If you’re planning on a long road trip, an unlimited mileage car hire plan could save you a small fortune. An unlimited mileage car rental is a hire agreement that lets you drive as far as you want without paying extra fees based on distance.
The main caveat: exclusions often apply to luxury vehicles, electric cars, vans, and long-term rentals. This guide takes you through renting a car with limited or unlimited mileage, and explains when you should choose one over the other.
In this article.
- Differences between limited & unlimited mileage
- Is unlimited mileage included on UK car rentals?
- Which is cheaper?
- Which companies offer unlimited mileage?
- What cars are usually excluded from unlimited mileage?
- How excess mileage charges work
- Find a cheap unlimited mileage rental car
- FAQs
What’s the difference between limited and unlimited-mileage car hire?
How far can you drive a hire car? That depends on the mileage allowance you choose. Typically, you have two rental car options: unlimited mileage or limited mileage (otherwise known as a mileage cap).
Among the major rental companies, it’s increasingly common to get unlimited mileage deals as standard, both in the UK and abroad. Many budget companies, however, use mileage caps to reduce prices and create more tempting upfront deals.
You’ll be able to see both when you compare car hire deals on KAYAK. Only want to search unlimited? Use the unlimited mileage filter.
Unlimited mileage car hire.
Choose an unlimited mileage rental car and the price you pay to drive 10 miles or 1,000 miles is the same. This makes sense for long-distance and high-mileage trips. So you could take your unlimited mileage rental across the country on a family road trip without having to watch the odometer.
Limited mileage car hire.
Hiring a car with a mileage cap restricts how far you can drive it during the rental period. This means you have to keep track of your mileage allowance to make sure you don’t drive go over it. If you do, you’ll be charged a fixed rate for every extra mile or kilometre you drive, depending on if you’re in the UK or abroad.
Mileage caps make sense for shorter trips where you’re more sure about the total distance you’ll drive. Most rental agencies will advise a daily distance limit, and some will only charge for the cumulative extra miles you’ve driven. So if the mileage cap is 100 miles a day for your five day rental, you’ll only be charged each mile over the 500-mile total limit. It makes no difference if you drivethem all in one day, or spread it out over the rental period.
Mileage limits vary greatly by car hire company. As they don’t always make it super clear, always check before you commit to the rental. Having missed a mileage cap before, I can testify to how expensive it can be to find out only when returning the car!
Duncan Madden, travel writer
Is unlimited mileage included on UK car rentals?
Yes, most major car rental companies include unlimited mileage as standard in the UK. Always check your rental agreement before booking to confirm whether unlimited mileage is included.
Is it cheaper to hire cars with limited or unlimited mileage?
At first glance it may look cheaper to hire a car with limited mileage. That depends on two primary factors:
- How far you’re driving?
- What’s the daily limited mileage allowance?
Time for some quick maths to work out what suits your trip.
How far are you planning to drive? Is there a price difference between limited and unlimited mileage prices for the car you want to hire? If so, see how much each extra mile will cost and calculate that against the miles you expect to drive. Compare those costs and you’ll have your answer.
Use a maps app like Google Maps to estimate your expected mileage based on where you’re driving by plotting routes and adding them up. Don’t forget to add a mileage buffer for those little journeys you haven’t pre-planned – they can add up fast!
Duncan Madden, travel writer
To compare car rental policies on KAYAK, run you search pick 3 cars you’re interested in and compare mileage policies side-by-side.
Which companies offer car hire with unlimited mileage?
The major car rental companies including Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Hertz and SIXT offer unlimited mileage on most of their rental car categories. Exclusions typically come with luxury and electric cars, as well as some commercial options like vans.
At the other end of the market, popular budget rental companies like Drivalia and Green Motion often include mileage limits by default. This helps bring the initial rental price down but can cost you in the long run if you exceed them. You can usually pay a daily fee at the counter to upgrade to a car hire with unlimited mileage. If in doubt, ask!
Unlimited mileage comparison by rental company.
What cars are usually excluded from unlimited mileage?
Luxury vehicles, electric cars, large vans, and commercial vehicles are the most common exclusions from unlimited mileage policies. These categories often have mileage caps even when standard cars from the same company include unlimited miles.
Other common exclusions include:
- Premium and prestige car categories
- Speciality vehicles (convertibles, sports cars)
- Long-term rentals (typically 28+ days)
- Certain pick-up locations, particularly airports or overseas branches
Always check the specific terms for your chosen vehicle category before booking. On KAYAK, mileage policies are shown in the ‘Price details’ section of each rental listing.
How do excess mileage charges work?
Excess mileage charges are fees you pay when you drive more than your allowed mileage limit on a limited mileage rental. The charge is calculated per mile or kilometre driven beyond your cap.
Here’s how it typically works:
- Daily vs cumulative limits: Some companies set a daily cap (e.g., 100 miles per day), while others calculate based on total miles for the rental period. If your cap is 100 miles per day for a 5-day rental, you may have a 500-mile total allowance.
- Per-mile fees: Excess charges vary by company and vehicle type. Rates can range from £0.10 to over £1.00 per mile depending on the rental agreement.
- When you’re charged: Excess mileage is calculated when you return the car. The fee is charged to the card on file or deducted from your deposit.
With unlimited mileage car rental, none of these charges apply – you pay the same rate regardless of distance driven. This makes unlimited mileage the better choice for road trips, multi-destination journeys, or any rental where you’re unsure of how far you’ll be driving.
How to use KAYAK to find a cheap unlimited mileage rental car.
An unlimited mileage car rental offers freedom and flexibility without the worry of fees if you go over your allocated mileage.
When looking for a cheap rental car with unlimited mileage anywhere in the world, KAYAK can help. Just add your location and rental dates and set the filter to ‘Unlimited mileage’ under ‘Policies’. You’ll then see the best offers for cheap rental cars with unlimited miles.
FAQs.
Yes. While unlimited mileage means no distance-based fees, other restrictions may apply. These can include geographic limits (some rentals restrict cross-border travel), vehicle category exclusions, and rental duration limits. Always check your rental agreement for the full terms.
Usually not. Luxury vehicles, prestige cars, large vans, and electric cars are commonly excluded from unlimited mileage policies. These categories often have daily or total mileage caps even when standard vehicles from the same company include unlimited miles.
Yes. Unlimited mileage car rental is typically the better choice for road trips, multi-city journeys, or any rental where you expect to drive significant distances. You avoid the risk of excess mileage charges and don’t need to track your odometer throughout the trip.
Check the rental agreement or booking confirmation before you finalise your reservation. On KAYAK, you can use the ‘Unlimited mileage’ filter under ‘Policies’ to show only cars with no mileage restrictions. Mileage terms are also displayed in the ‘Price details’ section of each listing.
