Many people will be traveling this Labor Day, but according to AAA Travel, a lot of them won’t be flying to their destination. In fact, the company estimates that 34.1 million Americans will travel at least 50 miles from home this Labor Day weekend, and 85% of those (29.2 million) will choose to do so by automobile, an increase of 4.3% over last year’s numbers. It makes sense – flying anywhere can get expensive, especially if you have a large family and are going any significant distance.
So the real question is, should you rent a car or drive your own? Check out the pros and cons of renting and consider what’s best for you:
PROS
- Better gas mileage. If your car doesn’t get good gas mileage – a likely thing if it’s an older vehicle – you may want to consider renting a vehicle. Since the miles add up if you’re traveling a decent distance, you might just save money overall by renting.
- Peace of mind. One of the worst things that can happen when traveling by car is a breakdown or other issue that keeps you from arriving at your destination. If you rent a car through a dealer-based company like Toyota Rent a Car, and have vehicle trouble en route, a replacement vehicle will be made available to you as soon as possible. This isn’t the case if driving your own vehicle. So if you want the peace of mind in knowing you’ll reach your destination, rent a vehicle.
- Variety of options. When renting through Toyota Rent a Car or another company, you can get everything from a compact car to a large SUV, minivan, or truck. It’s a great way to try out a vehicle you’ve been considering buying. It’s also going to be very helpful when you’re going somewhere with your whole family and bringing your dogs and lots of luggage – especially if you only own a car or small SUV!
CONS
- Cost. The only real con to renting a vehicle versus driving your own is the increased cost of renting. However, you can often get incredible deals through Toyota Rent a Car and other dealer-based programs. The key is booking ahead and choosing a vehicle that fits your family’s needs – in other words, don’t go overboard and rent a larger vehicle than you really need.
For some, the pros outweigh the cons of renting a vehicle for travel. It may not be worth renting if you’re only going a short distance or only going for a few days. If you’re going for a longer period of time, many rental agencies offer weekly rates that make renting cheaper overall. So weigh the pros and cons and decide what’s really important to you. Most of all, enjoy time with family and friends this Labor Day weekend, no matter where you’re headed.
Original Infographic source: www.toyota.com