One-way car hire vs a relocation: Which costs less in the US?
Plenty of road trips only need to go one way. Maybe you're driving from the desert to the coast on vacation, moving to a new city, heading to a seasonal job, or visiting family a few states away. When you don't plan on driving back, a one-way car or RV rental is the usual way to do it.
It works, but the costs add up quickly. On top of the daily rate, most rental companies charge a one-way fee for leaving the vehicle in a different city, and on longer trips that fee can reach several hundred dollars or more.
If your plans can flex a little, there's a much cheaper way to make the same trip. This guide compares one-way rentals and vehicle relocations side by side: what each one costs, what you trade off, and when each option makes more sense. It also covers a few ways to lower the cost of any one-way trip.
A one-way rental lets you pick the vehicle, the route and the dates, but you pay the daily rate plus a one-way fee. A relocation is free or $1 a day with no one-way fee, because the rental company needs the vehicle moved. In return, the company sets the route and the number of days, and you choose your dates within its range.
THE BASICS
What is one-way car hire?
A one-way rental means picking up a car, RV or campervan in one city and dropping it off in another, like picking it up in Las Vegas and returning it in Los Angeles. You choose the type of vehicle, both locations and how many days you need it.
The catch for the rental company is that the vehicle now sits at the wrong location. To cover the cost of bringing it back, most companies charge a one-way fee, also called a drop fee. You'll usually see it in your quote when you book, and the farther apart the two locations are, the higher it tends to be.
THE ALTERNATIVE
What is a vehicle relocation?
A vehicle relocation solves that problem in reverse. When a rental company needs a vehicle moved to another location, it lists the trip as a relocation deal on websites like Transfercar. You drive the vehicle to where it's needed, and the rental is free or $1 a day.
It might sound too good to be true, but there's no catch: otherwise, the rental company would have to pay to move the vehicle itself. That's also why there's no one-way fee. What you give up is some control, because the company sets the pickup and drop-off locations, the number of days included and a range of dates. You pick your travel dates, as long as they fall within that range. Our guide on what a vehicle relocation is walks through how it works.
COST
How much does one-way car hire cost in the US?
Most of the cost of a one-way rental comes from two things: the daily rate and the one-way fee.
- Daily rate. Each rental company sets its own, and it varies with the type of vehicle, the season and how far ahead you book. As a rough guide, cars run about $40 to $120 a day, campervans about $100 to $250 a day and larger RVs about $150 to $400 a day, with the highest prices in summer. Many RV rentals also charge per mile on top of that.
- One-way fee (drop fee). For a car, it can be little or nothing within the same state, and typically $150 to $500 between states. For an RV, it's typically $150 to $700, and more on cross-country trips. On a short rental it can cost more than the days themselves. Some companies skip the separate fee and charge a higher daily rate instead.
SIDE BY SIDE
One-way car rental vs relocation: side by side
| One-way rental | Relocation | |
|---|---|---|
| Daily rate | About $40 to $120 a day for cars, $100 to $400 for RVs and campervans | Free or $1 a day |
| One-way fee | Typically $150 to $500 for cars between states, up to $700 or more for RVs | None |
| Route | You choose | Depends on the routes rental companies publish |
| Dates | You choose | You choose, within the deal's date range |
| Number of days | As many as you book | A set number for the trip |
| Vehicle | You choose the class | Whatever needs moving |
| Gas | You pay | You pay |
In the end, it comes down to what you're paying for. A one-way rental charges you for flexibility. A relocation gets you the same one-way trip for next to nothing, as long as the rental company's route, date range and number of days work for you.
When a relocation is the better choice
A relocation is hard to beat when:
- Your dates can move. Deals come up whenever vehicles need moving, so a few spare days in your schedule open up a lot more options.
- You only need to go one way. A vacation road trip between two cities, a move to a new city, the drive to a seasonal job or a visit to family.
- You want an RV on a budget. An RV relocation gives you a ride and a place to sleep for free or $1 a day, with no one-way fee.
- You can plan as you go. New deals are published every week, so if you're flexible you can link several relocations as they come up and turn them into a longer trip.
When one-way car hire makes more sense
A relocation won't fit every trip. A standard one-way rental is the better option when:
- Your dates are fixed, such as for a wedding, an event or a flight you've already booked.
- You need a specific vehicle, such as a minivan for the family, a larger RV for a big group or a particular floor plan.
- You need to book well ahead. You can book a standard rental many months in advance. Most relocations are listed a few weeks before pickup, and few show up more than two months out.
- Nothing is listed on your route, which can happen away from the most popular routes.
If you go with a standard one-way rental, compare the one-way fee across companies, not just the daily rate. It can change the total more than the rate does.
SAVE MONEY
How to cut the cost of a one-way trip
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Check relocations first
Start by searching current relocations on Transfercar for your route. If there's a deal that fits, it will almost always be the cheapest way to make the trip.
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Set a route alert
Nothing on your route right now? Set an alert. New relocation deals are published every week, and many come up at short notice.
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Compare one-way fees, not just daily rates
If a relocation doesn't work for your trip, compare the full cost of a standard rental, including any mileage charges. A cheaper daily rate can be wiped out by a high one-way fee.
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Ask the rental company
Some rental companies waive the one-way fee on short trips or longer rentals, so it's worth asking before you book.
Why book your relocation through Transfercar
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Free or $1 a day. Relocation deals are free or $1 a day for all the days included in the trip.
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No one-way fee. Relocations exist because the rental company needs the vehicle moved, so there's nothing extra to pay for dropping it in another city.
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No booking fee. Transfercar doesn't charge a booking fee, so the price on the deal is the price you pay for the rental.
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In the business since 2008. Transfercar has been connecting travelers with rental companies' vehicles since 2008, with relocations across the US and in Canada as well as in Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Brazil and Argentina.
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Flexible requests. Request several relocations at once, and withdraw any of them before the rental company confirms.
Find a cheaper one-way trip
A one-way rental gives you control over the vehicle, the route and the dates, and you pay for it through the daily rate and a one-way fee. A relocation gets you the same one-way trip for free or $1 a day with no one-way fee, as long as you follow the rental company's route and book within its date range. If your dates can move, check relocations first.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a relocation the same as one-way car rental?
A relocation is a type of one-way rental, but the rental company sets the route and a date range for you to book within. Since it needs the vehicle moved, the rental is free or $1 a day with no one-way fee. With a standard one-way rental, you choose everything and pay the daily rate plus any one-way fee.
Do relocations have a one-way fee?
No. A relocation only exists because the rental company needs the vehicle in another city, so there's no charge for leaving it there. You still pay for gas, and the rental company holds a refundable security deposit when you pick up the vehicle.
Can I drop off a rental car in another state?
Usually, yes. Most rental companies offer one-way trips between states, but a one-way fee often applies and not every location accepts drop-offs. The company confirms at booking whether your drop-off location is available and what it costs. Many relocations cross state lines too, such as Los Angeles to Las Vegas, and some routes run into Canada.
Can a one-way fee be waived?
Sometimes. Depending on the rental company, the one-way fee may be waived on short trips, within the same city or state, or on longer rentals. It's worth asking before you book. A relocation avoids the question entirely, because there's no one-way fee.
What is the cheapest way to rent a car one way in the US?
A relocation is usually the cheapest option. Deals are free or $1 a day with no one-way fee, so your main cost is gas. The trade-off is that you follow the rental company's route and book within its date range, so it suits travelers with some flexibility.
Do relocation websites charge a booking fee?
Some do, but Transfercar doesn't. You'll need a credit card to request a relocation, but there's no booking fee, so the price on the deal is the price you pay for the rental. On other sites, check for a booking fee before you confirm. The rental company also holds a refundable security deposit at pickup.
Is one-way car rental worth it?
It is when your dates are fixed or you need a specific vehicle, because you get full control over the trip. If you're flexible, a relocation on the same route will usually cost far less. Compare the total, including the one-way fee and any mileage charges, before you decide.