4 Tips for Finding Better Deals on Car Rentals, Fuel, and Road Trips

In recent years, road trips have regained popularity among Americans. According to the American Automobile Association, driving is the top choice for travel, but increasing gas prices may impact travel plans. These tips will assist you.

Book a Rental Car as Soon as Possible

As the pandemic hit, companies reduced their idle fleets, only to face supply-chain challenges that hindered expansion when travel resumed. The rental shortage from last year is projected to persist through 2022, especially in Alaska, Hawaii, Montana, and Wyoming. In Alaska, daily rates start over $200, while Glacier Park International Airport in Montana sees rentals nearing $400. It's wise to book your vehicle well in advance and set alerts through services like AutoSlash to catch any price drops.

Consider Car Sharing

The shortage in rental cars has boosted car-sharing platforms that let users borrow vehicles for short periods, sometimes as little as 30 minutes. Turo, a peer-to-peer service akin to Airbnb, reported a more than threefold increase in revenue during the first three quarters of 2021. Over 160,000 cars are available across the U.S., Canada, and the U.K. For instance, a search in Denver revealed a Toyota Sienna at $47 per day and a Maserati for $180. A downside of car sharing is the requirement to return the vehicle to its pickup location, unlike traditional rentals where you can drive point-to-point.

Locate Affordable Gas

Each year, fuel prices reach their peak in late summer as demand rises, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. After reaching a historic high in June, gas prices slightly decreased in July and August; the EIA predicts prices will remain above $4 per gallon through September. To find cheaper gas, consider downloading an app like GasBuddy, which shows gas stations with current prices and offers a discount payment card. You can also search "gas" on Google Maps to view nearby stations and their prices, or use Waze, which color-codes prices red for high, yellow for average, and green for low.

Think About an Electric Vehicle

The impact of climate change and soaring fuel prices is motivating more consumers to explore electric vehicles. While EVs can be hard to find at rental services, Hertz offers Tesla Model 3s at seven airport locations, including Los Angeles, Miami, and Dulles in Washington, D.C. For example, a Hertz Tesla recently cost $219 per day in San Francisco, compared to $145 for a standard sedan. Alternatively, Turo has about 11,000 EVs, making up approximately 7 percent of its fleet.

Tesla features its own network of charging stations and a navigation system that can suggest charging stops. Non-Tesla vehicles use a universal plug compatible with public charging stations (Tesla vehicles come with adapters). Applications like PlugShare and ChargeHub EV Map can help you plot your journey and find charging points along the way. The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that a direct-current fast charger (DCFC) can add 180 to 240 miles to an electric vehicle's range in one hour, while a slower Level 2 charger provides an additional 10 to 20 miles in the same timeframe.

Charging your battery overnight ensures you spend more time driving. Thankfully, many hotel chains, including Hilton and Marriott, are adding charging facilities. California boasts the highest number of charging stations, particularly along Highway 99, which traverses the Central Valley and leads to the Lodi wine region. Other states are also enhancing their charging infrastructure; for instance, Colorado has electrified eight scenic byways, including several through the Rockies, while Oregon has six, one of which features covered bridges.

This article was originally published in the July 2022 issue of Dinogo under the title "On the Road Again."