Vacations are always something to look forward to. If you are like many other Americans you are looking to have a great time without spending a lot of money. So which is better for you to do, rent a car or drive your own? This may seem like a small decision, but the answer you choose could save your big bucks. Here are some points that will hopefully help you make a right decision.
Making the Right Decision For You
There are really three major factors in figuring out which decision is correct for you:
- Costs of driving your car
- Any deals on rental cars
- Distance you will drive to your destination
The common way of budgeting a trip is to keep it to $17 per 100 miles. This number will be gas and any other things that may arise for your car during the trip. So that means that you should set aside $170 for a 1,000 mile trip. So take that number and compare it against a rental car. You will have the baseline price for the car, plus any gas charges. So in some instances you can pay up to double that number (of $170). That is for a weekly rental. Weekend trips will tend to vary a little more.
If you are like other people, you will also consider the damage to your car. If you drive a lot in your day to day life, that may factor into your decision. Sometimes every mile counts on your car, so you may want to keep that down. You do this in order to limit the maintenance you will need, which can arise quickly. The last thing you want on your trip is for your car to break down because it has had enough. Rental cars will generally be a newer vehicle, which really gives you less to worry about.
Look For Those Deals!
You need to locate the car that is right for you. So it may take you a few rental agencies to see if they have the right one you want, if that type of thing matters to you. If not, your next step is to look to save as much money as possible. If you are an AAA member, this may be really simple. AARP will do this too, and sometimes you can work deals through things like your credit card.
When that is all done, make sure your auto insurance covers this car. That will be a big factor. If you have no coverage on a rental, then you will probably want to play it safe with your own car. This can turn out to be a really big hassle if not handled properly. The last thing you want to happen to you in to get in a wreck with that rental car and have no insurance to cover it. So, this will be a more important factor then you may think. But if you pay attention to all the factors in this situation then you will most definitely end up making the right choice. Just do the research!
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