Renting A Car For A Road Trip – The agent didn’t seem to mind that I was driving his company’s car from San Diego to Palm Springs through Joshua Tree National Park in California. However, he had some advice for me: “If you’re going to Joshua Tree, you need something bigger with four-wheel drive.”
I didn’t want to take any chances in Joshua Tree, so for an additional $20 I upgraded from a compact to a mid-size SUV. I was happy with my Volkswagen Tiguan and appreciated the extra space for my luggage – but I would have been just as good with something smaller.
Renting A Car For A Road Trip
I wasn’t used to rental cars; In fact, I wasn’t used to driving any cars other than my own, or driving anything other than the hilly terrain of Tortola in the British Virgin Islands, where I live. The island, with its hairpin bends and switchbacks all on the left side of the road, makes you think of almost anything, but the idea of huge highways and miles of open roads worried me.
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As I began working remotely with more freedom to travel, I added destinations to my must-do list—particularly state and national parks—that weren’t easily accessible by public transportation. But no way would my island Suzuki Grand Vitara, my “mountain goat”, cut it on the mainland.
The answer is yes, many people do. Even if you live in the US, you may not have a car or you may want to save on wear and tear on your own car. Almost all online travel agencies and car rental companies allow one-way rentals. They also offer unlimited mileage, so driving from Massachusetts to Texas isn’t out of the question—if you can afford it.
One-way rentals tend to be more expensive due to the cost of transporting the car back to its original destination. And you’re already traveling at a time when car rental costs are sky-high for several reasons: An increase in domestic travel combined with manufacturing and supply chain issues has created supply and demand issues for rental car companies.
The good news is that rental car prices are down slightly from a peak earlier in the summer, as are gas prices for most of the US. Consider additional costs such as baggage fees and airport parking. In addition, if you drive, you can choose the route.
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Traditionally, car hire has been available as a last-minute add-on, but with current prices, book well in advance, especially if you’re planning a road trip. Research and use a rental car tracking website to compare prices and find discounts.
When you go on a trip, you probably plan on driving more than the average customer, so you’ll get your money’s worth. On my trip in Southern California, I paid $63 a day for a compact car (without the big upgrade or any fees), which was a little below the average cost at the time.
You can also play the points and miles game by renting a car instead of your own car. I booked through the Delta SkyMiles travel portal and paid with my SkyMiles card, which means I’ll earn twice as many miles on my next trip. On another trip I used the travel portal Capital One, where I can earn or redeem miles. Several other credit card companies offer similar portals.
Renting a car in a city or on the outskirts is often cheaper than at the airport, where you pay additional taxes. A road trip can be a good opportunity to take advantage of this.
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Also consider peer-to-peer car-sharing services like Turo, which can often save you money compared to renting a car. It also offers unique vehicles. Please note that this service is not a good choice for one-way journeys. Since you are renting someone else’s private car, you will need to drop it off and pick it up again at the same location.
For city driving, a small car is probably fine, and smaller cars use less fuel. Depending on the length of your road trip, you may need to consider things like luggage storage and long hours behind the wheel. You want to be comfortable, so think about the minimum size you need to comfortably accommodate all your luggage and passengers. Even if you dream of cruising the Pacific coast in a luxury convertible, it may not be the most practical or cheapest vehicle for your itinerary.
You might be tempted to “get the works” when it comes to rental extras, but realistically most of those extras aren’t necessary. On my trip in California, in addition to the midsize upgrade, I was tempted to pay $40 for gas service, which meant I didn’t have to worry about filling up the tank before returning the car. As it was my first time renting a car it felt like a good idea.
On later trips I am much more confident in my ability to find a gas station. If you are on a long journey, you usually have enough time to refuel before returning the car. Agents may also try to sell you a pass to get through toll roads, but if you don’t intend to drive on freeways, you should decline.
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One of the advantages of driving a rental car on the road is that you can be reasonably sure that the car is well maintained. Car rental companies aren’t always equipped to reach you when you’re in the middle of nowhere and your battery is dead. If you’re worried about this, you’re better off joining a roadside assistance membership service like AAA, which almost guarantees service anywhere, anytime, for whatever reason, across any packages the car rental company may offer.
Also, check that your credit card offers primary rental car insurance that protects the value of the car from damage and theft. This will avoid paying for collision damage at the counter. Your current motor policy may also cover some items if you drive a different vehicle.
Don’t wait until it’s too late. If you’re in an unfamiliar car in an unfamiliar area, you may have no idea how much gas you’re going to use before you stop. This happened to me at Joshua Tree – I drove in at night and underestimated the time it would take to get out of the park (getting lost with no signal on my phone didn’t help).
I made it to a gas station in Twentynine Palms with barely any steam left. Even if you keep a close eye on the meter, always expect the unexpected and refuel your car often.
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When planning my travel routes, I often have one overriding goal: to avoid motorways by any means necessary. It’s not just for the scenery – I prefer not to pay tolls and I find driving on back roads less stressful. Even if you decide to take the freeway, driving on less bumpy back roads gives you a chance to get used to the feel of the car first, especially if you don’t have a car or haven’t driven one in a while.
I will never forget my first solo road trip, taking photos along the way and having the freedom of knowing I can change routes at my whim. Renting a car can be the best option for a safe, memorable and often affordable trip.
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