OneCall Rental blog · 1 November 2026
What are the best multi-state road trips in a rental car?
The short answer
Five great ones are the Lake Michigan loop, the White Mountains to the Maine coast, the Southwest parks from Las Vegas, the Smokies to Shenandoah, and the Gulf Coast to New Orleans. Before you book, check that your rental agreement allows travel across those states and what a one-way drop would cost.
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Key takeaways
- Most major companies allow travel across the continental US, but some locations and car classes are restricted. Check yours.
- A one-way rental saves backtracking but can add a large fee.
- Standard cars usually have unlimited miles. Confirm before a long trip.
- Rural stretches can have long gaps between gas stations.
Lake Michigan loop: Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan and Indiana
A loop around Lake Michigan gives you big-city skylines, beaches, lighthouses and lakeside towns. Start in Chicago, head north through Milwaukee and along Wisconsin's shore, cross into Michigan's Upper Peninsula, come down the Lower Peninsula's west coast, and return through Indiana. The full circle is well over 1,000 miles, so allow at least a week. It's a loop, so you can return the car where you started and avoid a one-way fee.
White Mountains to the Maine coast: New Hampshire and Maine
Pick up in Manchester or Portland. Drive the White Mountains, including the Kancamagus Highway, then head east to Maine's rocky coast, lighthouses and harbor towns known for lobster. Fall is beautiful, but book early because it's the busiest season.
Southwest parks: Nevada, Arizona and Utah
Fly into Las Vegas and rent a comfortable SUV or full-size car. Head to the Grand Canyon in Arizona, then north into Utah for Zion and Bryce Canyon. Distances are long and services are few, so fill up whenever you can. Summer heat is serious: carry plenty of water. See Las Vegas airport rentals.
Appalachian drive: Tennessee, North Carolina and Virginia
Start in Knoxville, drive through Great Smoky Mountains National Park, join the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina, and follow it north to Shenandoah National Park in Virginia. Parts of the parkway close in winter and after storms, so check the National Park Service updates before you go.
Gulf Coast: Florida, Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana
Begin in Pensacola and follow the coast west through Alabama's white-sand beaches and Mississippi's seafood towns to New Orleans. It's a relaxed trip with lots of places to stop. Hurricane season runs from June to November, so watch the forecast.
Can you take a rental car to another state?
Usually yes. Most major companies allow travel across the continental US. But some locations, car classes and local companies restrict where you can go, and some ban travel to certain states, Canada or Mexico. The rules are in your rental agreement, so check before you book. See what you need to rent.
Should you book a one-way rental for a road trip?
A one-way rental saves days of backtracking, but it often adds a drop fee, which can be large between some cities. Compare the one-way total with returning to your start, and check whether a different pickup city costs less.
How OneCall helps with multi-state trips
Tell your agent your route and dates. We'll check which companies allow your states, compare one-way totals, confirm mileage rules and suggest the right car. If something goes wrong far from home, call us and one agent stays with it until you're moving again. Advice is free, and if anything costs money, you hear the price first.
Why renters call OneCall Rental
- One real person stays with you, from booking to the final bill.
- Advice is free. If your case needs paid work, your agent tells you the fee first, and nothing happens without your yes.
- We're independent. We work for you, not the rental company or the booking site.
- Open 24/7. Call 1-877-824-3680, or leave your number and we call back within 30 minutes.
Questions people ask
Can I drive a rental car out of state?
With most major companies, yes, within the continental US. Some locations and car classes are restricted, so check your agreement.
How much is a one-way rental fee?
It varies a lot by company, route and season. Compare the full one-way total before you book.
Related help
- What's the best rental car for a road trip?
- What you need to rent a car
- Las airport rental cars
- A car for a month or more
OneCall Rental is an independent service and is not affiliated with any rental company or travel site.
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