With the price of travel these days, every penny counts, right? We do our best to find the cheapest airlines, the cheapest hotels, and to scrounge for food so we can use our money towards what we really want to do, aka the experiences of the trip.
With the price of gas not getting any cheaper, we often turn to car services as well. Uber, Lyft, Hopp, and rental vehicles all play a part in getting us where we need to go. Aside from personal preference, is there a truly more affordable option?
Here, we want to break down the prices you’re paying for these services during a weekend trip, in the hopes of clearing up a few things for you the next time you’re hitting the road.
Rental Cars
America has a few major American car rental companies. Enterprise, Hertz, Avis, National Car Rental, and Alamo probably all ring a bell to you. Alternatively, apps like Turo and Kayak have also popped up as the “cheaper” car rental option.
Let’s look at the numbers for a weekend getaway out of the windy city of Chicago. For Enterprise, you’re looking at $250 or more, depending on the size of the vehicle. Hertz, however, seems to be a little bit cheaper—between $150 and $200.
National Car Rental’s minimum price for a 3-day trip starts at $220 but can get as costly as $400, while Alamo also starts around $250. None of these base prices necessarily covers gas, either, which you would also have to take into consideration.
Turo is a more recent addition to the car-sharing space. You can kind of think of it as an Airbnb for vehicles. It does usually allow more flexible pickup and drop-off times, which is a positive if you’re starting early or returning late.
A weekend trip from Chicago can start around $140, but it will get more expensive depending on the type of vehicle, as well as the year. A 2011 Honda Odyssey will have a base price of $139, but a 2017 Chevrolet Sonic will run you about $210.
It is also important to note that Turo doesn’t cover gas either, and does ask that you return the vehicle with the same amount of gas that was in it before you picked it up.
Apps
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You’ve landed in Chicago and decided not to rent a vehicle—no problem. Uber, Lyft, and Hopp are here for you. Ride apps do make things easier in some ways, since you don’t have to worry about parking. However, if you’re planning on taking multiple rides in one day, the cost can add up.
A basic Uber ride from O’Hare International Airport to Chicago’s downtown area will run you about $30, but surge pricing can affect how much you’re paying. If you’re only planning to take two Uber's total, it’ll be around $60, but it can jump in price depending on frequency.
Lyft conveniently gives you an area ride cost for the city of Chicago. You’ll spend around $1.70 as a base fare, with an extra $0.81 per mile and $0.29 per minute, along with some other fees. The same trip will also run you $34-$50, according to the CTA. A simple search within the app will show the same thing. This means you’re spending, again, at least $60 or more for just two rides.
What’s The Best?
When it comes to rental cars versus ride apps, the choice ultimately comes to personal desire. If you’d rather not drive in a city you’re unfamiliar with, you’ll probably end up paying the same amount as you would for a rental, especially if you’re ordering multiple cars in a day. However, you won’t need to worry about gas or parking.
Among rental companies, Turo and Hertz appear to be the most affordable options, though prices may vary by city. You also have to be aware that you’ll have to pay for gas, along with taxes and other fees.
If you’re planning to check out a new city, we’d also recommend using websites like KAYAK to get the cheapest deals or doing a little research on the city’s public transportation system.
Happy traveling!
