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The freedom of the open road is hard to beat—and with the right rental car, your road trip can be as smooth as it is scenic. Whether you’re exploring national parks, cruising along a coastline, or visiting multiple cities, Expedia makes renting a car for your road trip simple, affordable, and flexible.

Expedia partners with all the major rental car brands—Hertz, Avis, Enterprise, Budget, and more—offering a wide range of vehicles, pickup locations, and pricing options. If you’re ready to hit the road, here’s how to book smart and drive better with Expedia.

1. Choose the Right Vehicle for Your Route

The first step to a successful road trip is selecting the right type of car for your destination. Expedia lets you filter by vehicle type and features.

• Compact cars are ideal for city road trips where parking is tight and fuel costs matter.
• SUVs or crossovers offer more comfort for long drives and extra cargo space for families.
• Luxury vehicles add style for romantic getaways or business travel.
• Pickup trucks or all-wheel drive options are great for rugged terrain or winter conditions.

Use Expedia’s filters to compare features like unlimited mileage, fuel economy, GPS, and Bluetooth compatibility.

2. Book Your Car and Hotel as a Package

Expedia allows travelers to bundle rental cars with hotels and flights. This not only streamlines your booking process but can also unlock lower rates, especially for longer trips.

Vacation packages are particularly helpful for road trips that begin in one city and end in another, such as San Francisco to Los Angeles, or Paris to Nice. Look for properties offering free parking and late check-out, both of which are easily filtered on Expedia.

3. Save Money by Avoiding Airport Pickups (When Possible)

While airport pickups are convenient, they often come with higher rental taxes and surcharges. Expedia allows you to choose off-airport locations—often downtown or in residential areas—which can lower your rental costs considerably.

If you don’t need the car immediately, consider booking it for pickup a day or two into your trip, once you’ve left the city center or handled public transit.

4. Take Advantage of Unlimited Mileage and One-Way Rentals

Many car rental companies listed on Expedia offer unlimited mileage—ideal for road trippers who don’t want to worry about going too far off route. For coast-to-coast or regional road trips, Expedia also supports one-way rentals, allowing you to pick up in one location and drop off in another without backtracking.

Look for the “unlimited mileage” and “one-way” filters to easily compare options.

5. Don’t Skip the Insurance—But Choose Wisely

Expedia offers the option to add rental car insurance during checkout. While your credit card or travel insurance may offer coverage, having a verified policy through Expedia ensures you’re protected against costly damage, theft, or accidents—especially when traveling abroad.

Compare Expedia’s rental coverage with your existing policies to avoid paying twice.

Travel Tips: Making the Most of Your Rental Car with Expedia

Book early for the best selection
Rental car prices rise as supply shrinks, especially around holidays and in popular travel months. Booking 3–4 weeks in advance gives you the best choice of vehicles at competitive prices.

Compare fuel policies carefully
Choose between “full-to-full” or prepaid fuel options. The former is often cheaper, but only if you remember to fill up before returning the car.

Inspect the vehicle before driving off
Take photos of the exterior and interior upon pickup to document any existing damage. This protects you from unfair charges upon return.

Use toll passes and navigation smartly
If your route includes toll roads, check whether your rental includes an electronic toll pass. If not, you can often bring your own or pay as you go. Use offline maps or GPS features to avoid international roaming charges.

Pack a car charger and mount for your phone
Especially important if your rental doesn’t include built-in navigation or USB charging.

Join a rental rewards program
While Expedia Rewards earns you points on the booking, you can still input your rental company’s loyalty number to earn credits for upgrades or free rentals.

Check cancellation policies
Expedia offers free cancellation on many rental car bookings. Opt for refundable rates if your road trip plans are still flexible.

Final Word:

Whether you’re planning a scenic U.S. highway drive, a European countryside adventure, or a multi-city business tour, Expedia gives you the tools to rent the right car at the right price. With trusted providers, flexible pickup options, and bundling benefits, your next road trip starts—and stays—on the right track.