Why Are One Way Car Rentals So Expensive?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Your price is broken out into different components: the daily rate (a.k.a. time and mileage), taxes and fees, and a one-way drop charge

. The drop fee can vary from one rental-car company to another, and even within a single rental car company.

Is it cheaper to rent a car and return it to the same location?

If you rent a vehicle and return it to the same location,

you can usually find a competitive rate

. But rent the car in one place and return it somewhere else — a one-way rental — and you’ll pay hundreds, and sometimes thousands, of dollars more.

What car rental companies do not charge a drop fee?

When you need to pick up your rental car at one location and return to another, contact

Hertz. Rental

. Certain geographic, time, and other restrictions may apply. Competitive rates with no separate drop-off fees on most rentals.

Why are drop fees so expensive?

Often hefty “drop fees” are

tacked on to to the base rental rate

, which can inflate your total cost significantly. Other times, the base rate is over-inflated compared with a standard rental where you pick up and drop off at the same location.

What happens if you drop a rental car off at a different location?

In the US, it’s common to pick-up rental cars with plates from different states (they must have gotten there somehow, right?). However, generally speaking, rental companies also charge the one-way rental extra fee based on how far the drop-off is from the pick-up as they’ll have to return it to its original city.

Can you rent a car one way from Canada to us?


One-way rentals are permitted when driving between the U.S. and Canada

; however, driver regulations may apply. For example, if a Canadian licensed driver plans to rent a vehicle in Canada and drop it off in the U.S., the law requires that he/she rent and drive a car with Canadian license plates.

Can I drop my rental off at any enterprise?


At participating Enterprise rental locations, a vehicle can be rented in one location and returned to another

; however, please be advised that: Some one way rentals are assessed a one-time drop charge or mileage charge in addition to the rental rate.

Can you rent a car and drop it off in another state?

Can you rent a car and drop-off at a different location?

Yes, you can rent a car and drop it off at a different location

.

Can I leave my car at a car rental place enterprise?

Regarding the time of return:

you can bring back your car when we’re open, but you can also do so – free of hassle and free of charge – outside of opening hours

. You simply park on the Enterprise parking lot by the concerning location, lock your car and leave the key in the drop box.

Does enterprise charge a drop fee?

A drop charge is a fee for picking up a rental car at one location and returning it to a different location. The rental car drop fee

varies depending on location and time of year

. If you have to pay a drop charge, it will be disclosed at the time of reservation.

Can I return a Hertz car to a different location?


A Return Change Fee of $12.99 will be applied if you return the vehicle to a different location from that which was scheduled

, or if you return more than 12 hours after the date and time previously scheduled, and you failed to notify Hertz of such a change more than 24 hours prior to your scheduled return time by …

What is a drop fee?

What is a drop fee? A drop fee is

charged by the trucker to drop off an FCL container at the warehouse and pick it up after it has been unloaded, as opposed to a live unload

. A drop fee is also called a bobtail fee.

Can I return a national car to Enterprise?


No, you can’t

sadly. Some people have mentioned receiving approval to do a breakdown exchange with a National car at the nearest Enterprise. The downtown Enterprise location in Ottawa continued to have a National computer kiosk for quite some time after the merger, and they permitted National drop offs.

Can you rent a car in one European country and drop off in another?


Domestic one-way car rental is usually free of charge when Enterprise renters rent and drop off a vehicle at different locations within the same European country

. International one-way car rental policies may vary between European countries and may be subject to additional fees.

Can I return my Alamo car to a different location?


Yes, a one-way Alamo rental car return is possible

. Plus, you can enjoy no drop fee in many locations across the US. This makes the Alamo a great choice if you want to return your rental car to a different location.

Can an American drive a Canadian car in the US?

As far as the U.S. government is concerned,

Canadians can leave their car in the U.S. for up to one year with Canadian registration and a Canadian driver’s licence

, after which you will have to get a U.S. registration and insurance, meet U.S. environmental standards and pay duty on importing the vehicle.

Which car hire companies allow cross-border travel?

Car Hire Company Cross-border travel (Yes/No) Europcar Yes Greenmotion Yes Hertz Yes Sixt Yes*

Can you drive a rental car across the Canadian border?

Canadians can drive a U.S. rental car across the border into Canada without paying GST, HST, or Green Levy taxes if they meet all of the following requirements: You have been out of Canada for more than 48 hours. The vehicle is for non-commercial use. You return the vehicle to the U.S. in no more than 30 days.

Do I get a refund if I return my rental car early?

If you need to drop off your car earlier than expected, call the local number the rental company should have given you with the paperwork you got when you picked up the car.

You will not receive a refund for the unused days

, but there shouldn’t be any charges for returning the car early.

Does enterprise charge for gas?

Customers may refuel the vehicle to the same fuel level upon picking up the vehicle.

If a customer chooses not to refuel the vehicle to the same fuel level, they will be charged the local Enterprise rate which is typically above the local pump price

. A full tank of gas is not guaranteed.

What happens when you don’t pay enterprise?

If you don’t return the car it’s a crime of failure to return.

The payment can be worked out without you getting arrested

, but if you don’t retune the car you will get arrested and that will cost way more than $500.

Can you hire a car for a one way journey?

What is one-way car rental?

One-way car hire is ideal for when you need to pick up a rental car in one destination and drop it off in another

. Pick up your car straight from the airport and drop it off at a convenient location when you’re done.

Timothy Chehowski
Author
Timothy Chehowski
Timothy Chehowski is a travel writer and photographer with over 10 years of experience exploring the world. He has visited over 50 countries and has a passion for discovering off-the-beaten-path destinations and hidden gems. Juan's writing and photography have been featured in various travel publications.