Renting a car in Buffalo and driving to Orlando

[Bellies23]

Hi all,
Has anyone rented a vehicle in Buffalo and driven to Orlando? Looking for pros/cons on this.

Thanks

 

[Carrol]

Are you asking about renting the car or the drive down?

 

[Bellies23]

Sorry about the lack of details - - I was looking for more information about renting a car in Buffalo.
We have done the drive down before but we no longer have a van and I don't know that 4 of us in a small car would be enjoyable for 24 hours.
I know if it next to impossible to rent a car in Canada and take it over the border so I thought maybe we should investigate the idea of driving to Buffalo, renting a larger vechicle and making the drive down.

 

[minnie56]

My DH rented from Enterprise last month..picked up in MCO and dropped in Buffalo 2 days later...cost was $83 one way. Are you looking to rent and keep for the duration and return to Buffalo? I am sure it's do able..won't be $83 but if you peruse the various car rental sites you'll get an idea.

 

[cslittle999]

Sorry about the lack of details - - I was looking for more information about renting a car in Buffalo.
We have done the drive down before but we no longer have a van and I don't know that 4 of us in a small car would be enjoyable for 24 hours.
I know if it next to impossible to rent a car in Canada and take it over the border so I thought maybe we should investigate the idea of driving to Buffalo, renting a larger vechicle and making the drive down.

You shouldn't have any problems driving a rental vehicle over the border. I rented an SUV from Hertz in Brampton and drove it Wisconsin and back last November. The trick will be to find a vehicle with unlimited mileage otherwise it is expensive. I just checked and Hertz is offering an minivan for $400/week but only 2800 free kms and .20 per km after. Likely an extra $300 to $350.

 

[bankr63]

One warning, several rental companies restrict you from driving more than 2 states away from the rental state with unlimited mileage contracts. Their way of preventing excessive mileage. I don't think they can tell unless you break down or have an accident, but if either of those happen you could face a lot of excessive costs. Many agencies have no restrictions. Make sure the rental company knows of your intentions and that it is not restricted before you go!

 

[greenclan67]

I would be interested in knowing this as well! We are thinking of doing one of 2 things. Renting in Buff, Flint, or Grand Rapids, leaving our car at the airport and drive one way and leave the car there and fly back. It is very expensive doing it that way! Being that we have 2 weeks for vacay this year, we thought about driving both ways, but only have a Chevy Optra with a 12 and 10 year old, it will be crowded. Anyhow, any and all infor would be appreciated as well!

 

[ABCanada]

Depending on when you are going you can get very good one way deals. National & Alamo have one way deals heading south to Florida in the fall and heading north from Florida in late Spring (after the main holiday period).

I have seen it as low as $10/day (plus all the extra fees of course). I believe you get that rate for up to 11 days.

If this coincides with your travel times it is worth watching their websites or signing up for their emails.

 

[iluveeyore]

I will be doing this in October, and have done it several times in the past. So easy to get to the Buffalo airport and pick up a car. I usually book about 1-2 months before as that is when the best rates are available. I have used Avis and Alamo and had no problem with mileage. We also just scored a one-way with Budget to drive back from Orlando to Buffalo for $5 a day (but for a small car only) and we had it for 8 days. We'll be needing this coming rental for round-trip so I'll hope for around $120 for each week for a full-size car. Just check each rental company website for specials, and I check mousesavers.com for any coupons or codes for each company as well. We have two good cars, but like to save the mileage and wear & tear on our own vehicles, so if we don't fly we always rent from Buffalo airport.
Happy planning!