There’s no finer way to experience Washington than from behind the driver’s seat of your own rental car. Here are some key facts about Washington to get your road trip off to the right start. You can’t truly say that you’ve explored the whole of United States of America without checking out the state of Washington. While you’re here, don’t forget to make a stop at its capital, Olympia. This vibrant destination is home to roughly 50,300 people.

You might find it tricky scoring a parking spot right in front of these popular attractions, but believe us — they’re certainly worth a little stroll. The best thing about a journey to Washington is striking these off your bucket list:

• Pike Place Market (0.2 miles from the center of Seattle)
• Museum of Glass (0.6 miles from the center of Tacoma)
• Riverfront Park (0.5 miles from the center of Spokane)

Adventure is waiting for you around every corner of this glorious region. Washington is one of those special places where the journey is just as exciting as every one of its impressive destinations. With your own set of wheels, you can take as long or as little as your heart desires discovering every square inch of it. Here are some of the most popular regions in this magnificent place:

• Seattle (population of 684,500)
• Spokane (population of 213,300)
• Tacoma (population of 207,900)
• Vancouver (population of 172,900)

Avoid paying through the nose for a rental car by following our suggestions:

• A car can take you anywhere — so can we. Compare the cheapest deals from the leading rental companies in a couple of clicks.
• Register for our Price Drop Alert email and stay up to date when prices fall for your next vacation destination;
• Broaden your search to include both airport and non-airport pickup locations to make sure you’re getting the absolute best deal around;
• If you have some elbow room in your schedule, modify your dates to find better prices on different days of the week;
• To avoid paying late fees or for a whole extra day, try to keep your pickup and drop-off times the same;
• Some companies reward you big time for prepaying — keep an eye out for these great offers;
• It’s best to secure your booking as soon as your dates are finalized. You’ll have the largest range to choose from the earlier you book.

Looking for something that won’t cost an arm and a leg? Enter the economy car. This small vehicle is the most popular type of rental car in Washington (and ideal if you’re on a tight budget). Fuel up the tank on the cheap and you’ll be zooming around cities like Seattle and Spokane in no time.That said, Washington is renowned for its rocky coastlines, mountains, and forests. It’d be a shame not to escape the city to tour those glorious sights. If that sounds good to you, reserve an SUV or a full-size vehicle. Even if you don’t have plans to venture off the beaten track, you’ll enjoy the extra legroom.

There’s more than enough choice when it comes to renting a car in Washington. From people-movers with plenty of room to spare to economy rides that are a snap to park, you’ll find it all here. Choosing your ride depends on your budget and what activities you plan on doing. Some road trips are just begging you to splurge on your dream ride, whereas other adventures don’t need anything more than enough space for your luggage and buddies. Which car will you be sliding behind the wheel of this time?

People drive on the right-hand side of the road in Washington. Even though the conditions may be similar to home, we recommend driving a bit more cautiously in new and unfamiliar destinations.

Most of the time, your chosen car rental company will bill the fined amount to your credit card. Alternatively, the company may share your contact information with local authorities so they can issue a fine directly to you.