Out of state rental car?

[la79al]

We are looking at renting a car at BWI and driving to WDW. DH seems to think that there will be problems or fees associated with taking the rental car out of state. Is this true?

 

[I'mNoPrince]

They all have one-way rentals but yes they do charge for this.

Now if you are driving it back to BWI then yes they might charge you for going out of state through the milage.

Just check as each has it's own rules.

 

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

You didn't indicate whether the rental was one way or returning to BWI. If you're returning the car then you'll see that most rentals with the major companies give you unlimited mileage and no restrictions except not taking the car into Mexico. Enterprise is the only major I've seen that limit where you can take the car. Now if you're going one way and dropping the car in Orlando, most rental companies will let you do it but be prepared for a shocking "drop charge" for doing so.

BobK/Orlando

 

[seashoreCM]

Actually many rental companies limit you to the same state or perhaps the neighboring states also.

The driving range may also vary depending on what discount plan you sign up for.

Disney hints: http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

 

[ncbyrne]

If you are picking up and dropping off at the same airport, all major car rental companies have unlimited mileage within the 48 states. Smaller local agencies sometimes have restrictions. We always rent a car for long distance vacations at EWR (Newark airport, NJ) and get the best prices w/Dollar or National - sometimes Alamo.

 

[Blondiex46]

when I drive I rent in Philly and drive whereever. The rental company has no idea where you are driving it to they don't ask.

 

[clkelley]

I have seen a couple of rental companies that do limit mileage if you are renting from your home city, as they know you are probably renting for a long trip.

 

[Fire14]

I was put in a situation of this kind a few years back d/t my car was involved in an accident. I just set up my own rental after calling around for best price and asking if I could take car out of state, I never stated which state I was taking it to.

 

[NotUrsula]

The rental company has no idea where you are driving it to they don't ask.

On the contrary, they know exactly where you are driving it. These days, almost all rental cars are equipped with passive GPS beacons in case of theft.
Some of them also have governors that will transmit a report back to the company if the car is driven at excessive speed or in certain patterns (doughnuts, etc.)

Now what the company chooses to do with that information will differ. There have been a couple of court cases where people have been charged speeding fines by the rental company that were overturned, but so far AFAIK there is no rule that says that they cannot impose surcharges for violating distance limits so long as the limits are clearly stated on the contract. Not reading the fine print could cost you in that situation.

Unlimited mileage means the odometer reading; distance limits and place limits are something else entirely, and some companies use them in some markets, most commonly in the NE.

 

[bavaria]

I rent almost weekly and from various agencies at airports large and small. MOST rental agreements have state restrictions in the small print.

Those who choose to disregard those restrictions, or fail to read them, open themselves up to serious liability should an accident occur.

There is a lot of misleading information on this thread, and I encourage the OP to research this one fully before making a decision.

 

[bavaria]

On the contrary, they know exactly where you are driving it. These days, almost all rental cars are equipped with passive GPS beacons in case of theft.

http://writ.news.findlaw.com/ramasastry/20050823.html

here is from a rental website for a Florida rental

Out of State rentals are allowed to the following states with a mileage cap of 1,500 miles for Compact thru Minivan categories. Each excess mile beyond 1,500 is charged at $.35 each: Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Mississippi, Alabama, and Tennessee. Travel outside these states is not permitted. Severe penalties will apply.

From Budget's website

Q. Can I drive the car outside the state?
A. For driving out of state you must inform the location you are renting from.

From a rental in VT

GEOGRAPHIC
UNLIMITED MILEAGE INCLUDES DRIVING WITHIN VT. IF DRIVING OUT OF VT, ADD $5/DAY. MUST STAY WITHIN NEW ENGLAND AND NEW YORK

 

[manning]

It may depend on what rental company you are using. I'm in Illinois and rent a car every year to go to Florida. It is always unlimited mileage with Hertz.

I know Enterprise is great for this. Cross the state line and you are charged mileage.

Also you may be charged mileage depending on the type of rental is involved. If you are off the street and are not using a contract rate (corporate rates for example) you could be charged mileage. There is one city in florida at Hertz if you aren't using a contract rate you pay mileage, otherwise it is unlimited.If it is one way you may get hit with mileage.

Also would recommend you not rent at an airport location. That is were they usually hit you with additional taxes. There are ways around it if you have to. Take MCO. If you arrive an a plane you are hit with an airport tax. However if you are a walkin (sometimes I took a bus from Disney to Hertz to get a car) and you let them know this when making the reservation you are not charged the additional tax.

 

[QT Pooh]

If you are picking up and dropping off at the same airport, all major car rental companies have unlimited mileage within the 48 states. Smaller local agencies sometimes have restrictions. We always rent a car for long distance vacations at EWR (Newark airport, NJ) and get the best prices w/Dollar or National - sometimes Alamo.

This is not true. I just tried to rent a car in Butte, MT through Avis. There was an 1,120 mile restriction for the rental period. I wound up using my corporate leisure rate and got unlimited mileage that way.

With any rental, they are subject to restrictions. Read the fine print carefully.

 

[salmoneous]

If they have restrictions, they will tell you. For fun I set up a Dollar rental out of BWI, and the only restriction is that the car has to stay in the United States.

 

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

Corporate-owned rental locations are more likely to offer the "unlimited mileage" and "anywhere in the U.S." terms than privately owned (franchised) locations. Don't know about the Avis location in Butte, MT, but off-hand I'll guess that it was not a location actually owned by Avis but was just an Avis franchised location.

BobK/Orlando

 

[manning]

One great example of a contract rate would be AAA

If you are a AAA member you can rent a car using the AAA negotiated rates.