Originally Posted by
robow
For those that haven't searched out rental car rates recently, you might be shocked at what they're asking (at least it was that way last summer)
We booked a van last spring about this time for pickup in late September(last fall). All in (rental + taxes, fees..) may have topped out at $150-$160(?)ish(base rate may have been around $120-$130ish). I just looked now. Same booking, one way DCA to PIT, and the base rate looks to be $144. With fees taxes.. tops out at $181. It has gone up, but like anything else..you have to weigh the alternatives and see where you net out. A train seat with bike slot needs to be booked & this is a rather inflexible reservation. You arrive in Pittsburgh around midnight..which likely means you'll be heading for a hotel with associated cost, in Pittsburgh. With the minivan rental there's more flexibility(though it may or may not be limited, depending on demand, though a SUV substitute could work also), you leave DC at your own time, turn the van in on your way home & keep on going. Drop off was easy and fast. We dropped off the van last year and drove west for 3-4 hours before hitting a hotel. Made for a more pleasant, shorter drive the next day.
Amtrak for two people with bikes will be about $120 for non refundable tickets, & about $250 for a flexible ticket(if memory serves..$20 bike?). Amtrak has some history of not running on time...that's always a wildcard. Plus you're staying in Pittsburgh with a longer drive the next day.
Where you net out depends on where you place value. There's lots of options with the GAP/CO trails.