Planning a Road Trip? A Simple Guide to Renting the Right Car
A great road trip takes a little planning. Here's a simple six-step guide to renting the right car and avoiding surprises.
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Some of the best trips have a car, a rough direction and a willingness to pull over. If you are renting for a road trip, a few choices before you leave make the journey smoother. The rental advice below is paraphrased from Wikivoyage’s car-rental guide, and the driving tips from its road-trip guide.
Step 1: Choose the Right Vehicle
Rental cars are sold by class, from small to large, and the model shown is only an example of that class. Think about passengers, luggage and the conditions you will drive in. A compact car is fine for two people on paved roads, while a family with bags needs more room. Know the weather, the road state and sunrise and sunset times on your route.
Step 2: Understand One-Way Rentals
If you plan to return the car somewhere other than where you picked it up, confirm that location’s opening hours in advance and make sure you can reach it well before the return time. Compare this against a round trip, and read the contract for any extra charges.
Step 3: Check Mileage Rules
Some rental agreements limit how far you can drive per day or in total and charge for extra distance, while others have unlimited mileage. Even with unlimited miles, there can be limits that confine you to certain states or regions, and breaking them can bring stiff penalties. Check the contract, and photograph the odometer at pickup and return.
Step 4: Plan Your Stops, But Leave Room
Know where you will stop for fuel and rest breaks, especially in remote areas, and check the tank will last between stations that are open when you arrive. Wikivoyage suggests a break every 200–250 km (120–160 mi) or about every 2 hours, and more often in the dark. Pull over if you feel drowsy, and avoid rush hours and the start and end of holidays.
Step 5: Pack Smart
- A phone charger for the car
- Water and snacks
- An offline map on your phone, even if the car has GPS
- Passport, driver’s licence and money for tolls and parking within easy reach
- Luggage stowed so it will not fly around if you brake hard, heaviest items at the front
Step 6: Know Your Return Plan
Return the car with the fuel level in the contract, since a short tank can be charged at a premium. Photograph the car and odometer at drop-off, and give yourself time before any flight. If it breaks down, get to a safe spot, turn on the hazard lights and call for help.
Final Thoughts
A good road trip balances freedom and preparation. Choose a car that fits your group, understand the terms, and keep some room for spontaneity.
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Quick tips
- Keep your distance. Leave at least two seconds between you and the car ahead, and four if it is wet or traffic is heavy.
- Be careful around trucks. Their size and schedules make accidents more serious.
- Carry a warning triangle. If you break down, place it at least 50 m (35 yards) behind the car, and double that on freeways. A reflective vest helps at dusk.
- Check the fuel door side. Many dashboards have a small triangle next to the fuel gauge pointing to the side of the tank.
- Ask before crossing borders. Some rental firms refuse to let their cars leave the country, and insurance rules differ between countries.
- Consider an automatic. If you will drive on the other side of the road, it is one less thing to adapt to.
- Lock up carefully. Hide valuables, have a key in your hand before you shut the door, and never leave children or pets in the car.
Sources
Tips are paraphrased from the Wikivoyage guides Renting a car and Tips for road trips (CC BY-SA). Rules, fees and mileage terms differ by company and country, so check your own contract.
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