How to Rent a Car for a Road Trip

What to know before you book

Renting a car for a road trip costs more than a single day's rental because you pay per day, and longer trips mean higher total cost. Most rental companies charge between $40 and $150 per day depending on the car size, location, and season — but the daily rate often drops if you rent for a week or longer. You will also pay for gas, insurance (if you do not bring your own coverage), and any tolls or parking fees along the way.

The rental agreement locks you into returning the car on a specific date and time. If you return it late, you pay an extra daily rate, sometimes at a higher per-day price than your original booking. If you return it early, most companies will not refund the unused days. Damage to the car — even small dents or interior stains — can trigger charges that appear on your credit card weeks after you return it.

Before you book, check whether your personal auto insurance or credit card already covers rental cars. If it does, you can skip the rental company's insurance and save $15 to $30 per day. If you do not have coverage, you must buy it from the rental company or you are personally liable for any damage.

Key Takeaways

• Daily rental rates drop for week-long bookings, so pricing a seven-day rental separately from a five-day one can reveal significant savings.
• Your personal auto insurance or credit card may already cover rental cars, which means you can decline the rental company's insurance and avoid that daily charge.
• Return the car on time and in the same condition you received it, because late fees and damage charges can add hundreds of dollars to your final bill.
• Book directly with the rental company's website rather than through a third-party site, because the rental company controls what happens if you need to change your reservation.
• Pick up and drop off at the same location unless you have a specific reason not to, because one-way rentals carry a substantial fee.

Choosing a rental company and car size

The major national chains — Enterprise, Hertz, Budget, Avis, and National — operate at most airports and city centers in South Carolina. Regional companies like Turo (peer-to-peer rentals) and local independent agencies exist but are less common. National chains offer consistent pricing, standardized agreements, and a phone number to call if something goes wrong on the road. They also have multiple locations, which matters if your plans change and you need to return the car somewhere other than where you picked it up.

Choose your car size based on how many people are traveling and how much luggage you have. A compact car (sedan or hatchback) costs the least and uses the least gas, but fits four people comfortably only if nobody has much luggage. An SUV or minivan costs more per day and burns more gas, but gives you room for five or six people plus suitcases, sports equipment, or camping gear. If you are traveling with children, ask whether the rental includes car seats — some companies charge extra, and some do not have them available at all.

What documents and information you need

You must bring a valid driver's license issued by any U.S. state or a passport if you are an international visitor. The name on the license must match the name on the rental reservation. You will also need a credit card in your own name to hold the deposit — the rental company will not accept debit cards, and they will not accept a credit card in someone else's name even if that person is traveling with you.

Have your insurance information ready, either your personal auto insurance policy number or your credit card's rental car coverage details. If you are using your credit card's coverage, call the card issuer before you rent to confirm that it covers damage, theft, and liability — coverage varies widely. Bring proof of this coverage (a screenshot, email, or printed page from your card issuer) because the rental company may ask to see it.

If you are under 25, expect to pay a young driver surcharge — usually $15 to $25 per day. Some companies will not rent to drivers under 21 at all. If you are renting with a debit card instead of a credit card, or if you have a poor credit history, call ahead to ask whether the company will accept your payment method, because policies vary.

Booking and understanding the price breakdown

Book on the rental company's own website rather than through Kayak, Expedia, or other third-party sites. Third-party sites sometimes show a lower advertised price, but that price does not include taxes, fees, or airport surcharges — and if you need to change your reservation, you have to call the third-party site instead of the rental company, which takes longer. The rental company's website shows the full price upfront, including all taxes and fees.

The quoted price covers the car rental itself. Separate charges you may see include a facility fee (charged at airports), a concession recovery fee (a percentage added to cover the airport's rental car facility), sales tax, and local taxes. These add 20 to 40 percent to the base rental price depending on where you pick up the car. If you pick up at an airport, the total cost is higher than if you pick up at a downtown location.

Decline the rental company's damage waiver (also called Loss Damage Waiver or LDW) if your personal insurance or credit card covers rental cars. This waiver costs $15 to $30 per day and covers damage to the car — but you are already covered, so paying for it twice is waste. If you do not have outside coverage, buy the waiver because you are otherwise liable for the full repair cost if the car is damaged.

What happens at pickup

Arrive at least 15 minutes before your scheduled pickup time. Bring your driver's license, credit card, and proof of insurance. The rental agent will ask you to sign an agreement that lists the car's condition, mileage, and fuel level. Read this agreement carefully and point out any existing damage — dents, scratches, stains, or mechanical issues — before you sign. Take photos of the car's exterior and interior with your phone, including the odometer and fuel gauge, so you have proof of its condition when you picked it up.

Ask the agent to explain the fuel policy. Most companies rent the car with a full tank and expect you to return it with a full tank. If you return it with less fuel, they charge you for a fill-up at a premium price — often $6 to $8 per gallon instead of the $3 to $4 you would pay at a gas station. Some companies offer a "pre-purchase" fuel option where you pay for a full tank upfront at a slightly better rate; this makes sense only if you know you will use most of the tank.

Before you drive away, test the headlights, windshield wipers, air conditioning, and heat. Check that the spare tire and jack are in the trunk. Ask where the nearest gas station is and whether the car has a toll transponder (some rental cars in South Carolina have them pre-installed for I-95 and other toll roads).

During your trip and returning the car

Keep the rental agreement and your insurance information in the car at all times. If you are in an accident, call the police and get a report number, then call the rental company's roadside assistance line — the number is on your agreement. Do not admit fault or agree to pay for damage at the scene. Let the rental company handle the claim with the other driver's insurance.

Return the car on the date and time specified in your agreement. Plan to arrive at least 30 minutes early so you have time to fill the gas tank at a station near the rental location — the rental company will charge you a premium if you return it on empty. Drive to the rental location, park in the designated return area, and turn off the engine. The agent will inspect the car for damage, check the mileage and fuel level, and compare them to the pickup paperwork. If everything matches, you are done. If there is damage you did not cause, dispute it on the spot with the agent and ask for a written note on your agreement.

The rental company may charge you for damage days or weeks after you return the car. These charges appear on your credit card as a separate transaction. If you disagree with a damage charge, contact the rental company's customer service line with photos of the car at pickup and a description of what you believe happened.

One-way rentals and drop-off fees

A one-way rental means you pick up the car in one city and drop it off in another — for example, picking up in Charleston and returning in Greenville. One-way rentals carry a substantial drop-off fee, usually $75 to $200 depending on the distance. This fee is separate from the daily rental rate, so a one-way rental for five days costs more than a round-trip rental for five days.

One-way rentals make sense only if your road trip naturally ends in a different city and you do not need to return to where you started. If you are making a loop — driving out and coming back to the same place — book a round-trip rental instead. If you are unsure, price both options when you book: the rental company's website will show you the one-way fee so you can compare.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I rent a car if I have a suspended license or a DUI on my record?

No. A suspended license disqualifies you immediately. A DUI conviction may disqualify you depending on the rental company's policy and how long ago it occurred. Call the rental company directly to ask — do not book online and find out at pickup.

What if I get a flat tire or the car breaks down?

Call the number on your rental agreement for roadside assistance. The rental company will send a tow truck or repair service at no cost to you. Do not attempt to repair the car yourself or take it to a mechanic without calling the company first, because you may be charged for unauthorized repairs.

Can I add another driver to my reservation?

Yes, but the rental company charges an additional driver fee, usually $10 to $15 per day. The additional driver must have a valid license and meet the company's age requirements. Add them when you book or call the rental company before pickup to add them to your agreement.

What if I need to keep the car longer than I booked?

Call the rental company as soon as you know you need extra days. If the car is available, they will extend your reservation and charge you the daily rate for the additional days. If you do not call and simply return the car late, you will be charged a late fee that is often higher than the regular daily rate.

Do I have to buy a GPS or can I use my phone?

Use your phone with Google Maps or another navigation app — it is free and works just as well. The rental company's GPS rental fee ($10 to $15 per day) is not worth the cost. Make sure your phone is fully charged and bring a car charger.