As states relax coronavirus guidelines and more and more Americans get vaccinated, many people plan to hit the road this summer season.
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But while many people plan to embark on their road trip, they may face a rental car shortage and increase in gas prices when fueling up at the pump.
Good Morning America spoke with experts about avoiding these bumps while traveling on the road. Here are five tips to keep in mind if you're planning a road journey this summer.
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Book a car sooner
According to data recently collected by New York investment bank Jefferies, the standard cost to rent a vehicle across the nation increased to a record rate of $63.75 per day in May, and could exceed $100 per day by August.
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"We are in the heart of the car rental apocalypse right now," Jonathan Weinberg, founder and CEO of AutoSlash.com, told GMA. "And I'd love to say that we're going to see it get better sometime soon, but it doesn't look like it."
Other data seems to back this up. Travel booking app Hopper said that the demand for rental cars is up 495% since January, with rental car prices, up 95% from the start of 2021, reflecting the market demand.
Weinburg advises getting an early start on your car booking, even before you reserve any hotel dates or airfare.
Consider not-as-popular travel dates
If you are still working from home or aren’t picky about specific dates when it comes to traveling, AAA spokesperson Ellen Edmund said it would be effortless to find a rental car.
“You might have more luck booking a car on the weekdays versus the weekends,” she said. “It’s just a little more planning this year.”
Edmund shared that it may be beneficial if travelers work with a travel agent.
Skip the car and consider a U-Haul or van
Due to the shortage, many are renting U-Hauls or vans.
"The times call for being creative," Weinberg said.
This is a creative solution if you're looking to save a little money, and if your destination is in a less-dense area where parking such large vehicle won't be as big of an issue.
Brace yourself for higher gas prices
The average price for a gallon of gas is $3.13, the highest price so far this year and a 40% increase since the start of 2021. It’s still lower than the 2014 peak of $3.70 and the 2008 all-time record of $4.11, according to the American Automobile Association (AAA). GasBuddy said the 2018 national average of $2.97 would actually be $3.18 in 2021 dollars.
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That's why it's a good idea to go ahead and budget for higher gas prices if you are determined to take that summer road trip this year.
“We believe it'll rise another 10 to 20 cents at the pump between now and the end of August,” AAA representative Jeanette McGee said, who pointed to the sudden increased demand in travel, businesses restarting after COVID shutdowns, and rising oil prices.
Consider public transportation or ride-share options
If you’re traveling to a city in the United States, experts say it’s best to use public transportation.
Most trains and buses are running their pre-regular schedules, but face masks are required until September.
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You can also find out how much ride-share apps like Uber or Lyft would cost rather than renting a car whenever you get to your destination.
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