Don’t just drive from point A to B. Get the most out of that car by making a detour to Galveston. Just 19 miles from Santa Fe, it features popular attractions like Moody Gardens and Galveston Schlitterbahn Waterpark. Nothing says living large like a road trip does, so keep on cruising to Houston. It’s 31 miles away and also has a few appealing sights, such as Toyota Center and Minute Maid Park.

Nothing screams vacation like loading up the car with supplies and driving to the seaside. Santa Fe has some terrific beaches nearby, so bring along a good book (and a kite if it’s windy) and take a day trip to one of these beautiful options:

• Jamaica Beach (16 miles away).
• Indian Beach (16 miles away).
• Palm Beach (16 miles away).

If you’re here to attend a business conference, you’ll find Galveston Island Convention Center 19 miles from Santa Fe. When you get a break, head to a nearby restaurant to grab some food — socializing and networking can be tiring.

Here’s a rundown of our top tips if you’re looking to grab the biggest discounts on a car rental:

• Use our convenient filter feature to point you toward the cheapest car deals in town — and then compare the prices
• By submitting your email address into our Price Drop Alert, you’ll stay up to date with all of the best bargains for your chosen location
• Research is the key to scoring the best rental bargains in town, so be sure to take a look at both airport and non-airport pickup and drop-off outlets before you splash cash on your ride
• You can sometimes save a bundle if your travel plans are flexible. Look into different days and dates and see what savings can be made
• Nobody likes being charged a late fee. Avoid the hassle of having to pay for an extra day by making sure your pickup and drop-off times are around the same time
• If you’d love to save a pretty penny, prepay for your rental and enjoy some of the thriftiest rates around
• The early bird catches the juiciest worm, and also the best deals! Book now to score some great savings.

Whether you’re getting away by yourself or with the family, CarRentals.com can help you find the perfect wheels for your Santa Fe trip. A mini is an excellent choice if you’re planning to spend most of your time in the city. Economical and with great mileage, these vehicles will get you here, there and everywhere comfortably and easily. If you want to make a splash, have a look at our special category. You’re sure to find something that will turn a few heads! Got the young ones with you? A spacious full-size SUV should suit all your needs.

Sometimes the journey is more significant than the destination, which makes your car choice important. If you’re planning an epic road trip around Santa Fe, a roomy SUV could be the perfect solution. If you’re looking for the best possible price and plan to stick to city driving, a budget compact is a wise pick. All you need to do is decide what’s the best fit, load up the car, and hit the road.

When driving in a new city, you’ll want to have a good grasp of the rules and regulations. Here’s what you’ll need to know to hop behind the wheel in Santa Fe safely and soundly:

In Santa Fe, you’ll have to keep to the right side. When exploring a new place, it’s smart to select a vehicle with automatic transmission. That way, you can focus on the road ahead and not worry about gear changes.

You’ll discover loads of places to park your car in Santa Fe. Even in the thick of the action, you’re likely to score a spot just where you need it.

As the population of Santa Fe is approximately 13,000, you shouldn’t have too much difficulty with traffic congestion. That said, downtown streets usually get busy in the rush hours before and after work, so you may want to avoid driving then.

Speed limits vary across the city of Santa Fe, but generally range from 25mph to 80mph. Most residential roads have a maximum speed of 30mph unless stated otherwise.

Most of the time, your chosen car rental company will charge the fined amount to your credit card, including local surcharges and taxes. Alternatively, they may forward your contact details to the relevant local authority, who’ll then issue a fine to your postal address.

As long as you have Bluetooth or similar functions enabled, you can lawfully use your phone while behind the wheel in Santa Fe. But make sure you stay focused on the road.

While driving in Santa Fe, it’s against the law to have a BAC (blood alcohol content) greater than 0.08%. Thinking of having a drink or two over lunch or dinner? Consider using a ride-sharing service or taking a taxi.

Traffic laws in Santa Fe permit drivers at a red light to turn into the direction of traffic nearer to them, without waiting for it to turn green. Before turning, the car must completely stop and the driver must make sure that the lane is clear before continuing on.

Seat belts are required in Galveston. Having said that, this rule may not apply for some vehicles, such as those operated by public transportation systems.