Last Updated on December 1, 2025 by Kristin
One-way rental cars that involve picking up the car in one location and dropping it off at another are typically more expensive than returning the car to the original location. While prices vary, one-way car rentals can often cost hundreds of dollars more than round trips. Here’s why renting one-way is more expensive, along with tips for slashing these high prices.
Factors Affecting One-Way Rental Costs
The biggest reason why one-way rental reservations cost more than regular ones is logistics. Rental car companies usually plan to have a certain number of each type of car in each location, so bringing new vehicles in from other offices requires some extra planning.
The higher costs of one-way rentals reflect the logistics of returning that car to its original location and accounting for its absence. Most rental car companies have a set number of each vehicle type at each office. The higher cost covers not only any costs the company might incur when moving the car back to its original location, but also accounts for the time that the car will be unavailable until it returns to its original rental location.
These logistical issues only become more complicated when rental cars cross country lines. Therefore, international one-way rentals are usually prohibited or very expensive if allowed.
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Types of One-Way Rental Fees
Major rental car companies typically charge extra for one-way trips, either through higher prices or special fees. However, there are some situations when you may find a comparable price to round-trip rentals.
One-Way Rental Rates: Rental car companies often pass on the extra costs of one-way rentals by charging a higher rental rate.
One-Way Drop Charge: Rental car brands such as Avis, Alamo and Enterprise may charge a one-way “drop charge,” which varies depending on the location and specific trip.
One-Way Mileage Charge: While rental cars often come with unlimited mileage, this may not apply to one-way rentals. Check with the rental office to see if there are any extra mileage charges for one-way rentals.
Unauthorized Return Fee: If you book a round-trip rental and try to drop off the car at another location without letting the rental car company know, you could be looking at a hefty fee. These so-called “unauthorized return” fees vary depending on the rental car company and the brand. For example, Budget says its unauthorized return fee starts at $45, and travelers in online forums have reported paying hundreds of dollars or more at various rental car companies.
How Much More Expensive is a One-Way Rental?
There is no straightforward answer to how much more expensive one-way rentals are, as it depends on the time of day, trip length, distance between locations, and other factors.
For example, a recent Budget search showed that the base rate for a weeklong reservation starting at San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and ending at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) was about $475 cheaper than a round-trip rate on the same dates. However, choosing a one-day round-trip between the same locations was just a few dollars more than the round-trip price.
So,one-way rentals are usually significantly more expensive than round-trip rentals, but not always. Factors such as the length of the reservation, dates, locations and car models can have a big impact on the final price.
How to Get Discounts on One-Way Rentals
If you’re looking for a one-way rental, there are a few ways to avoid paying an exorbitant price. Here are some tips for finding a better price:
One-Way Discounts: Discount codes often don’t apply to one-way rentals, but sometimes companies offer special deals for these trips. To keep up with the latest sales, join rental cars’ loyalty programs to receive special offers in your inbox.
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Try Different Dates: Rental companies may drop the price of one-way rentals if they need more cars at a certain location. Try a mix of reservation dates and times to see if you can get a lower one-way rental price.
Check Different Locations: Check different destinations to increase your chances of finding a good deal. Car companies may offer you a good price if you plan to drop off a vehicle at a place in need of cars, such as a popular ski resort or remote location near a national park.
Compare Car Models: Certain car models may be less expensive to drive one way than others. Even if you usually drive a specific model, take a look across the different car categories and see if any have a more reasonable price.
While one-way rentals can be expensive, sometimes finding the right mix of dates, deals and car models can make these reservations much more affordable.
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