5 Things to Consider Before Driving in Your Own Vehicle for Corporate Travel

Driving your own car for your next business Corporate Travel might seem like a good idea. After all, you know your car better than a rental car. However, you should reconsider.

Driving your own car isn’t always the best option. In fact, it could end up costing you money.

Here are five things you should consider before hitting the road.

1. Cost

Everyone wants to save money.

Your boss wants to save the company.

And you don’t want to be spending anything out of pocket.

Every mile you drive devalues your car. Cars aren’t meant to last forever.

Even if you aren’t spending money on gas during the trip, there is a cost. These costs might not show up until later.

If you want to sell your car at some point, think before driving on a corporate trip. A long trip isn’t going to help your car’s value.

A long drive will also wear down your car.

You might end up with maintenance costs later on.

Your boss isn’t going to cover these if they occur after the trip.

Renting a car avoids these conflicts.

Arguing with your boss about tire replacements isn’t going to help your work relationship. You don’t want to gain a reputation as being picky.

For shorter trips, using your own car might actually cost less.

2. Location

Think about where you’re headed.

Gas prices are different from state to state.

You’re probably travelling to one of the most popular business destinations. The cities and states in this article tend to have higher prices. You’re not the only one on the road for work.

Gas won’t be the only pricey item.

You’ll be paying more for food and hotels than you’re used to.

Accommodation and meals should be covered by your employer.

If you’re self-employed, you’ll be the one paying for things.

Other costs like souvenirs and drinks will be more expensive than you’re used to. You should calculate these before making a decision about driving.

Transportation is usually the most expensive part of a trip.

Renting a cheaper car gives you more money for a nicer hotel or better meal.

You’ll want to treat yourself while you’re on the road.

There’s no reason you don’t deserve a nice meal when you’re away from home. You also deserve a bit of time for sightseeing.

A cheap rental lets you do that.

3. Public Transport

You might not need to drive at all.

See what the flight options are. It could be cheaper to fly somewhere.

Once you arrive, you might be able to rely entirely on public transport. This is usually an option for bigger cities like New York and Boston.

In cities like Los Angeles or Dallas, you’ll need a car to get around.

Trips to remote areas definitely require a car.

Do some research before you head out. Look at the bus routes.

Ask someone who’s visited what the transport system is like.

Public transport is almost always cheaper than driving.

4. Gas Mileage

Rental cars are usually newer cars.

That means they probably have better gas mileage than your car.

This list is a good resource if you want to rent a new car with good mileage.

A rental car might cost a bit more up front. But if the mileage is better than your own car, it could save you money.

It’s easier to calculate mileage costs when using a rental car.

There’s no question about how much gas was already in the tank.

Consider renting an electric vehicle if you’re driving shorter distances.

Electric cars cost less to recharge than traditional vehicles.

5. Insurance

You will probably need extra insurance.

See about getting travel insurance or renter’s insurance.

Your employer should cover this cost as well.

You don’t want to get into an argument about insurance with your own vehicle. Hopefully, you won’t need to worry about this.

But you will be driving in an unfamiliar place.

Accidents are more likely to happen when you don’t know the roads.

It’s better to be safe than sorry.

Conclusion

Road trips are lots of fun. But when traveling for work, you should think about more than just comfort. Renting a vehicle is usually the better option.