How to score a great deal on car rentals for summer travel

Don’t let transportation issues put the brakes on a great vacation.

Road trips are the way to go this summer, as many are still staying in the US when it comes to pandemic vacations and traveling. If you don’t have an RV or SUV of your own, renting a car is a perfect plan to travel safely and hassle-free if you need to drop it off along the way and fly home.

After mapping out your vacation, heading to the local car rental agency can also be a speed bump, as lines have been longer than ever to rent a car and prices due to car shortages have been skyrocketing.

To help navigate your car rental journey and avoid any unforeseen price hikes, we’ve done some digging to find the best car rental companies that you can book in advance. From Trip Advisor to Travelocity, see below for how to gas up and go for your summer vacation.

Trip Advisor is a one-stop shop for all your travel needs, from tickets to your car rental.

Head over to the car rental tab of the site and then browse available rides in more than 60,000 locations worldwide. Choose to look by destination to help you plan a trip from scratch, or look up your nearest airport or city to see what vehicles they have to offer you and your crew.

Skyscanner is a budget traveler’s best friend, for flights and now for cars, too.

Not only can you be super flexible with different pickup and drop-off locations, but the site will automatically compare prices between the top rental companies in the locations you’re looking at to get you the best deal.

No magic here, just good prices and a friendly Travelocity gnome.

This travel site can be used for any type of trip, include ones that need four wheels instead of two wings. Head to the car rental tab and then choose between a traditional rental car or a quick airport transfer, with options for pick-up or drop-off at hotels and airports worldwide.

AARP members, listen up.

Orbitz is a great company to use for anyone wanting to get away and needing a rental car. However, for AARP members, you can also browse cars that have AARP membership rates and deals, making your trip more fun and less expensive. They also offer options for airport transportation to and from your local airport should your journey continue overseas.

Hotels are just the beginning.

Hotels.com has a fully fleshed-out car rental page on their site, where you can find the perfect vehicle for your upcoming summer trip. With over 30,000 locations serviced and 1,600 suppliers, you’ll have plenty of options to choose from, but only need to visit one site, as you can securely book and pay all from Hotels.com.