Why is one way car rental more expensive?

Just because one rental company is charging a $250 drop-fee for your one-way rental from Los Angeles to San Diego doesn’t mean that they all are. Sometimes smaller budget companies, such as Advantage or Fox, will offer much lower drop fees (or none at all) compared with major companies like Avis, Hertz and National.

Why is it so expensive to return a rental car to a different location?

Usually, rental companies charge a return fee, but it depends on the pick-up and drop-off location, date of reservation, car category and more. This way, the more you drive away from the pick-up address, the more expensive the fee will be.

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.

Does enterprise charge a one way fee?

Some one way rentals are assessed a one-time drop charge or mileage charge in addition to the rental rate. The drop charge fee varies by rental location, return location, and time of year. If there is a drop charge fee, it will be disclosed when you book via the web site and is payable at time of pick up.

Why are one-way car and truck rentals so expensive?

One-way car and truck rentals are usually more expensive because it’s a hassle for the company for their stock to end up somewhere else.

Is the base rate for a one-way rental car over-inflated?

Other times, the base rate is over-inflated compared with a standard rental where you pick up and drop off at the same location. Shop around. Just because one rental company is charging a $250 drop-fee for your one-way rental from Los Angeles to San Diego doesn’t mean that they all are.

What is a one-way car rental?

A one-way car rental is one where you pick up the car at one rental office and drop it off at a different location. One-way rentals can be one of the most convenient ways of getting from A to B, but they can also be very costly.

Can you rent a car and return it one way?

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. Why? Car rental companies charge hefty dropoff fees to give drivers an incentive to return the vehicle to their original location.