Type of car for drive from Grand Tetons to Yellowstone to Glacier
 

To all of you that have traveled by car from Grand Tetons to Yellowstone to Glacier: Can we get away with renting a compact car or would you recommend that we rent an SUV? We have booked all of our accommodations in the parks. Thanks ahead for your input.

There's no need for a SUV. Will you fit in a compact?

I made that exact drive -- and went well beyond those national parks -- in the smallest car I could rent from Salt Lake City. There's absolutely no reason to pay for any car above what will give you enough space for passengers and luggage. There's plenty of high quality, paved roads within and between all of those places.

I agree. Unless you want to explore Forest Service roads in the back country, a standard passenger vehicle is all you will need.

Yes, compact is fine as long as you're comfortable. I would just get whatever is the best fit in terms of luggage, passengers, and price.

As the joke goes--what's the difference between a local SUV in Salt Lake City and an Avis Rent a Car?

The Avis car has actually been off road.....

Thanks, everyone. I'm going for the compact. We rented a mustang convertible on our last trip driving from Grand Canyon to Sedona, Page Arizona, Moab, to Bryce and then to Zion and we drove on a pretty hairy route 12. Wouldn't change a thing.