How to Rent a Car for Out of State

It is common to need to rent a car and then travel out of state. You need to let the car rental agency know if you plan to take the automobile out of state. If you do not, you can find yourself penalized. This is especially true if you get in an accident while driving out of state with a rented vehicle.

  • Find rental car agencies that permit you to take their vehicles over state lines. You can find rentals for out-of-state use from popular agencies such as Enterprise Rent-a-Car and Budget Rent a Car.

  • Speak to a customer service representative directly when renting a vehicle for out-of-state use. Although you can book rental cars online, if you plan to go out of state it is better to call in order to discuss the agency's regulations.

  • Receive a quote on your car rental. Ask for a breakdown of all charges, including rental price, taxes, fees and service charges. You should be notified by the car rental agency about any out-of-state charges you might need to pay.

  • Let the car rental company know where you plan to return the vehicle. Major car rental companies with multiple nationwide locations typically offer the option of returning the vehicle at another rental facility. If you do plan to return the vehicle out of state, find out if you need to pay any applicable fees for this service.

  • Consider reserving a global positioning system (GPS) unit with your car rental for out-of-state use. Agencies now offer GPS devices for rental as well. This can come in handy for out-of-state travel.