Opting for an unlimited mileage option may be the best choice if you prefer flexibility or don’t have a fixed route or you are planning on taking a long road trip with hundreds of kilometers on the road every day. With unlimited mileage, you can drive without worrying about exceeding the limit and incurring additional charges. So, if you’re planning a long trip, driving every day, choosing unlimited mobility may be the way to go when selecting a rental car.
One caveat: even the biggest vehicle rental agencies don’t usually offer unlimited mileage for larger or specialty vehicles such as large passenger vans, big SUVs and some larger cargo vans. They may come with limited mileage and an incremental cost of $0.10 – $0.25 for every additional kilometer over the allowed limit. So, always read the fine print!
What is unlimited mileage?
Unlimited mileage means there is no cap on the number of miles you can drive a rented vehicle. Unlike limited mileage policies where exceeding the limit incurs additional charges, with unlimited mileage, you can drive as far as you want without worrying about extra mileage costs. This type of deal is particularly advantageous when planning a long trip, as you won’t need to keep track of your mileage. When you go to a car rental agency and you see labels such as “without a mileage limit” or “unlimited mileage”, it might also indicate the true allowance of mileage you can drive with such a car when you book for it. You can rent a car without a mileage limit at most destinations, but it’s important to review the rental conditions before booking.
Are rental cars with mileage limitations cheaper?
If you aren’t planning on driving hundreds of kilometers every day, it may be more cost effective to rent a car with mileage limits. The good thing is, the daily mileage limits are usually applied over the rental period – so if you are renting a car for a week but do most of your driving at the beginning and end of your trip, the mileage will be averaged out over the entrie seven days. For example, if you rent a car with a 200km per day limit for 6 days, you can use 1200km (200km x 6 days = 1200km) before being charged for any extra mileage. Let’s say you picked up your car at the Toronto airport on Monday and drove 300km to your destination; and then you didn’t use the vehicle for another long-haul until the 300km return trip on Saturday, you would have used less than 700km for your entire trip which is far below the 1200km you were allotted for the six days; so you would not incur any extra mileage fees. It can be a similar scenario if you rent a moving van or truck. These larger vehicles may have a lower daily limit, but if you are only using it to move your things across town, you could save money by using a truck rental service that has mileage limits too.
What are mileage limits?
Unlimited mileage means there is no cap on the number of miles you can drive a rented vehicle. Limited mileage policies have a maximum daily number of miles/kilometres included in the daily rental price. You can exceed the limit, but you would incur an additional charge for every mile/kilometre you used above the limit. Different car rental agencies have different limits and different overage costs. So, always compare the prices before you settle on the best rental agency for your needs and budget.
You can often find this information detailed on a rental agencies website. For example, this page on the City Car & Truck Rental website shows only the daily costs per vehicle: https://citycarandtruckrental.com/our-fleet/ but, clicking on any of the vehicles takes you to a page that does include the mileage limit and extra fees for that specific vehicle or category:
How to find out if Limited or Unlimited mileage is the best rental option for you:
It depends on your plans and your budget whether or not you should rent a car with a mileage limit or with unlimited miles. Limited miles may be cheaper if you don’t plan on driving extensively, so here is how to figure out your best option financially:
- Use Google Maps or Apple Maps to plan your route and get an estimate of the mileage you will use over your entire trip.
- Then check the rates of limited mileage vehicles compared to the cost of unlimited mileage vehicles to figure out which is the best bet for you or your specific trip.
- Multiply the number of days you will be renting the vehicle by the number of miles/kilometers included each day. That will give you the total mileage you are allowed to use for your planned trip.
- If your estimated mileage is lower than the total mileage allowed, you could save money by using a limited mileage vehicle.
- If your estimated mileage is higher than the total mileage allowed, you can multiply the number of miles/km over by the cost per mile/km over the limit to estimate the full cost of renting a limited mileage vehicle. Then compare that to the cost of renting an unlimited mileage vehicle.
The pricing of car rental companies is influenced by various factors such as the vehicle category, reservation period, and destination.
What are the Benefits of Renting an Unlimited Mileage Car?
1. Freedom to Explore
If you are planning a long road trip or visiting multiple destinations in a short period of time then it may be beneficial to rent a car with unlimited mileage. You may have more freedom to explore as much as you want without hesitating. You won’t have to worry about the mileage limit or paying extra fees for exceeding the limit. You can drive as far as you want without any restrictions.
2. Cost-Effective
Renting a car with limited mileage can be cost-effective if the total miles accrued over your trip is less than the daily mileage limit multiplied by the number of days of your trip. This often happens with long trips over multiple days, or if you are just staying in the local area and using the vehicle for convenience.
Benefits of Renting a car with either Limited or Unlimited mileage:
Convenience
Renting a car with unlimited mileage or knowing you will not be going over the limit (because you did the simple calculations above to know you are going to be safely under the limit) is comforting. You don’t have to worry about constantly checking the odometer or calculating how many miles you have left. You can focus on your trip and enjoy the journey without any distractions. Additionally, you don’t have to worry about returning the car before the end of the rental period to avoid extra fees.
Flexibility
Renting a car with unlimited mileage can provide flexibility. You can change your itinerary or add new destinations without worrying about the mileage limit. This is especially beneficial if you are planning to travel far, and plan to explore different areas without any restrictions. Perfect for those who just like to drive compared to those that like to stop and spend time visiting a location.
Convenience
By figuring out your costs in advance – unlimited vs limited mileage – you can choose a car that suits your needs and preferences without worrying about the mileage limit. You can choose a larger car for more comfort or a smaller car for better fuel efficiency. Additionally, you can choose a car with features such as GPS, Bluetooth, or heated seats to make your trip more comfortable.
Renting a car with limited mileage usually saves money and provides the same benefits such as freedom, convenience and comfort. But, if you are planning a long road trip and visiting multiple destinations, renting a car with unlimited mileage could be a great option to consider. It can provide peace of mind and flexibility as you enjoy your trip without any budget worries by paying the premium upfront.
