Complete Guide to Car Rental in the USA: How to Choose, Book, and Avoid Regrets

Car rentals are among the easiest ways to travel across the USA. The area is enormous, roads differ, and the mobility is what personalizes your trip, really yours. We use car rentals a lot for business travel and trips, and thus, we wanted to put everything you want to know about renting in one report. If you’re planning to rent a car in the States for the first time or want to minimize risks and unnecessary expenses, keep reading – we’ll get straight to the point without any fluff.

Where and How to Search for a Rental Car

We start, as usual, with internet car rentals. For us, it’s GetRentacar – a website where cars are rented out by private owners instead of the conventional rental companies. That way, there is less bureaucracy, lower prices, and more freedom of choice.

The site makes it simple to filter through cars by city, date, body, price, and other options. The reservation takes just a few minutes: select, pay, and receive the owner’s numbers. You can collect the car at some point in the city or have it delivered to a location of your choice, like an airport.

Important: when booking a car, always check if insurance is included and if there are any experience or age limits. Some owners have specific conditions, like banning trips out of state.

Car Rental Cost in the USA

Here’s a table with common car types and estimated prices:

Vehicle type	Seats	Daily rate (USD)	Best for	Fuel policy
Economy (Nissan Versa)	5	38	City trips & errands	Same to Same
Compact SUV (Hyundai Kona)	5	55	Small family getaways	Full to Full
Midsize SUV (Toyota RAV4)	5	72	Scenic drives & parks	Full to Full
Luxury (Chevrolet Camaro)	4	118	Special occasions	Same to Same
Van (Chrysler Pacifica)	7	88	Group or family vacations	Full to Full

GetRentacar prices are often lower than those of the major rental companies, and since owners set their own prices, you can find great deals even during high season.

What You Need to Know About Insurance and Documents

Insurance is compulsory. When you’re renting a car in the USA, you can either have your own international insurance or the possibility of buying insurance on the site. On GetRentacar, you can organize basic coverage at the moment of booking, which is really handy.

For the rental, you’ll need:

1. International valid driver’s license or driver’s license with English translation;
2. Passport;
3. Bank card (not a credit card, such as with an ordinary rental company).

Note: Always take a copy of the rental agreement and photos of the condition of the car before and after the journey, so that you won’t be able to contest anything when returning.

What to Check Before Driving Away

Before you depart, always take 10–15 minutes to check the vehicle. This will save you from likely issues on your return. It’s particularly worthwhile when you’re hiring an individual.

Here’s what to check before your journey:

• Exterior damage: scratches, chips, dents;
• Interior cleanliness: food stains, marks, odour;
• Functioning of lights, signals, wipers;
• Everything from the glove box;
• Pressure in tires and fuel level.

After checking, don’t forget to take all-around photos and send them to the owner using the chat within the app. This simple thing can save you a few hundred dollars.

What’s Important to Know on the Road

US speed limits vary by state, although there are some rules by default:

• In urban areas: usually 25–35 mph;
• Outside urban areas: 55–70 mph;
• On highways: 75 mph.

Cameras are installed nearly everywhere, and fines may take 1–2 weeks to arrive. And don’t ever ignore parking rules – parking rules are highly stringently enforced in the USA, especially in big cities.

Final Thoughts: Renting a Car is Easy

Car rental in the USA can be harder than it seems, but simultaneously much easier than it could have been if done cautiously. By choosing a reliable service, you gain flexibility, convenience, and the freedom to go wherever you want without additional restrictions. The key is to move slowly, clarify everything, inspect the car, and stay in touch with the owner. Good luck!

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