Car Hire in Blackburn, Lancashire

Compare car hire in Blackburn and across Lancashire in one place. CarRentalChoice brings together vehicles, prices and rental terms from established suppliers, so you can check what's available for your dates and book the option that suits you.

Why Visit Blackburn?

Blackburn is a town in Lancashire, in the North West of England, and the main town of the Blackburn with Darwen borough. It became one of the country's foremost cotton-weaving towns during the Industrial Revolution, and that textile past still shapes the place — the spinning jenny was invented by James Hargreaves near Blackburn in the 1760s. The town has its own cathedral and a long footballing history at Ewood Park. It even has a footnote in pop history: the "4,000 holes in Blackburn, Lancashire" in The Beatles' A Day in the Life came from a local news report of the time.

Picking up a hire car in and around Blackburn

Blackburn has no airport of its own, so a hire car here is usually collected either from a supplier branch in the town or wider Lancashire area, or from one of the nearer airports. Manchester Airport, around 30 miles south, holds the widest choice of brands and vehicles; Liverpool John Lennon Airport is a further option to the south-west. Pickup points vary by supplier and date, and some suppliers offer delivery for an extra cost, so it's worth comparing what's actually available for your trip in the live search.

What affects the price

Car hire rates move constantly, so there's no fixed price for Blackburn. The main factors are how far ahead you book, the season, the length of hire, the vehicle class, and any cover or extras you add. Booking earlier tends to help, and it's the total price — insurance, fuel policy and extras included — that's worth comparing rather than the daily headline. Drivers under 25 may also face a young-driver surcharge. Confirm the full breakdown with the supplier before you pay.

Choosing the right vehicle

A small hatchback is the cheapest and easiest choice for town-centre parking and short local trips. For family travel, luggage, or visits north into the Ribble Valley and the Forest of Bowland, an estate or compact SUV gives more room. An automatic can make motorway driving on the M65 and M6 more comfortable in traffic, while an electric or hybrid car suits low-mileage local use — provided you've checked charging where you're staying.

Roads and routes from Blackburn

Blackburn sits on the M65, which runs east towards Accrington and Burnley and west to meet the M6 near Preston for journeys across the country. The A666 heads south through Darwen towards Bolton and Greater Manchester. To the north, the Ribble Valley, Clitheroe and the Forest of Bowland are within easy reach for a day out.

Rough driving times, traffic allowing: Preston around 20 minutes, Burnley around 20 minutes, Manchester about 45 minutes to an hour, and Manchester Airport closer to an hour. Allow extra at peak times.

Local driving and parking notes

The town centre has pay-and-display and multi-storey car parks, with further parking around the railway and bus stations. Check signs for permit-only streets in residential areas before leaving a hire car overnight. The West Pennine Moors and the higher ground around Darwen can be exposed in autumn and winter, so watch for fog and ice on those roads, and check any low-emission or parking requirements for your vehicle if you're unsure.

Compare and book car hire in Blackburn

Use the search to compare live availability, vehicles and total prices from suppliers serving Blackburn and Lancashire. Check the fuel policy, deposit requirements and any extras, then book what suits your trip. As a British car hire comparison service, CarRentalChoice helps you make an informed choice rather than favouring any single supplier.