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Should I Rent a Car for my Next Road Trip

road trip

Should I rent a car for my next road trip or drive my own?

We’re officially in the heart of summer, which means road trip season is in full effect.
Depending on how old your vehicle is, you may give serious consideration to renting for your next trip. While many detractors will argue that doing so is a waste of money, you could actually end up saving a significant chunk of change in hidden costs by renting.
Read ahead to find out some benefits and disadvantages of each option:
How much does renting cost?
While it ultimately will depend on the type of vehicle you borrow, you can typically rent a car for about $50-100 per day. This figure may seem high to some, but it’s really not that much, especially if you consider some of the external costs you’ll be avoiding by renting.
Depreciation
The more kilometers you put on your vehicle, the less it’ll be worth – it’s as simple as that.
While your car isn’t likely to lose much value if you’re just traveling across Ontario, you could lose a significant amount of money in depreciation if you choose a significantly longer trip.
Renting solves this problem, and could very well offset the extra $50-100 you’re spending each day on borrowing a vehicle.
Maintenance
Remember that if you plan to drive your own vehicle, it’s highly recommended that you perform the proper maintenance beforehand. This could mean changing your oil and other fluids, getting your tires and brakes checked, and potentially having your car detailed.
It stops working
As your vehicle ages, the chance of it breaking down increase – not something you want at any point however even moreso on vacation.  For many people, this is their worst nightmare on a road trip, as you could be stranded for hours on end before you receive any help.
If you aren’t positive that your car can withstand prolonged hours of driving, you should really choose to rent instead.
At the very least, make sure to visit a mechanic before you leave to ensure your vehicle will be able to last for the entirety of the trip.
Comfort
Even if renting may end up being cheaper in the long run, you shouldn’t ignore the luxury that comes with driving your own car.
It will likely take a few hours, possibly days to get accustomed to a new vehicle, and that’s not necessarily something you want when you’re traveling for hours on end.