Renting a car in Canada for drive to Florida?

[Bertie9396]

OK, here's the background. Hubby, our 9 year old daughter and I are planning a trip late 2014/early 2015 with hubby's parents to Florida. They are having some health problems so this will probably be our last chance to go on a family vacation with all 5 of us. We are planning on renting a house with them. They want to bring their dog. He's a weiner dog (can't remember what they are really called) and they don't want to fly with him so they want to drive. Hubby is worried about his parents driving by themselves, especially that far and in winter, so he is thinking we can rent a minivan or something so we can just go in one car. Hubby, Dad and I all drive so we can all take turns. Which really means, fighting with Dad to let us drive. LOL Mom and our daughter can just sit back and enjoy the drive. Hubby and I were wondering if renting a car in Ontario would even be an option or if we should just book a hotel with parking included on the U.S. side and rent a car from the U.S. Dad likes to take I-75 and since we will be going in the winter we will probably be crossing at Sarnia or Windsor. Does anyone have experience with this? Neither of us have a vehicle large enough to accomodate all of us for such a long drive when you factor in luggage, cooler, etc. Has anyone done something similar? Do you have any advice or suggestions? Hubby and I want to have everything organized. His parents will try to pay for everything if we leave it to them and they will never take our money. I'm not in this for a free trip, I'm in it because my daughter's face lights up like a Christmas tree everytime we talk about taking a trip like this with her grandparents.

 

[bankr63]

OK, here's the background. Hubby, our 9 year old daughter and I are planning a trip late 2014/early 2015 with hubby's parents to Florida. They are having some health problems so this will probably be our last chance to go on a family vacation with all 5 of us. We are planning on renting a house with them. They want to bring their dog. He's a weiner dog (can't remember what they are really called) and they don't want to fly with him so they want to drive. Hubby is worried about his parents driving by themselves, especially that far and in winter, so he is thinking we can rent a minivan or something so we can just go in one car. Hubby, Dad and I all drive so we can all take turns. Which really means, fighting with Dad to let us drive. LOL Mom and our daughter can just sit back and enjoy the drive. Hubby and I were wondering if renting a car in Ontario would even be an option or if we should just book a hotel with parking included on the U.S. side and rent a car from the U.S. Dad likes to take I-75 and since we will be going in the winter we will probably be crossing at Sarnia or Windsor. Does anyone have experience with this? Neither of us have a vehicle large enough to accomodate all of us for such a long drive when you factor in luggage, cooler, etc. Has anyone done something similar? Do you have any advice or suggestions? Hubby and I want to have everything organized. His parents will try to pay for everything if we leave it to them and they will never take our money. I'm not in this for a free trip, I'm in it because my daughter's face lights up like a Christmas tree everytime we talk about taking a trip like this with her grandparents.

It can be done, but its probably not easy to do properly. Your best bet is call a few rental companies and explain what you want to do. Most companies with "unlimited" mileage put restrictions on how far you can go with the car (read their rental agreement, most are available online). In the US it usually states that you are not allowed to travel more than 2 states away from your state of origin, so even popping over the border isn't a better option.

However, calling around you may be able to get a rental that allows you to drive south of the border, and even all the way to Florida, but I expect there will be a mileage charge involved.

Also, check your insurance coverage carefully. If you plan to waive the rental company coverage, make sure you really are covered by your own policy or your credit card policy for all eventualities. Actually, even if you take the rental insurance, review it carefully to ensure you are covered.

 

[iluveeyore]

I have done this several times, most recently last summer - we rented from Avis and Budget, unlimited km. This was for a large sedan though, so you will have to check for minivans or SUVs. It is much easier to rent from near home for the packing and not having to pay for parking (if you rent in the US, usually renting at an airport is your best bet). You are not allowed to rent in the US and drive it back into Canada unless you've been in the States with the rental for more than 48 hours (from what I remember reading online). So we either rent at home, or we pack up our car and have friend/family member drive us over to the Buffalo Airport and transfer all our stuff to the rental. Happy planning - don't forget to check mousesavers.com for rental codes/coupons

 

[Bertie9396]

Well, this mini-van/SUV rental situation will not be happening. I've done some quick price comparisons, and no matter which way we swing it, when you figure in gas, hotels on the way, etc., it is easier and cheaper for the 5 of us to fly. Its the dog that's the complication. Inlaws refuse to have him fly in a cargo area but he's too big to be able to in the cabin in a little crate. We have a fabulous kennel our family has used for years. Our dog is going there, I don't know why their dog can't do the same. Their other dogs in the past have always gone there. *sigh* At this point would it be wrong to hop a plane by myself and just tell them to meet me there whenever they figure it out? I'll sign a letter before I leave so they have no problems with taking DD over the border. LOL Its snowing here again...I feel like I'll never be warm again so I'll just go right now

 

[minnie56]

What about driving to buffalo airport and renting a vehicle from there? We did it once, cost us $200 for the vehicle ..plus gas etc.