Cross-country road trips are quite popular in the United States because it shares international land borders with Canada and Mexico. If you have your own vehicle, then it is quite easy to cross the borders as long as you provide all the proper documents. However, there are some people who prefer renting a car when going on a cross-country adventure in America. This option requires major planning because of the restrictions, but it is definitely worth it.
Can I cross the Canadian border with a rental car?
Yes. Most rental car companies in the USA, including Budget, Dollar and Hertz, allow their vehicles to cross the Canadian border, but make sure to inform your provider in advance and read their terms and conditions carefully. Once everything's settled, you now have to prepare all the documents you need for your cross-country road trip.
Yes, you can drive a rental car from the United States into Mexico, but you must pay for a Mexican Automobile Liability Insurance which is only available in specific U.S. states such as Arizona, Texas and California. Some car rental companies also allow drivers to take their cars into Mexico if rented in certain states and may charge an extra fee.
Before you drive your rental car across the U.S. border…
It is best if you would notify the rental staff where you intend to rent a vehicle as some suppliers will provide written authorization. If you are granted permission by the renting location, additional rental qualifications may apply. You will need to have proof of citizenship, the car rental agreement and your driver's license with you when you cross the border.
A cross border fee is applied to your rental in order to cover the additional insurance necessary to drive the vehicle outside of the country which you rented it from. Paying the fee guarantees your insurance will remain valid and the rental company can supply you with the correct documentation.
It is not possible to do a one-way rental from Mexico to the U.S. with any company. It may be possible to rent and return in Mexico but drive into the U.S. during the rental period.
You must notify the car rental agency before driving to USA with your rented car. Before crossing the US border, make sure you have the registration, the insurance and copy of your rental contract (e-copies will be fine).
In the US, most major national rental car companies don't restrict driving across state lines. The table below includes three of the major car rental provider groups that all allow cross country car rentals.
If you are granted permission by the renting location, additional rental qualifications may apply. You will need to have proof of citizenship, the car rental agreement and your driver's license with you when you cross the border.
You can avoid your credit card's foreign transaction fee entirely by paying for purchases in foreign countries using the local currency instead of your U.S. credit card (or American dollars, if the vendor accepts them.)
Driving abroad and cross-border travel: You may only drive the vehicle in the country of rental. If you want to drive the vehicle in any other country you must gain our prior permission and the Cross Border Fee will apply.
Yes, it's possible to rent a car in San Diego and then drive it into Mexico, but Avis does set specific terms and conditions for doing so. You must be a corporate account member, and you need to purchase specific insurance.
Nonresidents may import a vehicle duty-free for personal use up to (1) one year if the vehicle is imported in conjunction with the owner's arrival. Vehicles imported under this provision that do not conform to U.S. safety and emission standards must be exported within one year and may not be sold in the U.S.
Can you cross the border to Canada with a rental car? Yes, certain cars are available to rent in the U.S. and drive into Canada as long as you have made arrangements with Avis in advance. You will also need to obtain a Non-Resident Insurance Card when you pick up your car.
To be 25 years old (if you're under 25, you may be required to pay a young driver's fee, which varies by rental location) A valid driver's license with a photo. A photo ID (For example: a driver's license or passport) Credit or debit card (check the acceptable forms of payment at the location you're renting from)
Check with the rental car companies. It can be done, but you have to know what you're doing. Your rental agreement must contain a "permission" clause for driving into the US, and you should have this handy at the border crossing.
Unlimited mileage is available for most car classes in the U.S. and Canada. Larger or Specialty vehicles (such as large passenger vans, large cargo vans, large SUVs or Exotic cars) come with limited mileage and an incremental cost of $0.10 - $0.25 for every additional mile/kilometer over the allowed limit.
Can I travel to the USA with the rented car? Yes, please contact our Call Center from Mexico at 800-737-3722 and from USA 001-855-372-2639, mentioning that you are going to travel to the USA, the cost per day for the extension of protection for crossing the border into the US is $ 200 pesos plus taxes.
Nearly all car rental agencies will have no problem renting to someone with an international driver's license. Check the website of the rental agency you plan to use to see specific requirements and documentation. Most car-sharing services will also accept your foreign license.
When a customer makes a purchase with a credit card issued in a foreign country (i.e. not the same country where the business is registered), the credit card companies and banks take on a greater risk and have to deal with a more complicated transaction. They charge a cross-border fee to cover the extra costs involved.
If you sell a product to an international customer and the payment is conducted in your currency (e.g. U.S. dollars), then you pay 0.60%. If you sell a product to a customer in their local currency (whatever it may be), you'll be charged 1.00%.
Rental car insurance can be expensive — it can easily double your rental costs if you purchase a full coverage package. You also technically don't need to purchase insurance since rental cars are automatically covered for the minimum requirements in their state. However, it can still be worth it in some situations.
Introduction: My name is Barbera Armstrong, I am a lovely, delightful, cooperative, funny, enchanting, vivacious, tender person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
We notice you're using an ad blocker
Without advertising income, we can't keep making this site awesome for you.
Important