The Best Budget Car Rental Companies for Road Trips

Editor's note: This article is part of budgetgainer.'s 2024 report.

If you`re planning a road trip, it`s essential to rent a car. Not only will you save money, but it`ll also give you more flexibility and freedom.

Several budget car rental companies offer affordable quotes, a good selection of locations, and a strong loyalty program. These companies are all worth considering when booking a road trip.

1. Budget

Founded in 1958, Budget is one of the world`s most recognized car hire brands. It has over 200,000 vehicles available for rent from over 3,350 locations in 120 countries.

Economy Rental Vehicles: These fuel-efficient, compact cars offer flexibility and convenience while on the road. Popular models include the Peugeot 208, Citroen Cactus, Fiat Panda, Ford Fiesta, and many more!

Compact Rental Vehicles: These agile, fuel-efficient vehicles can accommodate a small family or business. Often priced lower than full-size sedans, they`re an excellent choice for travelers who want to save money on their rent.

Luxury/Premium Rental Vehicles: If you`re looking for a luxury car to hire for your next trip, Budget Discount Code has a great selection to choose from. Some models include premium brands like BMW, Mercedes, and Audi.

SUVs with Standard Transmission: If you`re traveling in the UK, it may be cheaper to rent a standard-transmission car or SUV from Budget than a high-performance model. You can also save up to 25% on your hire rate by prepaying with a BudgetBusinessProgram account at Budget Car Rental Promo Code.

While the UK car rental industry has been affected by price hikes caused by a global shortage of new cars, it is still possible to get a good deal on your next hire. There are options like Turo, an American platform that lets drivers rent their vehicles out to tourists daily.

 

2. Alamo

With a wide variety of cars, SUVs, and vans, Alamo Car Rental is an excellent choice for road trips. Their vehicles are fuel-efficient, economical, and fun.

The company was founded in 1974 and specializes in cheap car rentals across the USA. Its `Drive Happy` philosophy drives its success and ensures each customer receives smooth and friendly service.

This family-owned and operated business offers a diverse range of vehicles, including compacts, standard, hybrid, intermediate and luxury lines. It also has a complete clean pledge, which aims to ensure each vehicle is kept in top condition.

Travel Offer Code is an unlimited mileage rental feature, which is a unique offering in the industry. The feature is a major advantage for vacationers who can enjoy their trips without the hassle of keeping track of the miles they’ve incurred.

3. Hertz

Hertz Car Rental offers a variety of vehicles for your road trip. Its fleet of cars includes economy, mid-size and full-size vehicles.

Hertz also has several loyalty programs that offer perks to those who rent frequently. These include free car rentals, complimentary upgrades, and bonus points.

The Hertz President`s Circle program offers the most benefits, including a guaranteed one-class upgrade whenever possible at Ultimate Choice locations. Additionally, cardholders enjoy a dedicated customer service line and 50% bonus points with every rental.

In addition, Hertz has a partnership with American Express that offers complimentary Five Star elite status to cardholders. This means that cardholders can earn 1.5 points per dollar spent and receive a free CLEAR trial membership.

Hertz also has a program called Gold Plus Rewards that lets members skip the counter, earn premium status, and redeem their points for free car rentals and more. You can also take advantage of Hertz`s off-peak awards, which can be a great deal if you`re renting during a time that`s lower in demand.

4. Enterprise

Enterprise Car Rental is a top choice for road trips, especially with its extensive fleet and convenient one-way rentals. The company offers a variety of vehicles from compact sedans to minivans, trucks, and luxury cars to meet every need.

The brand`s commitment to service earned it the title of World`s Best Car Rental Company in 2021 from Travel + Leisure readers. It also provides fast and easy car rentals with its Emerald Club.

With a membership, you can earn points and discounts on Enterprise rentals. You can also use these points to book flights with airlines like Air France-KLM, Lufthansa, and Turkish Airlines.

If you`re an Enterprise Plus member, you can also get bonus points on qualifying rental days and a free rental day when you rent seven times in a year.

You can even get a discount on your rental if you`re an employee or a family member of an Enterprise employee. However, you`ll need to attach your Enterprise Plus membership number to each reservation.

5. Toyota Corolla

For those who are on a budget but still want to take a road trip, the Toyota Corolla is a great choice. It gets good gas mileage and is easy to drive and park.

Another advantage of the Toyota Corolla is its spacious backseat and foot space. It also has a special 60/40 seat that can be folded down for extra storage.

It also features advanced safety technologies such as front seat-mounted side airbags and a rearview camera. The vehicle is also engineered for highway driving, providing a smooth and comfortable ride.

Many rental companies offer Toyota Corollas. You can use a website like Discover Cars to find the best deal on your rental. These sites will search through 500+ providers to ensure you find the best price on your car rental. They also offer free cancellation so you don`t have to worry about losing money if your plans change.

Conclusion

Road Trips are a great way to get away and explore new places. And renting a car can make your road trip easier and cheaper than driving your vehicle.

Whether you’re planning to drive cross country or just to a nearby city, here are the best budget car rental companies for your next road trip.