With miles upon miles of interstate highways, as well as more intimate local routes, the USA is a country best seen on a road trip. From the genteel, historic cities of the south to the Rocky Mountains and the glitz and glamour of New York City, the country's diverse offerings and wide open roads make a car rental in the USA a great experience.
Car rental USA: The most important rental sites
Rent a car and you can start your trip almost anywhere. Visit the museums, skyscrapers, and unbelievable restaurants of New York, and then take the car through New England to historic Boston. For visitors who fancy the calm south, see stately Savannah, lovely Charleston, and vibrant New Orleans. If you prefer to venture west, drive along the breathtaking, scenic Pacific Coast Highway, from Los Angeles to San Francisco. Plan ahead and research companies for a comparison of the best deals and coupons. Our price comparison helps you to check the best offers and save money by booking in advance. You can find rental cars throughout the USA in several cities:
Rent a car in the USA and explore its sights
If the kids won't leave the USA without a trip to Disney World, take advantage of a cheap car rental in the USA to visit Orlando and then see the Kennedy Space Center and the wild nature of the Everglades, all in one go. While in Florida with a rental car, don't forget to bask on Miami's beautiful beaches and view the Art Deco architecture the city is known for.
For visitors seeking some California dreamin', a rental car makes it easy to see San Francisco, cross the famous Golden Gate Bridge, and head up to Napa Valley and wine country. For Hollywood lovers, a drive wouldn't be complete without a visit to Los Angeles, with stops at funky Venice Beach and glamourous Santa Monica and Beverly Hills. A few hours south, San Diego offers relaxed, perennially warm beaches.
In Washington, DC, most visitors can tour national monuments galore, but those who rent a car can also easily head to the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains or drive to the scenic cities of the American South. Mardi Gras in New Orleans is a one-of-a-kind experience, but even if you’re visiting at a different time of year, you will enjoy vibrant Bourbon Street and the city's historic French Quarter.
A rental car, no matter where you start, makes for an unforgettable trip. Drive through the wide-open West to Yellowstone National Park and the unparalleled Badlands in South Dakota. The vastness of America means that, from coast to coast, visitors will see entirely different, special views. For those planning a long term USA visit, a cross-country road trip just can't be beaten. No matter the route, going with an auto rental in the USA is something visitors likely won't regret.
Getting around when you rent a car in the USA
It is fairly typical for a rental car in the USA to come with an automatic transmission, but it is usually possible to find manual vehicles. Top speed limits vary from state to state, but the interstate highways are the fastest roads and usually range from 65 to 75 miles per hour. Documentation in the USA is important, so be sure to have your driver's licence and car rental insurance paperwork handy. Drivers and passengers should always wear their seatbelts and remember that it is not permitted in many states to use a cell phone while driving. While it is easy to depend on a GPS when you hire a car, even those doing a one way USA trip might want to stop at local tourism offices for maps to keep as souvenirs.
Most relevant car rental vocabulary: English/ German
English rentacar terms |
German translation |
rental car, rent a car, hired car |
Mietwagen |
car hire, car rental |
Autovermietung |
Pick-up location |
Abholort |
Drop-off location |
Abgabeort |
insurance, cover |
Versicherung |
theft protection |
Diebstahlschutz |
gas station, petrol station |
Tankstelle |
diesel |
Diesel Kraftstoff |
petrol, gasoil (unleaded) |
Benzin (bleifrei) |