If you’re planning a vacation, consider adding a one-way rental destination. It is the best way to maximize your travel potential!
A one-way car rental involves flying into one city, renting a car, driving to another location and flying out from there. It is a great way to add an extra “bonus” destination to your trip.
When we traveled to Washington, D.C. for a holiday, we decided to add a one-way car rental destination to the end of our trip.
When I was making the plans for a trip to D.C., I couldn’t miss the opportunity to take my daughter to Colonial Williamsburg. Since it was within easy driving distance, I decided to add it to our itinerary.
While we were in D.C., we knew we wouldn’t need a car. We were staying in a hotel that was in a central location. However, to get to Williamsburg, we needed a rental car.
There is something extra special about a trip within a trip. I’ve also discovered that when you travel by car, you can enjoy the countryside, experience new places and make fun stops along the way. All of these benefits add to the value of your vacation.
The last part of our vacation was a little unique. We left D.C. and spent the final weekend of our trip in Williamsburg. When we planned our trip to D.C., we made a very packed itinerary. We wanted to see everything. My daughter was learning about our government in school, so she was really enthusiastic about seeing all of the tourist attractions.
One of my favorite aspects of renting a vehicle during our hectic vacation, was the opportunity to relax. Car travel allows you to take a little “time-out” from a busy schedule.
I remember breathing a sigh of relief as we entered the rental car facility at the airport. We could finally slow down and decompress on the way to Virginia.
Once on the road, we had time to share our thoughts on our trip and enjoy being together as a family. It was the perfect time to unplug and spend time talking to each other.
It is so easy to unplug in the car because your whole family is together in one spot for a period of time. Plus, there aren’t a lot of distractions, so you can easily spend time together. For inspiration on other easy ways to unplug with your family, check out this Unplugged Family Vacation Toolkit from Alamo.
Since we were in a rental car, we were able to stop for lunch and see a few historic spots along the way. It was a blast!
Once in Williamsburg, we had a great time. We enjoyed our rental car because we were able to drive around and explore the area.
We really appreciated not having a schedule. We took our time and relaxed while seeing the sights. It was the perfect way to end our trip.
One-way rental vacation planning tips:
- Plan a destination that is within a reasonable driving distance of your first destination.
- Pick a location that has a scenic drive.
- Strategic packing is everything. I packed a separate suitcase of clothing for each destination. I put all our toiletries in our carry-on. It allowed us to only have to access one suitcase and our carry-on during each stay.
- Rent a fun vehicle. If you are traveling to the beach, for example, consider renting a convertible.
- If you are seeing a lot of sights at one location, consider planning a relaxing destination at the end of your trip.
- Pack activities for your kids to do in the car. I always pack a bag of coloring books, small toys and other things to entertain my daughter while we are on the road.
If you are a little overwhelmed by the idea of planning a one-way rental vacation, check out this guide from Alamo’s Scenic Route. You will find all kinds of fantastic ideas for the most popular destinations.
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