Car Rental in Oviedo (Spain): Local Guide & Road Routes

Key pickup points are located around the Oviedo railway station, downtown offices, and nearby Asturias Airport (OVD).

Renting a car in Oviedo is the most practical way to explore Asturias beyond the regional capital's borders. While Oviedo's historic center is largely pedestrianized and easily navigable on foot, having a vehicle allows seamless travel along major motorways like the A-66 and A-8. Rental providers operate in the city center, adjacent to the Oviedo Train Station, and at Asturias Airport (OVD).

This guide breaks down everything needed for booking and driving in Oviedo: local road regulations, documentation requirements, station pickup locations, and recommended road trips across the region. Expect strict adherence to Spanish traffic laws, mandatory credit cards for security deposits, and specific urban speed limits.

L'essentiel: Driving Rules, Parking, and Local Regulations

Driving in Oviedo requires close attention to urban traffic zones and nationwide Spanish driving rules:

• Speed Limits: 120 km/h on motorways (autovías and autopistas), 90 km/h on single-carriageway rural roads, 50 km/h on multi-lane urban streets, 30 km/h on single-lane city roads, and 20 km/h in residential zones.
• Historic Core: Oviedo features extensive pedestrian-only zones in its old quarter; general tourist driving inside restricted pedestrian streets is prohibited without permit.
• Blood Alcohol Limits: The legal threshold is 0.5 ‰ for experienced drivers and 0.3 ‰ for novice drivers with under two years of experience.
• Child Restraints: Children under 135 cm in height or under 12 years of age must use an approved child safety seat; non-compliance results in a €200 fine.
• Mobile Devices: Using a handheld mobile phone while driving is strictly illegal and incurs a €200 penalty.

Rental Costs, Documents, and Age Requirements

To hire a car in Oviedo, suppliers enforce standard verification criteria:

• Required Documents: A valid physical driving license (held for at least 1 or 2 years), a government-issued passport or national ID, and a major credit card in the primary driver's name. Debit and prepaid cards are frequently rejected for holding security deposits.
• Age Restrictions: The typical minimum age is 21. Drivers under 25 are usually subject to daily young driver surcharges.
• Cross-Border Travel: If you plan to drive your rental across international borders into Portugal or France, you must notify the supplier in advance and purchase dedicated cross-border insurance coverage.

Where to Pick Up Your Rental Car in Oviedo

Renters can choose between two main pickup locations depending on their arrival route:

Picking up downtown allows you to walk straight from the railway platform to the rental desk, avoiding airport transfers if you are staying in town first.

Practical Tips for Driving in Asturias

When navigating out of Oviedo, keep the following practical tips in mind:

• Motorway Network: The A-66 links Oviedo south toward León and north toward Gijón, while the coastal A-8 connects western and eastern Asturias.
• Fuel & Returns: Plan to refuel near the outskirts or along the A-66 prior to drop-off, as fuel stations directly inside central pedestrian zones are limited.
• Mountain Driving: Routes leading into the Cantabrian mountains feature winding grades; monitor weather conditions closely during transitional seasons.

Where to go by car

Tolls: motorway estimate (~€0.11/km) — free secondary routes often exist.