Can you take a rental car on a road trip?
David Craig
Updated on March 31, 2026
Renting a car to drive cross-country If you’ve never rented a car for a road trip, you are probably wondering, how far can you drive with a rental car? The answer, in most cases, is however far you want! Most U.S. rental car companies offer unlimited mileage car rentals, meaning there is no limit on how far you can go.
Can you travel out of state with a rental car?
You are free to travel outside the state you picked up the car. When you enter a new state, always remember to stop at the first RTO checkpost. The signs are always well marked and you will find that all cabs and self-drive rental vehicles are stopping there too.
How long will the rental car shortage last?
Expert: Rental car shortage could last ‘six to 18 months’ As a rental car shortage plagues the nation with inventory outages and sky-high prices, one industry insider said the issue could last for another year and a half.
Is it cheaper to rent a car for road trips?
For long trips that last only a few days, it’s often cheaper to rent a car than to drive your own. But the decision to rent depends on many factors: the trip’s mileage, leasing costs, fuel efficiency, how much your car depreciates with each mile, tire wear, and the price of oil changes.
Is it cheaper to fly or rent a car?
Even though it can take longer to drive than fly for long-distance trips, gas and lodging can be cheaper than plane tickets, baggage fees, and rental cars. This benefit covers the cost of a hotel night so your only travel expenses are gas and food.
How can I get a discount on a rental car?
Use these hacks to find affordable car rentals:
- Shop multiple locations.
- Look for membership discounts.
- Employee and alumni discounts.
- Skip the upsells.
- Use an internet-wide discount code finder.
- Avoid age restrictions.
- Ask about current promotions.
How do I pay for a rental car for someone else?
CAN I PAY FOR THE RENTAL OF A CAR FOR ANOTHER INDIVIDUAL? The renter of the vehicle must be present to sign the rental agreement and provide their credit card at the time of pick up. The renter cannot provide a credit or debit card belonging to someone else for their use.
Do rental cars have trackers?
No, AVIS does not track the car with GPS. Perhaps some executive rental companies might track the car through GPS, but most rental car companies do not have GPS added to their cars. It is a misconception but if you think about it, it just isn’t feasible financially to GPS all the rental cars.
Why are rental cars so hard to find right now?
More than one of every three rental cars that were in service before the pandemic are no longer available. For customers, smaller fleets mean higher prices and longer waits. Now that the economy is growing faster than anticipated and people want to travel, the companies are struggling to find enough cars.
How often should you let your car rest on a road trip?
As a general rule, it’s best to take a break of at least 15 minutes every two hours, and to not drive for more than eight hours in a day, to ensure you stay alert and avoid the associated risks of driving for too long without a rest.
When should you rent a car for a trip?
Booking three to six months before you travel is usually ideal. Prices tend to be most competitive during this period. There isn’t much benefit to booking further ahead. If anything, prices tend to be higher a year ahead.
How can I get the cheapest car rental?
The Cheapest Way to Rent a Car: 10 Tips
- Skip the airport. Renting at the airport is convenient when you’re flying into a new city.
- Shop around online.
- Turn to discount brands.
- Leverage memberships.
- Opt for economy cars.
- Stick to one driver.
- Use your own insurance.
- Forgo the extras.
Who is cheaper Hertz or Enterprise?
Enterprise Rent A Car appears to be the low cost provider – $20 “cheaper” per day, but when you look at the total cost of the solution and value of it, it’s actually more expensive, an inconvenience, and provides less value than Hertz!
