How to Choose the Best Vehicle for Family Holiday Travel
“Are we there yet?” hits different during the hustle and bustle of the holidays. So let’s make the ride the easy part. At Empire Rent A Car, we help NYC families match their holiday plans with the perfect set of wheels. Here’s how to choose your rental vehicle for family holiday travel this year.
Start with Headcount (and Gifts!)
Make a quick list: passengers, car seats, strollers, and, yes, those wrapped presents. Families of four often fit comfortably in a midsize SUV, while bigger crews or multi-generational crews love the flexible seating in minivans or Sprinter passenger vans. And if you’re in charge of shuttling relatives to and from JFK or LGA, consider extra cargo depth for luggage and coats.
Comfort Features that Matter in Winter
Holiday traffic is kinder when everyone’s cozy. Thankfully, our rentals come packed with features, including tri-zone climate control, heated seats, rear USB ports, and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto for maps and music. Sliding doors and low step-in heights make our minivans a win for quick buckles and snack passes. For teens, third-row legroom is pure peace on wheels.
Brooklyn Streets, Parking, & Bridge Runs
Navigating narrow streets and parallel parking? A compact SUV balances visibility with easy parkability. Heading over the Belt or BQE with a full load? Sprinter passenger vans offer tall ceilings and luggage space without playing Tetris. Need to haul décor, donations, or bulky gifts? Delivery van rentals keep everything secure and dry. There’s really not a part of your holiday travel we can’t cover.
Safety First for Holiday Miles
Prioritize modern driver assists: automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping, and a sharp backup camera. Snow in the forecast? Ask us about all-wheel-drive vehicles with good ground clearance. Around here, we maintain a clean, reliable fleet so you can focus on playlists, not warning lights.
Safety First, Always
Look for modern driver assists—automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping, and adaptive cruise control—to reduce fatigue on bridge-and-highway runs. We maintain a clean, reliable fleet so that you can focus on the playlist, not the warning lights.
Budget, Timing, & Mileage Tips
Holiday demand spikes rental availability. So, make sure you book early, compare economy car rentals for budget-friendly errands, and step up to larger vans when you’re moving people and presents in one trip. Factor in fuel economy and tolls; sometimes one larger vehicle beats the cost of caravaning two smaller ones. Making all these considerations ahead of time can save you money, time, and miles.
Holiday Wheels, Happy Feels
The best family holiday vehicle fits your headcount, cargo, comfort, and city reality. From wallet-wise economy car rentals, standard SUVs, and spacious passenger vans, Empire Rent A Car has you covered, so the season’s biggest decisions are cookies, not car seats. Ready to go? Reserve now from our locations in either Brooklyn, the Bronx, or Long Island. Or contact us at (800) 750-8782.