The joy of having your own car is that you can travel where you want, when you want. Make full use of your newfound freedom by discovering all there is on offer in Stockton-on-Tees. It’s just 19 miles away. Riverside Stadium, Middlesbrough Theatre and Stewart Park alone make the drive out worth it. The locals are also likely to point you toward Middlesbrough, 22 miles away. If you only have time for one thing here, make sure it’s Riverside Stadium. (But we’d also highly recommend Middlesbrough Theatre and Stewart Park.)

There’s nothing quite as nice as opening the car window and feeling the cool, salty breeze on your skin while you’re driving by the sea. Pack some yummy snacks and spend a few hours basking in the sun at one of the beautiful beaches near Houghton le Spring. Top options include:

• Blast Beach (6 miles away).
• Hawthorn Hive Beach (7 miles away).
• Longsands Beach (12 miles away).

Avoid spending an arm and a leg on a rental car by following our top tips:

• A car can take you anywhere — so can we. Compare the hottest deals from the top companies in town in just a couple of clicks.
• Set an email Price Drop Alert for your next vacation destination. You never know what awesome bargains will whiz into your inbox
• Before you pick up your car keys and get behind the wheel, check both airport and non-airport pickup and drop-off office locations to ensure you’re getting your hands on the best deal around
• If your vacation is somewhat flexible, change your dates to find better prices on different days of the week
• If possible, keep your pickup time and your drop-off time the same. If you return your car at a later time than you picked it up, you might have to pay for an entire extra day
• Keep more hard-earned dollars in your wallet. You’ll grab some of the best deals when you pay in advance for your rental car
• Don’t let the deal you’ve been searching for slip through your grasp. Book now and drive away with your dream ride.

No other mode of transportation can offer you freedom and flexibility like your own wheels. No matter the reason for your adventure to Houghton le Spring, CarRentals.com has an excellent selection of vehicles to drive off in. Spending some quality time with your beloved? Make things cozy by renting a mini or compact car. A delight to drive and a piece of cake to park, you’ll adore sitting alongside each other in one of these cute rides. An SUV is a great match for families. There’s enough space for everyone and you can venture wherever you want, when you want. If you’re on a business trip, a premium car will transport you from meeting to meeting in serious style.

Sometimes it’s all about the journey, which makes your car choice particularly important. If you’re planning an epic road trip around Houghton le Spring, a robust and stylish SUV could be the answer. If you’d like the cheapest possible price and plan on sticking mostly to the city, a budget compact is a smart pick. All you need to do is decide what’s the best fit, round up the troops, and rack up those miles.

When driving somewhere you’ve never been before, you’ll want to have a good understanding of the rules and regulations. Here’s what you’ll need to know to get behind the wheel in Houghton le Spring safely and soundly:

The left side is where you’ll be driving in Houghton le Spring. Also take note that the controls of your rental vehicle here, such as the steering wheel, will be on the other side of what you’re used to.

Finding a car space in Houghton le Spring won’t be too challenging. Of course, it depends on where you are and when — it could be tricky parking in the very center during busier periods.

One of the upsides of hitting the road in a smaller city is less traffic, so don’t stress too much about rush-hour gridlock. With a population of roughly 37,800, you can look forward to a smooth Houghton le Spring driving experience.

In the city of Houghton le Spring, speed limits range from 30mph to 70mph. Residential areas have a default speed limit of 30mph unless indicated otherwise.

More often than not, your rental company will charge the amount of the fine to your credit card. Alternatively, the company may forward your contact details to the relevant local law enforcement agency so they can send a fine straight to you.

Provided you have hands-free functions like Bluetooth enabled, you are allowed to use your phone while driving around Houghton le Spring. But make sure you remain focused on the road.

When operating a vehicle in Houghton le Spring, it’s an offence to have a BAC (blood alcohol content) above 0.08%. Thinking of having a drink or two with lunch or dinner? Consider grabbing a taxi or using a ride-sharing service.

No, it’s not. In Houghton le Spring, red equals stop, with no exceptions. When nearing traffic lights, always drive at a safe speed so you can easily stop when you need to.

In short, yes. However, there are a few exceptions for certain vehicles run by public transportation systems.