Understanding Mileage Limits When Renting a Car

Mileage limits are generally imposed in countries where large mileage is possible. If you’re renting a car in the Seychelles, for example, it’ll be difficult to rack up any significant mileage. The same can’t be said of a cross-country trip in the US or Russia, which are much larger countries.

When renting a car, there are often a few things you need to consider before adjusting your mirrors or navigating windscreen wiper function. One of those things is mileage limits. This article will provide you with everything you need to know about mileage limits during your rental period. You’ll learn about mileage limits and unlimited mileage, why these limits are imposed, and how to get the best deal for you.

Understanding mileage limits during car rental

During your car rental period, you'll encounter two types of mileage options: limited mileage and unlimited mileage. A mileage limit is simply the number of miles (or kilometers for our European friends) that your rental company lets you drive per day or across your total rental period.

Mileage limits are generally imposed in countries where large mileage is possible. If you’re renting a car in the Seychelles, for example, it’ll be difficult to rack up any significant mileage. The same can’t be said of a cross-country trip in the US or Russia, which are much larger countries.

Understanding limited mileage and its uses

The majority of rental companies will inform you about your mileage limit when making your booking or during pick-up. Generally, the less mileage a vehicle has, the better condition it will be in. So in the interest of maintaining their vehicles, a rental company may charge a premium on unlimited mileage.

Mileage limits differ from company to company and generally take into account a few different factors and reasons. These are:

• The location of the rental
• The vehicle type or category
• The age of vehicle
• The rental duration

For example: A rental company may state that you’re entitled to drive a maximum of 500 miles per day or 2,000 miles across the total duration of your rental. Let’s say you return your car to the shop, and you’ve exceeded your mileage limit by 100 miles. This may result in the rental company enforcing an additional charge to compensate for the additional miles traveled. This fee is calculated based on a fixed rate per mile and ranges between $0.15–$0.30 per mile depending on the company.

Understanding unlimited mileage during your rental

Nowadays, most rental companies automatically offer unlimited mileage within your rental agreement, provided your rental is for less than 21 days. Unlimited mileage means you’re free to drive an unlimited number of miles during your rental period and don’t need to worry about checking the clock.

That said, you should always check the small print when offered unlimited mileage. Similar to how unlimited data on cell phones rarely means it’s truly unlimited, rental companies may sometimes impose an upper limit. Generally, this hidden mileage cap will be difficult to exceed, unless you’re planning a coast-to-coast road trip across the US.

Finding the best mileage agreement for you

These days, the majority of rental companies will automatically offer unlimited mileage. If you’re only traveling a short distance from A to B, there’s nothing to worry about. The only time you should be vigilant regarding mileage is when you’re traveling long distances, driving under a mileage cap, or running out of gas.

Often, rentals with mileage caps can be cheaper than those with unlimited mileage. So, if you know that you won’t need unlimited mileage, it’s worth having a chat with your rental provider to work out a better deal. Alternatively, adding an unlimited mileage policy to your agreement before you leave the shop may be cheaper than paying the penalty costs for exceeding the mileage allowance.

Keeping track of the miles you’ve traveled

If you’re driving under the constraints of a mileage limit, it’s important that you’re keeping track of the miles you’ve traveled. While your rental agreement will state the miles on the clock at the start of the rental, it’s always a good idea to take a picture or make a note of the mileage yourself.

The mileage figure can be found below or near the speedometer, located behind the steering wheel. Once you’ve got your starting mileage, you'll be able to calculate the number of miles you’ve traveled per day by checking the clock daily.

One trick to staying within your mileage limits is to pre-plan your route via GPS, which pre-calculates the distance. This way, you can be sure you’re traveling within your limits and adjust your itinerary and rental agreement in advance. Navigating a new city or a different part of town will be less stressful when you already know what lies ahead.

Additional mileage limits during border crossings

Sometimes, rental companies will impose additional mileage limits when crossing borders into countries with different laws. If you’re planning on crossing from the US into Mexico or going on a road trip across Europe, it’s a good idea to consult the rental company beforehand about any additional costs associated with border crossings or driving in different countries.

Summary

As you’ve learned, the majority of rental companies will offer unlimited mileage or at least a mileage plan suitable for your requirements. While limits are generally imposed to ensure the maintenance of the vehicle, the safest way to avoid additional costs during your rental is to plan your journey beforehand and be aware of the distances you’re going to travel.