Rental car planning

Question

Hello

Next year, we (2 adults) will be travelling return from New Zealand to NYC arriving on May 8th and departing on May 29th.

We are spending the first 5 nights in NYC and the last 2 nights. On May 12th we plan to travel by train to Washington DC and on arrival take public transport to our hotel in Georgetown (staying 2 nights).

On the 14th May we will be renting a car to then do a road trip (North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia).

My thoughts are to drop the rental car back in WDC and then get the train back to NYC.

I would like to know please the best place in WDC to pick up a car and drop off.

Also, I appreciate any comments if our plan doesn't make sense (I had read posts where the advice was to take a train from NYC rather than drive to WDC as we don't need a car until we leave WDC).

Many thanks.

Answer

Your travel plan is generally sensible. Taking the train from New York City to Washington, D.C. is a practical choice, especially since you do not need a car while staying in Georgetown. Driving into D.C. from NYC is possible but not recommended, as traffic and parking in the city can be challenging and expensive. Using public transport within D.C. for your two-night stay is much easier.

Regarding rental cars, it makes sense to pick up a vehicle only when you are ready to start your road trip through North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia. Likewise, dropping the car back in D.C. and returning by train to NYC is convenient and avoids dealing with city driving for the last part of your trip.

Here are the best options for picking up and dropping off a rental car in Washington, D.C.:

Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA): Convenient if you arrive by plane or want access to multiple rental car companies in one location. It is about a 10–15 minute drive to downtown D.C., and most major rental agencies are represented. Easy to pick up and drop off cars, with clear signage and shuttle access if needed.
Union Station: Since you are arriving by train, picking up a rental car directly at Union Station is highly convenient. Several major rental companies have counters here. This eliminates the need to take additional transport to the airport or other locations, saving time and avoiding city traffic. Union Station is centrally located and gives you immediate access to highways for your road trip.
Downtown or Hotel-Affiliated Rental Locations: Some hotels in D.C., especially near Georgetown, may provide shuttle access to nearby rental car offices. While slightly less convenient than Union Station, this is an alternative if you prefer to stay close to your accommodation.

Recommendations based on your plan:

Pick up your rental car on May 14th at Union Station when you are ready to start your road trip. This is the easiest location if arriving by train from NYC.
Drop off the rental car in D.C. at either Union Station or Reagan National Airport when you finish your road trip. Union Station may be more convenient if you plan to return to NYC by train, as it is adjacent to Amtrak services. DCA is an alternative if you are flying or want a wider choice of rental companies.
Your plan to use public transport in D.C. for your first two nights and after dropping the car is smart, as it avoids traffic and parking issues.

Additional tips:

Reserve your rental car in advance to secure availability and favorable rates, especially for pick-up and drop-off at Union Station or DCA.
Confirm the drop-off location and hours with the rental agency, particularly if you plan to return after business hours.
Consider GPS or a navigation app for your road trip to simplify driving in unfamiliar areas.

Overall, your plan is efficient and well thought out. Using the train for D.C. visits and renting a car only for the regional road trip minimizes driving stress in urban areas and maximizes convenience for your itinerary.