One Way Car Rentals - All you need to rent a car for one-way trips in the United States
Does every one-way car rental have a fee?
Mostly all one-way car rentals come with a fee, but there is a reason
behind it.
When you rent a car, suppose in Los Angeles, and drop it off at San
Francisco, the car hire company will spend its own dollars to get it back to
the parent location. To cover up this necessary expenditure, they charge a
one-way fee. This charge is either added on the car hire rate or is included in
the per day rate only.
But there are a few companies like Sixt rent-a-car that offers free one-way
for selective locations in the US like California etc. And not just Sixt, other
companies are also making it a point to waive off one-way fee, but such deals
vary from location to location, availability and sometimes the length of the
trip.
Best rental companies that offer one-way rental deals in the US
In times before the COVID era, people used to board on a flight, rent a
car, enjoy their trip, return the car at a different location, board another
flight and be done with it. Now it is not that simple. In today’s COVID times
where flights are not preferred for obvious reasons, people choose to rent cars
for their trips, but usually for round trips. But it is not true for all US
residents, many people are still taking flights which are running on 50%
occupancy and are renting cars for trips like Las Vegas Strip, Route 66, and Niagara
Falls.
Alamo: Alamo sometimes refers to the one-way fee as inter-city or
inter-state fee, through which a drop-off fee is charged when booking online.
Avis: Avis waives drop-off fee on half-day rentals or 12-hour rentals that
too if they are for trips between the airport & the downtown. On all other
one-ways, a drop-off fee is charged.
Budget: It usually doesn’t charge a one-way fee, provided you notify
the branch about the one-way trip. In case you fail to inform and return the
car at a different location, a minimum of a $45 fee will be added to your final
bill.
Dollar: Dollar charges a one-way fee on all its one-way rentals reservations.
Enterprise: Called a drop or mileage charge, the fee varies by location—and
sometimes there isn't even a drop-off fee. If there is one, the site will alert
you at check out.
Hertz: Hertz is known to charge no one-way fee on its one-way rentals in
the majority of the cases.
National: It charges a mileage or drop fee on its one-way rentals
Sixt: Sixt charges a one-way fee except for a few selective states like
California.
Thrifty: Thrifty charges a one-way fee on all the one-way rentals booked with
it, online or via phone.
Top one-way rental trips in the US
Here is a list of the top one-way trips of the US which are best explored in a rental car
Los Angeles to San Francisco
Distance: 381.9 mi
LA to San Francisco is the most loved and the most popular drives from Los
Angeles.
Los Angeles to Las Vegas
Distance: 270.2 mi
If you love Los Angeles and Las Vegas, you will definitely love the scenic
drive between the two iconic US cities.
Los Angeles to San Diego
Distance: 120.3 mi
Since south California is densely populated, the road turns out to be a fun
drive with plenty of spots on the way.
San Diego to Las Vegas
Distance:331.8 mi
San Diego to Las Vegas is the much-loved drive among weekend road trippers;
the drive from LAX to San Diego is equally popular with business people.
San Diego to San Francisco
Distance: 501.8 mi
The best way to explore the pacific coast highway is by driving from San Diego
to San Francisco.
Phoenix to Las Vegas
Distance: 300.7 mi
If you crave a drive past deserts, canyons, ruins, mountains, and lakes, the
road trip from Phoenix to Las Vegas is your best option.
Orlando to Miami
Distance:235.7 mi
The road trip from Orlando to Miami takes you on a drive dotted with Walt
Disney, Universal studios, and more.
Other popular road-trips in the US:
- Route 66
- Key West to Miami
- Niagara Falls
- Grand Canyon National Park
- Yellowstone National Park
- Yosemite National Park
How to save on one-way rentals?
When you book a one-way fee with the company of your choice, call the
customer care, and check with them. Ask them to offer you a better deal if
possible. If the one you have is the best they can offer, double-check the
one-way charges.
There are many car insurance companies that offer discounts on rental cars,
check with the customer care whether they can be used with one-way rentals.
Members of AARP, AAA, CAA or Costco, get discounts on one-way rentals. Or,
you can also join the membership of the car hire company you book with; members
get a lot of privileges including deals with no-one way fees.
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