Want a cross-country drive? Get a deal on one-way car rentals from Florida

Travelers can see more of America for less with one-way car rental promotions from Avis, Budget and Hertz. These companies need to get cars out of the Sunshine State — where they've been used all winter in the busy tourist season. If you're willing to pick up a car at a Florida airport and leave it at selected locations across the country, you'll save major bucks. These one-way rentals are available with unlimited mileage and no drop-off fees.

The trick is to find a cheap one-way airfare to Florida. Check out fares — with a budget airline such as Southwest or Jet Blue — to Fort Lauderdale, Jacksonville, Miami, Orlando, Pensacola, Sarasota, Tampa and West Palm Beach.

Avis and Budget are offering minivans for $14.99 per day or $104.65 per week. Budget also offers other car classes starting at for $19.95 per day or $139.65 per week. Cars may be rented for a maximum of seven days, and travel is valid through June 30. Avis and Budget permit drop-offs in most locations in the continental United States, except California.

While Hertz has the lowest rates, starting at $9.99 per day or $89.99 per week, their cars can't be dropped off in Texas. Cars may be rented for 14 days, and travel is valid through May 15. Hertz rentals may be dropped off at selected East Coast and Midwest locations.

For Avis rentals, go to www.avis.com/(if you need it, the booking code is AWD K169502). For Budget, www.budget.com (BCD U030191). For Hertz, www.hertz.com (the rate code is 1WAY).

• Planning your route: Rand McNally offers a road trip planner to help you map your route. Go to www.randmcnally.com/rmc/road/rtgHome.jsp,and enter your starting point, destination and stops along the way to get personalized directions. When you have your itinerary, click on Things to Do to see attractions near your stops or Places to Stay for hotels along the way. The Best of the Road section offers detailed routes with printable trip guides such as "Louisiana: Let the Good Times Roll" and "Georgia & Florida Historic Waterfront."

• Finding scenic drives: For information on scenic drives, check the America's Byways site, www.byways.org. The site, which is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Transportation, details roads with historic, cultural and scenic significance. Or go to www.weather.com which offers scenic itineraries excerpted from the Falcon Guides Scenic Driving series. Click on Driving, then Scenic Drives to access them.

• Gas prices: If you want an idea of how much gas will cost for your trip, head to AAA's Fuel Cost Calculator, www.fuelcostcalculator.com. Other sites such as US Gas Price Watch, www.gaspricewatch.com and Gas Buddy, www.gasbuddy.com,allow you to search for the cheapest gas prices in an area.

• Weird stuff: To find offbeat attractions along your route, go to www.roadsideamerica.com.