6 reasons to rent a car for your road trip

Wed, 12 Aug 2020 19:16:19 GMT

Road trips are having a moment right now. With COVID-19 concerns, more people are trading flights for four wheels. And it makes sense. Road trips are a great way to get away while maintaining social distancing requirements. Plus, road trips are incredibly flexible. You can stay closer to home, plan your own route and quickly change it if you need to. While it can seem easy to jump in your car and go, there’s a lot to be said for renting a car instead – in fact, it could actually save you money.

If you’re weighing your options, read on for 6 reasons renting a car may be the way to go.

A rental could be better on gas mileage.

Depending on what type of car you regularly drive, you may be able to find a rental that offers up better gas mileage. This means lower fuel costs for your trip. And it’s important to remember that your road trip includes more than just getting from point A to point B. You’ll also want to consider additional driving you’ll do as you explore stops along the way.

More miles mean more maintenance costs.

Depending on the length of your road trip, the added miles can put wear and tear on your car much faster than you had planned. Consider things like the wearing down of your tires, the countdown to your next oil change and general maintenance concerns. If you rent a car with unlimited mileage, you won’t have to worry about how far you go (use our “unlimited mileage” filter when you search on KAYAK).

Consider weather, terrain and road conditions.

If you’re traveling in the winter months or to an area with difficult terrain, your own car may make travel more difficult. Consider whether you have (or will need) four-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. Easily filter to see “open air all terrain” vehicles when you search on KAYAK.

Adding extra miles could cost you extra on your lease.

If you’re leasing a car, there’s an added incentive to renting for your road trip. With a limited amount of miles allowed on your lease, longer road trips may pose a problem. While mileage limits differ by lease, they typically allot for around 12,000 miles per year with extra mile fees costing up to $.30 per mile over the limit. This can quickly add up – and it’s not something you want to worry about while enjoying your road trip.

Does your car have enough space?

A big part of the fun of a road trip is the journey more than even the destination. So comfort is key. Consider who you’re traveling with and how much luggage you’ll be carrying. If you’re traveling solo or with one other person, your economy-size car may be good to go. But if it’s a family trip or you’re traveling with a lot of gear, you may want more space. Similarly, a family trip that may have required two cars can be accomplished with one larger rental.

Driving a different car makes it feel more like a vacation.

A road trip is a vacation – and part of a vacation includes enjoying accommodations that are not yours. Since a road trip is taking place largely on the road, a rental car becomes accommodation on wheels. And sometimes the additional amenities that your own car may not have can add to the experience of seeing and doing something new.

Considering the benefits of renting a car for your road trip? Explore your options on KAYAK.

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