Last updated: March 16, 2026
Planning to pick up a rental car at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)? At LAX, rental car pickup now centers on the airport’s new Rental Car Center, which opened in March 2026 at 5251 W 98th Street, Los Angeles, CA 90045. After you collect your luggage, follow signs for Rental Car Shuttles and head to the pink LAX Shuttle signs on the Lower/Arrivals level outside your terminal. This guide explains where to go, how the rental car shuttle works, and what to know before you drive away. Since pickup procedures and counter hours can vary by provider, it is always smart to confirm your rental company’s latest instructions before travel.
Quick Facts: Renting a Car at LAX
- Airport code: LAX
- Rental car pickup location: LAX Rental Car Center, 5251 W 98th Street, Los Angeles, CA 90045
- Where do I catch the shuttle? At the pink LAX Shuttle signs on the Lower/Arrivals level outside each terminal
- Do I use LAX-it for rental cars? No. LAX-it is for taxis and app-based ride pickups, not rental car pickup
- Do rental car shuttles pick up at the terminals? Yes
- Best tip before pickup: Follow signs for Rental Car Shuttles, not LAX-it, after baggage claim
Step 1: Arriving at LAX
After landing at Los Angeles International Airport, follow signs to baggage claim in your terminal. Once you have your luggage, look for airport signs for Rental Car Shuttles so you can head toward the shuttle pickup area.
Step 2: Find the Rental Car Shuttle
LAX says rental car shuttles pick up on the Lower/Arrivals level in front of each terminal at the pink LAX Shuttle signs. After baggage claim, proceed outside and follow the airport’s signs to the shuttle stop for rental cars.
One important note: LAX-it is not for rental car pickup. LAX’s official page says LAX-it affects people leaving the airport by taxi or ride app services, but rental car shuttles still pick up at the terminal shuttle stops.
Step 3: Arrive at the Rental Car Center
The new LAX Rental Car Center opened in March 2026 and is located at 5251 W 98th Street, Los Angeles, CA 90045. LAWA says the center allows guests to pick up and return cars from on-airport rental car companies in one location. Once you arrive, head to your rental company’s counter or service area with your driver’s license, payment card, and reservation confirmation ready.
Step 4: Complete the Rental Process
Before leaving the counter, review your rental agreement carefully and make sure you understand:
- the final total
- the fuel policy
- the return time
- any optional extras or upgrades
- any additional driver fees
Then inspect the vehicle for scratches, dents, wheel damage, or interior issues, and make sure anything already on the car is documented by the rental company.
Step 5: Leave the Rental Car Center
After picking up your vehicle, follow signs out of the Rental Car Center and connect to the major roads serving Los Angeles and the surrounding area. If you are heading toward Santa Monica, Hollywood, downtown Los Angeles, or elsewhere in Southern California, it helps to set your route before leaving the facility.
Step 6: Returning Your Rental Car
When it is time to return your vehicle, follow your rental company’s signs back to the LAX Rental Car Center. After drop-off, use the rental car shuttle back to your terminal. Because LAX’s new center is now the main rental hub, it is smart to review your provider’s latest return instructions before your trip in case the company has a specific floor or counter process. This provider-specific caution is an inference based on the newly opened centralized facility and current provider directions.
Additional Tips
- Follow signs for Rental Car Shuttles, not LAX-it
- Use the pink LAX Shuttle signs on the Lower/Arrivals level
- Keep your driver’s license, payment card, and reservation confirmation ready
- Allow extra time during busy LAX periods
- Check your provider’s latest pickup and return instructions before your trip
Frequently Asked Questions About LAX Airport Rental Cars
Rental car pickup at LAX now centers on the airport’s Rental Car Center at 5251 W 98th Street, Los Angeles, CA 90045
LAX says rental car shuttles pick up at the pink LAX Shuttle signs on the Lower/Arrivals level outside each terminal.
No. LAX’s official LAX-it page says LAX-it is for taxis and app-based ride pickups, not rental car collection.
Yes. LAWA says the new LAX Rental Car Center opened on March 11, 2026
In most cases, you should bring your driver’s license, payment card, and reservation confirmation. Current provider directions also indicate that pickup specifics can vary by company within the new facility
Return the vehicle to your provider’s area at the LAX Rental Car Center, then take the rental car shuttle back to your terminal
Conclusion
Picking up a rental car at Los Angeles International Airport is usually straightforward once you know that the process now runs through the new LAX Rental Car Center rather than the older scattered setup many travelers remember. After baggage claim, follow signs to the pink LAX Shuttle signs, take the rental car shuttle, complete your paperwork, inspect your vehicle, and you will be ready to hit the road.
To make the process smoother, confirm your rental company’s latest LAX pickup instructions before your trip and make sure you follow Rental Car Shuttle signs rather than heading to LAX-it. A little preparation can make your LAX rental car pickup much easier
