Hotwire.com today announced the top 10 cities with the lowest car rental rates this month.

January car rental rates on Hotwire are down as much as 20 percent compared to last month in some of the most popular markets like Las Vegas. Other locations, like Orlando, are down as much as 11 percent compared to the same time last year as car rental companies are offering low prices to stimulate growth and kick-off 2010 strong.

Car rental companies have needed to maintain leaner fleets through the economic downturn, but now they appear to be increasing fleet sizes in certain locations, leading to more options and better prices for consumers. Combined with the traditionally slow January season, this leaves many locations with a surplus of rentals needing renters. That means savvy, deal seeking consumers can hit the road and take advantage of the amazing car rental rates, as low as $13.95 a day, currently on Hotwire in top destinations around the U.S.

Hotwire revealed the top 10 cities in the U.S. with the lowest car rental rates available on its Web site in January.* Warm weather destinations make up the majority of the list, including Orlando, San Diego, Honolulu and Miami/Fort Lauderdale.

1.Orlando, FL
2.San Diego, CA
3.Miami/Fort Lauderdale, FL
4.Honolulu, HI
5.Las Vegas, NV
6.Seattle, WA
7.San Francisco, CA
8.Tampa, FL
9.Los Angeles, CA
10.Phoenix, AZ

"This month car rental prices have retreated from their recent holiday highs and rental companies have increased their fleet sizes in many popular and tourist friendly cities," said Clem Bason, president of the Hotwire Group. "More inventory means better prices and we're seeing some low rates on Hotwire that will make for a happy car rental customer in 2010."

Hotwire is able to find great deals because it works with hotels, airlines and car rental companies to fill unsold inventory. This means that customers will find deals that they won't see anywhere else.

*Hotwire's findings are based on economy-class prices booked on Hotwire for travel in January 2010.