Just as travelers are ready to hit the road again, the skyrocketing cost of rental vehicles is putting some vacations out of reach. As of mid-May, in New York City and Jacksonville, Fla., a midsize SUV rents for $193 per day, while that same vehicle goes for $249 per day in Indianapolis. And those rates don’t include taxes and additional fees.
When the pandemic halted business and leisure travel, rental agencies sold off thousands of cars that had been sitting idle on their lots. Now there’s a significant shortage of available rental vehicles, and rates have shot through the sunroof. Some people are even resorting to renting U-Hauls or trucks from hardware stores in cities where traditional rentals aren’t available, regardless of cost.
Mary Zweng is among the many encountering sticker shock from rental fees. Her daughter is hosting a small wedding in Napa Valley, Calif., in June. Zweng booked a car in March for $60 a day in San Francisco.
“That was for my husband and me. I called in May to reserve one for my son and the price has more than doubled,” she said. “I’m worried they might not even have cars left to rent in San Francisco if other guests wait until the last minute to book.”
Fortunately, there are numerous ways to get around on vacation without overpaying at the big rental chains. Don’t let steep rental costs force you to cancel your plans or spend beyond your means.
Here are 6 Alternatives to Traditional Car Rental Companies
1. Use a Car-Sharing Service
Think Airbnb for automobiles. Customers access privately owned vehicles through an app or website. Owners must maintain insurance coverage and keep their cars serviced. Renters generally must meet requirements similar to those of conventional rental agencies, such as holding a valid driver’s license.
This model has proven itself in the sharing economy. Ten-year-old Turo operates nationally as a peer-to-peer car-sharing service, while 11-year-old Getaround is available in more than a dozen major metropolitan areas. Some regions have local options too, like Colorado’s eGo CarShare in Denver and Boulder and Hui Car Share in Hawaii.
Here’s a price comparison for a four-day weekend rental in June in Chicago using car-sharing services Turo and Getaround versus two traditional rental companies.
- Turo
$50 per day for a 2018 Ford Escape SUV
$39 per day for a 2010 Toyota Corolla
- Getaround
$61 per day for a 2016 Ford Escape
$47.50 per day for a 2013 Toyota Corolla
- Hertz
$249 per day for a newer vehicle comparable to a Ford Escape
$108 per day for a newer vehicle comparable to a Toyota Corolla
- Dollar
$249 per day for a newer vehicle comparable to a Ford Escape
$91 per day for a newer vehicle comparable to a Toyota Corolla
Turo and Getaround can provide 24-hour roadside assistance if either the renter or the vehicle owner has chosen that option.
Note that some airports prohibit Turo owners and renters from exchanging keys on airport property, so you may need to arrange pickup at a nearby spot.
2. Consider Zipcar Instead of a Rental Agency
Zipcar is built for people who think vehicle ownership is overrated but occasionally need access to a car. Owned by Avis Budget Group, it’s popular with college students who use a vehicle for short trips around campus. Customers unlock cars with a phone-enabled access code.
Nowadays a full day of Zipcar use can be less expensive than renting from traditional companies.
Zipcar typically costs about $11 per hour and $80 to $90 per day. Even if you must join and pay a $7 monthly membership fee for the month you rent, it can be a money-saving option on vacation.
3. Borrow a Friend’s Vehicle
Lara Cerri recently made an impromptu trip from Phoenix to the Tampa Bay area for a friend’s memorial. She let a few acquaintances in the region know she’d be in town for a week and was quickly offered alternatives to renting.
“Before I knew it, I had a friend on each side of the bay offer to let me use their car,” Cerri said. “I didn’t have to rent at all. It was so kind of them.”
Because both the owners and Cerri carry insurance, the car would be covered in case of an accident.
The takeaway: announce that you’ll be in town and ask if anyone has an unused car — you might be surprised. Just remember to fill the tank before returning the vehicle as a courtesy, and don’t expect late-night roadside assistance.
4. Vacation Where Public Transit Is Reliable
You can skip car rentals entirely if you pick a destination with solid mass transit: light rail, trolleys, streetcars, buses, or subways. Beyond avoiding rental costs, you’ll save on fuel and parking.
Many cities provide transit from the airport into central areas and to key attractions as well as lesser-known locales. Some systems are free; others offer day passes for about $5 that permit unlimited rides.
There’s also no shortage of rental bikes in both big cities and small towns. Countless locations have self-serve bike stations, and many now offer e-bikes that can assist riders to reach speeds around 20 to 28 mph with moderate pedaling, depending on the model.
5. Use Buses or Shuttles to Visit Multiple Spots
Rather than depend on a rental to move from one sightseeing spot to another, take the bus. For instance, buses leave Boston throughout the day and night for destinations around Cape Cod for roughly $50 per person round-trip.
For a family of four heading to the Cape for three days after exploring historic Boston, this option saves money. Spending $200 for everyone’s round-trip is preferable to $200 per day for a rental car, which would total $600 over three days.
On the opposite coast, it’s about $30 round-trip on Greyhound from Los Angeles to San Diego, while a standard four-door rental in Los Angeles runs around $170 per day.
6. Fly Budget Airlines Instead of Driving Between Cities
The same logic applies to flying: don’t shell out $600 for a three-day rental just to reach a second destination. Fly and let the airline cover the fuel. Many carriers offer one-way fares in the $19 to $50 range. Below are a few tips on finding cheap flights — one of the quickest alternatives to driving.
Jordan Hale is a senior writer for Savinly.
