Southwest Tour with USA car rental

What comes to mind when you think about the American Southwest? Grand Canyon? Burritos drenched in red and green salsa? Skiing in Telluride or ancient cave dwellings? How about an epic Southwest road trip with USA car rentals from the Auto Europe team?

More than just Las Vegas and natural wonders such as the Grand Canyon, Arches National Park or Carlsbad Cavern National Park, the American Southwest is one of the most culturally distinct parts of the country. At the same time, the Southwest is one of the funnest regions for USA driving tours, no matter if you're driving across the region in a  discount RV motorhome or versatile SUV rental.  Be sure to view our expansive USA car rental fleet guide while planning your Southwest excursion here with Auto Europe.

Choose Auto Europe for Southwest driving tours

Historically, the American Southwest exudes a vibrant mix of Anglo, Latino, Hispanic and Native American traditions woven together in one vibrant tapestry. Not only are the people diverse but also the landscapes ranging from snow-capped Rocky Mountains to scorching hot desert full of bluffs and mesas, in addition to the flatlands surrounding the Rio Grande.

While there is certainly some room for interpretation regarding the Southwest’s borders, the following states are almost always included in the consensus: Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, plus Utah. Major cities in the Southwest include Albuquerque, Las Vegas, Phoenix, Reno, Salt Lake City, Santa Fe, and Tucson. On the other hand, parts of Colorado, California and Texas are also included, but today we’re only focusing on the primary four states making up the Southwest corner of the United States.

From traversing the Emerald Pools Trail at Zion National Park for some waterfall adventures to feasting on traditional Native American foods such as frybread, Navajo tacos, cornbread, or posole; there is so much to be excited about on your driving tour of the American Southwest! Just don’t forget your sunscreen and continue reading to learn more about these scenic places for Southwest car rentals, meaning plenty of air conditioning during the hottest legs of the journey!

New Mexico car rental

See for yourself why New Mexico is called the Land of Enchantment with an affordable rental car from Santa Fe or bargain vehicle in Albuquerque. From breathtaking landscapes, ancient indigenous sites like the Taos Pueblo, plus numerous national monuments, it makes sense why everyone gets enamored with New Mexico. Everything from the colors of the lands to quirky places should entertain visitors, such as the International UFO Museum in Roswell and the mushroom-shaped hoodoos (long rock column) at the Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah Wilderness Study Area in Bloomfield.

No matter if you’re renting a car from the Albuquerque International Airport or downtown Santa Fe provider, you will be ready for some unforgettable exploration in towns like Taos with its thermal springs or perhaps trekking up the Capulin Volcano. Some of the most popular destinations include the Carlsbad Caverns National Park, White Sands National Park full of gypsum dunes, as well as the Chaco Culture National Historical Park.

Arizona car rental

No matter if you are renting a car in Mesa, perhaps booking a Flagstaff car rental, or even leasing a vehicle in Phoenix and Tucson; Auto Europe has a rental car with your name on it! With that said, on top of your Arizona car rental agenda should be Saguaro National Park where you will encounter 200-year-old cacti spanning over 50 feet! Some visitors even claim that these cacti take on a human form out here in the surreal landscape that may induce a mirage or two. 

In between the massive cacti are even larger mountains spanning over 8,000 feet with plenty of cute javelinas, tortoises and spotted owls scurrying around the area. Just beware of scorpions and remember that the smaller they are, the more painful they tend to be. Other great destinations for Arizona car rentals from the Phoenix Airport or Tucson Airport include Sedona known for its red rocks, thriving artist community, and what's allegedly a portal to another dimension. Let’s not also forget about the acclaimed Grand Canyon, Lake Mead, Route 66, Apache Trail, the Petrified Forest, plus so much more!

Utah car rental

Welcome to Utah where the capital Salt Lake City hosted the 2002 Winter Olympics! Despite boasting gargantuan deserts, endless canyons and mountains, this Southwest car rental city is also known for its quirky laws plus incredible winter sports. After hitting the slopes, travelers can drive Salt Lake City rental cars to Carbon County to check out the Nine Mile Canyon full of ancient petroglyphs and pictographs. Some may call consider this to be one of the largest open-air art galleries in the world!

In between trying statewide delicacies like pickle pie or potato donuts, visitors can also look forward to driving their budget Utah car rental to awe inspiring places like Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park, as well as Arches National Park. Even with short-term leases at the Salt Lake City Airport, lesser known places are also easily accessible, such as Antelope Island, Flaming Gorge, Goblin Valley and Golden Spike.

Nevada car rental

If you think that Las Vegas and Reno are the only places to see in Nevada, think again. This gorgeous Southwest state is home to the Hoover Dam, Great Basin National Park, the Black Rock Desert, Red Rock Canyon, the Valley of Fire, plus so many more landmarks accessible with a rental car from the McCarran International Airport or the Reno Airport! Regardless of whether you’re driving a luxury car rental or a simple compact vehicle, having your own vehicle is the best way to experience Sin City and beyond!

Whether you’re hoping to check out Area 51 for some extraterrestrial activity or spend the weekend at Lake Tahoe or touring Death Valley; you want regret having the air conditioning on full-blast with your discounted Las Vegas car rental or specialty car rental from Reno. Give the Auto Europe team at a call at +1-888-223-5555 to take advantage of our special car rental deals or use our booking engine located at the top of the page!