It's nearing that time of year again. The time when Florida becomes hot, rainy and a target for hurricanes. The time to get out - and Enterprise, Alamo and National rental car companies want visitors to take their fleet with them. In spring and early summer, the agencies relocate cars from the Florida to areas that will see a bump in demand for the summertime.
Beginning this week, you can drive a rental car out of the sunshine state starting at $10 a day for a compact car or $15 for a minivan. The deal is mostly targeted at winter residents - snowbirds - who stay in Florida for the cold season and then head back to the northeast or to the midwest for summer. But Baltimore has fairly cheap flights to Florida that could make this deal appealing.
I'm thinking fly to Miami, pick up the car and take a drive to the Keys and then head up the Gulf Coast, hitting Naples, Siesta Key, Sanibel Island and St. Pete before cutting across the state for a stop at Disney World. On to Amelia Island, Cumberland Island, Savannah, Myrtle Beach and - you get the idea. No, it's not a short trip and gas is getting a bit pricey. But the mileage is unlimited and you get up to 21 days. Heck, it could be 1,000 miles of fun. (Hertz offers a similar deal, but you only get 4 days to return the car.)
This year, the rental car companies are also launching a drive out program for Arizona. But that deal has specific states attached - and Maryland isn't one of them. Still, maybe you fly to Arizona, pick up a rental car and meander across the Southwest before returning the car in Missouri, where you can catch a flight back to Baltimore.
The deals are good for travel through May 31. You must book at least 24-48 hours in advance, depending on the rental agency. You will need to use the codes #FLDRIVE or #AZDRIVE for Enterprise.
Photo: The Florida Keys Overseas Highway