Can't find a van rental

Question

We are a group of 10 people and want to rent a van for a 1-way road trip from San Diego airport (SAN) to San Francisco airport (SFO).

All the major car rental companies don't offer a van on their website for some reason :( Our only choice with them is to rent 2 mini-vans / SUVs.

Any suggestions on where can I find a 1-way van rental?

Answer

Renting a van for 10 people for a one-way trip from San Diego (SAN) to San Francisco (SFO) can be tricky, as most major car rental companies limit one-way rentals for larger vans or show limited availability online. Since you only see options for two minivans or SUVs, exploring specialty rental companies or alternative strategies is your best approach.

Here are some suggestions and options:

Specialty van rental companies: Look for companies that specifically offer passenger vans for large groups. Examples include:

Enterprise Van Rentals – They often have 12-15 passenger vans available for one-way rentals, though not always listed online.
Budget and Hertz – Some locations carry 12-passenger vans, but you may need to call the branch directly to reserve and confirm a one-way rental.
National / Alamo – Check their airport locations, as 12-passenger vans are often available but not shown online for one-way trips; phone reservations usually work.

Van rental brokers and aggregator websites: These platforms allow you to compare multiple suppliers and may include specialty van providers:

Kayak, Expedia, or Rentalcars.com – Can list vans from various providers.
U-Save, Midway, or other local rental agencies in San Diego – Sometimes carry larger vans for one-way rentals.

Alternative strategies:

Consider two minivans or SUVs if a single van cannot be found. This may be logistically simpler if one-way rentals are restricted.
Check private shuttle or charter companies that offer one-way service from San Diego to San Francisco, especially for large groups. While more expensive, they provide the vehicle, driver, and convenience for the trip.
Book well in advance, as one-way van availability is limited, especially during spring and holiday periods.

Tips:

Call rental locations directly rather than relying solely on online booking for vans.
Ask about drop-off fees for one-way rentals, as these can be significant and vary by company.
Ensure the driver meets the age and license requirements for larger vans.

In summary, your best chance for a single 12-passenger van is to contact major rental companies’ airport locations directly, or consider specialty van rental agencies. If unavailable, two minivans or SUVs or a private shuttle service are practical alternatives.

Can't find a van rental

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