What You Need to Hire a Car in American Samoa

Out of American Samoa’s five islands and two atolls, there are only car rental companies on the main island, Tutuila LINK#D006, locally referred to as Pago Pago or just Pago.

Car Hire in Pago Pago and Tutuila

Car rental companies are spread across the main island of Tutuila rather than concentrated in a single hub. Most companies operate from various locations in Nu'uuli, Tafuna and Pago Pago, offering free delivery to the airport, with several family-owned businesses competing alongside established operators. When hiring a vehicle, you will typically go through a vehicle inspection process and be asked to either have your credit card pre-authorised for the security deposit or pay a refundable bond ranging from US$100-$500.

Car rental companies typically have set daily rates, with weekly deals offering savings of 5-15% being standard across most operators. Unlike many destinations, basic insurance is rarely included in daily rates and must be purchased separately for a reasonable daily fee - though some budget operators offer no insurance options whatsoever. Most companies provide complimentary airport pickup and delivery services. Baby seats have extremely limited availability with most companies holding only 1-2 seats, and there are typically no fees for dropping off vehicles at hotels.

In terms of driving on Tutuila, roads to all villages are sealed and well-maintained. However, the island's frequent heavy rains create significant flooding challenges that make high-clearance vehicles essential rather than optional. This, along with the American influence of favouring larger cars, means SUVs and pickup trucks dominate rental fleets.

A unique consideration for American Samoa is that nearly all land is privately owned, making parking permissions crucial. Visitors should always ask locals before parking in unfamiliar areas, as one rental operator told us: "American Samoans do have their land and they are quite territorial sometimes." Look for rock boundaries to indicate property lines, though these aren't always present.

For a comprehensive comparison of all car rental companies operating on Tutuila, including detailed pricing, fleet information, and service offerings, see our 5 Best Car Rentals in Pago Pago & American Samoa.

As mentioned, the range of vehicle types available in American Samoa is quite limited, leaning heavily toward SUVs and pickup trucks. Most rental vehicles are a mix of sources - some are imported directly from the U.S. mainland, while others arrive as off-island imports, typically Japanese models.

Vehicle age varies dramatically between operators. Premium companies like Avis maintain strict policies using only vehicles three years old or younger, while budget operators may offer well-maintained vehicles dating back to 2014. As one operator notes, "the car is running perfect. It's shipped from off-island. So even though it's old, [it has] high mileage," but remains reliable. Don't be surprised if you encounter older vehicles, particularly in the budget category.

Vehicles available to hire in American Samoa include:

• SUVs (most common), such as Toyota RAV4, Chevrolet Equinox, GMC Terrain, Ford Escape, Nissan Rogue, Hyundai Tucson, or Hyundai Palisade
• Pickup trucks, such as Toyota Tacoma (2WD and 4WD), Nissan Frontier, or Ford Ranger
• Compact cars (very limited), such as Toyota Corolla or similar small vehicles
• Minivans (extremely rare), with most operators having only one or none at all
• Scooters, such as 150CC BWS models or similar

We provide detailed vehicle specifications and availability in our comprehensive rental company comparisons for American Samoa.

Do You Need a 4×4 in American Samoa?

The short answer? Not really.

American Samoa has come a long way with its road infrastructure. While the territory once had plenty of unsealed roads winding over mountain passes to reach northern coastal villages, sealed roads now connect virtually all communities across the islands.

From our experience, the only spot where we've found a high-clearance vehicle genuinely helpful is the access road to Fagatele Bay – though even that's just a brief stretch of dirt track that most regular cars can handle with a bit of care.

That said, high clearance can be a blessing during American Samoa's rainy season when flooding occasionally affects low-lying roads. But a full 4WD system? You really won't need it for getting around the islands.

We'd recommend sticking with a standard rental car and saving your money for the incredible snorkelling and local eateries you'll discover instead

Car rentals are affordable enough while not exactly being cheap. Each rental vehicle has a day rate, while other associated costs may include insurance excess reducers and credit card fees. Additional mandatory costs include fuel - although this is much cheaper than in other Pacific Islands, as well as fees if you don’t return the vehicle with a full fuel tank or return the vehicle late, or make any other breaches of the rental agreement.

Day Rates for Car Rentals in American Samoa

Note that some companies reduce their day rates when hiring for 7+ days.

• Compact SUV/day – US$85-$140
• Mid-range SUV/day – US$100-$150
• Premium SUVs and pickup trucks/day – US$125-$150
• Minivan/day – US$150-$250
• Scooter/day – US$16-$58 for one day

Additional Costs for Renting a Car in American Samoa

• Gas/gallon– US$4.09-$4.39
• Pago Pago Port delivery/return – US$40
• Airport delivery – FREE
• Insurance/day – US$10-$20
• Baby seat/day – US$0-$15
• Security deposit – Credit card pre-authorisation or US$100
• Credit card fee – 3-5% of the payment total.

Learn more about the typical price of car rentals in The Cost of Renting a Car in American Samoa: Full Car Rental Cost Breakdown. For the cost of scooter rentals, on the other hand, check out Scooter Hire in American Samoa: Where to Rent, Cost & More.

Your car rental only really gets started when you put your keys in the ignition and hit the road! However, American Samoa’s roads might have different rules than what you are used to. Certain rules, like driving on the right side of the road and who to give way to at uncontrolled intersections, might throw you off, so make sure you’re aware of the traffic laws.

Some important road rules to remember include:

• Drive on the right side of the road.
• It is legal and mandatory to wear a seatbelt in American Samoa, where they are provided.
• The maximum speed limit is 30 mph (48 kph), with lower limits in villages and residential areas (typically 20-25 mph) - signs usually indicate the speed limit in a given area.
• At roundabouts, give way to vehicles that have already engaged with the roundabout.
• Do not pass another vehicle by driving off the main part of the road or shoulder — passing must be done on the road itself only.
• You may only overtake on the right if the vehicle in front is turning left or if there’s plenty of space on a wide one-way road with no parked cars.
• If another car is overtaking you, you must move right slightly if safe to help them pass, and you must not speed up while they’re overtaking.
• When turning left, you must give way to vehicles approaching from the opposite direction that are turning right.
• All vehicles must stop for school buses when they display flashing lights, from either direction, and stay stopped until the lights turn off or the driver signals you to proceed.
• Do not park within 15 ft (4.5 m) of a fire hydrant or in front of a fire station unless you're in the car and ready to move immediately.
• Children under 3 years of age must be transported in special child seats approved by the U.S. Department of Transportation. Children aged 3 to 4 years must be restrained in a child passenger restraint system or by a seat belt assembly.
• It is illegal for children under 12 to ride in the back of a pickup truck unless accompanied by an adult.
• That's right, otherwise, you can ride in the back of a pick-up truck!

To learn more about driving on the islands, see How to Drive in American Samoa + 15 Road Rules You Need to Know.