Avoid These 6 Mistakes When Renting a Van in Chicago

25 Sep-2025

A little know-how makes renting a van smooth and stress-free. Here are the common mistakes to avoid so your group trip goes off without a hitch.

1. Booking too late

Vans go fast around holidays and peak weekends. Waiting too long means fewer choices and higher rates — reserve early.

2. Choosing the wrong size

Too small and everyone’s cramped; too big and you overpay. Match the van to your group and gear — and when in doubt, size up slightly for comfort.

3. Skipping the fine print

Don’t overlook mileage, fuel, insurance, and driver policies. Read the terms up front so there are no surprises. With us, up to three additional drivers are free.

4. Not inspecting at pickup

Do a quick walk-around and note anything already there. Our vans are cleaned and inspected before every rental, so they’re ready to go.

5. Overpacking and overloading

Don’t exceed capacity or pile luggage unevenly. Distribute the load for safe, comfortable handling on the road.

6. Forgetting the safety basics

Seat belts for everyone, extra following distance, and steady driving for the van’s size. Our Sprinters’ safety features help — and one van keeps the group together anywhere across the USA and into Canada.

Which van should you pick?

For comfort, the 15-passenger Mercedes-Benz Sprinter; for value, the 15-passenger Ford Transit. Browse the full fleet.