Car hire places in the US

Soldato
Joined
13 Oct 2004
Posts
13,177
Location
South Shields
Right,

Got a wedding in vegas next year for a week, so looking to take the next week or two and hiring a car and going up the west coast of the US and then across to New York.

Just looking for people who have done a similiar trip (or anywhere in the US) if they could recommend any companies before I wade through a load on google.

KaHn
 
Pretty sure we usually use Alamo whenever we go to the US. Never think we've had a problem although I've never specifically talked to my dad about it :p.
 
It might be worth taking a look at Hotwire Cars as they offer the deals from a number of rental companies, I think in the end I went through Hertz based on a search there but it's a reasonable starting point.

If you're going to do the Pacific Coast Highway (and when you're there it would be a shame not to) then a convertible is a good plan. It'll cost more but I'd say it's worth it just for the experience.
 
cheers, having a look now, want to get a convertable or something similiar.

KaHn
 
Your post wasn't too clear on this point but I think you'll definitely need longer than a week (or potentially two) to drive up the west coast and then across to NYC.

It's probably about 3000-4000 miles so I guess it could be done but you won't get many stops...

Sounds like a good challenge thou :)
 
Just done 4000 miles

Across Canada and America in an avis hyundai sonata cost was £700 for the three weeks via expedia . No problems at all . Make certain you have unlimited mileage .
You will have a great time.
 
Can run you through my experiences on both roads roadtrips I did there over the last 12months.

Over a pint of course :)
 
Last edited:
Some points:

a) You wont be able to hire a car from Vegas and drop it at New York without paying an absolute fortune. An absolute fortune. See the guy above, £700 for a crappy Hyundai for 3 weeks - thats double what I paid for a Mustang Cab for almost 3 weeks last year, for example. About £500 of his rental would have been a huge one-way fee

b) It is absolutely ridiculously far. So far that you'll basically see nothing.

Instead, hire a car from Vegas, drop it at San Francisco Airport, fly to New York. No one way fees between Vegas and SF.

Rent it with Hertz.co.uk - all insurance is included. Make sure its a Convertible.
 
I paid $199 to pick up in Philadelphia and drop off in Oakland. (all in was about £430 for a Cadillac DTS with national)
 
1ef955e1.jpg

Car was more expensive as hired in Canada , the sonata was fine much more of a european in design than a lot of cars over there. Big car made our mondeo seem very small when getting home.
 
carhire3000 worked out cheapest for us for the past two trips. We hired a car in SF and drove to Vegas, last trip we just hired and returned in Vegas. First time it was with alamo then second with dollar.

As has been said, and it isn't too clear if you are planning on it, the drive from SF to NY is mammoth so a flight would make more sense. We did SF-LA-Vegas and spent just over two weeks doing it- that felt rushed.
 
Sorry looking at it would be 10-12 hrs driving per day and night time in where I am looking at, I know this isn't ideal but depending on how many holidays I carry on from this year and the amount I take next will dictate that.

I can see dropping the car off would cost a lot but as long as its under a grand (GBP) I don't really care.

KaHn
 
Sorry looking at it would be 10-12 hrs driving per day and night time in where I am looking at, I know this isn't ideal but depending on how many holidays I carry on from this year and the amount I take next will dictate that.

I can see dropping the car off would cost a lot but as long as its under a grand (GBP) I don't really care.

KaHn

It'll be crap and boring - and thats from somebody who loves road trips.

Spend the time doing California and then fly and do New York. You'll actually get to see stuff rather than just spend all your time driving. There is so much to see in California 2 weeks just there is barely enough let alone driving across the entire country.
 
[TW]Fox;19964148 said:
It'll be crap and boring - and thats from somebody who loves road trips.

Spend the time doing California and then fly and do New York. You'll actually get to see stuff rather than just spend all your time driving. There is so much to see in California 2 weeks just there is barely enough let alone driving across the entire country.

If people think I need more time I'll get it off work, I have 2 weeks left to take this year (thats after my 2 weeks next week) and get another 34 days next year so should be ok with enough notice.

KaHn
 
I have searched for car rental quotes for a trip to Texas next April for quite a while and have found Expedia to be pretty good. Bear in mind that the time you book the rental will have an effect on the price, i.e. in the peak season, booking rentals are more expensive, even if you're booking for a date next year that is not in the peak season. I intend to book around January as prices will be cheaper.
 
Back
Top Bottom