Fasten your seatbelts, flexible car rentals are nearly here!
It won't be long until you can compare and book car rentals at Alternative Airlines. In the meantime, check out what's coming!
Book One Way Car Rentals
Split your cost over time with buy now, pay later
Be the first to know
We'll let you know as soon as we're live and ready for you
What is a one way car rental?
A One-way car rental (also known as a multi-city car rental) lets you pick up and return your vehicle at two different locations. It's a great way of travelling cross-country without having to double back to your original location.
For example, a family of four flying into LAX for a road trip around California could pick up their rental at LAX from Avis and return it 2 weeks later to Avis's location at San Francisco Airport (SFO) before flying home.
Can I book one way car rentals at Alternative Airlines?
Yes, Alternative Airlines makes it easy to rent a car one way. Simply head to the search bar at the top of the page and enter two separate locations to see one way rental results.
Available for pickup and drop-offs in the USA. Only card payments in USD are available to Non-U.S. customers.
Why book one way car rentals?
Pick up at one location and drop off at another. There's no backtracking, which is great for cross-country and business trips. It's also a practical solution to moving homes.
No backtracking 🔁
When you rent a car one-way, you won't backtrack. You pick up at one location and drop off at another. It's a great way to go on cross-country road trips or get to conferences in different states on a business trip.
Fly and drive 🚐 ✈️
One way rentals give you the flexibility to fly into one airport and fly out of another while maintaining the freedom to travel at your own pace in the comfort of a rental car. For example, you could fly into Orlando MCO, pick up your car and fly out of Atlanta Airport ATL after returning your car there.
They're ideal for moving house 🏡
Available car rental suppliers like Budget offer commercial vans and trucks, designed for carrying large amounts of cargo. Fit everything you need into your vehicle, then drop it off at a location near your new home.
Flexible installment plans
Book one-way car rentals, pay later
Split your one-way car rental cost over time when you choose buy now, pay later at checkout through Alternative Airlines..
Here's why our customers love using buy now, pay later for car rentals:
- Short and long-term options - Pay in 4 installments or over 24 months
- Trusted lending partners - Like Klarna, Affirm, and Afterpay
- The approval process is fast and secure - Your information is safe every step of the way.
- Drive now, pay later - Whether your on vacation or need a car last-minute, pay later lets you rent the car you need without draining your budget.
Buy now, pay later is only available to U.S. residents. Non-U.S. customers can only pay in USD via a card transaction.
Popular one-way car rental companies
Explore some popular choices for one-way car rentals across the U.S. From global names to budget brands, we have options for all rental needs.
One-way offerings vary by supplier and location.
How to book one way car rentals
Booking a one-way rental at Alternative Airlines is simple. All you've got to do is:
- Make a search - Head to the search form at the top of the page. Enter two different locations in the pick-up and drop-off location boxes, as well as your dates and age. Then hit the search icon.
- Pick your one-way rental - From the search results page, pick your preferred rental deal. Make sure to filter by features like fuel policy to find the best car for you. Then click Continue.
- Head to checkout - Enter your driver information, add any extras or add ons, like additional driver's, then head to checkout.
- Pick your payment type - From the list of payment types, choose your preferred option. Buy now, pay later is only available to U.S. residents. Non-U.S. customers can only pay in USD via a card transaction.
- One-way car rental confirmed - Once you have selected your payment option and securely paid, your rental agreement and documentation will be sent to your email instantly.
Are one-way car rentals worth it?
One-way car rentals are without a doubt a more convenient way to rent a car and travel long distances and are worth it for those who value convenience and flexibility. However, expensive drop fees and limited availability can make one-way rentals less practical for others.
One-way car rental fees💰
Renting a car one-way is more expensive. This is because suppliers will usually charge a drop-off fee, which is calculated on the distance between locations. Meaning the more miles between your pickup and drop-off location, the more you will pay. The fee is included in the price of your rental and covers the cost the supplier incurs to transport your rental back to its original location.
Limited availability 🚗
Not all suppliers offer one-way rentals, and the ones that do may have restrictions on your chosen locations.
- Some suppliers will allow one-way rentals between certain locations and exclude others.
- Others disallow one-way rentals altogether.
Can't find any rentals for your selected locations? Consider going with two nearby airports. Airports will often have a much larger fleet of available vehicles than neighbourhood pick-up points.
How to get the best deals on one-way car rentals
As one-way rentals can be more expensive, here are some handy tips and tricks to help you save.
Book an economy rental 🚗
What economy cars lack in size and power, they make up for in price. Designed with affordability in mind, these cars let you spend less on your rental so you have more for your destination.
Drive during the off-season 🍂
While the off-season will depend on which states you’re visiting, the general rule of thumb is that Fall and Winter travel is more affordable (excluding the holiday season). If your plans are flexible, consider travelling during these times.
Pay for your rental in installments 💸
By selecting a buy now, pay later option at checkout, you get to pay for your rental over time. Instead of paying one large sum upfront, spread the cost into manageable installments. Discover more below! 👇👇👇
Flexible long-distance car rentals
Cross country car rentals
With suppliers located across the U.S., renting a cross-country car rental is a great way to travel conveniently and without fuss. Here's why:
- Pick up when you land and drop off at another airport before you fly home, whether that's 100 or 400 miles away.
- Maintain the freedom and flexibility to follow your own itinerary. No rushing to the airport to hop from city to city. Travel at your own pace, stress-free.
- Explore new parts of the U.S. from small communities to big cities
- If you're travelling for business, cross-country rentals give you the flexibility to travel in and out of work hours.
Rental cars are only available at pick-up and drop-off locations in the U.S.
One-way airport car rentals
Travelling to America and interested in visiting multiple states? Instead of booking several domestic flights, you can drive across America, exploring different locations on the way.
Airports are some of the most popular car rental collection and drop-off points for a reason. Enjoy greater convenience and quicker transfers combined with even more rental options.
The most popular American airports for one-way car rentals
- Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
- Orlando International Airport (MCO)
- Las Vegas Harry Reid International Airport (LAS)
- Miami International Airport (MIA)
At Alternative Airlines, we make travelling easy by having flights and car rentals in one place. Click the "flights" option on the search form above to search for flights. ✈️🚗
Popular one-way rental locations
Unsure where to go for your next trip? Consider making one of these destinations your final rental stop.
Las Vegas 🍸
As the entertainment capital of the world, Vegas makes for a memorable trip. Party the night away, visit the casinos or watch one of the many theatre shows. Drop your rental off at Las Vegas Airport, then hit the Strip. Not sure which car to rent? Full-size SUVs are perfect for combating the Mojave Desert heat with their advanced air conditioning systems.
New York City 🌆
New York is one of America's most walkable cities. Drive your rental to John F. Kennedy International Airport, then use the city's efficient public transport system to get you from place to place. Make your journey easier when you choose a compact car. These small vehicles make navigating tight spots less challenging.
Orlando 🎡
Orlando's the perfect place for a family vacation. Get lost in the magic of its many theme parks with activities designed for all age groups. Drop your rental at Orlando Airport, then head over to one of the parks. Fit the whole family into one vehicle when you rent a passenger van.
Why book one-way rentals with Alternative Airlines?
We know our name may cause some confusion, but we’re more than just a flight booking site! Discover what makes us special.
We’re trustworthy 🗣️
Over the years, we’ve cemented ourselves as a go-to travel booking site. Our expert customer service team, reliability and no-hidden-fees approach have earned us a 4.9-star rating on Trustpilot!
We make travel accessible 🌐
We offer pay later on both our flights and car rentals. With no big upfront fees, planning your next trip becomes that much easier. There’s no need to count the pennies after a big spend, instead pay over a time frame that suits you.
We have plenty of options ➕
With over 600 airlines to choose from and leading car rental brands available, you get to travel how and when you want.
Ready to book a one-way car rental?
Rent a car one-way through Alternative Airlines. It's a convenient way of renting a car when you're not returning to your starting location. Make your rental more affordable when you choose to pay later through Alternative Airlines.
Trusted globally
Rated Excellent on Trustpilot
We’re super proud of our Trustpilot rating, but don’t just take it from us. See why millions of others love booking their flights through Alternative Airlines
One-way car rentals FAQs
What is a one-way car rental?
A one-way car rental lets you collect and return your rental to two separate locations.
How do one-way car rentals work?
Most car rental suppliers have bases all across the country. You’ll have the option to pick up your rental from base A and then return it to base B.
This means your collection and return locations must both be places that your supplier operates.
Are one-way car rentals more expensive?
This depends. In general, one-way car rentals are more expensive. This is because you’ll be paying extra for your car rental to be delivered back to your collection location.
Car rentals can work out more affordable, though, especially if you only need a rental to get you to your destination. Instead of spending money on a rental that you’ll barely use while on holiday, you can drop it off at a local return point.
Who has the best one-way car rental rates?
Booking your car rental with a third-party like Alternative Airlines means you get handy discounts that might not be available if you went directly through the supplier.
Compare hundreds of rentals and filter your search by price to find the best deals. Pay later on travel to make your rental even more affordable.
When it comes to actual suppliers, Dollar and Budget have an extensive range of economy vehicles. While Sixt and Avis have a wide selection of high-quality rentals at a reasonable price. All of these suppliers are available at Alternative Airlines.
Can I book a one-way truck rental?
Yes! One-way truck rentals are ideal for moving house or transporting large amounts of cargo between locations.
Enterprise, Dollar, Hertz and many more of our suppliers offer truck rentals.
How much is a one-way car rental?
This depends on a few factors, such as:
- Your pick-up and drop-off locations.
- Your type of vehicle.
- Your rental dates.
To get the cheapest rental, you'll typically want to collect from a non-airport location, select an economy or compact vehicle, and rent during the Fall or Winter.
Am I eligible for a one-way car rental?
To be eligible for a one-way rental at Alternative Airlines, you must meet the following criteria:
- Be over the age of 21 (While 21 is the requirement for most suppliers, age eligibility can vary).
- Be booking a rental to pick up and drop off within the USA.
- Have a valid driver’s license.
- Have a mobile phone number and email address (so we can send you your receipt).
Currently, non-U.S. residents can only pay with USD via a card transaction. U.S. residents can pay via card or buy now, pay later.
What happens if I return my car rental to the wrong location?
You’ll be charged a high drop-off fee, which can set you back hundreds or even thousands.
If you need to change your return location instead of dropping your rental at a different place, contact us as soon as possible, and we’ll try to mitigate any potential fees.
Can I change my collection and return locations?
Yes, but it may cost you extra. The more notice you give us, the lower any change fees will be.
Please note that you’ll have to select pick-up and drop-off locations that your chosen supplier operates. Not all suppliers offer rentals to the same places.
Can I book one-way car rentals and pay later?
Yes! At Alternative Airlines, US residents can book one-way car rentals and pay later.
Just select your rental, then choose one of our ‘buy now pay later’ options at checkout.
Spread the cost of your one-way rental into manageable installments that fit around your budget and travel needs!
Non-U.S. residents can still book car rentals in the U.S. However, they can currently only pay in USD via card.
Can I book last-minute one-way car rentals?
Yes! You can book last-minute one-way rentals at Alternative Airlines!
If you’re booking your rental in the days leading up to travel, then your rental may be more expensive than if you’d booked a few weeks prior. Luckily, there are ways to cut costs!
Book a more affordable vehicle, like an economy or compact car. And pay for your rental in installments with a buy now, pay later.