Many people consider hire cars to be little more than holiday conveniences. A way to get from the airport to the hotel and back again - and possibly to pop to the shops or to a nearby tourist attraction whilst they're there. There are times when hiring a car from a company such as Hertz is essential because of the peculiarities of your chosen resort - if you're staying at a holiday villa which is miles away from local amenities, for example. This is fairly common, but it's less common to make the Hertz hire car itself the focus of the holiday.
But making a long-distance road trip using a car hired from a company such as Hertz can be an extremely enjoyable experience. By taking plenty of maps, some good friends for company, and a relaxed attitude, you can enjoy a foreign country at your own pace - from the comfort of your Hertz hire car. Imagine setting off across America on the famous Route 66, or setting out across Europe to take in the sights, sounds and sumptuous cuisine of the continent, completely on your own terms.
But although a long-distance road trip perfectly embodies freedom and spontaneity, it still pays to take some preparations before you set off. Unfortunately, you can't simply turn up to your Hertz pickup point and hope to have a stress-free journey. However, if you follow this guide and take some simple preparatory precautions, you should have a wonderful time on the road.
Perhaps the most important thing to bear in mind is that you may be on the road for a long time. You should ensure that you and your fellow road-trippers are comfortable with sitting in a car for hours at a time, sleeping at a different hotel every night and generally having no particular sense of 'static-ness'. This is, for many, the main appeal of road trip holidays, but if you think any of you will suffer from extreme homesickness (or carsickness!) then perhaps you should think twice before you pick up your car from Hertz.
Of course, even the most seasoned road trip veterans will still find it difficult at times. Driving long distances can be surprisingly tiring, so for safety reasons, you should take regular breaks, eat regular meals and - if possible - share the driving with other members of your party. If you feel tired or jetlagged before your trip, you should rest before you set off from your chosen Hertz location. In fact, unless you're pressed for time, it pays to spend a few days in the country before setting off in your Hertz hire car - this way you can get used to any local driving regulations, and acclimatise yourself with your locale. The staff at your chosen Hertz hire point should be able to give you tips about the local driving laws.
It is important that you carefully plan your trip before you go - carefully study your maps, picking out any sights you want to see or detours you want to take well in advance. However well you plan, however, there may still be hiccups and stalls along the way. Make sure that you plan for these unavoidable eventualities - take a relaxed attitude: don't treat the trip like a race, or your Hertz hire car experience will end up being stressful. And that's not what a road trip is about!
Many people use hire car companies such as Hertz so that they can make essential - but short - trips by car when they're on holiday. This article argues that hiring a car can make for an enjoyable holiday in itself - in the form of a road trip - but that road trippers will have to ensure that they have made vital preparations.