A road trip can be a great way to explore a large section of a country whilst discovering undiscovered hidden gems along the way. Read on for tips on renting a car for your drive and any road trip packing essentials you’ll need.
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Is renting a car for a road trip a good idea? | Road trip packing essentials list | Emergency items and documentation | How do you plan a road trip for beginners?
Is renting a car for a road trip a good idea?
Renting a car can be an excellent way to experience a road trip. You can rent a better suited vehicle in any location you wish! Also, you don’t have to waste your own mileage! Read our blog on rental car categories to find out which size car hire will suit you.
Unlimited mileage
Bookings with Zest are included with unlimited mileage so you don’t need to worry about being conservative with your road trip distance. Some companies may impose a limit which means you can only drive 100 or 500 miles for the period you have rented the vehicle for. Read our blog on how far you can drive in a rental car.
Cross border road trip
If you’re planning to drive your rental car into another country, make sure to let your provider know. Some providers do not allow cross country travel. However, many providers allow it or request a small fee that’s paid locally. Always check your rental conditions to see the cross-border policy before booking.
One-way rentals
A one-way rent can be a terrific way to extend the distance of your road trip without having to drive back on yourself afterwards. It is common for car rental providers to apply an additional charge for one-way rentals. When booking with Zest, select a “return to a different location” and then check the additional local charges on the car rental quote.
Road trip packing essentials list
- Sat Nav – a sat nav or navigation app is a must have for a road trip! These can added as a local extra within the booking process.
- Car phone mount – if you plan to use your phone for navigation, it may be worth bringing a phone mount so you can dock your phone in a suitable viewing position.
- Portable car adapter charger – don’t let your phone die when you’re in the middle of nowhere
- Comfortable and practical attire – wear clothing that will be comfortable in the car for extended periods of time. Don’t forget to bring a swimming costume If you’re going on a road trip along the coast!
- Cash – it may be worth bringing some physical cash in case any facilities or toll stations on the way do not accept card.
- Lots of water – stay hydrated on your trip!
- Food and snacks – pullover and have a picnic instead of eating at service stations or chain restaurants!
Emergency items and documentation
- Driver’s license – this may seem like an obvious one but remember to bring your driving license in case of an unlikely event where you’re stopped by the police.
- Car rental documents – keep your documentation and car manual with you on your trip. These can give you useful advice if you break down or get into a collision.
- Torch – something may go wrong in the night, bring a torch!
- Snow tires – if you’re planning to do a road trip in a cold country, it may be worth getting snow tires as an added extra. It may even be a requirement in some countries, check this guide if you’re unsure.
- Roadside emergency kit – you don’t want to be stuck in the middle of nowhere if your car gets an issue! An emergency roadside assistance kit can help you change a flat tire or jump-start the car.
How do you plan a road trip for beginners?
You don’t have to plan your own route when there are plenty of road trip routes you can find online or with us. Head over to our blogs page and search for “road trip” for inspiration!
Fear not if you’ve never rented a car before! Our booking process is straightforward and our customer support is here to help you every step of the way. Furthermore, we have a guide on common mistakes made in a first time car rental to help you avoid pitfalls.
