Locally Owned & Operated in Erie PA Since 1986!
At Rent-A-Wreck Erie we are not a big chain. We are your neighbors. We have been right here on West Ridge Road since 1986 serving Erie families, businesses, church groups, veterans, and seniors with clean dependable rental vehicles and affordable propane refills. When you call us a real person answers. No automated systems. No hold music. Just friendly honest service from people who live and work right here in Erie PA. We are The Smart Alternative to big chain car rental companies. We offer newer model well maintained vehicles at prices that make sense and no runaround.
Our Story
For four decades, Rent-A-Wreck of Erie has given local residents and visitors a straightforward, affordable alternative for vehicle rentals — all while staying rooted in the same West Ridge Road location where it started.
Owner Greg Kilburn is celebrating over 40 years in business.. What began in March 1985 with just six cars has grown into a fleet of 45 vehicles, including cars, SUVs, minivans and 12- to 15-passenger vans. The company typically ads 15-20 brand new vehicles each year.
Kilburn got his start helping his father run the Rent-A-Wreck franchise in Meadville, one of the network’s earliest locations. He later managed a Rent-A-Wreck near Sky Harbor Airport in Phoenix before returning to purchase and operate the Erie territory.
In an era of online bookings, airport surcharges and long lines, Rent-A-Wreck of Erie continues to emphasize personal service. Calls are answered by real people in Erie. There are no airport fees, no overbooking and no confusion.
“Rent-A-Wreck has evolved by offering newer vehicles while keeping the competitive rates we’ve always been known for,” Kilburn said. “I’m incredibly grateful to our customers, staff and the Erie community for their support. I’ve seen generations of families rent from us, and that kind of trust means everything.”
The business remains at its original address: 4340 West Ridge Road, just around the block from the Erie Airport.
In 1998, Rent-A-Wreck expanded by adding propane service. The company now fills more than 10,000 grill tanks annually, along with forklift, camper and other DOT-approved tanks up to 100 pounds. New tanks are also available for purchase. The landmark 20-foot-tall bright green propane tank along West Ridge Road has become a familiar sight for Erie-area drivers.
The business is open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays.
Kilburn recalls one memorable spike in propane demand during the first Memorial Day weekend of the COVID-19 pandemic, when grilling at home was one of the few safe activities. Demand was so high that the supplier called to check if there was a leak — their remote monitor showed the tank level dropping unusually fast.
He also notes a practical difference for customers: Standard 20-pound grill tanks exchanged at many big retailers are often filled with only 15 pounds and offer no credit for remaining propane. Rent-A-Wreck fills tanks to their full 20-pound capacity and gives credit for whatever propane is left.
After 40 years, Kilburn’s formula remains simple: reliable vehicles and honest service at fair prices, plus dependable propane refills — all with a local touch that big chains often can’t match.
