Car Rental in Sweden

Sweden has an excellent train system (everything in Sweden is almost TOO perfect), but a car will give you more flexibility.

A few things about driving there:
Sweden is as advanced as the US, or more so. They will politely tell you "more so". Car rental is smooth and efficient.
Major roads are similar to US interstate highways, but you won't see many of them outside major cities.
Many rural roads are 2-lane but with a wide shoulder. If someone comes up behind you, drive off on the shoulder while they pass you. This is great, as it avoids "passers" having to pull into the other lane, risking head-on collisions. I wish we had this tradition in America.
Minor highways are similar to state highways in the US, but with NO shoulder. It's common to have trees growing within a few feet of the roadside, something unexpected for a country so safety-obsessed.
Study roundabouts/traffic circles. They're everywhere.

Finally, I hope you like fish. The Swedes eat fish three meals a day!

Teddi, what towns South of Stockholm are you planning to visit? Sweden has good public transportation, but in the countryside you do have more flexibility with a car.

You don't need a car in Stockholm or the surroundings. How long will you be in Stockholm?

This thread has some suggestions for Stockholm
http://www.ricksteves.com/graffiti/helpline/index.cfm?topic=9378

Thanks, Patrick and Laura, for your comments. We plan to spend 2-3 days in Stockholm (rent a car the day we take off for the South) and spend the next 4 days in the area around Kalmar and Vaxjo where I plan to do some family history research. Then we will drive back to Stockholm, turn in the car and fly back to the US.
I haven't booked in anywhere yet, so we're still open for suggestions.

I rented a car in Stockholm and used it to drive throughout the country for a week.

I had heard that rail travel might not go to every small town south of the capital. I was glad I had the car because having a car makes travel more flexible although more costly. If you can afford it, by all means rent one.

Just the ease in finding housing makes renting a car worthwhile. We always looked for signs in the yards of homes advertising rooms (zimmers, rum lediga).

We always stay with families when we travel because it gives one a better understanding of the culture.

Teddi, For Växjö and Kalmar, I do think the car is the best and most economical option. You definitely don't need the car in Stockholm. Make sure to pick up the car from a location in the city rather than from the airport as Arlanda is about 45 minutes north of the city. Check rates at Europcar ... the last time I rented they were less than Avis and Hertz (but it has been a while)

"I had heard that rail travel might not go to every small town south of the capital."

Of course not... but there are buslines that go practically everywere. And Resplus do booking, for trains, airport shuttles, busses and local transport...

http://www.resplus.se/default.asp?language=2

Thanks again, everyone. I recently found cheaper rates on car rental through Europebycar and Autoeurope websites, although it could be because they don't include the CDW in their estimate. Our Visa card covers CDW in Sweden. Hopefully, we can make final booking plans in the next few days--at least for the car and maybe for a place to stay in Stockholm. Does anyone out there have experience with couchsurfing.com?
Mostly, it looks like young people (my husband and I
are not quite young, but still active "backdoor" style travelers) and have always preferred B&B's to hotels.
Again, I appreciate very much your comments and suggestions.

I have stayed at a number of the STF hostels in Sweden and they are usually of quite good quality.

http://www.svenskaturistforeningen.se/sweden_youth_hostel.htm

On their site you can click on the province that you want to visit and see where the hostels are located. About 10 years ago, I stayed at hostels in Nybro and on the island of Öland. Don't remember the specifics but they were both fine. Many of the hostels have 2 person rooms.

I am following Rick Steve's advice and taking the train from Stockholm to Vaxjo and renting a car there for a few days. We are staying at the Hostel in Evedal, near Vaxjo but not easy to get to on public transport.

I have a related question that might help you out also.

I have been working with AutoEurope.com (also recommended by RS staff) they first booked me with Avis but when I asked a few questions, they switched my reservation to Europcar for a much more reasonable price. Has anyone had experiences with Europcar in Sweden? I found some negative reports when I googled Europcar but none of them were from Sweden.

Teddi,

You will get some additional charges for insurance that you should be aware of.......your US auto insurance doesn't cover car rentals in Sweden....so deposit some extra cash.....

And yes to what has been said........rural Sweden is better experienced by car..........

The Southern coast of Sweden is quite pleasant...between Malmo and the area around Skillenge (sp?).....

Quite and obviously a bit more Danish and German influences...........

Enjoy! Who knows, I may see you on the road in May driving out of Sweden...but we are heading north to Hudiksvall.