Spring Training Car Rental Guide: Cubs, Dodgers & More (2025)

Every February and March, 15 MLB teams descend on Arizona for Cactus League Spring Training — and over 2 million fans follow. The stadiums are spread across the entire Phoenix metro area, which means you absolutely need a car.

Here's your complete guide to getting around Spring Training 2025.

The Spring Training Car Rental Problem

Here's what happens every February:

• Rental car prices double or triple at Phoenix airports
• Economy cars jump from $35/day to $80-100/day
• Airport rental counters have 2+ hour waits
• Popular vehicles (SUVs, trucks) sell out weeks in advance
• Uber/Lyft surge pricing hits $50+ between stadiums

The solution: Book a peer-to-peer rental early. Prices stay stable, delivery is free, and you skip the chaos.

All 15 Cactus League Stadiums (2025)

Team(s)	Stadium	City	Miles from PHX
Cubs	Sloan Park	Mesa	20
Giants / A's	Hohokam Stadium	Mesa	18
Dodgers / White Sox	Camelback Ranch	Glendale	15
Diamondbacks / Rockies	Salt River Fields	Scottsdale	18
Brewers	American Family Fields	Phoenix	8
Mariners / Padres	Peoria Sports Complex	Peoria	20
Royals / Rangers	Surprise Stadium	Surprise	28
Reds / Guardians	Goodyear Ballpark	Goodyear	22
Angels	Tempe Diablo Stadium	Tempe	10

Key insight: Stadiums are spread across 50+ miles. Without a car, you're stuck taking $40-60 Ubers between games.

Spring Training Car Rental Prices (2025)

Rental Type	Off-Season	Spring Training
Airport Counter (Economy)	$45-55/day	$85-120/day
Airport Counter (SUV)	$65-80/day	$120-180/day
ItWhip P2P (Economy)	$30-40/day	$40-55/day
ItWhip P2P (SUV)	$45-60/day	$55-75/day

Bottom line: P2P rentals are 40-50% cheaper during Spring Training — and you get free stadium delivery.

Best Car for Spring Training

For Solo Travelers / Couples

• Economy Sedan (Corolla, Civic): $35-50/day — easy parking, great on gas
• Convertible: $70-100/day — perfect Arizona weather, make it a trip

For Groups / Tailgating

• SUV (RAV4, CR-V): $50-70/day — room for coolers and gear
• Truck: $60-85/day — serious tailgate setup
• Minivan: $55-75/day — 6-7 fans, one car

For Stadium Hopping

• Midsize Sedan: $40-55/day — comfortable for driving 50+ miles/day
• Hybrid: $45-60/day — save on gas between stadiums

Stadium-by-Stadium Parking Guide

Mesa: Sloan Park (Cubs)

• Parking: $10-15, lots fill early
• Arrive: 1.5 hours before first pitch
• Tip: Park at Riverview Park (free) and walk 10 min

Glendale: Camelback Ranch (Dodgers/White Sox)

• Parking: $10, large lots
• Arrive: 1 hour early
• Tip: Best tailgating scene in the Cactus League

Scottsdale: Salt River Fields (D-backs/Rockies)

• Parking: $7-10, grass lots
• Arrive: 1.5 hours early (popular stadium)
• Tip: Hit the craft beer garden in left field

Peoria: Peoria Sports Complex (Mariners/Padres)

• Parking: Free-$5
• Arrive: 45 min early
• Tip: Smaller crowds, great for seeing players

Surprise: Surprise Stadium (Royals/Rangers)

• Parking: $5, lots of space
• Arrive: 45 min early
• Tip: Farthest stadium — combine with Lake Pleasant trip

Goodyear: Goodyear Ballpark (Reds/Guardians)

• Parking: Free
• Arrive: 30-45 min early
• Tip: Least crowded, most relaxed vibe

Tempe: Tempe Diablo Stadium (Angels)

• Parking: $10-12
• Arrive: 1 hour early
• Tip: Closest to nightlife (Mill Ave is 10 min away)

Multi-Stadium Day Trip Itineraries

East Valley Day (Cubs + Angels Fans)

1. 11:00 AM: Cubs at Sloan Park (Mesa)
2. 3:00 PM: Drive to Tempe (15 min)
3. 4:00 PM: Angels at Tempe Diablo Stadium
4. Evening: Mill Avenue nightlife

West Valley Day (Dodgers + Brewers Fans)

1. 12:00 PM: Dodgers at Camelback Ranch (Glendale)
2. 4:00 PM: Drive to Phoenix (20 min)
3. 5:00 PM: Brewers at American Family Fields

The Marathon (4 Games, 1 Day)

1. 10:00 AM: Goodyear Ballpark (early game)
2. 1:00 PM: Camelback Ranch
3. 4:00 PM: Peoria Sports Complex
4. 7:00 PM: Salt River Fields (night game)

Total driving: ~60 miles. Doable with good planning!

When to Book Your Car

Booking Window	Availability	Price Level
4+ weeks before	Best selection	Best prices
2-3 weeks before	Good options	Reasonable
1 week before	Limited	Higher
Last minute	Scraps	Premium

Pro tip: Book by mid-January for the best selection and prices.

Where to Stay (By Stadium)

For Cubs Fans

Stay in Mesa or Tempe — close to Sloan Park and easy access to other East Valley stadiums.

For Dodgers/White Sox Fans

Stay in Glendale near Westgate — walking distance to Camelback Ranch, plus restaurants and bars.

For Stadium Hoppers

Stay in Scottsdale or Central Phoenix — central location minimizes drive times to all stadiums.

Spring Training Money-Saving Tips

• Book P2P: Save 40-50% vs airport counters
• Get stadium delivery: Many ItWhip hosts deliver directly to stadiums
• Bring a cooler: Stadium food is $12+ per item
• Buy lawn seats: $15-25 vs $40+ for reserved
• Go weekday: Smaller crowds, cheaper parking
• Split gas: Carpool with other fans

FAQ

Do I really need a car for Spring Training?

Yes. Stadiums are spread across 50+ miles with no public transit connecting them. Uber/Lyft surge pricing makes a rental car essential.

How far in advance should I book?

4+ weeks for the best prices and selection. Popular vehicles sell out by early February.

Can I tailgate at Spring Training?

Yes! Camelback Ranch (Dodgers) and Sloan Park (Cubs) have the best tailgating. Rent an SUV or truck with space for coolers.

What's the weather like?

Perfect. February/March temps are 70-85°F during the day, 50-60°F at night. Bring layers for evening games.

Which stadium has the best food?

Salt River Fields (D-backs/Rockies) — local breweries, great food trucks, beautiful setting.

Can I see multiple games in one day?

Absolutely. With a car, you can hit 2-3 games easily. Check the schedule for split-squad games.