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 Brookings 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.

•  Many States, One Car: If renting a car for a longer road trip, check with the car rental companies in Brookings, South Dakota to see if they have policies about crossing state lines that affect the final rate you pay. May be no effect, but don't assume you can crisscross the globe with unlimited mileage impunity. There may be a GPS tracker in the car!

•  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 Brookings before arrival or verify in the rental policy and rules to see which forms of payment they accept.

Click here to see Brookings attractions

Brookings SD Area Attractions

• Brookings Hospital
• South Dakota Art Museum
• South Dakota State University
• Southeast Technical Institute (50.84 miles)
• Weiner Memorial Medical Center (50.92 miles)
• Sioux Falls Convention Center (51.48 miles)
• Northern Plains Gallery (51.67 miles)
• Southwest Minnesota State University (51.90 miles)
• Old Courthouse Museum (52.23 miles)
• Siouxland Heritage Museums (52.23 miles)
• Washington Pavilion of Arts (52.69 miles)
• Sioux Valley Hospital University Medical Center (53.25 miles)
• Sioux Empire Medical Museum (53.25 miles)
• Select Specialty Hospital (53.46 miles)
• Avera McKennan Hospital (53.46 miles)
• Children's Care Hospital (53.67 miles)
• National American University (54.29 miles)
• Performance Car Museum (55.24 miles)

Brookings rental guide