Renting a car on St. Croix

Updated August 16, 2026

Rent a car. This is not a close call on St. Croix.

Why it is not optional

There is no useful public transport for visitors. Taxis are priced per person and are meant for airport runs and short hops, not for a week of moving around. And the island is 28 miles long — Christiansted to Frederiksted is 35–40 minutes, the good beaches are spread from one end to the other, and the best morning of your trip probably starts at 5:30am at Point Udall.

A week without a car on St. Croix is a week spent within walking distance of wherever you slept.

You drive on the left

The single most important thing on this page. The U.S. Virgin Islands are the only U.S. jurisdiction that drives on the left, a holdover from Danish rule. The cars are mostly imported American vehicles, so you are sitting on the left, driving on the left.

It is disorienting for about an hour. The two places people get it wrong are pulling out of a car park and roundabouts. Say “stay left” out loud for the first day; it works.

Booking

• Reserve ahead. December to April, and especially Christmas and New Year weeks, do sell out. There are only so many cars on the island.
• Airport counters are at STX. Some local companies will meet you or deliver.
• Take the SUV or a higher-clearance car if you plan on the east-end trailheads or the steeper hill roads. A low sedan will manage the main roads but you will wince on the driveways.

Rates, operators and availability change constantly — we do not publish prices here. Compare at booking time.

Driving conditions, honestly

• Roads are narrow, steep in places, and often unlit at night.
• Potholes are real. So are goats and iguanas.
• Main roads are fine. Some secondary roads and driveways are rough.
• Fuel is sold by the gallon; stations are around both towns and the middle of the island.
• Signage is patchy. Download offline maps before you land — mobile coverage is decent but not universal in the hills.

The one habit that matters

Empty the car every time you park. Boot included. Break-ins at beach and trailhead car parks are the most common problem visitors have on St. Croix, and they are opportunistic — nothing visible, nothing happens.

Parking with us

Our villa has off-street parking, which is worth more than it sounds on a hillside island. See the villa.

Common questions

Do you need a car in St. Croix?

Effectively yes. There is no useful public transport for visitors, taxis are priced per person and add up quickly, and the island is 28 miles long with the good beaches spread across it.

Do you drive on the left in St. Croix?

Yes. The U.S. Virgin Islands drive on the left — the only U.S. jurisdiction that does — usually in left-hand-drive American cars.

Do I need an international licence to drive in St. Croix?

No. A valid U.S. driver's licence is accepted. Visitors from other countries should check current requirements with the rental company.