National Rental Car

Emerald-style pickup in RAP, 2–3 minutes from the door

National Rental Car at Rapid City Regional Airport runs a small but efficient setup, with the pickup lot only a short walk from the single terminal entrance. You’re renting on-airport here, not off-site, so you avoid shuttle delays and can usually be in a car within 10–15 minutes of landing if you’re hand-luggage only.

The drive into Rapid City runs about 15–20 minutes by car, according to third‑party guides, using SD-44 straight from the airport. National shares the same signed rental car parking area as the other big brands, so following the “Rental Cars” signs from the terminal doors gets you to the counter and cars without any guesswork.

Operation size is compact: reviewers call it “small but efficient,” and the lot simply won’t look like a big Emerald Aisle at DEN or MSP. Expect a limited range of classes on any given day, with minivans and full‑size SUVs going fast in June–August, so summer bookings for those categories are best made weeks ahead.

Staff flexibility shows up often in reviews. Travelers mention agents allowing swaps within the same class when possible, especially on weekdays when fewer flights are stacked. Ask at the counter or at the lot; if the cars are physically there in your booked class, they’ll often move you without rewriting the whole contract.

There are tradeoffs. A few Google reviews flag thin car selection at peak times and lines when two or three flights land within 30 minutes and one National/Alamo agent is covering both desks. If you’re landing on an evening bank with multiple arrivals, budget an extra 10–20 minutes at the counter in case you hit that wave.

Regulars lean on the National app before landing in Rapid City to confirm their class and see any last‑minute changes, often checking it an hour before arrival. If you’re picky about size or need AWD in winter, booking early, confirming in the app, and arriving promptly keeps your odds higher that the exact class you reserved is still sitting on the RAP lot.

Step-by-step: renting National at RAP

• 1. Land at RAP and follow signs to baggage claim in the main terminal (there’s just one building).
• 2. After baggage, follow the overhead “Rental Cars” signs; the National counter sits with the other majors in the arrivals area.
• 3. Show your license, credit card, and reservation; if you want to swap within class, ask while the agent is pulling up your booking.
• 4. Walk with your contract out the terminal door to the on-airport rental lot, about 2–3 minutes on foot.
• 5. Find your assigned stall number or the car noted on your contract, do a quick walk‑around, and take timestamped photos of any marks before you drive off.
• 6. Exit the lot following the “Airport Exit” signs and merge onto SD-44 west; plan 15–20 minutes to most Rapid City hotels.
• 7. On return, follow “Rental Car Return” signs back into the same shared lot, park in a National space, note the mileage/fuel, and drop keys with the attendant or inside at the counter.

Tip: On tight returns, fill up at a station on SD-44 about 5–7 minutes before the airport so you’re not paying National’s refueling rate at RAP.