Smarter Car Renting

Here are car rental tips from the road trip-seasoned editors of RoadsideAmerica.com:

•  Damaged: Always carefully eyeball your vehicle before leaving the rental agency, whether you're in Memphis or East Podunkville. The last renter may have pulled in after a meteor shower! Prior scratches, dents, and other vehicle damage can cause extra headaches and costs if not noted before you leave the rental car lot. If you see any damage on the car's exterior and interior before you leave, make sure it's noted on the rental car papers, and point it out to an agency employee. This will resolve any questions that could arise when you return. And avoid meteor showers.

•  Book your reservation in advance. Rates can vary drastically, even for the same rental car in Memphis Tennessee. By booking your car early, you can avoid last minute rate increases. It can also help assure your desired vehicle-type will be available at high demand car rental locations.

•  Leave Nothing Behind: At a road trip's end, we find we've accumulated souvenirs, kitschy mementoes, and piles of brochures from tourist attractions. These treasures prove you really traveled -- that it wasn't just some wacky delusion. When dropping off your rental car, carefully check every door pocket, drink holder and storage bin for these keepsakes. The rental car company sure doesn't have any use for them.

Click here to see Memphis attractions

Memphis TN Area Attractions

• Autozone Park
• Baptist Memorial Hospital
• Beale Street
• Blues City Tours
• Cooper-Young Historic District
• Cotton Exchange Building
• Danny Thomas-ALSAC Pavilion
• Davies Manor Plantation
• Dixon Gallery and Gardens
• Downtown Memphis
• FedEx Forum - Memphis Grizzles
• Fire Museum of Memphis
• Goldsmith Civic Garden Center
• Graceland Mansion
• Hard Rock Cafe
• Historic Elmwood Cemetery
• LeMoyne-Owen College
• Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium - University of Memphis

Memphis rental guide