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When renting a car at the Sacramento Airport you will find that you have choices. Companies like Budget, Alamo, Avis and Hertz populate the Sacramento Airport. In total, there are nine (actually Payless and Advance have an off-airport location, nearby). All are national leaders, and using our booking engine, you should get the best price among all of them.
There is a common shuttle service to the Car Rental facility that runs pretty much continuously where all of the cars are parked. One of the really, really nice things about the Sacramento airport rental car experience is the Arco gas station that sits on the South side of the Airport facility on Airport Blvd, as you enter to return your car. The prices are expensive, to be sure. However, they're not nearly as an expensive typical car rental return facility. The gas station also has snacks and drinks. One thing to remember - at least as recently as the summer of 2011, the Arco doesn't accept American Express.
When leaving the Sacramento Airport in your rental car, you take a right (North) on Freeport Blvd to travel to Sacramento. Drive about a mile and one-half and turn left on Sutterville Rd. Travel down Sutterville Road about one mile. Watch for overhead green signs directing you to stay in right lane and merge onto Interstate 5. Turn onto I-5 via the freeway entrance. You will drive about 4 miles to the city center of Sacramento.
When returning your rental car back to the Sacramento Airport, you will essentially reverse the directions above. After getting off of I-5 and onto Sutterville Road, you will find several gas stations to stop at to re-fuel your rental vehicle. This will save you some cash on fuel, as the rental car company won't be able to gouge you on fuel re-filling costs.
Sacramento International Airport is located about 10 miles northwest of the business district of Sacramento. The airport was originally named Sacramento Metropolitan Airport in 1967 when the Interstate 5 freeway was just being constructed through a farming area just northwest of the city. In 1988 the airport brought in a new second runway to expand the airport due to the growth of Sacramento.
In 1998 a new terminal building was opened and the airport was renamed what it is now known as today, the Sacramento International Airport. International flights began in 2002 when the airport brought Mexicana airways to the list of companies which offered flights to Guadalajara. Mexicana airways ceased all operations in August 2010 leaving the airport with no international flights in December 2010, Alaska Airlines started offering flights to Guadalajara and the airport was then again recognized as an international port of entry.
Southwest Airlines currently holds 52.5% of all flights with a total of around 4.5 million passengers served each year. The airport currently covers 6,000 and has two runways with 26 operating gates.
Parking at Sacramento International Airport can accommodate for as many as 16,000 cars.
Passengers can enjoy non-stop flights to New York City, Newark, Washington D.C., Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Guadalajara, Honolulu, Houston, Las Vegas, Minneapolis, New York, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Portland, Salt Lake City, Seattle, Kansas City, and all major California cities.
While visiting the Sacramento International Airport, passengers can take advantage of many different amenities including free WiFi throughout the airport & it's terminals.
While waiting for a flight passengers can eat at one of the many different eateries offered within the airport both pre security and post security including; Jacks Urban Eats, Dos Coyotes, Cafetieria 15L, Peet's Coffee, The Gateway Bar, Camden Food Company, Starbucks, Esquire Grill, Burgers & Brew, Cinnabon, La Salsa, California Pizza Kitchen, Burger King, Lemon Grass, Quiznos, Saladworks & Famous Famiglia Pizzeria.
Upstairs passengers will find a wide variety of gift shops, including; PGA TOUR Shop, Details, InMotionEntertainment, Forever Silver, Hometown Favorites, Bella, Massage Bar, Nelson's Books & New, Vino Valo, Shoe Shine, KidZoo, Capitol MarketPlace, Nelson's Travel Company & Brooks Brothers.
ATM machines, restrooms and restaurants that cater to anyone's taste can also be found here. Within minutes of the airport there are many of the top rated hotels like Homewood Suites by Hilton, Holiday Inn Express, Hampton Inn, Super 8 Motel Fairfield Inn, Residence Inn & many more!
The airport is currently revamping their Terminal B to accommodate more passengers and bring a much more updated look for those revisiting the Sacramento International Airport.
You'll find lots of attractions to visit (as long as you're not working) in the Sacramento area, while touring around in your rental car. We have included some top-rated tourist attractions for the Sacramento area, and some auto driving distances to help you on your way.
Airport to California State Railroad Museum, 12 Miles. (See Pic Below)
Airport to California State Capitol Museum, 13 Miles.
Airport to Raging Water Park, 19 Miles
Airport to Sutter's Fort, 16 Miles
Airport to California Military Museum, 12 Miles
Airport to Roseville, 26 Miles
Airport to Downtown Sacramento, 12 Miles
Airport to Lodi, 47 Miles
Airport to Vallejo, 68 Miles
Airport to Stockton, 59 Miles
Airport to Modesto, 87 Miles.
SUV's, Minivans, Economy Cars and Luxury Cars (among other types) will generally be available to rent from the Sacramento Airport. One rule of thumb to keep in mind - the more expensive the vehicle, the quicker the vehicle runs out of stock. So, the lesson is, if you're going to rent an SUV from the Sacramento Airport, you might want to pre-book.