Renting a car is something that most people either have done or will do at some point in their lives. The process is fairly straightforward, you pick up a car at one location and return it to the same location a few days later. But in some instances, you may need to drop the car off at a different location.

A one-way rental can be a very convenient car rental option for the following traveling situations:

You’re moving to a new city and want to explore a new city for a day or two.
You have a flight that’s been canceled, and you need a vehicle to get back to your hometown.
You plan to travel within your city and don’t want to use public transportation or pay for a cab.

Table of Contents:

One Way Rentals By Car Rental Company

Although one-way rentals aren’t as common as single-location rentals, it’s helpful to know which car rental companies offer this service and other details surrounding it.

For example, if you’re planning to use a one-way rental for an out-of-state move, you may want to call the car company ahead of time to ask about the fee.

Why? Because some companies will charge a one-way fee based on distance from the original pickup location. And if planning a cross-country move, this could amount to a hefty chunk of change.

Enterprise

Enterprise has been at the top echelon of the car rental industry for the past 50 years and has grown into one of the most respected and well-known brands. They offer a one-way rental option with unlimited mileage.

However, not all locations offer this service. The locations that offer this one-way service will typically charge an additional fee for mileage or a single “drop charge” for the service itself.

It’s always best to call in advance or check online to ensure that you’re able to make the booking. If the location at which you’re looking to make the booking doesn’t offer the service, you will see the following message, “Location Unavailable,” on their website when you click the one-way rental tab.

Hertz

Hertz is another giant in the car rental industry and has won numerous awards for its service and impressive fleet of vehicles. They also offer one-way rentals at select locations. Like

Enterprise, these locations will charge an additional fee for the one-way rental option, which will vary by location. During certain times of the week and year, Hertz will also offer special deals on one-way rentals in which renters can receive the car at a discounted rate of anywhere from 10-20%.

Before booking a one-way rental with Hertz, be sure that you double-check the rental time, as some locations only allow the rental for 24 hours or less. There may also be stipulations regarding the location where you’re able to drop the vehicle.

Avis

The Avis rental car brand has been in operation for over 65 years and is widely recognized as one of the most successful car rental companies in the US. One thing that stands out the most with Avis is their pricing, which also extends to the one-way rental program they offer.

Most locations don’t charge any fees for this service and the process for booking this option is fairly straightforward. If you’re booking the rental online you can simply click the ” one-way rental” tab on their website and select your pickup and drop-off locations.

If there’s a fee for the rental, it’ll be stated before you make the booking. They also allow you to change your drop-off location mid-rental by simply calling a phone number and speaking with an Avis specialist.

National

National Rental is a subsidiary of Enterprise and they have just as good service and vehicle selection. Though they have fewer locations, they also offer a one-way rental option when making a reservation.

These rentals offer unlimited mileage, though they may have restrictions on certain vehicles, specifically larger vehicles such as issue visas and vans. The charge for this fee may vary depending on the time of booking, vehicle booked, and the pickup and drop-off locations.

There are also restrictions on drop-off locations. It’s also worth noting that all locations won’t offer this service, so be sure to check online or call them directly to you sometime before making a booking.

Alamo

Alamo is one of the largest rental car providers when it comes to international travel and one of the first go-to car services for vacationers. They offer a one-way drop-off service though there is a fee to use this option. Fortunately, you can also use this option even if you’re renting a vehicle using multiple coupons.

Their rental policy includes unlimited mileage and preference is usually given to smaller vehicles. As with other company bookings, it’s best to ensure that the rental is available for the specific location as some locations have fewer vehicles and may not be able to offer this service.

Budget

If you’re looking for an affordable rental car at the last minute, Budget is an option to consider. With over 60 years in the car rental industry, they’ve become synonymous with friendly service and great value for their prices.

They offer one-way rental options only select locations, and they charge a fee for this service most of the time. The fee will vary by location and depend on the vehicle type and other rental factors.

If you plan to take the rental and drop it off out of state, you’ll need to speak with the reservation agent to ensure that this is possible, as some locations have smaller fleets and less availability. They offer unlimited mileage on their rentals, and this includes the one-way program as well.

ACE Rent a Car

ACE may not be as popular as other car rental brands, but it’s worth considering if you’re looking for a rental car for a low price. Their one-way rental policy is only available at select locations, and if they typically charge a fee for the option–the amount of which will vary by location.

There is a one-way windows program that does include unlimited mileage, and you can also use your reward points to help make it more affordable.

Conclusion

You shouldn’t have trouble finding a rental company that offers a one-way car rental option, as most major companies provide the service.

However, you should be aware that this service usually comes with a fee, and that may depend on the vehicle type and the distance between the pickup and drop-off locations.

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James Brockbank

Founder at The Family Vacation Guide

A seasoned traveller, Dad, and avid sports tourist, James foundered The Family Vacation Guide to share his expert vacation experiences- especially when it comes to being a travelling family man.

Featured in Travel articles such as Travel + Leisure, TripSavvy and SFGate, you know you're reading some of the best vacation tips online.

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