When taking a vacation, there’s nothing like the thrill of the open road. Opening a map, choosing a destination, and driving oneself to it is a great feeling – and rental cars are the way to go if safety, security, and value are paramount.

Car rental is a great idea for family vacations. Rental cars provide families with a comfortable, private, and safe means of transportation – and the best part is, no one in the family needs to clean the car out at the end of the trip. For couples, rental cars are a private and romantic way to travel. Just imagine an early morning drive up the coast of California, or a sunset cruise through the desert, all in a stylish, late model vehicle.

If security is a concern, auto rental is the obvious choice. Driving one’s own car into unknown territory can be nerve-wracking; unfamiliar traffic patterns may lead to fender benders, and secure parking areas may be hard to come by. A great thing about rental cars is that if someone damages or steals the vehicle, the person renting the car is usually not held responsible. Insurance laws vary from state to state, so check before renting. In some cases, if one’s own car is insured, the coverage will extend to a rental car. Some credit cards partially insure rental cars when the card is used to pay for the rental.

Despite high gas prices, renting a car for a self-drive vacation (or for business travel) can still be a great deal. Many Internet travel search engines now offer searches that include rental cars. Great deals can be found with enough searching. Deals are also available to members of car clubs, union members, and members of other organizations. And even nervous drivers should think about rental cars. Many now come with GPS (global positions systems) to help drivers get where they want to go with a minimum amount of frustration. So come on – hit the road!