Fees & surcharges · Travelers
One-way fee
Also called drop fee, drop charge, one-way charge
What it means
A one-way fee is what a rental company charges when you pick up in one place and return in another. It covers the cost of getting the car back to where the company needs it, or of having it sit in the wrong place. Some routes carry no fee, some a modest flat amount, and long or cross-border one-ways can cost more than the rental itself.
Why it matters
It's often the biggest single difference between two quotes for the same trip. Some sites show it in the total; others show it as a separate line paid at the counter, so check where it sits before you compare prices.
Wording by region
Also called a "drop fee" or "drop-off charge"; the name depends on the rental company more than the country.
Related terms
Also related Domestic one-way, International one-way, Repositioning, Pay locally