Budget Car Rental Introduce
For residents and visitors in the Lake County, Illinois area, having a reliable source for vehicle rental is essential, whether for a weekend trip out of the Chicago suburbs, transporting a large family, or simply needing a replacement vehicle. The Budget Car Rental located at 6170 W Grand Ave in Gurnee, near the major Gurnee Mills Mall, serves as a primary local option for both car and van hire. Officially classified as both a Car Rental Agency and a Van Rental Agency, this branch is set up to address diverse mobility needs within the community, offering everything from economical compact cars to full-size passenger vans.
The Gurnee branch positions itself as a convenient, neighborhood-level service, offering an alternative to the high-stress, busy airport rental counters. However, potential Illinois customers should be aware that the local operation has received mixed customer feedback. While the national brand guarantees a diverse fleet and provides valuable benefits like Active Military Discounts, customers have reported significant issues at this specific location related to reservation fulfillment, vehicle readiness, processing times, and staff conduct. This contrast between the promise of a national brand and the reported local experience makes careful planning and documentation vital for every renter.
One highly concerning review detailed an instance where a pre-booked minivan was unavailable upon arrival, forcing the customer to leave without a vehicle and arrange an expensive Uber ride home. Another customer reported an excessively long pick-up process (30-40 minutes), a vehicle that was not fully clean, a half-empty gas tank, and, most critically, an erroneous late return charge of over $80, which required documented proof (Life360 time-stamped screenshot) to overturn. These real-world experiences suggest that, while the Gurnee location offers the full suite of Budget's vehicle options and national programs, renters must be proactive in confirming availability before arrival and meticulously documenting the vehicle's condition, fuel level, and return time to ensure a smooth, accurate transaction.
Despite the reported customer service issues, the Gurnee Budget location remains a key provider of large-capacity vehicles, which are often scarce in local markets. Its location near a major interstate and local attractions like Six Flags Great America and Gurnee Mills makes it geographically convenient for many users in northern Illinois and those traveling from Wisconsin.
Location and Accessibility
The Budget Car Rental office is situated at a highly trafficked and easy-to-find location within the vibrant commercial district of Gurnee, IL.
- Address: 6170 W Grand Ave, Gurnee, IL 60031, USA
The standard operating hours are convenient for weekday pickups and returns: Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM, and Saturday and Sunday from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Renters should always check the location's direct contact number for current hours, especially during holidays, as operations may be reduced or closed entirely.
In terms of physical access, the location is committed to accommodating all customers:
- Wheelchair accessible entrance, providing easy access to the rental counter.
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot, ensuring convenient parking for customers with disabilities.
Services Offered
The Gurnee Budget Car Rental provides a complete range of rental options characteristic of a large, national agency, focusing on both short-term and long-term rentals:
- Comprehensive Car Fleet: Available vehicles typically span all major classes, including economical cars (e.g., Kia Rio), mid-size sedans (e.g., Toyota Corolla), full-size sedans (e.g., Toyota Camry), various SUVs (e.g., Ford Edge, Toyota RAV4), and specialized vehicles like convertibles or luxury models (e.g., Genesis G70).
- Minivan and Passenger Van Rental: A core offering, classified as a 'Van rental agency,' includes 7-passenger Minivans (e.g., Chrysler Pacifica) and large 12- and 15-passenger vans (e.g., Ford Transit), catering to large groups, sports teams, and family gatherings in the Lake County area.
- Flexible Payment Options: Accepts both Credit Cards and Debit Cards for payment and for securing the necessary authorization hold deposit. Renters should verify the specific requirements and deposit hold amount for debit card use at the time of booking.
- Active Military Discounts: The branch honors the national Active Military Discounts, offering savings (up to 35% off base rates, often via programs like WeSalute) to active-duty military, veterans, and their immediate families in the area.
- Optional Services: Includes one-way rentals, long-term rental agreements, and the provision of essential add-ons such as GPS devices, child safety seats, and optional insurance coverage (Loss Damage Waiver).
- Local Customer Pick-up: The branch typically offers a free pick-up service from a local address to the rental location, though this service is subject to availability and must be arranged directly by calling the branch.
Features / Highlights
The key value propositions and specific offerings of the Budget Car Rental at 6170 W Grand Ave:
- High-Capacity Vehicle Access: One of the few local options specifically providing large Passenger Vans (12- and 15-seaters), a major advantage for organizations and large families in the Gurnee and Lake County region.
- Active Military Savings: A significant highlight is the availability of discounts for the military community, helping to make travel more affordable for service members and their families stationed or residing in northern Illinois.
- Location Proximity to Attractions: Its placement near major attractions like Gurnee Mills Mall and Six Flags Great America makes it highly convenient for picking up or dropping off a vehicle when combining shopping, leisure, or family visits.
- Financial Flexibility: Acceptance of Debit Cards for rental deposits offers an essential service to Illinois users who may not possess a major credit card or prefer not to use one for the deposit hold.
- Accessibility Compliance: The provision of both a Wheelchair Accessible Entrance and Wheelchair Accessible Parking ensures that the rental process is physically barrier-free for all local customers.
Contact Information
For current operating information, reservation inquiries, or to confirm vehicle availability, contact the Gurnee Budget location directly:
- Address: 6170 W Grand Ave, Gurnee, IL 60031, USA
- Phone: (847) 855-0086
- Mobile Phone: +1 847-855-0086
- Types: Car rental agency, Van rental agency
What is Worth Choosing
The Budget Car Rental Gurnee Mills location is worth choosing primarily for its specialization in
However, given the publicly available customer feedback, potential renters must temper expectations regarding speed and service execution. To ensure a positive experience, it is highly recommended that customers choose this location but follow these best practices: confirm vehicle availability (especially for minivans and passenger vans) by calling ahead of the reservation date, arrive early, be prepared for potential delays in the pick-up process, and meticulously document the vehicle’s condition (cleanliness, fuel level) and the exact time of return (photographing the drop-off with a time stamp is advisable) to prevent erroneous charges. By combining the Gurnee branch's valuable fleet and discount offerings with careful, proactive documentation, local customers can maximize the benefit of using this convenient Lake County rental agency.
Budget Car Rental Details
Highlights
- Active military discounts
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- Credit cards
Budget Car Rental Photos





Budget Car Rental Location
Budget Car Rental Reviews
pricegasfeenumbercallpicturesthe futuremini vanchevypolicy
★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1Budget Gurnee millsRented a mini van well in advance. When I arrived I was told they did not have any mini vans. I expressed that I needed a mini van hence why I booked it. I was told there’s nothing they can do for me. I was very frustrated because I had to get a babysitter lined up so I could go pick up the rental car and at the end of it all I ended having to Uber home. I asked if there would be mini vans later and was told maybe but sometimes people extend their rentals last minute. I walked away from the desk for a few minutes to call my husband and ask how he wanted to move forward, when I came back inside the woman (who claimed to be the manager) put a sign up saying “stepped away from the desk call this number for help” when I called and she answered and I told her I was back she told me I needed to change my attitude and she wasn’t going to deal with my shit. Nice customer service.
October 10 · EmilyGurnee Mills, IL Budget RentalThe website was easy to reserve but everything after was not so good.Pick up Gurnee Mills, IL too forever about 30-40 mins for 9 am pick up. The minivan was not clean and the gas tank was only half full. Took it anyway since we were running behind. Everything was documented.Return mini van at Gurnee Mills, IL on time. Was charged $80.xx for returning it late. Called customer service and provided a screenshot of our drive to drop off with time stamped. Refund the charge, no apologies. If we didn't have Life360 to prove the time of return, we would not have gotten our refund. Make sure to get a receipt if possible, picture of time return, whatever documentation or an erroneous charge may happen.Not a great customer experience.
July 24 · Rosalie NguyenWow what terrible customer service. I can’t totally remember I believe her name was Ruta or Rupa. Refused my insurance. When I called my insurance to confirm then she wanted the policy number which I had to begin with. I feel bad maybe she was having a rough day but we all have stuff going on and still have to do our job. Maybe budget rentals insurance should offer mental health services for their workers. Next time I’ll use enterprise like I have in the past. I would not come here, especially after reading other reviews.
August 12 · Sarah BoscoWhoa, what an experience. So when I arrived after booking online, the employee immediately started questioning me why I was renting the vehicle and where I would be taking the vehicle. Not sure, but I’ve never been questioned so intensely by an employee of a rental car place. She then stated I would need insurance, I politely explained I had insurance and I wouldn’t be buying additional insurance. The employee demanded, I provide my Insurance Company and policy number. By this time I was super confused to why I would need to provide that, nothing online stated I needed to bring or provide a company or policy number of my insurance. I politely told the employee, I have never been told I had to provide insurance prior to renting a vehicle, anywhere. Now reading these reviews, it sounds like sometimes this place magically charges things. Interesting. Now to the vehicle, it was a Ford F-150, which was nice, but it did already have quite a bit of damage on the front, thank goodness I saw that and it was documented properly. I could definitely see them trying to blame me for the damage. The return was easy with no issue and the same employee seemed to be in, maybe better mood, but got out of there before I could find out. I haven’t had any mystery charges after the return. They get two stars for rental price and clean truck.
April 07 · Bri HolmI had a terrible experience with the Budget at Milwaukee airport. They could only give me a smaller car than the one I had reserved for 7 passengers and I waited in line 2 hours to find that out. I took the small car to Budget in Gurnee and Ritu went out of her way to get me the SUV I needed along with the child booster seat I had reserved. Milwaukee airport could not make this right. Ritu at Budget in Gurnee probably saved me from dropping Budget.
August 20 · Dixie Davis
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