A few years ago when gas prices were at $1 a gallon, I laughed at your regular host, Mark Ashley, as he told me he had declined a free upgrade to an SUV from a rental car company. Was it the safety I wondered? No, it was the horrendous gas mileage he replied.

Well it turns out that lots more people are following Mark’s frugal lead these days. The WSJ has a story in today’s Personal Journal reporting that daily rates on SUV rentals are now lower than fuel-efficient mid-sized cars across the country. In Boston, it’s $71 for a mid-size, $63 for an SUV. In DC, it’s $83 and $71. And in LA, $41 to $37.

Wow, with spreads like that already reflecting the high gas prices, it’s almost time to step in and rent a Jeep! Anyone for some offroading? However, be sure to check the rental agreement since many companies don’t like their 4×4s actually going off-road. And for city driving, the lower gas mileage could be a real buzzkill.

Do you take into account the mileage of cars you rent these days?

–Dr. Vino

(Update May 29, 2006: Full WSJ article now available without a subscription here.)