Limited-time offer: Reserve a one-way Hertz car rental starting at $10 per day

It appears that Hertz has an excess of vehicles on the West Coast, prompting the company to encourage customers to help relocate their cars across the nation with a promotion dubbed "Head east safely."

Until February 16, 2021, customers can secure a one-way rental for anywhere from one to ten days, beginning at just $10 per day, plus applicable taxes and fees.

You’ll want to carefully consider this deal before making a decision — while traveling in your own car may feel "safe," a lengthy journey will involve multiple restaurant (or takeout) meals, hotel accommodations, and gas stops along the way. Each of these costs can add up significantly to your overall trip expenses.

The officially designated pick-up locations include Los Angeles, Las Vegas, San Diego, Sacramento, San Francisco, Oakland, Fresno, Seattle, and Portland, along with nearby areas, while drop-off spots are available in Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas, or Washington, D.C.

Ten days might feel quite rushed for some of these city connections — while a trip from Las Vegas to Dallas could work, anyone aiming to fully take advantage of this offer (which comes with unlimited miles) for a drive from Seattle to Miami should be ready to cover at least 330 miles each day, equating to over five hours of driving, not including breaks.

Interestingly, there seems to be some flexibility regarding your drop-off city. I managed to secure the same discounted rate in every Northeast city I checked, ranging from Baltimore, Maryland, to Portland, Maine.

Keep in mind that Hertz's 10-day limit is completely rigid — extending your rental by even one day will render the offer void, and you'll be charged the regular rental rates. If you think you might need to adjust your rental duration, it’s wise to include extra days when you book, just to be on the safe side.

Naturally, the biggest hurdle is that COVID-19 is currently surging throughout the United States, with the highest number of cases (and fatalities) we've witnessed at any point during the pandemic. This promotion is only valid for pick-ups until February 16, and case counts are likely to remain a major concern by then.

If you're looking to travel from the West Coast to one of the covered destinations and feel more secure driving rather than flying, this could be a budget-friendly choice. Personally, I won’t be taking advantage of this offer for a mid-winter road trip, at least not until I've received my vaccine.

Should you choose to take this opportunity, make sure to add Hertz elite status to your account — this will give you the best chance at an upgrade, and you may qualify through a credit card or Delta or United elite status. And remember to use a card that provides car rental insurance, like the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card.