It is almost impossible to think about travelling around the United States without considering renting a car for the journey. The United States’ vastness and diversity make it an ideal destination for road trips, with an array of routes taking visitors to cities, coastlines, mountain ranges and beyond. Opting for car rental is often the easiest and most cost effective way to get from A to B, and there are a vast array of rental companies to choose from. We have compiled a list of the top 10 car rental companies in the United States for you to consider for your next US adventure. 1. Enterprise Widely regarded as the biggest car rental company in North America, Enterprise’s recognizable yellow and grey exterior makes it hard to miss. It has more than 8,000 branches throughout America, along with strong presence in Canada, Mexico and Europe. Enterprise prides itself on its customer service and is one of the few car rental companies that will rent to those aged under 24, providing the driver has had a valid license for at least a year. 2. Hertz Hertz is an iconic American brand, owned by Hertz Global Holdings Inc., a US-based hold company. Hertz operates across five continents, making it one of the largest car rental companies globally. With a long history in the US, Hertz are known for their reliable, budget-friendly vehicles, making it a popular choice for a wide range of USA road trippers. 3. Budget Budget, sometimes referred to as ‘Budget Rent a Car’, is owned by the Avis Budget Group. As the name implies, Budget stands out for its competitive prices and wide range of budget-friendly vehicles. Budget provide on-airport, off-airport and neighbourhood locations to pick up vehicles, and with an established presence in the US since 1958, they are well-trusted worldwide. 4. National National Car Rental is another widely recognized rental company in the US. Owned by Enterprise Holdings, the parent company of enterprise and Alamo, National caters to business customers and luxury hires, offering high-end SUVs, convertibles and prestige vehicles. Its loyalty program, Emerald Club, is popular among frequent rental customers. 5. Sixt Originating in Germany, Sixt is well-renowned across Europe and the US. Its car rental service appeals to those looking for a premium hire experience, featuring a range of high-end vehicles for short and long-term rentals. It is renowned for its competitive prices and customer-friendly policies. 6. Thrifty Thrifty is part of the Hertz Global Holdings Group and is one of America’s leading car hire companies. It is particularly popular among those taking on longer road trips, as their pick-up and drop-off policy ask for an in-state travel for a minimum of 8 days. 7. Dollar Dollar, owned by Enterprise Holdings Group, is a car rental company with a wide presence in the US, Canada and Guam.It is a popular choice for those looking to get more bang for their buck, and its Dollar Express rental membership program provides discounted prices, priority pick-up and no extra driver fee. 8. Advantage Advantage is one of the more niche car rental companies in the US. It is the 5th largest car hire company in the US and is one of the few to offer limited one-way rentals in all US states. It also offers discounted rates to AAA and Amazon customers and stands out with its child seat rental option. 9. Avis The Avis group is one of the worlds biggest car rental providers, with presence in over 54 countries. Avis pride themselves on their modern rental vehicles and strong customer service and for those wanting to go for something a little more luxurious, their premier vehicle range offers first-class vehicles. 10. Alamo Alamo is the seventh largest car rental company in the US, owned by Enterprise Holdings Inc. It is particularly popular among younger drivers, as it is one of the few car rental companies to offer car rental to drivers aged between 18 and 25 in certain states. It also offers a variety of added extras, like car seats, GPS tracking and road side assistance, at a cost. Whichever car hire company you opt for, make sure you take into consideration factors like open hours, price and insurance packages, among other things. As there are so many car rental companies available, you should be able to find the right one for your road trip around the USA.
