Budget Car Rental Introduce
Welcome to your comprehensive local guide for Budget Car Rental in Merrillville, Indiana. For residents and visitors traveling through Northwest Indiana, securing reliable transportation is often essential for work, family vacations, or simply managing daily life. Budget Car Rental at the Merrillville Car Care Center aims to be a convenient choice for those in need of temporary transportation, ranging from compact cars for efficiency to larger vans for group travel. This location functions as both a dedicated Car Rental Agency and a Van Rental Agency, catering to a broad spectrum of vehicle needs right here in the Hoosier State.
Choosing a reputable local vendor for your vehicle rental can often streamline your travel plans and provide peace of mind. While the vast network of a national brand like Budget offers a diverse fleet and established policies, it's the on-the-ground experience and service at the local branch that matters most to the user. This particular location serves as a key local access point, positioned to assist those in Merrillville and the surrounding communities of Lake County, Indiana.
Location and Accessibility
The Budget Car Rental location is conveniently situated in Merrillville, Indiana, making it easily accessible for local pickup and return. Merrillville is a major hub in Northwest Indiana, intersected by I-65 and US 30, and the branch's location helps ensure drivers can quickly access main thoroughfares for their journeys.
The specific address places it within the local business community, often serving those who need a rental for personal or local business use, rather than solely airport travelers. For local users, the proximity to major commercial areas and residential neighborhoods adds to the convenience. Customers will find the location at the following address:
1750 81st Ave, Merrillville, IN 46410, USA.
A key feature of this location is its commitment to accessibility. The facility includes a Wheelchair Accessible Entrance and Wheelchair Accessible Parking Lot, ensuring that all customers have smooth access to the building and services. Furthermore, On-site Parking is available, providing a designated and convenient area for customers to leave their personal vehicles before picking up their rental. The facility is strategically situated approximately two miles west of I-65 on the north side of US Highway 30, also known as 81st Ave, making it a straightforward drive from either direction.
Services Offered
The Merrillville Budget location offers a comprehensive set of rental services designed to meet diverse travel and transportation needs, from short local trips to longer road trips across the region.
- Car Rental Agency Services: Providing a wide range of vehicles suitable for individual, couple, or small-group travel. The available fleet typically includes Economy, Compact, Intermediate, Standard, Full-Size sedans, Premium, and Luxury cars. Vehicle models can include the Kia Rio or similar (Economy), Toyota Corolla or similar (Intermediate), and Toyota Camry or similar (Full-Size).
- SUV Rental: A variety of SUVs are available for those needing extra space for passengers, luggage, or equipment, such as Intermediate SUVs (like the Toyota RAV4), Standard SUVs (like the Ford Edge), and Full-Size SUVs (like the Ford Expedition or Chevrolet Suburban).
- Van Rental Agency Services: Specializing in larger vehicle options for family trips, group outings, or moving tasks. This includes Minivans (like the Chrysler Pacifica) and Passenger Vans (like the Ford Transit 12-Passenger Van), which are ideal for transporting numerous people. Cargo Van options may also be available for local moving or hauling needs.
- Flexible Payment Options: Accepting various forms of payment to facilitate the rental process, including Credit Cards, Debit Cards (subject to location-specific policies for deposits), and NFC Mobile Payments.
- Discounts and Programs: The location often honors various corporate and promotional discounts. Specifically noted is the availability of Active Military Discounts, providing savings for service members and their families as a token of appreciation. Other common discount programs often include those for AARP members, promotional deals for paying in advance ('Pay Now' rates), and benefits through the complimentary Fastbreak program for bypassing counter lines and earning rewards.
- Additional Rental Options: Customers typically have the option to add extras such as GPS navigation, satellite radio (SiriusXM®), Extended Roadside Assistance, and refueling service options to customize their rental agreement.
Features / Highlights
Several key features distinguish this Budget Car Rental branch for users in the Indiana area.
- Diverse Fleet Availability: Offering a wide selection of vehicle classes, ensuring customers can find the right size and type of vehicle, whether it's an economical sedan for a solo commute or a full-size passenger van for a group event.
- Commitment to Accessibility: The provision of a Wheelchair Accessible Entrance and Wheelchair Accessible Parking Lot ensures the facility is ready to serve customers with mobility challenges, a vital aspect of inclusive local service.
- Active Military Discounts: A specific benefit for service members, allowing active military personnel to access savings on their rental costs.
- Multiple Payment Methods: The ability to accept Credit Cards, Debit Cards, and NFC Mobile Payments provides convenience and flexibility in managing rental costs.
- On-site Parking: A convenient feature for local renters, allowing them to park their personal car safely while they are using their rental vehicle.
- Strategic Location: Situated near major highways (I-65 and US 30), the location provides easy access for quick pick-up and drop-off, a crucial factor for time-sensitive travel.
Contact Information
For making a reservation, confirming vehicle availability, or inquiring about specific policies, customers can reach the Merrillville Budget Car Rental at the following contact points:
- Address: 1750 81st Ave, Merrillville, IN 46410, USA
- Phone: (219) 736-0373
- Mobile Phone: +1 219-736-0373
Customers should always call ahead, especially for specialized vehicles like vans or specific car classes, to ensure availability and confirm hours of operation, as rental office hours can sometimes vary.
What is Worth Choosing
For Indiana residents and those visiting the Merrillville area, choosing this Budget Car Rental location can be an attractive option due to its established infrastructure and commitment to certain conveniences. The primary factor making this location "worth choosing" is its role as a dedicated, local-centric branch offering both car and van rentals, making it a versatile resource for diverse transportation needs, all from one accessible spot in Northwest Indiana.
The availability of vehicles from compact models for fuel-conscious local errands to larger passenger vans for moving groups to destinations like the Indiana Dunes National Park or events in Chicago provides a one-stop-shop advantage. The confirmed features of wheelchair accessibility and dedicated military discounts also highlight an effort to cater to specific community needs, setting it apart as a considerate local business. Additionally, the ability to utilize modern payment methods, including NFC technology, speaks to a commitment to providing a seamless customer transaction experience.
However, users should also be fully aware of the importance of proactive communication and adherence to policies when choosing this or any rental service. Customer reviews indicate that, while a variety of vehicles are on offer, the actual experience at pickup can be highly dependent on staff interaction and system reliability. Issues like last-minute vehicle unavailability, lack of timely communication regarding reservations, and inconsistent customer service are serious matters raised by past renters. Therefore, customers are strongly advised to confirm their booking status, especially for vans or specialty vehicles, several times before their scheduled pickup date, ideally speaking directly with the local branch manager. Keeping a separate company's contact information as a backup, as one customer wisely did in their difficult situation, is a practical step for ensuring travel plans remain on track in case of unforeseen local logistical issues. For the best experience, securing a vehicle class that is widely available, booking well in advance, and explicitly confirming all terms and conditions—especially for reservations made with a debit card or involving specialty vehicles—will help maximize the chances of a smooth rental process at this Merrillville location.
Budget Car Rental Details
Highlights
- Active military discounts
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
- Credit cards
Parking
- On-site parking
Budget Car Rental Photos










Budget Car Rental Location
Budget Car Rental
1750 81st Ave, Merrillville, IN 46410, USA
Budget Car Rental Reviews
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★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1I am writing to formally express my dissatisfaction with the recent rental experience I had with this company in Merrillville, Indiana which left me quite frustrated and disappointed.In December of 2024, I arranged for a van to be held for pickup on February 21st 2025. However, when I arrived at the designated location, I was met with hostility and rudeness from the staff. To my dismay, I was informed that no van was available. The staff and manager informed me I should have receive a call the night before regarding any changes, but I did not receive any communication. Additionally, no assistance was offered to help me find an alternative vehicle.My attempts to reach the customer service number was also been met with unhelpful and rude responses. Since the day of the rental, I have been in contact with customer service via email and have been promised multiple reimbursements, none of which have materialized.This experience has not only disrupted my vacation plans but also resulted in financial loss, as I missed out on tickets I had purchased due to the inability to pick up the van as agreed. I ultimately had to drive over an hour to another company to secure a vehicle from Enterprise four hours later than planned. Even though it was hours later Enterprise saved the vacationI have rented from this company and at this location on numerous occasions and as I do understand things happen the way they interacted upon arriving at the facility was uncalled for and a horrible customer service. The worst part of this entire situation was after finally finding a vehicle with another rental company picking up that vehicle and making our way back to start the trip approximately 9 hours after the original pickup time I received a call informing me there was a van over the Border in Illinois that we could have picked up and if somebody would have actually checked in their systems to help that could have been another easier option and we still might have been able to make our planned departure time.
May 03 · Richard SWas complaining to my husband about how we had to pay and that they could check our credit. The woman there didn't like that.So she canceled our reservation and wouldn't rent to us.I was not being rude, loud or swearing or even talking to her.She never should have been able to do this caused us an issue.We had to drive an hour and a half to get a different car, and her and the other employees were at the shop.Door laughing at us while we were looking for another car.I will tell everyone not to go to that place. She needs fired.
September 16 · Kimberly EnsignListen to all the negative reviews. Booked and paid online with debit. Wanted to call and confirm booking. No one answers the phone. Called "customer service" number was told price I paid was not the full amount because I paid with debit and instead I would need to pay an additional 120.00 plus 500.00 hold when online stated hold up to 300.00. Canceled my reservation within an hour of making it and charged 50.00 for their inconvenience according to customer service rep. Will receive my funds back within 10 business days. Thanks for the headache budget will never attempt to use you again. Stick to enterprise.
July 30 · jennifer pierceThanks to the good people at budget for helping me to see my sister graduate from college I was the first time renter and they made the rental process easy. It was a very stressful situation, but with the help of the two workers that budget I don’t know the guy named he was a Jamaican guy. Thanks for your help for me and my family you really helped us. You have a long-term customer.
June 09 · Gipp GivensMy first was the last time. Reserved a vehicle a week prior to my trip. Got a text a day before my trip saying my reservation was canceled due to lack of vehicles. So pretty much over booking. They text that evening again telling me the vehicle was available now. Went in that morning to pay, used my card then was told I was denied cause of credit. This left me baffled because I never have issues with credit period. Told the employee I was not understanding this issue. All I got was it's a new system that they knew nothing about. Then both employees just give me shoulder shrugs when I asked them questions. My trip was almost ruined but of course Enterprise save the day.
February 10 · Teddy Roldan
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