An interesting travel option to consider is a one-way car rental, which may suit the needs of many travelers. This type of rental allows you to rent a car from one location and return it to another. Because these rentals are for a short period of time, they may be less expensive, costing less than $30 USD per day for economy cars plus gas. Even so, a one-way car rental is usually more expensive than renting a car that you pick up and drop off at the same location, and if you’re planning a particularly long trip, you may be required to pay additional fees for mileage or delivery of the car back to its original location if it’s a significant distance away.
However, there are some situations in which a one-way car rental is the best option. If you only need to travel a few miles from the airport to your hotel or another location in town, renting a car for a short trip may be less expensive than paying for shuttle or airport service, especially if you’re traveling with a group. You must ensure that a rental drop off location is close to where you will be required to be, or that someone at your destination will be able to pick you up at the drop off location.
Another reason to consider a one-way car rental is if you’re flying a short distance and get stuck in an airport due to a canceled or delayed flight. If you need to get home quickly, renting a car and driving home may be more convenient than waiting for another flight, especially if delays are expected to be lengthy. If you live in San Francisco and are stranded in Los Angeles, a one-way car rental can get you home in about six hours, and the rental is usually less expensive than a one-way flight.
Because they enjoy driving, some people are also interested in driving to places they want to visit. If you’re traveling somewhere new and want to see what the landscape is like between your home and your destination, you could rent a one-way car and fly home. If you’re traveling a long distance, exceeding a certain number of miles per day can be costly.
One-way car rental services are available from a variety of car rental companies. Before you rent, do some price comparisons and figure out which locations are the most convenient for pick-up and drop-off. Look into extra fees for extra mileage or car delivery back to their original locations. Renting a car for the duration of a trip and returning it to its original location can sometimes be more cost effective. You can decide if one-way car rentals are right for you after some budgeting, cost comparison, and consideration of your car rental needs.