When you buy through our links, we may earn money from our affiliate partners. Learn more.With the country beginning to reopen in phases, some Americans are eyeing an eventual return to travel, starting with what's most safe and feasible.As such, travelers may be more inclined toward domestic, regional trips close to home that are accessible by car, as opposed to journeys requiring close contact in airplane cabins.We talked to several experts, including an infectious disease specialist, about whether rental cars are safe to rent and how to best protect yourself.Read all Business Insider travel reviews here.With some states around the country beginning to lift shelter in place orders, and others thinking about doing so in the coming weeks and months, many Americans are feeling optimistic about