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One way car hire across Queensland explained
One way car hire across Queensland explained
Posted by 1300 Meteor Rentals
on 22 July 2026
One way car hire across Queensland explained
One way car hire between Cairns, Townsville and Mount Isa means picking up in one city and dropping off in another, no driving back to your starting point. A deposit of one fifth of the total is paid upfront, with the balance due at pickup, and a relocation fee applies to cover bringing the vehicle back to its home depot.
Where you can pick up and drop off
Cairns, Townsville and Mount Isa are the standard routes, our three depots. Other Queensland locations get considered case by case, just ask our team, but Rockhampton is generally the furthest south we'll go before the return cost makes it impractical.
How booking works
Choose your pick-up and drop-off locations
Select your vehicle
Confirm your booking and pay the one fifth deposit
Pay the balance at pickup
Keep in mind the relocation fee applies on top of the standard hire cost, that's what covers getting the car back to its original depot.
When it makes sense
Road trips up or down the coast without backtracking, relocations where you need the vehicle at the new place and nowhere else, work contracts that finish in a different city, or a one way drive to visit family before flying home. Any situation where driving the car back to the start just wastes a day.
Vehicle options
Small cars for solo travel, SUVs for families, utes and trucks for moving gear or furniture, and minibuses for group trips or sports teams. All vehicles are maintained and road ready before pickup.
Before you book
Book ahead during busy periods since one way vehicles get snapped up fast. Confirm your drop-off location upfront to avoid surprise fees, and check for vehicle restrictions on unsealed roads if you're heading somewhere off the main highway. Occasionally there are one way specials when we need to move vehicles between branches, worth asking when you call.
Common questions about one way car hire
What is one way car hire?
One way car hire lets you pick up a rental car in one city and drop it off in another, instead of driving it back to where you started. It's ideal for road trips, relocations, or one-off work trips.
Which locations can I do a one way rental between?
1300 Meteor Rentals offers one way hire between Cairns, Townsville and Mount Isa as standard. Other Queensland locations are considered case by case, with Rockhampton generally the furthest south we'll go before return costs become impractical.
How much deposit do I need to pay for a one way rental?
A deposit of one fifth of the total rental amount is paid upfront to secure the booking. The balance is paid when you pick up the vehicle.
Is there an extra fee for one way car hire?
Yes, a relocation fee applies. It covers the cost of returning the vehicle to its original depot after your hire ends.
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 "One way car hire across Queensland explained")
