Summer is a great time to escape the city – especially if you’ve been stuck inside all winter long. Check out these road trip tips to help you enjoy the sunshine and have an awesome vacation.
Summer is fast approaching and that means road trips for many of us. You might be going on vacation with family, or taking a solo trip to a new state. Regardless of how you are traveling, here is some advice on what you need to know if you want to avoid a miserable time on the trip.
I’ve been road-tripping a lot lately, and have found a few things that I think everyone should know before they get behind the wheel and hit the road. Read more about road trip essentials and let us know what you think.
Driving a car has become an American pastime again. In honor of National Road Trip Day (May 28), we’re giving our readers a detailed look at everything you need to know about travel this summer. An April survey by Priceline found that nine out of 10 Americans have traveled at least once in the past year, and 75 percent have traveled more than four times.
Given the high interest in road trips last year, it is safe to assume that road trips will continue to be the preferred mode of travel for many Americans this summer, even though countries in Europe, such as France, Spain, Greece, and Germany, have announced dates for resuming travel.
According to the latest Hertz survey, 80 percent of respondents said they plan to travel this summer, while Priceline’s national road trip survey found that 59 percent of Americans are interested in renting a car. According to Concur’s latest TripIt data, the number of rental car bookings on the site increased by 220% from the previous year.
However, the prices of rental cars have risen sharply. Last year, car rental companies sold off much of their fleets to keep their heads above water, creating a shortage of space. Combine that with strong demand, and you get a huge price increase. According to Priceline, rental prices for 2019 have increased by 30%. Demand for rental cars is highest in Los Angeles, Orlando, Las Vegas, Denver, and Miami, according to the latest Hopper Hotels and Rental Car Index.
Hertz’s analysis shows that most travelers will go to the southern and southeastern regions of the country, as well as popular national parks. If you are flying to these areas and renting a car or planning to start your car trip in one of these areas, it is important to avoid car rental stations at airports or near popular tourist areas to avoid the higher rates.
Don’t forget to book your car rental in advance, so you can rent a car that suits your needs at the best price. If you don’t mind the extra wear and tear on your car, you can drive your own. A survey by Cars.com found that about one in three people will take their own car due to rental car price inflation, which frankly may be a better choice for people traveling to popular destinations this summer or looking for a budget trip.
