Lindsey Desmet
Short Answer — Most car rental companies allow renters to drive into Mexico if they rent from a location near the border, get approval from the rental agent to cross the border, and purchase a Mexico car insurance policy.
Driving Rental Cars Into Mexico
You can drive a rental car into Mexico, but you must rent the car from a location near the border and get approval from the rental agency to do so.
You must also purchase insurance for the rental car and follow the legal guidelines for crossing the border.[1][2][3][4]
We explain these restrictions and requirements below.
Mexico Car Rental Insurance
Every car rental agency that allows travel into Mexico requires the renter to purchase a special Mexico insurance policy, regardless of their personal insurance coverage or supplemental protection.[1][2][3][4]
You can purchase Mexico insurance at the rental counter for a rate of around $25 to $50 per day. Exact costs will vary depending on the rental agency and vehicle class.[5][6][7]
Geographic Restrictions
Mexico’s border area is known as the “Free Zone” — stretching 12 to 16 miles beyond the border into Mexico.[8]
Your rental agency may allow you to travel beyond the Free Zone, but still within a set mileage limit. For example, Thrifty renters can’t drive more than 250 miles past the border.[9]
If you’re authorized to travel past the Free Zone, you’ll need to request a Temporary Vehicle Import Permit (TIP) through Banjercito, Mexico’s national bank.[8] You can apply for this permit at the border.[10]
To get a TIP, you’ll need to show your passport, driver’s license, visa (if applicable), authorization form from the rental agent, proof of Mexico insurance, and a copy of your rental agreement.[8]
Vehicle Restrictions
Your rental agency may prohibit you from driving certain types of vehicles into Mexico.
For example, some rental companies don’t allow border crossings for pickup trucks or 4×4 vehicles.[6][11]
Permits and Visas
U.S. citizens only need a visa if staying in Mexico for more than 180 days.[12]
However, you’ll need a tourist permit if you plan to travel past the Free Zone or stay within the Free Zone for over 72 hours.[13]
You must stop at a National Migration Institute (INM) location after crossing the border and provide your passport to get a permit. The permit costs about $15.[13][14]
If you’re traveling for business, you’ll need to fill out an FM-N form, which will allow you to legally conduct business in Mexico.[13]
Re-entry Requirements
When you return to the U.S., U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers may need to see written authorization from the rental company showing that you had permission to take the car into Mexico.[15]
Mexican Border Crossing Policies by Company
We list the border crossing policies at each major U.S. car rental company below.
We compiled this information by viewing each company’s policy documents and contacting locations near the U.S.-Mexico border.
ACE Rent a Car
- Allows Mexican border crossings? At very few locations with approval from a rental agent;[16] most locations don’t allow Mexican border crossings and may not even allow travel within 25 miles of the U.S.-Mexico border.[17][18][19]
- Restrictions: If you cross into Mexico without authorization, you will pay a penalty fee ranging anywhere from $250 to $5,000, depending on the rental location of origin.[18][20][21]
- Mexico insurance cost: Varies depending on the details of your rental[22]
- Find a rental
Alamo Rent a Car
- Allows Mexican border crossings? Only with approval from a rental agent at select locations[1]
- Restrictions: Vary by location, but in general:
- Mexico insurance cost: Around $25 to $35 per day[6][24]
- Find a rental
Avis Rent a Car
- Allows Mexican border crossings? Only from select locations in Arizona, California, New Mexico, and Texas[2]
- Restrictions:
- Must be a U.S. resident with a corporate Avis Worldwide Discount number
- Must notify the rental agent that you plan to take the car to Mexico
- Must purchase insurance for your trip through Avis
- One-way rentals (returning the car in Mexico) are not available.[2]
- Mexico insurance cost: Varies depending on the details of your rental; usually around $30 to $40[25]
- Find a rental
Budget
- Allows Mexican border crossings? At select locations in Arizona, California, and Texas, but only for corporate clients[3]
- Restrictions:
- Must be a legal U.S. resident (citizen, permanent resident, or have a valid Visa)
- Must rent the vehicle using a corporate account
- Must inform the rental agent that you plan to cross the border
- Must return the vehicle in the U.S. (no one-way rentals)
- Must purchase Mexican Automobile Liability Insurance in person; you can’t buy it online.[3]
- Mexico insurance cost: Varies; your rental agent will inform you of the cost at the counter.[26]
- Find a rental
Dollar Car Rental
- Allows Mexican border crossings? Only from participating locations in Arizona, California, New Mexico, and Texas[27]
- Restrictions: Must request authorization and purchase Mexico Insurance in person at the rental counter[28]
- Mexico insurance cost: Varies depending on the details of your rental[28]
- Find a rental
Enterprise Rent-A-Car
- Allows Mexican border crossings? At very few locations[4]
- Restrictions: Vary at the discretion of the rental location; usually excludes certain vehicle classes, such as Luxury and Premium[29]
- Mexico insurance cost: Around $35 to $40 per day[29]
- Find a rental
Fox Rent A Car
- Allows Mexican border crossings? Only from the locations nearest to the Arizona-Mexico and California-Mexico borders, which sell Mexico insurance[5]
- Restrictions: Must choose an economy to full-sized vehicle; other vehicle classes cannot cross the border[5]
- Mexico insurance cost: Starting around $30 per day[5]
- Find a rental
Hertz
- Allows Mexican border crossings? Only from select locations near the U.S.-Mexico border[7]
- Restrictions:
- Must not be a Mexican citizen
- Must pay with a credit card in your own name
- Only the primary/original renter can purchase a Mexico Insurance Policy.
- Doesn’t allow one-way rentals into Mexico[7]
- Mexico insurance cost: Around $40 to $50 per day (varies by vehicle class)[7]
- Find a rental
National Car Rental
- Allows Mexican border crossings? At very few locations near the U.S.-Mexico border[30]
- Restrictions:
- Must be at least 25 years old
- Must have a credit card in your name
- Must not have a Mexican driver’s license
- Must choose an Economy through Full-Size car or minivan; other vehicles, including pickup trucks and 4x4s, aren’t eligible for border crossings.[11]
- Mexico insurance cost: Around $25 to $35 per day[11]
- Find a rental
Payless Car Rental
- Allows Mexican border crossings? Only with prior approval[31]
- Restrictions: Must get written authorization from an agent the rental counter and follow any additional requirements and restrictions implemented by the individual rental location[31]
- Mexico insurance cost: Vary at the discretion of the renting location[31]
- Find a rental
Thrifty Car Rental
- Allows Mexican border crossings? Only from locations near the U.S.-Mexico border in Arizona, California, New Mexico, and Texas[32]
- Restrictions: Cannot travel more than 250 miles south of the U.S.-Mexico border[9]
- Mexico insurance cost: Around $38 to $48 per day, depending on the vehicle class[33]
- Find a rental
Companies That Don’t Allow Mexican Border Crossings
In the course of our research, we found that the following rental companies won’t allow you to drive your rental car into Mexico:
William Lipovsky
