Peer-to-peer car-sharing marketplace Turo surveyed 2,005 people to gather data on vehicle ownership decisions. Over 50% of the people surveyed plan to travel by car this summer. Is there a way to use Turo to make summer travel more affordable?
We asked Tim Rossanis, head of Turo US, how average drivers can use the marketplace to save money on their road trips this summer. The answer could save you hundreds of dollars on your next trip.
The Turo app allows drivers to filter their vehicle options by price, powertrain, and more. If you own a large SUV or truck that’s inefficient, renting a more fuel-efficient hybrid on Turo with an affordable rate could save you big bucks on gas. Some Turo hosts offer unlimited miles as an add-on, allowing drivers to pay a flat rate instead of being charged per mile after hitting a certain mileage threshold.
“Turo empowers its hosts to set their own prices to stay competitive, naturally creating a wider range of pricing options for travelers” said Rossanis. “Travelers aren’t just finding a price that works, they’re finding the right car for the trip.”
Turo is also appealing for drivers who want to try different types of vehicles to suit the needs of different types of trips.
I used Turo to drive a Jeep Wrangler through Zion National Park and Bryce Canyon National Park because of the Wrangler’s ground clearance and off-roading capabilities due to the terrain.
Using a traditional rental car service may provide a more familiar structure to drivers, but Turo gives drivers the flexibility to choose from thousands of vehicles based on their most specific feature, gas mileage and affordability preferences.
I test dozens of new cars every year, and the thing I appreciate the most about Turo as a car enthusiast is the massive vehicle selection thanks to hosts.
Dealerships allow test drives of vehicles, but renting a vehicle from Turo for an extended period of time could help you experience what life would be like owning the vehicle, whether it’s the real-world length of an EV charging session or the practicality of hauling groceries in a sedan.
I plan on using Turo this summer to experiment with EV ownership and see how driving a Tesla compares to driving other electric vehicles. If you’re interested in getting some real seat time in with a model you’ve had your eye on, Turo is a great platform to try different model years, makes and models.
Like any peer-to-peer platform (including Airbnb) not every experience is positive.
It’s important for drivers to read reviews and be aware of a host’s rating before booking a vehicle. My car-sharing experience was pleasant, but my host had plenty of great reviews from other users to reference, which helped solidify my vehicle choice.
If you do have questions or encounter obstacles during your car-sharing experience, you can use Turo’s help center to manage incidents, address vehicle damage, learn about additional protection and more. Additionally, users can call Turo’s customer service number (1415-965-4525) to resolve issues with hosts.
Charles Singh is an Autos Connect Reporter for The Tennessean, part of the USA TODAY Network. Contact him at CSingh@Gannett.com.
