St. John Car & Jeep Rental Tips
With steep hills, winding mountain roads and attractions dotted throughout the island, having your own set of wheels with a St. John car rental can make getting around much easier. A Jeep, SUV or car gives you the flexibility to set your own schedule, pack up for a beach day and venture beyond Cruz Bay without the hassle of coordinating transportation.
- Sunshine’s Jeep Rental
- L&L Jeep Rental
- St. John Car Rental
- Conrad Sutton Car Rental
- Lionel Jeep Rental
- Courtesy Car & Jeep Rental
- Bougainvillea Leasing Ltd.
Sunshine’s Jeep Rental
Sunshine’s Jeep Rental makes St. John Jeep rentals a breeze, with express check-in and complimentary pickup and return service at the Cruz Bay ferry dock. Their fleet of rental cars includes two- and four-door Jeep Wranglers, Jeep Compasses, Toyota Corolla Crossovers and Toyota RAV4s, giving visitors options for needed passenger and luggage space. Another useful perk is complimentary evening parking at Sunshine’s in-town garage (subject to availability). Rentals also include unlimited mileage, an island map and access to an after-hours emergency hotline.
L&L Jeep Rental
Just a short walk from the Cruz Bay ferry dock, L&L Jeep Rental puts visitors within easy reach of their reserved St. John car rental. In business since 1990, the company specializes in four-wheel-drive vehicles, including Ford Broncos and Jeep Wranglers, suited to St. John’s rugged terrain. Unlimited mileage means you can cover plenty of ground during your stay without watching the odometer. L&L also offers paid parking spots for its customers, which is convenient for sightseeing in Cruz Bay, where spaces can be scarce.
St. John Car Rental
Locally owned and operated since 1974, St. John Car Rental is the island’s oldest car rental company. Its Cruz Bay location is just a block from the ferry dock, making it easily accessible for travelers arriving with luggage. The fleet includes automatic four-wheel-drive Jeeps, Fords and Toyotas in several models, including vehicles that seat up to seven passengers. The company can arrange after-hours vehicle pickup if you send them your flight information in advance.
Conrad Sutton Car Rental
With more than 50 years in business, family-owned Conrad Sutton Car Rental knows St. John’s roads. Its Cruz Bay office is on King Street, just one block from the ferry dock. Their fleet ranges from two- and four-door Jeep Wranglers to standard SUVs, such as Jeep Cherokee and Toyota RAV4, giving you several options to match your group size and travel style. All vehicles have automatic transmission and four-wheel drive. No mileage fees make it easy to spend your days roaming the island. If you want to hang out at Cruz Bay, park your rental at their office (parking spaces are subject to availability).
Lionel Jeep Rental
For over 25 years, visitors arriving on the island have taken the one-block walk from the ferry dock to pick up their St. John car rental at locally owned Lionel Jeep Rental. All vehicles in its fleet are four-wheel drive and include Dodge, Ford, Jeep and Toyota models that accommodate two to seven passengers. A courtesy shuttle service takes you to and from Lionel’s office, the ferry dock or your hotel. Ask about short-term parking if you’ve planned an excursion that leaves from Cruz Bay.
Courtesy Car & Jeep Rental
Courtesy Car & Jeep Rental combines a broad 4×4 fleet with services designed to simplify your arrival and getting around town. Choose from two- and four-door Jeep Wranglers, Jeep Cherokees and other SUVs such as the Ford Bronco, Ford Explorer and Dodge Durango. Take advantage of complimentary transportation to travel the four blocks between the rental office and the ferry dock. Customers also have access to in-town parking, unlimited mileage and roadside assistance. The family-owned business accepts walk-ins and short-notice rentals if vehicles are available.
Bougainvillea Leasing Ltd.
Located at the Amore Center, Bougainvillea Leasing Ltd. is a quick four-minute walk from the Cruz Bay ferry dock. The company, also known as StJohnJeeps.com, has helped travelers get around St. John for over 45 years. Its lineup includes two- and four-door Jeep Wranglers, Toyota RAV4s and seven-passenger SUVs, providing options for couples, families and groups. The company is also connected with Artistic Villas and concierge services — helpful for travelers coordinating both accommodations and transportation for their island stay.
More Things to Do on St. John
Plan a trip to St. John: Four-day outdoor itinerary
Best St. John snorkeling spots & tours
Explore Cinnamon Bay on St. John
Top St. John U.S. Virgin Islands attractions
St. John Car Rental Tips
-
Reserve your rental car on St. John well before your trip, especially if you’re traveling during a busy season or need a specific size vehicle. Before booking, consider how many passengers you’ll need to accommodate, how much luggage you have and the road conditions leading to your accommodations. Also ask about minimum rental periods, deposits, cancellation policies, ferry pickup, after-hours arrivals and parking privileges in Cruz Bay.
-
On St. John, a four-wheel-drive vehicle isn’t a luxury — it’s a necessity. Roads like North Shore Road, Centerline Road and the routes to Bordeaux Mountain involve steep, sometimes unpaved grades, and many villa driveways require extra clearance to navigate.
-
Companies charge a nonrefundable fee to secure a reservation, which is later applied to the total cost. Rates vary by vehicle type, time of year and the company, ranging from about $70 a day to $990 a week. Some companies require rentals for a minimum of three or four days. Ask whether mileage is unlimited and what’s included before you book. Most companies also place a hold on a credit card as a security deposit, separate from the rental fee itself. Confirm the deposit amount and how it’s released after you return the vehicle. Companies charge a cleaning fee if you return the vehicle with excessive sand or trash inside.
-
Most St. John car rental companies require drivers to be at least 25 years old. Confirm the age requirement when you book.
U.S. drivers need a valid license, while international visitors must obtain an International Driving Permit that’s valid for 30 days. Licensed drivers must have valid insurance coverage. Contact your auto insurer and credit card company before traveling to confirm whether your policy covers rental vehicles — specifically Jeeps, SUVs or four-wheel-drive vehicles — in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Review deductibles and damage policies before signing your agreement.
-
St. John has no airport, so most visitors fly into St. Thomas and take a ferry to Cruz Bay. Some rental companies will meet you at the ferry dock, while others require a short walk or taxi ride to their lot. Ask in advance how pickup is handled, especially if you’re arriving with luggage or after dark.
-
Most rental agreements require you to return the vehicle with a full tank, and gas stations on St. John are limited — you’ll find them mainly in Cruz Bay and Coral Bay. Plan your fill-up before heading to remote locations, since you may not pass another station along the way.
-
Remember to always drive on the left side of the road. Most vehicles have the steering wheel on the left, so take extra care when turning and entering traffic. St. John’s mountainous terrain also means you’ll encounter steep grades, tight curves and narrow roads, sometimes without shoulders or guardrails. Slow down and leave room for oncoming vehicles. Stay on paved roads. Off-roading and driving on beaches is prohibited. Rented vehicles must stay on St. John.
Goats, donkeys and cows roam freely across St. John and often wander into traffic, especially in rural areas. Slow down on blind curves and be prepared to stop suddenly.
-
Cell coverage can be spotty in St. John’s hilly and more remote areas, which can cause GPS navigation to drop out unexpectedly. Download a map of the island before you go, so you’re not left without directions.
-
Ask your rental company in advance what their procedure is for breakdowns or accidents, including who to call and whether roadside assistance is included. Keep that contact information with you during your trip, along with your insurer’s claims number, in case you need it.