The Right Car for Your Road Trip

As you plan your road trip itinerary, spare some thought for your vehicle. Instead of putting hundreds of miles on your own clunker, consider renting some wheels instead — it could significantly enhance your trip, as we advise in

5 Features of a Fantastic Road Trip

:

“If you’re renting a car, consider your route when you book your rental. Sure, Highway 1 is gorgeous through the window — but just imagine it in a convertible. If your trip is taking you to the mountains, consider an SUV. Do your homework and you may only end up paying a little more for a specialty car than you would for a compact.”

While an economy car is almost always the cheapest type of vehicle to rent, car companies sometimes offer free upgrades or limited-time discounts on specialty vehicles.

Keep in mind that a fancier class of car might also set you back a little extra in gas. Convertibles lose fuel efficiency when driven with the top down, and SUV’s and minivans guzzle a lot more gas than their compact counterparts. Be sure to budget accordingly and check out our tips for

saving gas and money

.