Coast to coast, Car rental US

newcomer10
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Joined: Sun Dec 15, 2019 5:34 am

Coast to coast, Car rental US

Post by newcomer10 » Sun Dec 15, 2019 5:56 am

Hi !

My girlfriend and I are planning to travel coast to coast (BOS - SFO) by car. Our trip will last approx 4 weeks.
Can anyone recommend me a good and relieable car rental company?
Of course we want to avoid untrustworthy companies having old cars, charging hidden fees/extras...

Thanks

Hotengine
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Joined: Sat Dec 14, 2019 10:49 am

Post by Hotengine » Sun Dec 15, 2019 8:21 am

Are you looking for a car rental like Hertz,Avis,Alamo or Sixt? If yes, I can tell you that the prices for a one way rental from east coast to west coast will be almost as high as you would purchasing the car.

If you look for something like "driveaway" of a private car across the States, then you will not find a car rental for 4 weeks. They will give you 1 week max. Fur such a long period of time I recommend to purchase the car at the east coast and sell it after having arrived at the west coast. Anyway check out the Sixt deal page before youmake any reservation. My opinion!

Lowfligh10
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Joined: Mon Dec 09, 2019 5:38 am

Post by Lowfligh10 » Mon Dec 16, 2019 4:54 am

Hotengine wrote:
Sun Dec 15, 2019 8:21 am
For such a long period of time I recommend to purchase the car at the east coast and sell it after having arrived at the west coast. My opinion!
No, don`t think so. You will not be better off buying a own car instead of renting one. Buying and selling a car will be a big hassle. :(

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Bentley
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Joined: Sat Dec 07, 2019 7:15 am

Post by Bentley » Mon Dec 16, 2019 7:06 am

Hotengine wrote:
Sun Dec 15, 2019 8:21 am
Are you looking for a car rental like Hertz,Avis,Alamo? If yes, I can tell you that the prices for a one way rental from east coast to west coast will be almost as high as you would purchasing the car.

Somehow true @Hotengine. I just checked out a one way rental from BOS to SFO for a period of complete february. The rental price at Avis in Compact Size (which is a Ford Focus or similar, automatic transmission) is $1,580.80 plus LDW (Cover the car) $9,61 per day. Total is $ 3,412.03 for the month of february. Too expensive. I suggest to buy a used or new car as well indtead of paying such a price. :cry:

5.psi
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Joined: Fri Dec 13, 2019 4:49 am

Post by 5.psi » Mon Dec 16, 2019 9:38 am

Driving from east cost to west coast is a real challenge.

I also suggest to change from time to time tne rented car by replacing it in using rail service or flying portions of the trip. Also Greyhound might be an option for some portions. Greyhound actually is advertising with additional service which can make such a trip quite comfortable like free Wi-Fi on every bus, individual power outlets or extra legroom. Think about it @newcomer10.

Johnpie
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Joined: Sun Dec 15, 2019 5:35 am

Post by Johnpie » Mon Dec 16, 2019 10:49 am

Guys

for four weeks you may be better flying to cities and renting there for round tours. As example, do the Washington DC corridor using public transport which is working very well. Then renting a car to explore the countryside and returning to the same city. Then fly out to, let`s say Atlanta. There rent a car again to do the popular Georgia loop. If you choose this way, you will not have to worry about a long term rental and believe me, you will not miss most of the monotonous inner US countryside. Also you will not waste your time driving through nothing. The more you can spend your time to drive through something which is worth seeing. Of course this is my opinion only.

Urban
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Joined: Mon Dec 16, 2019 11:00 am

Post by Urban » Tue Dec 17, 2019 2:37 am

Buying a car has a high potential of major problems. It might end up costing more. It is not very convenient, in fact it might be a major hassle. And selling car in California from any other state is a big problem from a legal point of view. Be careful.

tramper
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Joined: Mon Dec 16, 2019 11:01 am

Post by tramper » Tue Dec 17, 2019 7:02 am

One way rentals are always very expensive. I suggest that you consider driving a west coast loop San Francisco. Go there using the plane. ;)

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Leddy
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Joined: Thu Dec 19, 2019 4:48 am

Post by Leddy » Thu Dec 19, 2019 5:20 am

Coming back to the original question of @newcomer10 I can absolutely suggest any car rental company that's big enough to offer one-way rentals over a long distance has a good reputaion. This includes Avis, Alamo, Hertz, Enterprise, Budget, Thrifty and National as well. All of these companies have significant corporate business and consequently must national reputations to keep up. As normal practice in the car rental business they all may try to play games with selling customers overpriced insurance or a tank of gas. But as just said this is nothing special at US car rental companies. You must simply know this behaviour and take care a little @newcomer10

ESPoff
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Joined: Thu Dec 19, 2019 4:50 am

Post by ESPoff » Thu Dec 19, 2019 10:04 am

Constructive comment @Leddy.

For sure going with the mentioned car rental companies will be a costly exercise. Other option is to rent a car for a week or two. It can be returned when a stop for a few days in a big city will take place. Afterwards another car can be rented when you decide to move on. Depending on the toute New York would probably make a good such layover. But anyway prices must be checked out in advance.

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