Chicago city days
For three adults with carry-ons and a large case, check the boot with all seats in use. Then decide whether to collect at O’Hare immediately or after the first city stay.
Plan an O’Hare pickupChoose the right rental car
Rental car luggage planner.
Count the people and bags coming with you. Get a practical shortlist, then compare live offers here. The planner suggests what to investigate; the supplier confirms the actual vehicle and space.
Updated
Compare carsCount your travellers and bags
Your trip, packed
Make room for the journey.
Count everyone travelling, then add what you need to carry.
Travellers
Include children and infants
Large cases
Approx. 75 × 51 × 31 cm
Medium cases
Approx. 69 × 46 × 29 cm
Cabin bags
Approx. 55 × 40 × 23 cm
Example outside sizes, including wheels. Count bigger or expanded cases in the next size up; measure anything larger than the examples.
Pram estimate allows 50 L for a compact folded pram. Larger prams, bike boxes, skis and mobility aids need their own dimension check.
A starting point for your searchEconomy car
Illustrative vehicle. Check the actual model and luggage space.
Suggested starting point
Economy car or larger
A starting category with room to compare the actual vehicle details.
Suggested starting point: Economy car or larger. A starting category with room to compare the actual vehicle details.
Your bags3 bags total
Large1
Medium0
Cabin2
How this suggestion works
- 2 travellers need a seat, including children and infants.
- 3 bags need usable luggage space with the seats you will use upright.
We keep a seat for every traveller, including children and infants. Six to eight travellers start with a people mover or passenger van, with every required seat upright.
For up to five travellers, increasing luggage moves the shortlist through mid-size SUV/estate, large estate/wagon and large SUV examples before a larger passenger van. Bigger SUVs and people movers do not always have bigger boots.
Bag space is estimated from the outside dimensions shown beside each control, so large, medium and cabin cases count differently. We reserve 20% of example boot capacity for imperfect packing, and 50 L for a compact folded pram. Oversized gear is not included in the volume estimate.
For this selection, the planning estimate is about 220 L, requiring around 275 L of boot space after the packing allowance. Boot figures are representative vehicle examples, not guaranteed capacities for a whole category. Shape, opening size and actual seat layout still matter.
If the load exceeds the examples, compare a larger passenger van or two cars and confirm usable luggage space. This is a planning estimate, not a measured packing simulation or a fit promise.
- Check the actual vehicle's luggage dimensions and your largest item's dimensions.
- Confirm the seat layout, luggage space with required seats upright, and supplier terms.
- An "or similar" listing does not guarantee the pictured model.
Put the fit check into a trip
North Texas family trip
Two adults, two children, a folded pram and cases need a real luggage check with child seats fitted. Plan the first Dallas Fort Worth stop and final branch before comparing offers.
Plan a Dallas Fort Worth pickupAustin with bulky bags
For a Central Texas drive with four adults and large bags, check the remaining boot space after everyone is seated. Compare the actual Austin airport branch with the route and return plan.
Plan an Austin airport pickupTriangle meetings and family visits
For a Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill trip with four travellers and several cases, check luggage space with every required seat upright. RDU’s brand shuttle adds a transfer before the driving day begins, so keep the bags needed at collection accessible.
Plan a Raleigh Durham airport pickupNow compare cars for your trip.
Choose your pickup, dates and driver details. Use your shortlist when reviewing the offers below. The planner does not automatically filter supplier results or guarantee the example model shown.
Preparing live car hire search
What the categories are trying to tell you
Economy
Best for one or two travellers with a disciplined luggage load. Easy to park, but rear-seat and boot space can be limited.
Compact
A useful middle ground for couples or small groups who need more boot space without a large exterior.
Intermediate
More passenger comfort and luggage flexibility for longer driving days or several adults.
SUV
The label alone does not promise more boot space, extra seats or permission for unsealed roads. Compare the actual seating and luggage configuration.
People carrier
Check the exact seat count and luggage space with every seat you need in use. A seven-seat vehicle can have much less boot space with its rear row occupied.
Estate or wagon
Can offer practical boot length for a touring trip, subject to the actual model supplied.
Allow a margin
Measure rigid cases and a folded pram including wheels and handles. Ask about the boot with all required seats upright, and check child-seat width when several seats share a row. Keep luggage secured and visibility clear. An advertised capacity or an “or similar” vehicle picture cannot confirm that exact arrangement.