Hidden Car Rental Fees to Be Aware Of: Fees for Crossing State Borders

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      Renting a car in the United States can be filled with challenges. Consumers often encounter hidden fees and obscure terms. After addressing the issues people have experienced with new AI-driven damage charges, we received an email highlighting another surprising rental car company "gotcha": extra charges for driving across state lines.

      This week, we heard from someone unhappy with a rental service named Routes—a brand I hadn't previously been aware of, but which has numerous locations across the country and a substantial collection of negative reviews. Currently, it holds a rating of 1.3 stars on TripAdvisor.

      "I recently rented from ROUTES in Atlanta (it was a bit cheaper and I wanted to support a new business), but the savings were overshadowed by a fee they impose for leaving the state," our reader shared via email. "Yes, it's mentioned in the rental agreement, but it’s under a section for Cross Border, which I mistakenly thought only related to traveling to countries like Mexico or Canada, or perhaps Texas. I had already paid for my rental and there was no way for me to rectify this. Additionally, even though the car was equipped with GPS, I was charged for every day of the rental period, not just the days I was in South Carolina. The penalty for getting caught was $30 plus tax, and the upfront charge was $21/day."

      I investigated further, and indeed, the out-of-state driving fee is clearly outlined in Routes' rental policy, although it falls under the category “Geographic.” As stated by the rental company:

      “Mileage: Unlimited mileage is permitted only within the state where the vehicle is rented. Vehicles are not authorized to leave the state of the rental location without written permission; otherwise, an out-of-state/state crossing fee may be applied, costing up to $29.99 USD per day. Please consult with the agent at pickup."

      It appears Routes is adopting a similar strategy to RyanAir by starting with a very low base price and then adding numerous fees for various details once you're committed. Is it a scam? Not exactly. Is it questionable? Perhaps a little. The key takeaway is that it's essential to thoroughly read your entire rental agreement, particularly when opting for a budget choice regarding a vehicle rental or flight.

      I can easily imagine someone quickly skimming through the terms and conditions at a car rental desk, unaware that crossing a state border could result in an additional charge. That’s why I wanted to bring this to your attention if you plan to rent a car soon. Like the person who contacted us, I would likely have assumed that a "cross-border" clause referred to traveling to Canada or Mexico.

      Stay alert, everyone.

      Have you encountered any other rental car surprises like this? Feel free to reach the author at [email protected].