Planning a road trip? Renting a car can be a fantastic option, offering flexibility and freedom to explore at your own pace. Imagine A Car Is Traveling On A Road In Hilly Terrain, winding through breathtaking landscapes. But before you hit the road, here’s some advice to ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience, whether you’re navigating challenging terrain or cruising along scenic highways.
When I started working remotely with more freedom to travel, I found myself adding destinations to my must-do list—state and national parks, mainly—that couldn’t be reached easily by public transportation.
Booking Your Rental Car
1. Book Early and Do Your Research
Don’t wait until the last minute. Traditionally, rental cars have been available as a last-minute add-on, but with current prices, you’ll want to book early, especially if you’re planning a road trip. Do your research and use a rental car tracking website to compare rates and find discounts. If you’re planning to put a lot of miles on the car, you’ll definitely want to make sure you’re getting a good deal.
Renting a car in a city or in the suburbs is often cheaper than renting one at the airport, where you’ll pay extra taxes. A road trip can be a good chance to take advantage of this perk.
Also consider peer-to-peer car-sharing services, like Turo, which can often save you money compared to a rental company. It also offers unique vehicles. Keep in mind that this service isn’t a good choice for one-way road trips. Since you’re renting someone’s personal vehicle, you’ll need to drop it off and pick it up at the same location.
2. Choose the Right Vehicle Size
For city driving, a subcompact vehicle is probably fine, and smaller cars use less fuel. Depending on the length of your road trip, you may need to account for things like storing luggage and long hours behind the wheel. You’ll want to be comfortable, so consider the minimum size that you’ll need to fit all of your luggage and passengers comfortably. While you might dream of cruising down the coast in a luxury convertible, it might not be the most practical, or cheapest, vehicle for your itinerary.
3. Be Savvy About Rental Upcharges
You may be tempted to get “the works” when it comes to rental add-ons, but realistically, most of these extras aren’t necessary. If you’re on a long road trip, you’ll generally have plenty of time to refuel before returning the car. Agents may also try to sell you a pass to get through toll roads, but if you aren’t planning to drive on freeways, you should decline.
One of the advantages of roadtripping in a rental car is that you can be reasonably certain that the car is well-maintained. If you’re concerned about roadside assistance, you’re better off joining a roadside assistance membership service like AAA, which guarantees service anywhere, anytime, for nearly any reason, over any packages that the rental car company might offer.
Also check to see if your credit card offers primary rental car insurance, which protects the value of the car against damage and theft. This way, you can avoid having to pay for collision damage at the counter. Your current auto policy may also cover some items when you’re driving another vehicle.
a red small car parked in a parking lot
A compact red car is parked in a brightly lit parking space, ready for a road trip.
On the Road: Safety and Enjoyment
4. Refuel Your Vehicle Frequently
Don’t wait until it’s too late. When you’re in an unfamiliar car in unfamiliar territory, you may not have a feel for how much gas you’ll use before you run out. Even if you’re watching the gauge closely, you should always plan for the unexpected and refuel your vehicle frequently.
5. Take the Scenic Route
When mapping out my routes for trips, I often have one overarching goal: to avoid freeways by any means necessary. This isn’t only for the scenery—I prefer not to deal with tolls, and I find that driving on back roads is less stressful. Even if you choose to take the freeway, driving on less-trafficked byways first gives you the opportunity to get familiar with the feel of the car, especially if you don’t own a car or haven’t driven one in a while.
A winding road through a desert landscape of rocky hills and Joshua trees
A car is traveling on a road in hilly terrain through Joshua Tree National Park.
Navigating Hilly Terrain
When a car is traveling on a road in hilly terrain, consider these additional tips:
- Use lower gears: For steep inclines, shifting to a lower gear provides more power and prevents the engine from straining.
- Maintain a safe following distance: Allow extra space between your car and the vehicle in front of you, especially when descending hills.
- Be aware of blind spots: Hilly roads often have curves and limited visibility. Check your mirrors frequently and be prepared for unexpected obstacles.
- Brake gently: Avoid sudden braking, which can cause skidding, especially on steep declines.
- Stay alert: Pay attention to road conditions and adjust your driving accordingly.
Renting a car can be the best option to travel safely, memorably, and oftentimes affordably. With proper planning and these helpful tips, your next road trip will be an adventure to remember. Consider renting a car for your next road trip and enjoy the freedom of the open road!
