<p>We will be traveling to the NE states this week to visit schools over the next week. We have numerous 3 hour+ drives. Having never been to the north-east, what size rental car should we rent? Is mid-size sufficient, or will we wish we would have rented an SUV, full size, or something else?</p>
<p>Make certain that you get a car with All-Wheel Drive…we have lots of snow all over New England…or at least get a car with Front-Wheel Drive. Happy travels!</p>
<p>It will depend on what size car you’re used to driving, I think. </p>
<p>The NE schools are all in areas with paved roads and you will be on local and interstate highways as well, so if it’s typical for you to drive a small or mid-sized car you should be fine. If you are concerned about snowy or icy weather (always a possibility in NE this time of year), you will want a car style you are familiar driving. </p>
<p>Choice of vehicle is, I think, a matter of personal taste, comfort level with different types of vehicles, and budget (larger vehicles cost more to rent).</p>
<p>We were visiting schools in January and got a small SUV with four-wheel drive because of the rural locations of some of the schools. However, I didn’t initially rent one. What I have discovered is that at the counter the people will often try to “upsale” you if you rent a discounted car. It happens even when I’m visiting for parent weekends.</p>
<p>Extra insurance? - no thanks (followed by the long whine about what will happen in an accident)
Want a GPS? - Sorry I have one (followed by a look of disappointment or disgust from the clerk)
How about upgrading to an SUV for $10 more a day - Sold! (because those are expensive when you rent in advance so the slowest to leave the lot. Followed by lots of satisfied smiles and an end to the sales pressure).</p>
<p>No guarantees, but something to consider. Probably more often at Budget, Alamo, etc. then at Hertz or Avis.</p>
<p>Oh, Exie I like the idea of the last-minute SUV upsell. I would never reserve one due to the cost, but since I also have a GPS and don’t buy the extra insurance, it would be worth the haggling to get to that. Thanks for the tip.</p>
<p>Fantastic advice! It worked. We rented a midsize car for a week online from Dollar for a weekly rate of about $70. With taxes and all, it came out to about $190. This was a one-way rental as well.</p>
<p>When we picked the car up, they offered an upgrade to a mini-van for $20/day extra. We did not want a mini-van, we wanted an SUV. They did not have any SUV’s. However, once we got to the lot we saw an SUV. It was the manager’s Honda CRV that she drivers. We begged her to let us take it, and for $15/day extra, she agreed. Overall, we spent about $300 for an SUV for 6 days. Had we booked an SUV online, the cost would have been $800+. Thanks Exie!!</p>
<p>Lol! You’re welcome. We should keep this tip hush-hush or they’ll catch on quick and stop doing it. But ya know - after tuition, every other savings helps a lot. Enjoy your trip!</p>