The 5 most important tips to remember about car rental for road trip
There is no better way to explore a destination than driving around at your own pace, planning your route and discovering hidden gems and off-the-beaten path spots by your own car.
Should I rent a car for a road trip when visiting a destination full of points of interest, historical sites, natural landmarks and traditional villages? Many travelers wonder about this decision and the short answer is yes.
By renting a car for a road trip, you have the flexibility not only to see more places, but also to do so on your own terms, without having to adjust your plan to bus or train itineraries, wait for hours or have the inconvenience of travelling in overcrowded means of transportation.
And of course, if you really want to spend some time away from the crowds and feel the aura of the place you visited like a local, a rental car for road trip offers you a unique opportunity.
Can you rent a car for a road trip? What should you consider when you plan such a journey?
It is normal to be anxious and wonder what you should know if you rent a car for a road trip. To make a long story short, we gathered for you the top advice to plan the best and most affordable road trip by rental car and create unforgettable memories for you and your family.
See Abbycar’s Road Trips ideas & routes.
Book early
Just visit the user-friendly platform of Abbycar and book your car early. Chances are that you need your car for many days in order to fully discover the destination, so booking early and online is the cheapest way to rent a car for a road trip.
Thus, you can find amazing deals and discounts up to 70%, in order to feel free to rent the car for as long as you need in order to make multiple routes and cover a wide range of activities and points of interest.
Pick up and drop off in different locations?
Depending on the distances you want to cover, a crucial decision you need to make is whether you pick up the rental car from the same location as the drop off point.
The first choice you can make is to pick up the car at the airport, make the road trip and then return it at the same airport. This is a smart choice if the airport is the only one within a 300–400 km range and there are plenty of places to explore nearby, from traditional villages and stunning beaches to archaeological sites and museums. In this case, it is a good idea to plan your itinerary in advance so you can visit different destinations on your way there and back.
On the other hand, if there are multiple airports within the same range, you might consider picking up your rental car at one location and dropping it off at another. In this case, make sure to check whether there is an additional charge for picking up and returning the car at different locations.
Read also: What is the best way to rent a car
Unlimited mileage
Road trip means long distance car rental, even if you plan to cover a range of only 100-200 km. Because if you decide to rent a car for a road trip, that means you are ready to make multiple routes even within the same range to fully discover the place.
So, be sure the car is offered with unlimited mileage to feel free to travel as long as possible.
Read also: Which is the best road trip car? The top 5 suggestions regarding your travel style
Cross country road trip
In areas, like central Europe or the Balkans, it is common to visit multiple countries within only one road trip.
However, the cross-country car rental may have an extra fee and, in any case, you should inform the car rental agency. Thus, this term will be included in the rental agreement and insurance coverage will be issued.
Also read: The ultimate road trip checklist: All you need for a safe and happy journey
Are there any tolls in road trips?
If you plan to make a long road trip, it is better to ask the car rental agency how tolls are paid. In many countries, you need to have ticket or pass in your car, while in other countries you pay by cash or card at every toll station.
The key if you are about to rent a car for a road trip is to ask about everything at the car rental agency and sign a transparent rental agreement. Other things you should take into account every time you rent a car is the policy about child seats and additional drivers as well as the insurance coverage and the deposit.
Read also: Your one-step-guide to rent a car
Abbycar offers quality and at the same time budget rental cars for road trips, from convenient family and luxury cars to reliable SUVs and 4X4 to have the opportunity to go off-the-beaten-track.
We are here to assist you to plan your dreamy road trip and have a truly inspiring journey!
Read: 13 car games for road trips to have fun in your excursions
AbbyCar Travel Experts
Car Rental & Travel Industry Specialists
AbbyCar Travel Experts are the experienced professionals behind AbbyCar, one of Europe’s most trusted and value-for-money car rental brands, operating in over 30 countries. With more than 14 years of hands-on experience in car rentals and road-trip travel, the team has helped more than 1.5 million travellers explore their destinations with comfort and confidence. Drawing on in-depth knowledge of local routes, travel trends, and driving conditions, AbbyCar Travel Experts provide reliable, experience-based advice to help every traveller enjoy a safe, smart, and stress-free journey.
For more road-trip ideas and expert travel inspiration, visit our Road Trips Section
