How to find car rentals with unlimited miles

• An unlimited mileage plan lets you drive as far as you want with no extra fees
• Most rental cars in the US and Europe don’t have mileage limits
• Car rentals with unlimited mileage offer freedom but come with increased costs and vehicle type restrictions

Ready to hit the road in a rental car but unsure about the mileage rules? While some companies restrict how far you’re allowed to go, others grant you complete freedom by offering car rentals with unlimited miles – perfect for anyone interested in taking spontaneous detours or a road trip where the journey is the destination. If “unlimited miles” sounds too good to be true, that’s because there’s a catch. Unlimited mileage plans don’t always give you the best deal, and not all cars are covered under it, limiting your rental options.

Choosing between a limited and unlimited mileage plan is crucial for staying flexible and within budget. This article explains what unlimited mileage really means, its hidden perks and pitfalls, and which rental plan is right for you.

What unlimited mileage means for a car rental

Not all rental companies allow you to take any vehicle wherever you want. Some rental contracts limit how many miles you’re allowed to drive in specific vehicles before the company imposes an additional charge.

Drivers planning on traveling long distances in their rental car should look for contracts that include unlimited mileage, allowing them to drive as far as they want during their rental period. Whether driving for five or 500 miles, the price is the same.

Types of mileage policies

Rental car companies typically offer two main types of mileage policies:

1. A limited mileage plan pays for a set number of miles during a rental period. If you exceed that number, you’ll incur additional charges.
2. An unlimited mileage plan is just that – a plan that allows you to drive as far as you want without any additional fees.

For limited mileage plans, some companies impose limits on how many miles you drive per day, while others apply the limit to the entire rental period. Additional fees are usually calculated at a fixed rate per extra mile you drive. The amount of miles and fees per additional mile varies by rental company, the type of car, and pick-up location.

The right policy for you depends on the trip you’re taking. The best way to determine the most cost-effective choice is to plan your trip ahead of time. Calculate the number of miles you plan to drive in your rental car, then calculate the cost of each additional mile if you exceed the limit. Then, compare that added cost to the total cost of the plan.

Pros and cons of unlimited mileage

Car rentals with unlimited mileage offer freedom, but the plan has its trade-offs. Weigh the benefits and potential drawbacks to decide if it’s right for you.

Pros

• Freedom: If you’re embarking on a long-distance road trip, an unlimited mileage plan allows you to drive as far as you want without worrying about additional fees. You also don’t have to track your mileage, allowing you to focus on your trip instead of the odometer.
• Flexibility: If you aren’t sure how far you’ll be traveling and don’t want to risk exceeding a mileage limit, an unlimited plan covers any additional distances due to a change in plans.
• Predictability: The cost stays the same no matter how far you drive.

Cons

• Cost: An unlimited mileage plan typically costs more than a limited one.
• Restrictions: Not all vehicle types are covered by unlimited mileage plans, which limits your options on what kind of car you’ll be able to rent.
• Risk: If you end up driving a shorter distance than planned, you may pay more upfront than you would have under a limited mileage plan.

Car rentals with unlimited mileage

An unlimited mileage plan is available for most car rentals, including one-way rentals. The only vehicle types that may not be available under this plan are large and specialty vehicles, such as cargo vans and sports cars.

FAQs

Do rental cars have mileage limits?

Most rental cars in the US don’t have mileage limits. This is often the case in Europe too, as long as the rental car stays in the country where it was rented.

Keep in mind that some companies impose mileage limits on certain car types. Advantage and Enterprise, for example, only offer limited mileage plans for larger and specialty vehicles, such as large passenger vans, large SUVs, and sports cars. These incremental costs run from $0.10–0.25* for each mile you drive over the limit.

*The above information was sourced from the official rental car companies’ websites in January 2025.

How many miles is too much for a rental car?

The term “unlimited miles” does not truly mean unlimited in some cases. To prevent renters from abusing or overusing rental vehicles, certain companies specify a hard limit in the fine print – capping the distance you’re allowed to drive over a set period, whether during a single rental or across multiple periods.

Hertz and Thrifty, for example, set the “unlimited” allowance to 3,500 miles (5,632 kilometers) within a 30-day period*. If you exceed this limit, additional charges may apply, and the company may revoke your rental privileges.

*The above information was sourced from the official rental car companies’ websites in January 2025.

What rental companies offer unlimited miles?

Most major rental companies offer unlimited mileage plans, including Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Hertz, and Sixt. Some smaller companies also provide this option. Whichever company you pick, always check the terms and conditions of your rental contract to make sure you understand what you’re paying for.

Booking.com makes it easy if you’re looking for a rental car with unlimited mileage. After selecting your location and the dates and times of your rental, you can set a search results filter for “unlimited mileage.” This will show you the best deals for car rentals with unlimited mileage in the area.