Smarter Car Renting

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

•  Special Requests: Special requests can be noted at the time you make your Urbandale rental car reservation. Nothing too crazy, though. If you are in need of an infant or toddler car seat, navigation system, ski rack or more, be sure to make note of it when booking online. Keep in mind that requests are not guaranteed and additional fees may apply.

•  Credit Cards for Pick-Up: Many agencies require a credit card upon pick-up. Yes, Opie, we live in that kind of world. So make sure you are in good standing with your "plastic." Call the car rental agency in Urbandale before arrival or verify in the rental policy and rules to see which forms of payment they accept.

•  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 Urbandale attractions

Urbandale IA Area Attractions

• Science Center of Iowa (3.36 miles)
• Drake University (3.63 miles)
• Blank Children's Hospital (4.72 miles)
• Iowa Methodist Medical Center (4.73 miles)
• Mercy Medical Center (4.90 miles)
• Veterans Memorial Auditorium (5.11 miles)
• Downtown Des Moines (5.22 miles)
• Polk County Convention Complex (5.26 miles)
• Iowa Lutheran Hospital (5.54 miles)
• Iowa Historical Museum (5.86 miles)
• Sec Taylor Stadium (5.92 miles)
• Fort Des Moines Memorial Park (7.34 miles)
• Faith Baptist Bible College (8.70 miles)
• Blank Park Zoo (8.77 miles)
• Sleepy Hollow Sports Park (9.62 miles)
• Adventureland (10.94 miles)
• Simpson College (19.53 miles)
• Madison County Home Care (25.94 miles)

Urbandale rental guide