rate, and whether any additional expenses like mileage fees or cancellation fees are applicable.
