When you book with a traditional rental agency, you reserve a category like “Standard SUV or similar” and take whatever is on the lot. Turo works differently. It’s a peer-to-peer car-sharing marketplace, often called “the Airbnb of cars,” where local owners (hosts) list their own vehicles. You pick the exact year, make, model and features you want, from a family SUV with a panoramic roof to a convertible or a high-end sports car.
Our trip: a 2021 Yukon for stargazing in Door County
In August 2026 we flew into Milwaukee, Wisconsin (MKE) and rented a 2021 GMC Yukon with a panoramic sunroof on Turo. We drove it up to Door County and Newport State Park, at the tip of the Door Peninsula, for the once-a-year Perseid meteor shower stargazing event. A rental agency could only promise us a “full-size SUV or similar.” On Turo we booked the exact vehicle we wanted, sunroof included. And renting the Yukon was nearly $300 cheaper than renting from the regular rental car agencies.
Why Newport State Park
- Newport is Wisconsin’s only International Dark Sky Park, designated by DarkSky International in 2017.
- The park covers about 2,373 acres, with 11 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline and 30 miles of trails. It is also Wisconsin’s only wilderness-designated state park.
- The park is about 15 miles of open water from the mainland, and its lighting follows dark-sky guidelines, so the night sky is very dark.
- August is prime time. The 2026 Perseid meteor shower peaked the night of August 12–13 under a new moon, so there was no moonlight to wash out the meteors. The park hosted a “Universe in the Park: Perseids Meteor Shower” event that night with UW-Madison astronomers and telescope viewing.
Stargazing tips: Bring a red-light flashlight or headlamp to protect your night vision, plus lawn chairs or a blanket. Check the forecast, since clouds over Lake Michigan can roll in fast. A Wisconsin state park vehicle admission sticker is required.
The benefits of renting on Turo
- You get the exact car. The listing shows the actual vehicle, so features like a panoramic roof, third-row seating, 4×4 or a specific trim aren’t left to chance.
- Super sweet vehicles. Turo has cars that agencies rarely rent, such as luxury SUVs, classic cars, EVs, convertibles and exotics, which is great for a special trip or a test drive before you buy.
- It can be cheaper. Prices are set by hosts, and on our Yukon trip we saved nearly $300 versus the agencies. Compare the full checkout price, though, not just the daily rate.
- Delivery options. Many hosts will deliver to your home, hotel or airport for a fee, or sometimes for free.
- Extras from the host. Some hosts offer add-ons like car seats, roof racks or prepaid fuel.
What to watch out for
- Fees add up. Turo adds a trip fee, a percentage of the trip price that varies with things like trip length and how far ahead you book, plus any delivery fee. Drivers under 25 pay a young driver fee.
- Insurance is different. Turo sells optional protection plans with different out-of-pocket maximums. Your personal auto policy may not cover car-sharing. Many credit cards’ rental car coverage also excludes peer-to-peer rentals like Turo, so check your card’s Guide to Benefits before you decline a plan.
- Mileage limits. Many listings include unlimited miles, but some, especially specialty vehicles, cap daily miles and charge for overages.
- No loyalty points or elite perks. You won’t earn Hertz, National or Avis points or status. Your card may still earn its normal rate on the charge.
- Document the car. Take photos of the inside and outside at pickup and drop-off, because the host’s inspection is what counts if there’s a dispute.
Our take
For a trip where the vehicle is part of the experience, Turo is hard to beat. We got the exact Yukon we wanted, panoramic sunroof and all, for a night under some of the darkest skies in the Midwest, and we saved nearly $300 doing it. For a simple airport-to-hotel rental where you want points and elite status, the big agencies still make sense. Either way, compare the all-in price and sort out insurance before you book.
Turo fees, protection plans and policies are as of October 2026 and can change. Check Turo’s checkout page and help center before booking. Points Capital does not use affiliate links on this page.
Sources: Turo Help: Trip costs; CarGurus: How does Turo work?; DarkSky International: Newport State Park; Wisconsin DNR: Universe in the Park, Perseids 2026; Farmers’ Almanac: Perseids 2026.
