Hi

There are several 'regulars' on the multi-state / multi-country Road Trips forum who offer ideas that are relevant for UK renters in the US. Are you using the .co.uk version of a major brand? It's possible that traveling back to SFO yields a better price than renting from downtown SF, but check all the options and consider the time & money to get back to SFO.

Some specific tips about your 8-9 days on the road

- be sure you have lodging reservations everywhere.

- the Top Questions on the right side of the state forum page and the city/destination pages can really help. Use the full TripAdvisor website, not the app. SF, Yosemite, & L.A. are forums with good Top Q

- the Memorial Day holiday weekend will be busy. Make careful plans.

In the past couple of years before COVID, there were reports here that overseas visitors were sometimes able to get deals that waived or reduced one-way charges. I've no idea if that's still true, but it might be worth searching. In any case, try to book from the .co.uk version of a major car company, as those rates will include insurance (rates from the .com site don't necessarily). You'll be required to have liability coverage (for other people's property) and you'll probably want to get insurance to cover damage/loss to your rental car. I wouldn't get a toll transponder as there are very few tolls (if any) between SF and Las Vegas and if you choose a route that does have a toll, there are generally alternative ways to pay.

There's very few usual best ways to rent a car... you simply have to compare airport and in-town locations, look for deals if you're a member of the AA or RAC, have a corporate discount number, etc.

National Rent a Car used to offer one-way rates with no drop fee, but you'll want to compare that price with the prices of other agencies including drop fees.

You might join the UK loyalty programs of a major rental company such as Hertz or Avis and use the UK sites to work out rates, insurance, and other matters. Do not get the toll road transponder. This might not be the cheapest, but you have the extra recourse of dealing with a UK entity should problems arise. These sites will also give you options on where to pick up and return cars. In the U.S. belonging to the auto club will get you a discount. If you belong to a counterpart UK organization, no harm in asking.

You can hire the services of NJ Lux Limo. With their transportation and moving services you don't feel any hassle. They have very professional drivers and provide affordable services.

What a nice advertising of # 5. (((::::

I've never had a problem with Enterprise, which also owns National and Alamo. You need to be careful with the places that quote very low rates, like Dollar, Budget, Fox, Payless, Thrifty. Generally, the lower the quoted rate, the higher the chance that they'll try to hit you with a surprise charge.

We found the best rate through Alamo to pick up in one location and drop off at another. I am not sure if you are/if it works the same in the UK, but I priced out my options using the Costco Travel page and got the best prices that way. We've booked many times through them and have never had an issue.

Enterprise was double the cost. The others were all pretty close.

Check out www.drive-usa.de, used them for this journey a few years ago with no fee for one-way. Used them a couple of times for other journeys with no problems as well.

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