company is the best to rent from. I'm heading on a cross-country trip in late March to mid-April. Going from San Fran to Florida, one-way.

I have been looking at Expedia, Orbitz and the rental car compainies websites themselves. Does anyone here have an opinion or a way to help me decide which company to go with.

I'm traveling with my wife. No kids or anything else, just the two of us. Any tips or advice would be greatly appreciated. i.e.:inexpensive places to stay, places to eat(good, but no too pricey). Thanks.

Margaritaville Dan

As what looks like from your name a fellow Parrothead, I wish I could help you out more than just taking your post to the top - but we've always just rented in Florida. We've had a lot of luck with Budget, but I don't know whether to recommend them for a one-way or not. Good luck - fins to the right!

Sometimes car rental companies have good rates on such one-way trips when they're trying to move more cars to one area of the country.

I don't know if any companies want to move their fleet to gear up for Florida spring break time. I would check all the major companies and see what you find.

Car rentals are like airfares. There is no one best company. And a great rate can be there in the morning, and gone in the afternoon. You are more likely to get good one-way rates with your larger companies, simply because of the number of cars they have in their float.

Also, you don't mention your city destination in FL. If you're going to some place like, say, Ocala, a good one-way rate might be less available than MIA.

And don't skimp on car size to save money. Many years ago, during a '70s gas crunch, I was talking with a used-car salesman. He'd recently returned to MD from a trip out to SD to see family over the holidays. "One of the dumbest things I've ever done was to take a Pinto to save on gas," he said. "Never again."

Thanks for the replies. I (used to and will again) live in Tampa. Thus, it is easy to drop the car off at Tampa Intl, Clearwater/St.Pete., heck, even Orlando if I can get a good rate.

Thanks for the advice about the size. I was planning on at least an economy and upgrading there. That's what I read on another site to save a few bucks, but now I'm not so sure. Anyway, thanks again and

"Yes I am a pirate,
two-hundred yrs too late,...."

Margaritaville Dan