Uber vs rental car

Question

I will be in Tucson the middle of June for a Celebration of Life and will only be in town for two days. I'll be on the east side of the city and won't be doing any sight seeing, but I will need transportation to and from the airport, to restaurants and to the celebration service. Would you rent a car or just use Uber to get around?

Answer

For a short, two-day trip to Tucson in mid-June where your main needs are airport transportation, getting to restaurants, and attending a Celebration of Life, Uber or rideshare services can be a very convenient and cost-effective option compared to renting a car. Tucson is a city where traffic is generally manageable, and if you’re staying on the east side, most destinations you mentioned will be easily reachable by rideshare.

Here are some points to consider when deciding between renting a car and using Uber:

Convenience: Uber or Lyft allows you to avoid dealing with parking, navigating an unfamiliar city, or paying for rental insurance.
Cost: For only two days, the total cost of rideshares may be comparable to or even less than a rental car, especially when you factor in gas, rental fees, and parking.
Flexibility: Rideshare apps provide door-to-door service at any time, which is helpful if your schedule for the celebration or meals is unpredictable.

However, there are some situations where renting a car might be beneficial:

Multiple stops in a day: If you anticipate running several errands or visiting multiple locations, having a car could save time and rideshare costs.
Traveling late at night: If the celebration ends late and you prefer not to wait for an Uber, a car might give more independence.
Large group or luggage: If you are traveling with family or have a lot of belongings, a rental car may be more practical than booking multiple rides.

Given that your stay is short and primarily focused on a few locations, using Uber or Lyft is likely the simplest and most stress-free option. Tucson’s east side has good coverage by rideshare, and it will allow you to focus on your plans without worrying about driving or parking.

Make sure to check estimated ride costs ahead of time and consider scheduling an Uber to the airport to avoid any last-minute stress. If you anticipate needing to drive to multiple restaurants or locations in one day, you could weigh the cost of a one-day rental versus multiple rides.

Uber vs rental car

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