Planning a trip to Houma, Louisiana? Whether you’re visiting the bayou for its Cajun culture, swamp tours, or proximity to the Gulf Coast, having your own set of wheels can make exploring this unique region much easier and more efficient. Houma is not a major hub for public transportation, and many top attractions — both in town and beyond — are best accessed by car.
This guide covers everything you need to know about car rentals in Houma, including where to rent, average costs, requirements, and insider tips on timing your booking. It also includes natural opportunities to compare rental deals and check availability.
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Is It Worth Renting a Car in Houma?
For most travelers, renting a car in Houma is a smart decision — especially if you want the freedom to explore the surrounding bayou country, coastal towns, or make a day trip to New Orleans (just 60 miles away).
Common reasons to rent a car in Houma include:
- Visiting nearby attractions like Chauvin Sculpture Garden, Mandalay National Wildlife Refuge, and Cocodrie.
- Accessing remote areas for swamp tours, fishing trips, or nature excursions.
- Traveling on your own schedule without relying on limited transit options.
Public Transportation Limitations:
- Houma has limited bus routes operated by the Terrebonne Parish Consolidated Government, but they don’t cover many tourist sites.
- Rideshare options like Uber and Lyft exist but are not always readily available, especially during off-peak hours or in rural areas.
Having a car gives you the flexibility to enjoy Houma and southern Louisiana without worrying about schedules or availability. You can compare current rental availability here to see what fits your travel dates and budget.
Where to Rent a Car in Houma
While Houma doesn’t have a major airport, several rental agencies operate within the city, especially along the Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard corridor and around downtown. Here’s what to expect:
National Brands in Houma:
- Enterprise Rent-A-Car – Multiple locations, including a popular branch near South Hollywood Road. Known for a wide vehicle selection and reliable service.
- Budget and Avis – Often located together near Grand Caillou Road, ideal for travelers seeking flexible rental terms.
- Hertz – Typically available through local dealerships or smaller offices.
Local Agencies:
- A few regional rental providers or dealership-affiliated locations may offer short-term rentals, often with limited vehicle availability or restricted hours.
Operating Hours:
- Most rental offices are open Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 5 PM. Saturday hours may be shorter, and many are closed on Sundays.
- After-hours returns may be available — be sure to ask during pickup or confirm when booking.
If you’re arriving from New Orleans or another nearby city, you might find it easier to pick up a rental at the airport and drive to Houma — but local rentals are available for those already in town.
Compare rental options here to find the best deal and location for your itinerary.
Recommended Car Rental Companies in Houma
Here are some of the most reliable rental companies in Houma, along with a few pros and cons for each:
- Enterprise Rent-A-Car
- Pros: Multiple pickup locations, good customer service, wide selection of vehicles.
- Cons: Often higher prices during peak seasons.
- Budget Rent a Car
- Pros: Competitive pricing, frequent discounts, good for economy rentals.
- Cons: Smaller fleet may mean fewer vehicle types available.
- Avis
- Pros: Convenient booking system, good loyalty rewards.
- Cons: Limited weekend hours.
- Hertz
- Pros: Flexible pickup/drop-off options, often available through third-party booking platforms.
- Cons: Fewer local locations compared to others.
Prices, availability, and policies can vary between branches, even within the same brand. It’s always smart to compare rental companies here before booking.
How Much Does It Cost to Rent a Car in Houma?
Rental prices in Houma are relatively moderate compared to larger cities, but they can fluctuate depending on season, demand, and vehicle type.
Typical Daily Rates:
- Economy cars: $45–$65/day
- Midsize SUVs: $65–$90/day
- Pickup trucks or specialty vehicles: $85–$120/day
Factors That Affect Price:
- Time of year: Rates rise during festivals, holidays, and summer months.
- Rental duration: Weekly rates often offer better value than daily rates.
- One-way fees: If you’re not returning the car to Houma, expect added charges.
- Mileage limits: Most rentals in Houma include unlimited miles, but always double-check.
- Insurance coverage: Optional collision and liability coverage can add $10–$30/day unless you’re covered by your credit card or personal auto policy.
To get the best value, check live prices here and consider booking early if you’re visiting during high-demand periods.
Requirements for Renting a Car in Houma
Before you book, make sure you meet the basic requirements most rental companies in Houma enforce:
Minimum Age:
- Most companies require renters to be at least 21 years old.
- Renters under 25 may face a young driver surcharge (typically $20–$30/day).
Driver’s License:
- A valid U.S. driver’s license is required.
- International travelers will need a valid license from their home country. Some companies may also require an International Driving Permit (IDP).
Payment Policies:
- Credit cards are widely accepted and preferred.
- Debit cards may be accepted but often require additional documentation, a credit check, or proof of return travel.
Insurance Requirements:
- Basic liability is usually included.
- Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) and other optional coverages can be added at pickup or declined if you have existing coverage.
Best Time to Rent a Car in Houma
The best time to rent a car in Houma depends on your travel schedule, but there are a few things to keep in mind:
Peak Season (Spring and Summer):
- Swamp tours, fishing trips, and Cajun festivals bring more visitors.
- Rental demand increases — booking early is recommended.
Off-Season (Late Fall and Winter):
- Lower rates and better availability.
- Less competition for vehicles, but some tour operators may have limited hours.
Weather Considerations:
- Houma has a mild winter climate with no snow or ice, making year-round driving relatively easy.
- In hurricane season (June–November), always check local forecasts and have a flexible plan.
Booking in advance — especially for weekends or holidays — is the best way to secure the vehicle you need.
Start your rental search here to see what’s available for your travel dates.
Driving Tips in Houma and Surroundings
Driving in and around Houma is generally straightforward, but bayou country comes with its own conditions: low-lying roads, drawbridges, heavy rain events, and seasonal storm impacts can all affect travel times. Before you head out—especially toward marsh areas south of town—check live road conditions, work zones, ferry status, and weather-related closures through Louisiana’s statewide traveler information system (511LA) and the Louisiana Department of Transportation & Development (LaDOTD) Traffic & Travel resources.
Road surfaces & flooding: Main approaches (including US-90 corridors linking Houma with New Orleans) are paved and well-traveled; however, local bayou roads can flood after heavy rain or storm surge. Monitoring state updates helps you avoid closures or detours.
Wildlife & wetlands awareness: You won’t see moose in coastal Louisiana, but you may encounter alligators, wading birds, and other wetland wildlife near canals, refuge areas, and swamp tour launch sites. Slow down on narrow rural approaches and never feed wildlife from the roadside. Area swamp tour operators and local visitor materials note frequent alligator and bird sightings in Houma-area wetlands and the nearby Mandalay National Wildlife Refuge.
Fuel planning: Houma proper has ample service stations along major arteries (MLK Blvd., South Hollywood Rd., Hwy 182 corridors), but once you head toward tour marinas (for example, Bob’s Bayou Black Marina for Cajun Man’s Swamp Tours) or farther south toward the lower bayous, stations thin out. Top off the tank before leaving town.
Parking basics: Downtown Houma businesses and hotels generally offer on-site or adjacent parking; most tour operators provide lot parking (occasionally for a small fee—Bob’s Bayou Black Marina, launch site for Cajun Man’s Swamp Tours, charges a modest parking fee). Confirm any marina or attraction parking charges when booking activities.
Rental office returns & timing: Some Houma rental offices list limited Saturday hours and may not support after-hours returns; verify pickup/return windows when reserving (for example, Enterprise’s Houma Enterprise Dr. location shows defined weekly and Saturday hours, with no after-hours drop noted).
Alternatives to Renting a Car in Houma
If you’re staying primarily in town or have arranged guided excursions, you may be able to get by without a rental car—though flexibility will be reduced.
Local bus service (Good Earth Transit): Terrebonne Parish operates fixed-route buses in the Houma area with a central transfer terminal at Main Street & Barataria Avenue; service spans multiple local routes and requires transfers for cross-town trips. Published operating windows are limited compared with large urban systems.
Regional connections: Good Earth Transit coordinates with nearby Thibodaux, but there is no direct Amtrak rail station in Houma; the closest Amtrak stop serving the region is Schriever (platform only) and, for full-service rail connections, New Orleans Union Passenger Terminal. If long-distance rail is part of your trip, plan to connect by road.
Taxis, shuttles & rideshare: Local taxi operators serve Houma, and rideshare availability (Uber/Lyft) can fluctuate—arrange ahead during early mornings or after evening events. Visitor resources recommend calling to confirm space and departure times for swamp tours and other guided experiences, many of which originate outside central Houma.
When walking or biking works: Central Houma’s core attractions cluster within a short radius; pair walking with scheduled bus segments for budget travel. Multi-stop outdoor itineraries (refuges, marinas, bayou towns) still favor a rental vehicle.
Best Road Trips from Houma
Looking to explore beyond town? These drives pair well with a rental car:
- New Orleans (about 1–1¼ hrs; ~58 mi) via US-90 for culture, cuisine, and history; expect variable traffic as you near the metro area.
- Mandalay National Wildlife Refuge (≈5 mi SW) for wetlands, birding, and seasonal wildlife viewing; access points and boat-based exploration highlighted by U.S. Fish & Wildlife and local tourism guides.
- Cajun Man’s Swamp Tours – Gibson/Bayou Black area for guided alligator and birding excursions departing a short drive from Houma.
- Annie Miller’s Son’s Marsh & Swamp Tours – Houma featuring Mandalay-area wetlands interpretation tied to the region’s ecosystem and cultural history.
- US-90 Bayou Corridor toward New Orleans & the Gulf Coast—a principal east-west route across southern Louisiana that links Houma to larger hubs and evacuation corridors.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you plan to visit multiple wetlands sites, swamp tour marinas, or nearby refuge areas, a car is the most efficient option; local tourism materials show key tour departures spread beyond central Houma.
Good Earth Transit runs fixed-route buses with a central transfer point, but coverage and hours are limited; it’s workable for in-town errands, not ideal for remote bayou attractions.
Houma has no passenger rail station. The closest Amtrak platform is Schriever (SCH), and the nearest full-service rail hub is New Orleans Union Passenger Terminal, which handles multiple long-distance routes.
Typical driving time is about an hour (route dependent) over roughly 58 miles, according to trip calculators that model average traffic conditions. Always allow extra time for weather or congestion approaching the metro area.
Low-lying coastal routes can experience flooding and debris; Louisiana’s 511 traveler information system and LaDOTD Traffic & Travel pages provide real-time closure and condition updates—check before you go during hurricane season or after major rain.
Alligators, wading birds, and other wetland wildlife are common near canals, refuges, and tour areas; stay in your vehicle, obey posted signs, and never feed wildlife. Regional swamp tour and refuge resources highlight frequent gator and bird sightings.
Most marinas and tour operators provide on-site parking; some charge a small fee (for example, the Bob’s Bayou Black Marina parking fee noted for Cajun Man’s Swamp Tours). Confirm costs when reserving.
Availability varies by company; multi-location providers such as Enterprise manage several South Louisiana branches (Houma Enterprise Dr., Prospect Blvd., and others), so one-way requests may be possible—confirm terms when booking.
Example: Enterprise’s Houma Enterprise Dr. branch lists weekday hours to 6 p.m. and a shortened Saturday window, with no after-hours returns; other local branches show similar daytime schedules. Always check your pickup location’s current listing.
Routes using US-90 between the two are generally toll-free; Louisiana has relatively few toll facilities statewide (notably the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway and select others), according to statewide toll resources.
Final Tips Before You Book
- Reserve early in peak seasons (spring festivals, summer fishing, major events) to secure vehicle type and avoid sell-outs; Houma rental branches show limited weekend hours and inventory can tighten quickly.
- Inspect at pickup: Walk around the car, document any exterior or interior marks, and confirm fuel level, since some bayou drives have limited services beyond town.
- Read terms carefully: Review mileage, fuel, young-driver surcharges, after-hours returns, and insurance/waiver options before signing; policies are detailed on provider sites (example: Enterprise Houma lists additional driver, damage waiver, and return policies online).
- Check road & weather conditions close to departure, especially during hurricane season or heavy rainfall periods, using 511LA and LaDOTD Traffic & Travel tools.
Ready to explore Houma? Compare trusted car rental options here and lock in a vehicle that fits your bayou adventure plans.
Leon A. LuisLeon A. Luis holds a degree in Economics but has always been driven by an insatiable love of travel. A dedicated solo traveler with a special fondness for road trips, kayaking adventures, and long, contemplative train journeys, Leon believes the best way to understand the world is to move through it slowly and deliberately. As a passionate travel writer, he’s committed to sharing detailed, practical advice and personal insights to help readers plan unforgettable journeys of their own. At traveleon.com, Leon focuses on car rental tips, transport guides, and all the essential details travelers need to navigate new places confidently. When he’s not exploring backroads or paddling quiet waterways, he’s working on plans to author books about the art and joy of road-tripping.