Supplier policy guide

One-way car rental policies by company

Use this page to compare how major rental companies handle one-way and different-location rentals: whether they allow them, how drop charges are presented, where mileage or vehicle restrictions can apply, and what must be confirmed before booking.

One-way policies by company

CompanyOne-way rentalsDrop-off fee Cross-regionGood to know
Enterprise Yes May apply; varies by route & season Yes One-way rentals must be booked in advance. Returns within the same city can still trigger a drop charge, mileage charge, or a higher rate.
National
National US one-way fees ↗ · checked Jun 2026
Yes Often none airport-to-airport Yes Unlimited mileage on most U.S. and Canada one-ways; some specialty vehicles (large vans, large SUVs) have mileage limits. Certain one-way routes are not allowed.
Alamo
Alamo one-way policy ↗ · checked Jun 2026
Yes May apply; varies by location Yes Book one-way rentals in advance. Same-city returns can still be charged, and certain one-way routes are not allowed.
Hertz
Hertz US one-way rentals ↗ · checked Jun 2026
Yes No separate drop-off fee (US) Yes About 1,700 U.S. locations (airport and neighborhood). Free unlimited mileage on most rentals; SUVs, minivans and Prestige vehicles can be rented one-way.
Avis Yes Most locations: none Yes Book one-way rentals in advance. Driving out of state is allowed; review any fees during booking. Car type and availability vary by participating location.
Budget
Budget one-way car rental ↗ · checked Jun 2026
Yes May apply; same metro usually free Yes One-way hire is available from most Budget locations; the price quoted online already includes any applicable one-way charge.
Sixt Yes Shown upfront; free on select FL/CA/NV routes With conditions U.S. one-way rentals are generally allowed between Sixt locations; international one-ways are not permitted, and driving outside permitted areas adds a per-mile fee.
Dollar Yes Drop fee applies; varies Yes One-way rentals within the U.S. and within Canada vary by Dollar location and vehicle availability. Book in advance.
Thrifty
Thrifty one-way car rental ↗ · checked Jun 2026
Yes Drop fee applies; varies Yes One-way rentals within the U.S. and within Canada vary by Thrifty location and vehicle availability. Prices vary by location, date, length and car class.

How we source this: each row links to the rental company's own published one-way / drop-off policy, with the month we last checked it. These policies change often and vary by route, location and vehicle class, so treat them as a guide and always confirm the current one-way fee and terms with your supplier before you book.

Policy questions this table does not answer

The company table is a starting point, not a quote. For the mechanics of picking up in one place and returning somewhere else, see the different-location rental guide. For how one-way charges appear in the final price, use the drop-off fee guide. Exact availability and cost still depend on the branch pair, dates, and vehicle class.

What a one-way rental can cost

The drop charge

Also called an "inter-city fee", this is a one-time charge for returning the car to a different location. It varies by pickup, drop-off and season, and is disclosed when you book.

A higher one-way rate

Even with no separate drop fee, the daily rate on a one-way can be higher than the same car returned to where you picked it up. Compare the all-in total.

Mileage & vehicle limits

Many one-ways include unlimited mileage, but specialty vehicles (large vans, large SUVs) and certain routes are restricted or not allowed at all.

Tips to lower the one-way fee

  1. Compare suppliers on the drop fee, not just the headline daily rate — the fees diverge sharply.
  2. Stay in the same region where you can; same-metro returns often avoid the biggest charges.
  3. Book in advance — one-way availability and car classes are limited and must be reserved to a participating drop-off.
  4. Check for route promotions — some brands waive one-way fees on select corridors (for example parts of Florida, California and Nevada).

Need a route instead of a policy?

This page compares supplier rules. For airport-specific pickup and return logistics, drive details, and direction-specific notes, use the one-way car rental route directory.

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