Van Rental Los Angeles

Question

Hi everybody! Any suggestions for van rental companies in Los Angeles but offer drop off in San Francisco?

Answer

Great question. Yes — there *are* a few van-rental companies in Los Angeles that can arrange one-way drop-off in San Francisco, though options are a bit more limited than for standard cars. Here are some suggestions, plus things to watch out for:

United Van Rentals — They explicitly offer *one-way van rentals* throughout the West. They have pickup locations in LA (including LAX) and drop-off options in San Francisco. Their fleet includes full-size passenger vans, which could work well for a group or road-trip.
Bandago — Known for long-distance van transport, they have a one-way van rental service between their LA and San Francisco depots. Their vans include Mercedes Sprinters and Ford Transit (up to 15 passenger), which gives both comfort and space.
Enterprise Rent-A-Car — Enterprise has a large van fleet in LA (minivans, 12-passenger, 15-passenger, cargo) per their LA locations. They also support one-way rentals generally (you’ll need to check the drop-off charge when booking) .
Hertz — Hertz offers vans in Los Angeles (8-, 12-, and 15-passenger) from their LA branches. Their one-way car-rental policy covers inter-state drop-offs, so it’s possible to pick up in LA and drop off in SF, though you’ll want to confirm with the branch.
Budget / Budget Truck — If you’re okay with a cargo / moving-style van, Budget Truck Rental offers one-way van or truck rentals. Their “moving” vans are more utilitarian than passenger vans, so this is a good option if you’re transporting gear, not people.
LAX Van Rentals — A more specialized/local option: LAX Van Rentals advertises cheap one-way van rentals from LAX to San Francisco. This might be especially useful if you're flexible on van size and want to keep costs down.

Things to watch out for when doing a one-way van rental:

Drop-off fee (“one-way charge”): Many agencies charge a significant fee for one-way rentals. Be sure to factor this into your cost when comparing quotes.
Mileage limits: Some van rentals may restrict mileage or charge extra if you go over, especially for long interstate trips. Ask whether “unlimited miles” is included.
Availability: Not all branches allow one-way rentals for vans, especially larger or specialty vans. Call to confirm that your pickup branch in LA and drop-off branch in SF support your specific van class.
Reservation lead time: For group vans (12- or 15-passenger) or specialty vans, book well in advance — one-way vans are less common, so inventory can be limited.
Insurance / driver age rules: Make sure you meet the requirements (age, additional driver fees, liability coverage) for the van type. Larger vans may have different policies than regular cars.

Recommendation: If I were in your shoes, I’d first call United Van Rentals and Bandago to compare their one-way van pricing and availability for LA → SF. If their rates or inventory don’t work, then check with Enterprise or Hertz for their van fleets and one-way fees.