If you can sit upright and steer, but walking far is the problem, get a scooter. Choose a travel scooter (300 lb, about 7.5 miles, comes apart for a car trunk) for day trips, or a heavy duty scooter (400 lb, about 19 miles, full suspension) for long days and bigger riders. If someone will push you, or you need to go indoors a lot, get a transport chair or wheelchair. If you can walk but need rest stops, get a rollator. For sand, only a beach wheelchair works.
Renting mobility equipment for a trip is a little like renting a car: the wrong one makes everything harder. A scooter that is too small runs out of battery by lunch. One that is too big will not fit in your trunk. A wheelchair you cannot push yourself is no use if you are travelling alone.
The good news is that only a few things really matter: how much it can carry, how far it goes, how you get it in the car, and where you plan to use it. This guide walks through each one, using the real specs of the equipment we rent at Hampton Beach.
The main types of mobility equipment
Travel scooter
$45/dayLight, compact and comes apart into pieces for a car trunk. Best for day trips, shops and towns. Our GoGo is airline approved.
Heavy duty scooter
$65/dayBigger battery, higher capacity, full suspension and more speed. Best for long days outdoors. Our Victory 10 LX HD is the workhorse.
Standard wheelchair
$30/dayBig rear wheels so you can push yourself, or be pushed. Goes anywhere a person can, indoors included. See it.
Transport chair
$25/dayLighter, folds flat, small wheels. Must be pushed by a companion. Easiest to lift into a car. See it.
Rollator walker
$25/dayA walker with wheels, hand brakes and a padded seat, so you can sit whenever you need to. See it.
Beach wheelchair
$50/day16-inch balloon wheels that roll over sand and float. Pushed by a companion. See it.
Side by side
| Model | Max weight | Range | Top speed | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Victory Sport LX (4-wheel) | 400 lb | 19 mi | 7.5 mph | Full suspension |
| Victory 10 LX HD (4-wheel) | 400 lb | 19 mi | 7.5 mph | Full suspension |
| Victory 10 LX HD (3-wheel) | 400 lb | 19 mi | 7.5 mph | Tight turning |
| GoGo travel (4-wheel) | 300 lb | 7.5 mi | 4.5 mph | 5 pieces, airline approved |
| GoGo travel (3-wheel) | See listing | See listing | See listing | Tight turning, comes apart |
| Standard wheelchair | 275 lb | You | Walking pace | 19 in seat |
| Transport chair | 300 lb | Your companion | Walking pace | 19 in seat, folds flat |
Weight capacity: the first thing to check
Every scooter and chair has a maximum user weight. Going over it strains the frame, the motor and the battery, and it shortens the range.
- Add your body weight, plus a bag, a cooler, or a grandchild on your lap if that is the plan.
- Leave some headroom. If you are close to 300 lb, choose a 400 lb heavy duty scooter.
- Our standard wheelchair is rated to 275 lb and our transport chair to 300 lb.
Seat width
Our standard wheelchair and transport chair both have 19-inch seats. To check fit, sit on a firm dining chair and measure across your hips at the widest point, then add an inch or so for comfort and clothing. If that comes to more than 19 inches, a heavy duty scooter will likely be more comfortable than a chair. Call us and we will help you choose.
Range and batteries
Range is how far a scooter goes on one charge, in good conditions. Real range is lower if you are heavier, it is cold, you climb hills, or you ride on grass or gravel.
- GoGo travel scooter: about 7.5 miles. Fine for a town, a boardwalk or a museum. Add a spare battery ($10/day) for about 10 more miles.
- Victory scooters: about 19 miles. Enough for a full day on the go without a recharge.
Rule of thumb: plan to use no more than about two thirds of the listed range. Charge every night, even after a short day.
3 wheels or 4?
| 3-wheel | 4-wheel | |
|---|---|---|
| Turning | Tighter, easier in shops and hallways | Wider turns |
| Stability | Good on flat ground | Better on slopes, curbs and uneven sidewalks |
| Legroom | More, since the front is narrower | Less |
| Best for | Indoors, stores, tight spaces | Outdoors, boardwalks, longer trips |
Not sure? Call us and we will match you
Tell us your height, weight, where you are going and what car you drive. We will tell you honestly which scooter or chair fits, and deliver it to your hotel or cottage on the Seacoast.
Fitting it in a car
- Travel scooter: the GoGo comes apart into 5 pieces, none of them very heavy, and fits in most car trunks.
- Heavy duty scooter: heavier and bulkier. Best if you are staying put, or we deliver it to you.
- Transport chair: folds flat, the easiest to lift.
- Standard wheelchair: folds, but heavier than a transport chair.
- Getting into a van or up a step: our portable ramp is 48 by 30 inches and folds.
Sand and the beach
Scooters, wheelchairs and rollators all sink in soft sand. On the beach you have two options: stay on the paved sea wall and beach mats, or use a beach wheelchair with balloon tires. Many families rent both: a scooter for the boardwalk and a beach wheelchair for the sand. For a family day, the Avaar wagon (200 lb) carries the gear.
Which one for which trip
| Your plan | Our pick |
|---|---|
| A week at Hampton Beach, lots of boardwalk | Victory 4-wheel heavy duty scooter |
| Day trips to Portsmouth or Ogunquit | GoGo travel scooter, plus spare battery |
| A concert or a museum, with a companion | Transport chair |
| Can walk, but need to sit often | Rollator walker |
| Getting onto the sand and into the water | Beach wheelchair |
Scooter or wheelchair?: FAQ
What is the difference between a mobility scooter and a wheelchair?
A mobility scooter is battery powered and steered with a tiller, so you need to sit upright and use your arms and hands. A manual wheelchair is pushed by you or a companion. Scooters cover more distance with less effort; wheelchairs are smaller, lighter and easier to take indoors.
What weight limit do I need for a mobility scooter?
Pick a scooter rated above your body weight plus anything you carry. Our travel scooters are rated to 300 lb and our heavy duty Victory scooters to 400 lb.
How far can a mobility scooter go on one charge?
It depends on the model. Our GoGo travel scooter goes about 7.5 miles per charge, and a spare battery adds about 10 more. Our Victory scooters go about 19 miles. Hills, cold, heavy loads and soft ground all reduce range.
Is a 3-wheel or 4-wheel scooter better?
A 3-wheel scooter turns tighter and has more legroom, which suits shops and indoor spaces. A 4-wheel scooter is more stable, which suits uneven sidewalks, ramps and longer outdoor trips.
What is a transport chair?
A lightweight folding wheelchair with small rear wheels that is pushed by a companion. You cannot propel it yourself, but it is lighter and easier to lift into a car than a standard wheelchair.
Can a mobility scooter go on the sand?
No. Scooters and standard wheelchairs sink in soft sand. For the beach, use a beach wheelchair with balloon tires, or stay on the boardwalk and beach mats.
Keep planning
Sources
Checked November 11, 2026. Venues and towns change their rules; the official source always wins. Spot something out of date? Let us know.