Top 8 Car Rentals for Road Trips (+The Best Models to Rent)

ByBruce Powers

These car rentals are best for individuals and families on road trips, with an extensive list of suitable vehicles that ride comfortably on long-distance travel.

car rentals for road trips

What to Consider When Choosing a Car Rental Company for Road Trips?

The best car rental companies for driving long distances are typically the bigger ones with many locations and offer lower rates for longer rental durations.

Still, choosing the right car rental will depend on these:

Besides the above, you need to consider auto insurance, and you may want to purchase a damage waiver and roadside assistance for unforeseen circumstances.

What to Consider When Choosing a Rental Car for Road Trips?

The top attributes of the ideal rental car for your family or friend’s road trip are straightforward:

  • Sufficient seats and space for passengers and bags. Plus, comfortable seats are essential.
  • High ground clearance for the occasional rougher terrains.
  • All-wheel-drive system for enhanced traction in slippery and wet conditions.
  • Reasonably fuel efficient, so you can spend more for food than gas for the car.
  • Cruise control, so your right foot need not work full-time.
  • Convertibles for those who want to enjoy the sun while driving along the coasts.

The right rental car for you will also depend on the total number of people traveling, the driving distance, and your budget.

The 8 Best Car Rentals for Long Trips & Vacations

#1 Alamo

Alamo is one of the better car rentals in North America, with moderate rates and above-average customer satisfaction.

Alamo is an ideal car rental for one-way road trips as it allows renters to drop off the vehicle at a different location or state, mostly without an ‘inter-city’ or drop charge.

This drop charge fee varies by location and is seasonal, and Alamo will disclose it when you book via its website.

Plus, most Alamo locations allow inter-state travel, and standard allowances like additional drivers and pets are available.

Alamo’s Best Rental Car Models for Road Trips

Alamo has several suitable rental cars for long road trips, although the number of passengers and your budget are significant factors to consider:

  • Ford Edge – 5-seater midsize SUV, auto transmission, AC, cruise control, low to mid-20s mpg average, sizable cabin for its class, close to 40 cubic feet of cargo space with seats up.
  • Nissan Rogue – 5-seater small SUV, auto transmission, AC, cruise control, 30 mpg combined, large cabin, 36 cubic feet of storage, comfortable ride quality.
  • Chrysler Pacifica – 7-seater minivan, auto transmission, AC, cruise control, low-20s mpg average, comfortable seats.

#2 Avis

Avis has many locations country-wide and an extensive fleet, making it an excellent car rental for cross-country trips.

Although its rates are some of the highest in the industry, the great number of vehicles from which to choose means almost every type of long-distance driving needs will have a suitable car.

Most Avis locations do not charge a one-way fee, and you can revise your drop-off location mid-rental if plans change.

Plus, the longer you rent, the more you save.

Unlimited miles are also standard with Avis, so you need not worry about extra mileage charges as you cover ever greater distances.

Avis’s Best Rental Cars for Road Trips

Although sedans may suit individuals or small families on mid-distance vacations, SUVs and minivans make better long-trip vehicles for a larger group:

  • Mazda CX-5 – 5-seater small SUV, auto, AC, 1 large bag, 1 small bag, high-20s mpg combined, superior handling.
  • Ford Edge – 5-seater midsize SUV, auto transmission, AC, cruise control, low-20s mpg average.
  • Nissan Pathfinder – 7-seater midsize 3-row SUV, auto, AC, 1 large bag, 2 small bags.
  • Jaguar F-Pace – 5-seater SUV (between the small & large classes), auto, AC, low to mid-20s mpg average, 2 large bags, 2 small bags.
  • Jeep Wrangler – 4-seater midsize SUV, superior off-road capabilities, auto, AC, 3 large bags, close to 20 mpg average.
  • Range Rover Velar – 5-seater small luxury SUV, auto transmission, AC, low-20s mpg combined, 3 large bags.
  • Ford Fiesta – 5-seater hatchback, ideal for 1 or 2 travelers, auto, AC, 1 large bag, 1 small bag, 30 mpg average.

Avis is one of the few car rentals with Jeep Wranglers.

#3 Budget

Budget is part of Avis Budget Group, so most of Avis’s requirements and benefits apply to Budget.

While most Budget locations do not impose a one-way charge, it will charge a minimum $45 unauthorized return fee if you drop it off at a new place without Budget’s prior authorization.

Changing your drop-off location is possible with Budget by contacting a reservation agent at 800-527-7000.

Budget is another great pick for road trips and family vacations with over 600 rental locations, including non-airport sites, unlimited mileage, and reasonable daily rates.

Budget’s Best Rental Cars for Road Trips

Budget has several rental vehicles that suit long-distance driving for families or college students:

  • Kia Soul – 5-seater extra-small SUV (best for 2-3 travelers), auto, AC, 1 large bag, 2 small bags, mid-20s mpg combined.
  • Mazda CX-5 – 5-seater small SUV, auto, AC, 1 large bag, 1 small bag, sporty handling.
  • Ford Fiesta – 5-seater hatchback, auto, AC, 1 large bag, 1 small bag, approx. 30 mpg average.
  • Ford Edge – 5-seater midsize SUV, auto, AC, 1 large bag, 2 small bags, low-20s mpg average.
  • Nissan Pathfinder – 7-seater midsize 3-row SUV, auto, AC, 1 large bag, 2 small bags.
  • Chevy Tahoe – 7-seater large 3-row SUV, auto, AC, 2 large bags, 2 small bags. Ideal for large families.
  • Chevy Suburban – 7-seater large 3-row SUV, auto, AC, 3 large bags, 4 small bags. Comfortable, giant cabin for large families.
  • Chrysler Voyager – 7-seater minivan, auto, AC, 2 large bags, 2 small bags.

#4 Dollar

Dollar may not be one of the largest car rentals in North America. Still, its reasonably affordable daily rates are attractive for cross-country renters, not least because Dollar provides free different-location drop-offs from many locations.

Still, you need to check if a particular branch lets you return the car in another State.

Most locations and rental car models do not impose a one-way fee, but for those that do, the rate is typically $0.49 per mile – large SUVs (like Chevy Suburban) or minivans usually have this fee.

Great distances between locations approaching 2,000 miles can mean paying nearly $1,000 just to return the car in a different State.

If you’re relocating on a tight budget, opt for a rental car make and model that doesn’t attract the drop-off charge; most small cars and some bigger ones will not incur the fee.

Note: Dollar has cheap one-way fees for select locations from time to time, going as low as $29.99 or $19.99 per rental.

Dollar’s Best Rental Cars for Road Trips

SUVs and minivans make some of the best rental cars for family vacations and long journeys, and Dollar has several suitable ones:

  • Buick Encore – 5-seater subcompact SUV, suitable for small families, auto, AC, cruise control, mid-20s mpg combined.
  • Jeep Compass – 5-seater compact SUV, auto, AC, cruise control, mid-20s mpg average.
  • Hyundai Santa Fe – 5-seater, between small and midsize SUV, cruise control, mid-20s mpg combined.
  • Nissan Armada – 8-seater 3-row SUV (but the final row is better for kids only), cruise control, under 20 mpg combined.
  • Nissan Pathfinder – 8-seater 3-row midsize SUV, cruise control, low-20s mpg average.
  • Chevy Suburban – 8-seater large SUV (the final row is spacious enough for adults), ample cargo room, cruise control, under 20 mpg combined.
  • BMW X3 – 5-seater compact luxury SUV, roomy interior for a compact SUV, AC, cruise control, not available to renters under 25.

#5 Enterprise

Enterprise has consistently topped JD Power’s annual satisfaction survey.

It has a large fleet and offers unlimited mileage as standard; plus, most locations do not impose a one-way fee, making Enterprise the top pick for cross-country road trips.

However, renters should note that Enterprise’s daily rates are some of the highest in the industry, putting it out of reach of those with modest budgets and who need larger vehicles.

If you encounter a one-way fee in your reservation, it may be a one-time drop charge or per mileage charge.

Enterprise encourages its customers to book one-way rentals in advance.

Enterprise’s Best Rental Cars for Road Trips

When renting from Enterprise, you can expect to find many cars suitable for long journeys:

  • Chrysler Pacifica – 7-seater minivan, 5 bags, cruise control.
  • Volkswagen Atlas – 7-seater 3-row SUV, cruise control, comfortable seats.
  • Ford Edge – 5-seater midsize SUV, quiet and comfortable cabin, cruise control.
  • Nissan Rogue – 5-seater small SUV, 4 bags, cruise control.
  • Nissan Kicks – 5-seater extra-small SUV, 3 bags, cruise control, better suited for 2-3 travelers.
  • Chevy Tahoe – 7-seater large SUV, cruise control.
  • Chevy Suburban – 8-seater large SUV, cruise control, excellent for large families with plenty of interior space.
  • Audi Q3 – 5-seater extra-small luxury SUV, cruise control, suitable for 3 travelers or 2 adults and 2 kids (rpd).
  • BMW X3 – 5-seater small luxury SUV, cruise control, leather interior, spacious enough for adults in the backseat.
  • BMW X7 – 7-seater large luxury SUV, cruise control, smooth ride, and comfortable interior.
  • Range Rover Sport – 5-seater midsize SUV, cruise control, sporty handling with impressive off-road capabilities.

#6 Hertz

Hertz is one of the three leading car rentals in North America, and its one-way rental offerings are almost on par with the other two, Avis and Enterprise.

Hertz is a suitable car rental for long road trips as many Hertz airport branches can accommodate one-way rentals with most vehicles, except for its Tesla models – Hertz is one of the few companies with electric cars.

Hertz lists the following cities with participating airport locations that allow one-way rentals:

  • Boston.
  • Chicago.
  • Columbia.
  • Dallas.
  • Denver.
  • Houston.
  • Nashville.
  • San Francisco.
  • Washington DC.

Hertz’s Best Rental Cars for Road Trips

Hertz has SUVs of various sizes to suit smaller and larger families on cross-country vacations:

  • Chevy Equinox – 5-seater compact SUV, below-average cargo room.
  • Nissan Rogue – 5-seater compact SUV.
  • Chevy Suburban – 7-seater large SUV, great for large families.
  • GMC Yukon – 7-seater large SUV, roomy and comfortable interior.
  • Infiniti QX80 – 7-seater large luxury SUV, below-average fuel economy.

#7 National

National’s daily rates are probably the most expensive among North American car rentals.

Still, National has plenty of airport and non-airport locations to meet road-trip travel needs where renters pick up the unlimited-mile car from one place and return it at another.

Starting and ending rentals at different airport locations do not incur a drop fee or a per-mile charge.

Meanwhile, returning a rental car at a non-airport location may have a one-way fee, but the best way to find out is to make a reservation on National’s website.

National’s Best Rental Cars for Road Trips

National has many rental cars that meet road trip needs, but their availability will be location-dependent:

  • Nissan Kicks – 5-seater subcompact SUV, cruise control, good for 2-3 occupants to travel comfortably.
  • Volkswagen Atlas – 7-seater 3-row midsize SUV, cruise control, spacious seats in all rows.
  • Audi Q3 – 5-seater extra-small luxury SUV, cruise control, suitable for 3 travelers or 2 adults and 2 kids.
  • BMW X3 – 5-seater small luxury SUV, cruise control, leather interior, spacious enough for adults in the backseat.
  • Ford Edge – 5-seater midsize SUV, quiet and comfortable cabin, cruise control.
  • Nissan Rogue – 5-seater small SUV, 4 bags, cruise control.
  • Chevy Tahoe – 7-seater large SUV, cruise control.
  • Chevy Suburban – 7-seater large SUV, great for large families.
  • Chrysler Pacifica – 7-seater minivan, auto transmission, AC, cruise control, comfortable seats.
  • Jeep Wrangler 2 and 4-door – 4-seater midsize SUV, superior off-road capabilities, auto, AC.
  • Infiniti QX80 – 7-seater large luxury SUV, below-average fuel economy.

#8 Sixt

While Sixt has a pretty large fleet, its participating locations allowing one-way rentals are fewer.

Still, renters intending to drive long distances between and within these States are in luck as Sixt does not impose a one-way feel:

  • California.
  • Florida.
  • Nevada.
  • Texas.

Examples of selected routes with free different-location drop-offs are:

  • Los Angeles to Las Vegas.
  • Los Angeles to San Francisco.
  • Miami to Orlando.

Unlimited mileage is standard for most Sixt rental vehicles so that you can enjoy your family road trips.

Car Rentals Less Suitable for Road Trips (& Why)

The following may not suit long-distance driving, especially if you plan to drop off the vehicle in a State, because of their expensive drop charge fee:

Thrifty

Thrifty charges a $0.49/mile drop-off fee if you return the rental car in a different State, although you will only incur this fee at some locations and with certain vehicles.

For example, the 2,600 miles between LA and Florida will cost you $1,274 in the drop charge alone.

You could avoid the drop charge if you rent mainstream cars like Chevy Spark, Nissan Versa, Toyota Corolla, or Chevrolet Malibu.

Still, one of the main reasons that Thrifty car rental doesn’t suit cross-country travel is its lack of SUV models (of any size).

Payless

Although Payless is part of Avis, it has relatively limited vehicles you can rent for road trips and return to a different State.

Cars like the Mazda CX-5 small SUV are among the few suitable road trip vehicles available.

Turo

Unlike the rest listed in this post, Turo is a car-sharing service where guests rent directly from individual car owners.

While the wide-ranging selection of vehicles is appealing, the limited miles and typically same-city return do not suit road trips and cross-country driving.

References:

https://www.avis.com/en/products-and-services/services/one-way-car-rental

https://www.budget.com/en/products-services/services/one-way-car-rental

https://www.enterprise.com/en/car-rental/one-way.html

https://www.hertz.com/rentacar/rental-car-deals/one-way-rentals