Summer road trip season is here, and for many travelers, the cost of getting behind the wheel is a major factor in planning.
How to Save Money on Summer Road Trips with Turo, According to the Company's Top US Executive.
Summer road trip season is here, and for many travelers, the cost of getting behind the wheel is a major factor in planning. According to a recent USA Today report, peer-to-peer car-sharing marketplace Turo surveyed more than 2,000 people about their vehicle ownership habits and found that over half plan to travel by car this summer. With gas prices, rental rates, and travel costs all weighing on budgets, the question becomes: is there a smarter way to hit the road without overspending?
To find out, USA Today's Charles Singh spoke with Tim Rossanis, head of Turo US, about how everyday drivers can use the platform to cut costs on their summer travels — potentially saving hundreds of dollars per trip.
Renting Smarter: Fuel Efficiency and Mileage Add-Ons
One of the simplest ways to save, according to Rossanis, is to rethink what you're driving. The Turo app lets users filter available vehicles by price, powertrain type, and other specifications. That means if you currently own a larger SUV or truck that burns through gas quickly, you could rent a more fuel-efficient hybrid through Turo at a reasonable rate and pocket the difference in fuel savings over the course of a long trip.
Mileage is another area where costs can sneak up on travelers. Some Turo hosts offer an unlimited-miles add-on, letting renters pay one flat rate rather than getting hit with per-mile charges once they cross a certain threshold — a detail worth checking before booking, especially for longer road trips.
A Low-Stakes Way to Try an EV
Turo's marketplace model also gives drivers a chance to test something new without committing to a purchase. Rossanis pointed to electric vehicles as a prime example, noting his own plans to use Turo this summer to compare driving a Tesla against other EVs on the market.
For anyone curious about a particular EV — or any vehicle they've been eyeing — but hesitant to buy without firsthand experience, Turo offers a way to get real seat time across different model years, makes, and models before making a long-term decision.
What to Watch Out For
As with any peer-to-peer service, including platforms like Airbnb, not every rental experience is guaranteed to be smooth. The report emphasizes that drivers should read host reviews and check ratings carefully before booking a vehicle. Singh noted that his own experience renting through Turo was positive, in part because his host had a strong track record of reviews that helped him feel confident in his choice.
For travelers who run into issues — whether questions about the rental, vehicle damage, or general concerns — Turo's help center offers support for managing incidents and understanding protection options. Renters can also reach Turo customer service directly by phone for help resolving disputes with hosts.
The Bottom Line
For drivers planning a summer getaway, Turo's pitch is straightforward: smarter vehicle choices, mileage planning, and a bit of due diligence on host reviews can add up to real savings — while also opening the door to test-driving cars you might not otherwise get to experience.
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Adapted from reporting by Charles Singh, Autos Connect Reporter for The Tennessean, part of the USA Today Network. Original story published by USA Today.
