The Road Trip Hack Parents and Students Are Turning to This Summer

As families load up the trunk for cross-country road trips and college kids prep for back-to-school drop-offs, one thing is clear: rental cars are in hot demand. And if you haven’t heard of EconomyBookings.com, you’re not alone—but savvy travelers are starting to take notice.

Launched in 2004 with just three vehicles and a big idea—to make renting a car easier and more affordable—EconomyBookings.com has quietly grown into a global go-to. Today, the platform partners with rental companies around the world in 180 countries, helping travelers book rentals every year.

“We’re like a one-stop shop for rental cars,” says Alen Baibekov, CEO of Booking Group, which owns the site. “You can compare prices, book a car, and manage everything in one place. It’s super convenient, especially when you’re trying to stick to a budget.”

That kind of simplicity is a game-changer for summer travel. Whether you’re planning a scenic coast-to-coast adventure or making a last-minute dash to move your college student into the dorms, being able to quickly shop around for the best deal—all in one spot—can save serious time and money.

The platform has more than a million users, many signing up to create repeat rental accounts. And if you’ve ever rented a car more than once, you know how much time that can save.

“We wanted to take the hassle out of the process,” Baibekov says. “Returning users can get on the road faster, without re-entering all their info every time.”

But EconomyBookings.com isn’t just about helping travelers. It’s also giving a boost to smaller, local rental companies—especially those that don’t have big marketing budgets or flashy airport counters.

Earlier this year, the site rolled out a new feature called “Marketplace” that lets mom-and-pop rental businesses easily list their vehicles and get seen by a global audience.

“Normally, it can take months for a small company to start getting international customers,” Baibekov explains. “With Marketplace, they can be up and running in under 20 minutes.”

All it takes is a quick online setup—listing your cars, prices, and availability—and local providers start showing up in search results right alongside the major chains. That means more options and often better prices for travelers—and more business for local car companies.

The process is designed to be transparent and fast, with payments scheduled right from the start. For road trippers, that means more choices, especially in off-the-beaten-path destinations or college towns where inventory can disappear quickly.

“We’re leveling the playing field,” Baibekov says. “By helping smaller providers get found, we’re making travel more flexible—and more affordable—for everyone.”

And the team isn’t done. Next up? Smarter tools for rental partners (like real-time demand tracking) and expansion in underserved regions where good local options often go unnoticed online.

As the final weeks of summer get underway, EconomyBookings.com is aiming to be the travel shortcut more families rely on. Whether it’s a roomy SUV for a national park trek or a budget-friendly compact for navigating city streets during college orientation, Baibekov and his team are focused on one thing: making it easier to get where you’re going.

“We started small,” Baibekov says. “But our goal has never changed—help people travel better, for less.”