Rent car vs drive my own on summer vacation (Omaha: car rental, rentals)

[ezly]

We are planning a 4500 to 5000 mile trip this summer. Gone probably a month. Is it better to rent a car or drive my existing vehicle. 2003 Highlander with 150,000 miles on it. Gas millage is probably 20 to 22 MPG. What are your thoughts.

[dober1]

Rent. Save the mileage on your Highlander. Less worries, 5000 mile trip is significant. Rent the smallest car you can stand and use your AAA discount or whatever you have. I rented a little Chevy compact last time I went on a trip. Car averaged 32 mpg vs my old Explorer at 17 mpg. Rental was only like 125.00 per week.

[Garthur]

The day 9-11 (2001) happened, my company sent me to Rhode Island. There were no flights (all grounded), so I rented a car at Eppley airfield and drove. When I got back to Omaha (one week later) I had put 3500 miles on the car.

To answer your question, should I rent or drive my own car. Rent a car for the trip. In the big picture it will be cheaper.

[todd00]

If you can find a good deal, I go along with the others and vote you rent. Just think if something happened to your car along the way, trying to find an honest mechanic in some place you aren't at all familiar with at the last minute could be a major pain. The hassle could mess up your trip but good.

Ya do have to read the fine print and make sure ya look over the car good. I think I'd take a video of looking it over just so they don't say you did damage you didn't do. Make sure your insurance covers everything if you don't get full protection from them. I'm sure you know all this, I'm just throwing it in.

You might find this link interesting. Good luck to you.
Top 22 Car Rental, Read Reviews and Complaints - ConsumerAffairs

[AksarbeN]

Originally Posted by ezly

We are planning a 4500 to 5000 mile trip this summer. Gone probably a month. Is it better to rent a car or drive my existing vehicle. 2003 Highlander with 150,000 miles on it. Gas millage is probably 20 to 22 MPG. What are your thoughts.

I’d rent a car and save adding more mileage to the Highlander. Less to worry about while on the trip by doing the rental instead of using your own. If you rent, don’t get a rental at the airport, they are usually more money; offsite car rentals usually give better deals. ** Take several pictures of the vehicle and have them write down “all” of the nicks and scratches, dents and dings before you drive it off the lot. <----- NOTE ~ take pictures before you leave the lot!

[Sawtooth_Oak]

We've rented a car for family vacations before and it's worked out really well. It's also fun to drive a new-to-us vehicle. I suggest renting! If you can get a vehicle with bluetooth, that also makes phone calls on the road a lot easier.

[AksarbeN]

^^^ How about avoiding making calls on the road and wait until you're having a break, going for lunch, stopped to get gas, checking in at a motel/hotel........ bluetooth or not ~ avoid phone calls while driving! Enjoy your vacation and forget the phone!