Best car hire company

Question

Hello friendly travellers!

We are arriving in St Louis and heading along Route 66 to end in Dallas, Fort Worth to go home. We are starting in St Louis as we are going to see a friend. This is at the end of a long world trip. Can you please recommend a good quality car hire company for this leg? Thank you so much!

Answer

For a trip starting in St. Louis and traveling along Route 66 down to Dallas-Fort Worth, you’ll want a reliable rental car company with good interstate coverage, flexible pick-up and drop-off options, and quality vehicles. Since you’re ending in a different state, check in advance about one-way fees and interstate travel policies.

Some highly recommended car hire companies in St. Louis include:

Enterprise Rent-A-Car: Known for excellent customer service and a wide range of vehicles. They allow one-way rentals, and pickup can be arranged at the St. Louis Lambert International Airport or downtown locations.
Hertz: Offers a large fleet and competitive prices for long-distance trips. They have good coverage across Missouri and Texas and often include roadside assistance.
Avis: Reliable and convenient, especially for business travelers or those needing GPS and additional amenities. Check their website for one-way rental specials between states.
Budget: Offers competitive pricing and a variety of vehicle classes. Good for travelers looking for cost-efficient options without sacrificing quality.
Alamo: Great for leisure travelers; often has good deals for multi-day rentals and family-sized vehicles. Airport locations make pickup and drop-off convenient.

Additional tips for your Route 66 leg:

Book early, especially if you want a larger SUV or a vehicle with higher fuel efficiency for the long drive.
Confirm one-way rental fees and ensure your reservation allows for drop-off in Dallas-Fort Worth without excessive charges.
Check the mileage policy; unlimited mileage is usually the best choice for a cross-state trip.
Consider roadside assistance coverage for peace of mind on long stretches of Route 66 that pass through rural areas.
If possible, pick up your car at the airport for ease of arrival and drop it off at a convenient downtown or airport location in Dallas/Fort Worth.

Overall, Enterprise and Hertz are generally favored for long-distance trips for their service reliability and flexible rental options, but any of the above companies should meet your needs if booked in advance.