The capital has a variety of museums that chart the history and technology of the country, as well as some of the most recognisable landmarks in the world.

The city is an opportunity to explore the rich history of the United States, with museums and monuments located along the border of the National Mall, including the Museum of Natural History, the Museum of American History and the Air and Space Museum. There is much to explore in the city, and the parks, which border the city limits, are accessible for those who want to make use of car hire as part of their visit.

Entry to the various monuments - including the Lincoln Memorial, as well as the Smithsonian museums and the National Zoo - is free of charge, although donations are encouraged. Making a day of strolling round the Mall offers the opportunity to explore a vast array of historical sights, while open-top bus tours are a common method of exploring the vast city. Tours of the White House are available but must be booked in advance.

The majority of the sights are located within the city itself, but there are also a number of attractions outside of the city limits, so car hire in Washington DC is recommended if you want to explore it all. If you're looking to include a visit to DC as part of your American road trip, here at TravelSupermarket we can search a wide range of car hire companies to help you find a deal to suit your holiday budget. 

You can collect your hire car at a number of convenient locations. Opt to pick up in and around downtown Washington, or collect your car rental from one of the two nearby airports: Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), which is three miles from downtown; or Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD), which is around 25 miles away. All locations have a great selection of vehicles available and you can be on the open road within minutes. Where will your sense of adventure take you?

One of the main nearby destinations for visitors to Washington DC is Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia, which is a 10-minute drive from downtown across the ponderous Potomac River. It is an evocative place, where hundreds of thousands of graves reveal the final resting places of military service men and women, including former presidents, such as JFK. 

The beaches of Chesapeake Bay, in Maryland, can be reached by road in less than an hour from Washington DC, while all around the states of Virginia, North Carolina (to the south), Delaware and Maryland (to the north of DC) you will come across friendly towns, historically important sites and vistas filled with mountains, forests, rivers and waterfalls. It's very easy to leave the big city and find the big views among the great outdoors.

But if city life beckons, consider driving to Philadelphia from Washington DC. It will take around two and a half hours to reach Philly, the “city of brotherly love” and home to some of modern America's most important national monuments, such as the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall. When you get hungry from all that sightseeing you can wrap your lips around a juicy Philly cheesesteak. New York City is around four hours from Washington DC by road, so if you're thinking of an east-coast road trip this trio of cities must be included.