[WelcomeMe]

In August I'm coming to the US for 3 weeks so my missus can visit some of her mates. Whilst there, I'll need to hire some wheels. I was under the impression that one-way rentals were common in the States, so am wondering why my rate quotes online are doubling from around $300 per week to $600 per week for a normal mid-size car if I drop off at a different location? I feel like I'm getting shafted.

My plan originally was to arrive at PHL, drive south to the Maryland peninsula then north to the Lakes and fly back from Toronto. The rates were up over $1000pw, which is ridiculous even though I am dropping the carr off over the border. That's when I thought about dropping the car in Detroit and got the $600pw quotes. It's not all that far back to PHL, but I would like an easy life and the ability to spend a few days in Toronto.

If it can't be done, then I will just either have to pay through the nose, which will annoy me, or I will rent a premium on a circular journey to make the drive worth it; I was quoted $450pw PHL hire and return for a Mustang.

[Pa33anger]

In August I'm coming to the US for 3 weeks so my missus can visit some of her mates. Whilst there, I'll need to hire some wheels. I was under the impression that one-way rentals were common in the States, so am wondering why my rate quotes online are doubling from around $300 per week to $600 per week for a normal mid-size car if I drop off at a different location? I feel like I'm getting shafted.

My plan originally was to arrive at PHL, drive south to the Maryland peninsula then north to the Lakes and fly back from Toronto. The rates were up over $1000pw, which is ridiculous even though I am dropping the carr off over the border. That's when I thought about dropping the car in Detroit and got the $600pw quotes. It's not all that far back to PHL, but I would like an easy life and the ability to spend a few days in Toronto.

If it can't be done, then I will just either have to pay through the nose, which will annoy me, or I will rent a premium on a circular journey to make the drive worth it; I was quoted $450pw PHL hire and return for a Mustang.

I am not certain, but mileage may be a huge factor in the rates... if u return it to the same place you rented it from, the likelyhood (even under "unlimited miles") is that your overall mileage will be lower. Also, when you go from state to state, and especially country to country you get an insurance premium spike. ie, i live in dallas. I can get a in state special (texas) for $30 a day, texas is gigantic, easily 1000 miles from tip to tip, but if i drive north from dallas 80 miles into oklahoma the rate becomes $45 a day. State to state travel increases the cost of the car, into canada they will rape u.

[Aaron757]

One way rentals are not that common. Rental companies hate them as it screws up the car distribution.

The rates are absurdly higher for one way...and go from unlimited mileage when returned to same place...to higher day rate plus mileage cost on one ways.

[WelcomeMe]

So if I do make a round trip, will I have to pay more taxes and premiums for going out of state?

[Ingeborga]

So if I do make a round trip, will I have to pay more taxes and premiums for going out of state?

What are you talking about? You never took the car "out of state..."

[WelcomeMe]

What are you talking about? You never took the car "out of state..."

That's what I was thinking....

[zithromaxlinks]

Buy a crappy $1,000 used car, get some safe auto insurance, drive it, and then sell it for the same price you bought it for. If you can't sell it, take it to a junkyard, they'll give you something for it. Still cheaper than renting a car, and I can't imagine that too much will break in a 3 week period.

[mplawssix]

I can't imagine that too much will break in a 3 week period.

You never owned my old Pontiac.

[WelcomeMe]

Buy a crappy $1,000 used car, get some safe auto insurance, drive it, and then sell it for the same price you bought it for. If you can't sell it, take it to a junkyard, they'll give you something for it. Still cheaper than renting a car, and I can't imagine that too much will break in a 3 week period.

The money isn't the problem, it's the principle of increased rental fees for no apparent reason.

If you rent a car in the UK, the daily price is as advertised. If you drop off at a different depot, then there is a one off surcharge, usually in the region of £25-50.