How to Choose a Rental Car When Traveling in the USA

When you go to pick out a rental car, do you think about practicality or how “cool” you’ll look behind the driver’s seat?

Most people walk into a car rental place with a budget mindset. They want to pay the least amount of money for a rental. It’s a rental, after all. But, really, here’s what you should be focused on when looking to hire a car in the States.

Here are our top tips for renting a rental car in America.

1. Transport Requirements

The first thing you should consider is your transportation requirements, not the cost of the vehicle.

Try to work out where you will be visiting, how long you will be travelling for and what type of trip you are going to have.

For example if you planning to visit Orlando and Disney World you will require a completely different car to if you are planning a road trip of Colorado and going off the beaten track to visit National Parks or sky resorts.

Sometimes a smaller car might be best whilst for more adventurous trips a 4x4 or SUV would be better.

2. How Much Room Do You Need?

How many people will you be hauling around? Don’t be one of those people that chases discounts on car rentals at the expense of a practical rental car, given your needs.

If you need to carry 5 people, don’t rent an econobox with four seats, hoping to cram the fifth person in the middle of the back seat. It won’t work, and it’ll be uncomfortable for the unlucky passenger. Plus, it could be dangerous if you get into a car accident.

You undoubtedly will be taking along your luggage and some supplies with you wherever you happen to be going. Or maybe you’re going camping, will a small car work? Probably not. You’ll need an SUV with lots of space for a tent and other camping gear.

If you’re hiking Mt. Everest, ditto. You’ll need hiking gear. If you’re tooling around town, and you just need something to get you from “A” to “B”, then a small 2 or 4-door automobile might work.

3. Fuel Economy

Fuel economy is often associated with price. The cheaper rentals also tend to be more fuel efficient because they’re smaller. Is this important to you? It might be if you need to travel long distances.

4. Do You Need Rental Insurance?

Some insurance companies and credit card providers cover rental vehicles. Some don’t. Check your terms and conditions or policy declaration’s page. If you have to buy rental insurance, it’s a pricey add-on, so it pays to check comparison websites online before arriving at the rental dealer.

5. What Features Do You need?

Do you need T.V.s in the back seat to keep the kids happy and occupied on an 8-hour drive? Then make sure that your rental has those features. If you don’t need that kind of luxury, don’t get it. If you’ll be traveling to an unfamiliar place, then you’ll need a navigation system in the car which most modern cars have. If you are renting an older model without GPS, consider that you might not have mobile phone service in some locations.

A radio and stereo system with bluetooth is also a benefit.

6. The Transmission

Manual or automatic? We recommend automatic due to the long distances in the USA.

In most American rental agencies they will only give you a vehicle with an automatic transmission. There’s a good reason why. It’s risky to let someone drive a manual when they’re just renting the car. There’s more risk of abuse - and sometimes it’s not intentional. Most Americans drive automatics these days.

They’re easier on the feet and they don’t require as much coordination. But, in Europe, and in other parts of the world, rental agencies offer manual transmissions. If you’re traveling outside of the country, and you prefer an automatic, say so. Otherwise, you might end up with a car you can’t drive.

7. Inspecting the Car

When choosing a rental car, it's essential to ensure that the vehicle is in good working order, especially if you plan to cover long distances and one critical aspect to check is the braking system.

Vibration or pulsation felt through the brake pedal when applying the brakes can be a sign of warped brake rotors. If the vehicle is vibrating while braking, it could be a crucial safety hazard, and you should take the vehicle back to the rental company immediately. Ensuring that the brakes are in optimal condition is not just about comfort but also about safety.

A smooth and safe driving experience depends heavily on a well-maintained braking system.