N/A - Rental car from KDEN to I-25 N

[Matthew]

One of my family members will be renting a car at KDEN and heading north to Ft Collins soon.

Problem - most direct route is E470 and its cashless toll. How does Hertz and Avis handle it, and what routes can avoid it?

Pena Blvd - 70W - 270 - 25N?

 

[MAKG1]

BTDT.

Do NOT use E-470.

Rental car companies generally have the transponders, but charge you a "convenience fee" for EVERY day you have the car, if you use it ONCE. For a one-day trip, that may be reasonable, but it's a huge rip off if you're going to stay a week.

If there are still cash lanes in E-470, you can put the transponder in the glove box and hope it doesn't get triggered.

Just take 70 to 25, or use surface highways if it's rush hour. DEN is FAR east of the city and in the flats in the middle of nowhere. Many of the smaller county highways are still high speed.

I ended up with a $50 fee when I drove from Colorado Springs up to DEN in a rental car. Never again.

 

[ColoPilot]

One of my family members will be renting a car at KDEN and heading north to Ft Collins soon.

Problem - most direct route is E470 and its cashless toll. How does Hertz and Avis handle it, and what routes can avoid it?

Pena Blvd - 70W - 270 - 25N?

I believe the rental car companies pay the tolls and pass the cost on to you (with a nice service charge). However, it might be worth it depending on when they are arriving. E470 to I25 will be traffic free, but 70W and I270 can be parking lots during rush hour.

 

[SkyHog]

One of my family members will be renting a car at KDEN and heading north to Ft Collins soon.

Problem - most direct route is E470 and its cashless toll. How does Hertz and Avis handle it, and what routes can avoid it?

Pena Blvd - 70W - 270 - 25N?

Its dirt simple, and you don't even have to worry about it - they use a license plate reader at each station, and will bill the mail to the rental places. They will then look up who had the car at that time, and will bill you for it.

In my experience, however, I've actually never been charged by the rental companies.

 

[SkyHog]

I believe the rental car companies pay the tolls and pass the cost on to you (with a nice service charge). However, it might be worth it depending on when they are arriving. E470 to I25 will be traffic free, but 70W and I270 can be parking lots during rush hour.

Not only that, but there's really no good way to head north out of KDEN without E470. You can nab I225 back to I25, but that's way out of the way.

Really, you just gotta suck up the toll when heading north. Heading south is much easier.

 

[ColoPilot]

BTDT.

Do NOT use E-470.

Rental car companies generally have the transponders, but charge you a "convenience fee" for EVERY day you have the car, if you use it ONCE. For a one-day trip, that may be reasonable, but it's a huge rip off if you're going to stay a week.

If there are still cash lanes in E-470, you can put the transponder in the glove box and hope it doesn't get triggered.

Just take 70 to 25, or use surface highways if it's rush hour. DEN is FAR east of the city and in the flats in the middle of nowhere. Many of the smaller county highways are still high speed.

No more cash tolls on E470 -- it's all either transponders or license plates tolls.

 

[Matthew]

I've driven on it, once, and got the bill 60-days later (maybe 30, but pretty sure it was 60).

I've heard a couple things; The rental companies will rent you the xponder for $x/day, or they will bill you the toll + $25 per toll. I don't know exactly what Avis or Hertz will do (I haven't called their DEN desk and asked), I'm just going off of what I've read on review sites like Travelocity.

The trip will be an out and back, with about 3 days in between. Probably on Thursday the first day and a Sunday on the return.

I can't remember what the toll was when I drove it from I25 s/e to I70E. It wasn't cheap, maybe $15? but I'm sure it saved an hour off the morning rush hour drive.

 

[Matthew]

according to their websites:

Avis = $2.95/day + each toll ( $14.75 max/month + toll)
Hertz = $4.95/day + each toll ($24.75 max/rental + toll)

It gets charged to your credit card.

And it appears the xponder is included in each car. Its up to the renter to decide whether to use it or not by flipping it down out of its shielded box.

 

[wsuffa]

Its dirt simple, and you don't even have to worry about it - they use a license plate reader at each station, and will bill the mail to the rental places. They will then look up who had the car at that time, and will bill you for it.

In my experience, however, I've actually never been charged by the rental companies.

I've driven on it, once, and got the bill 60-days later (maybe 30, but pretty sure it was 60).

I've heard a couple things; The rental companies will rent you the xponder for $x/day, or they will bill you the toll + $25 per toll. I don't know exactly what Avis or Hertz will do (I haven't called their DEN desk and asked), I'm just going off of what I've read on review sites like Travelocity.

The trip will be an out and back, with about 3 days in between. Probably on Thursday the first day and a Sunday on the return.

I can't remember what the toll was when I drove it from I25 s/e to I70E. It wasn't cheap, maybe $15? but I'm sure it saved an hour off the morning rush hour drive.

Look at National, too.

National hits the credit card you used 30-45 days after you use the road. No transponder, all license plate (also in the Dallas Metroplex works the same way). It's been a few months, but there was a nominal surcharge on the toll.

Personally, though I've driven into Denver any number of times, I'd use 470.

Here's a good comparison summary that's fairly recent: http://www.creditcards.com/credit-card-news/cashless-toll-roads-rental-car-6-tips-1273.php

Basically, avoid Hertz.

 

[Matthew]

I just perused Avis and Hertz because I get a decent USAA discount/deal with them. I have plenty of time to look at National. I just didn't know what the frequent travelers did.

 

[ja_user]

We throw out the corporate cars and don't worry about it.

 

[wsuffa]

Of all the providers, I like National the best. Avis #2. Hertz #3. All else, blech.

 

[denverpilot]

Avoid the whole problem including the I-70/I-270/I-25 traffic mess by doing this...

Pena Blvd to Tower Road exit
Tower north to 104th.
104th west to US 85
US 85 almost to the town of Platteville, CO
West on CO-66/County Road 30
Rejoin I-25 far enough north to avoid the crap
Continue on to Ft Collins

Takes 14 minutes longer than the all Interstate route if traffic is no factor. The I-270 and I-25 merge point is always jammed horribly at rush hour. This route keeps moving other than there being a few stop lights, and it's a nicer drive with stuff to see.

Only thing to watch is the cops in the towns on US-85 are serious about the speed limits in the towns. No big deal. Just slow up for a few blocks and then back to 55. It moves right along.

That'd be how I'd avoid the toll. US-85 is the Union Pacific rail line between Denver and Cheyenne, so you'll probably get to see some trains alongside too.

 

[flyingron]

Avis doesn't have transponders, but they get the license plate scanned and billed and you get a letter a month or so later informing you that they billed the tolls (plus a fee) to your account.

The only real dodgy thing was when I was travelling for work, so I had to figure out what the tolls were going to be so I could submit it in advance of getting the bill.

 

[EdLarkin]

I'm currently planning a trip to Denver (thru KDEN). Given the price of the rental cars that I see on the web, tolls would be the last thing I'd worry about.

Denver pilots, any idea why KDEN is so expensive (I know the taxes and fees, but the rental rates)?? Hertz at the airport is about $800/week. I can catch the shuttle to Greenwood Village and get an Avis car for about $350/week.

 

[dakota-cowboy]

I'm currently planning a trip to Denver (thru KDEN). Given the price of the rental cars that I see on the web, tolls would be the last thing I'd worry about.

Denver pilots, any idea why KDEN is so expensive (I know the taxes and fees, but the rental rates)?? Hertz at the airport is about $800/week. I can catch the shuttle to Greenwood Village and get an Avis car for about $350/week.

Could it be the influence of the "evil Blue Bronco" at KDEN ?

 

[Henning]

If they don't use a transponder and use the Toll by Plate system, just go on the website and pay it.

 

[Jim_R]

YMMV, but I used the toll road in Austin while driving a car from Enterprise...I'm used to the toll tag in my car and didn't even think about it until after I sailed through the toll plaza.

Completely forgot about it until I got a bill in the mail from Enterprise almost two months later...for a whopping $1.45 or so.

So my experience was completely painless...but I don't know how that might translate to Colorado.

 

[timwinters]

YMMV, but I used the toll road in Austin while driving a car from Enterprise...I'm used to the toll tag in my car and didn't even think about it until after I sailed through the toll plaza.

Completely forgot about it until I got a bill in the mail from Enterprise almost two months later...for a whopping $1.45 or so.

So my experience was completely painless...but I don't know how that might translate to Colorado.

Man, that has to be a real PITA for rental car companies. Why not just charge your CC?

 

[Clark1961]

Denver pilots, any idea why KDEN is so expensive (I know the taxes and fees, but the rental rates)?? Hertz at the airport is about $800/week. I can catch the shuttle to Greenwood Village and get an Avis car for about $350/week.

Dunno for sure why rental at the airport is so high. All the rental outlets are on airport property so the airport can gouge however much they want in terms of fees and rent. The airport is so far from civilization that taking a shuttle somewhere will cost time and $$$ that most people (and all business travelers) will not pay. Both the airport and the rental companies know how to milk the travelers at DEN.

The airport has a new rail line and hotel to pay for so DEN is going to be expensive for a while I suspect.

 

[Everskyward]

I'm currently planning a trip to Denver (thru KDEN). Given the price of the rental cars that I see on the web, tolls would be the last thing I'd worry about.

Denver pilots, any idea why KDEN is so expensive (I know the taxes and fees, but the rental rates)?? Hertz at the airport is about $800/week. I can catch the shuttle to Greenwood Village and get an Avis car for about $350/week.

I think major airport locations are generally more expensive because they tack on a lot of fees. From what I've seen, Hertz tends to be on the expensive side too. Alamo and Enterprise tend to be less expensive. I've also noticed that rental prices can vary widely depending on, who knows what. I frequently rent at KSFO and I've seen prices ranging from $125/week to $700/week. Sometimes it's good to book in advance and other times the last-minute price is better. I play the game where I book in advance then check prices later at other companies. Since rental car companies don't charge your credit card until you actually rent the car, you can cancel up until the last minute.

 

[wsuffa]

Dunno for sure why rental at the airport is so high. All the rental outlets are on airport property so the airport can gouge however much they want in terms of fees and rent. The airport is so far from civilization that taking a shuttle somewhere will cost time and $$$ that most people (and all business travelers) will not pay. Both the airport and the rental companies know how to milk the travelers at DEN.

The airport has a new rail line and hotel to pay for so DEN is going to be expensive for a while I suspect.

Airport fees and "because they can". DEN is so far out that it becomes a real PITA to go elsewhere.

BTW, you'll also find this in Europe. Airport fees get SO expensive (and are charged for the duration of the rental) that it usually makes more sense to rent at an in-city location. Train fare is usually far cheaper than the extra airport fees.

 

[Henning]

The best deal I have found here in Europe for term rental is through Ford Rental because they give them to you fully loaded at the same price or less than a comparable not so well equipped car. I got an A3 TDi Audi for a road trip I had to do (the Ford Fiesta is pretty sketchy above 130kph) and the bloody thing didn't have cruise or Bluetooth.

 

[Norman]

YMMV, but I used the toll road in Austin while driving a car from Enterprise...I'm used to the toll tag in my car and didn't even think about it until after I sailed through the toll plaza.

Completely forgot about it until I got a bill in the mail from Enterprise almost two months later...for a whopping $1.45 or so.

So my experience was completely painless...but I don't know how that might translate to Colorado.

And it probably cost them $20.00 to process that bill. They wonder why they are losing money?

 

[denverpilot]

Dunno for sure why rental at the airport is so high. All the rental outlets are on airport property so the airport can gouge however much they want in terms of fees and rent. The airport is so far from civilization that taking a shuttle somewhere will cost time and $$$ that most people (and all business travelers) will not pay. Both the airport and the rental companies know how to milk the travelers at DEN.



The airport has a new rail line and hotel to pay for so DEN is going to be expensive for a while I suspect.

The rail line is actually going in now? The taxicab unions had the rail line effectively killed for decades now. Has construction actually started out there?

 

[NJP_MAN]

Avoid the whole problem including the I-70/I-270/I-25 traffic mess by doing this...


Pena Blvd to Tower Road exit
Tower north to 104th.
104th west to US 85
US 85 almost to the town of Platteville, CO
West on CO-66/County Road 30
Rejoin I-25 far enough north to avoid the crap
Continue on to Ft Collins

Takes 14 minutes longer than the all Interstate route if traffic is no factor. The I-270 and I-25 merge point is always jammed horribly at rush hour. This route keeps moving other than there being a few stop lights, and it's a nicer drive with stuff to see.

Only thing to watch is the cops in the towns on US-85 are serious about the speed limits in the towns. No big deal. Just slow up for a few blocks and then back to 55. It moves right along.

That'd be how I'd avoid the toll. US-85 is the Union Pacific rail line between Denver and Cheyenne, so you'll probably get to see some trains alongside too.

I agree. I always avoid 470 when in a rental. Usually I go Tower to 104th then west to I25 and then north to FOCO. I'm usually in a hurry though so the extra time is never a hassle.

 

[Everskyward]

Has construction actually started out there?

Yup...

 

[Clark1961]

Yup...

Double yup - hotel skeleton is up with some glass on lower levels - rail line is going in parallel to Pena Blvd.

Had to do a down-n-back to Dallas last week. Frontier *sucked* big time. Loaded us aboard at DEN then announced that we didn't have any drivers....we waited for an hour at the gate. I offered to give driving a shot but no one took me serious...its an airbus, how hard can it be? all I have to do is figure out the mixture knob...

 

[Everskyward]

Double yup - hotel skeleton is up with some glass on lower levels - rail line is going in parallel to Pena Blvd.

Had to do a down-n-back to Dallas last week. Frontier *sucked* big time. Loaded us aboard at DEN then announced that we didn't have any drivers....we waited for an hour at the gate. I offered to give driving a shot but no one took me serious...its an airbus, how hard can it be? all I have to do is figure out the mixture knob...

There's only one set of levers, how hard can it be?

I'm currently sitting at KSFO waiting for my Southwest flight. Airplane is at least two hours delayed. Flying this summer into KSFO is bad because two of the four runways are closed. They are also claiming bad weather in Denver but I don't see that on the radar. It will probably get bad by the time we get there though!

Edit: I checked the radar again and now see storms out on the NW arrival.

 

[Clark1961]

There's only one set of levers, how hard can it be?

I'm currently sitting at KSFO waiting for my Southwest flight. Airplane is at least two hours delayed. Flying this summer into KSFO is bad because two of the four runways are closed. They are also claiming bad weather in Denver but I don't see that on the radar. It will probably get bad by the time we get there though!

Edit: I checked the radar again and now see storms out on the NW arrival.

One set of levers? Golly, dunno what to think 'bout that...how do ya git the props to max?

Overcast pretty much all day, some storms around but nothing major yet. Flash flood watches out so NWS is expecting something...

 

[denverpilot]

Frontier has been on the downhill slide for years now.

I wonder how the politicians paid off the cabbies?

 

[Clark1961]

Frontier has been on the downhill slide for years now.

I wonder how the politicians paid off the cabbies?

Ummm, cabbies didn't have a say. Fastracks was an RTD referendum. On the other hand, cab service has gotten worse in the past year or so. I've called for cabs and basically been ignored (excuses offered but no service) by licensed taxis. By law they have to serve since they have the license.

 

[denverpilot]

Ummm, cabbies didn't have a say. Fastracks was an RTD referendum. On the other hand, cab service has gotten worse in the past year or so. I've called for cabs and basically been ignored (excuses offered but no service) by licensed taxis. By law they have to serve since they have the license.

They had a huge say. The cab union effectively killed funding for it for years. RTD can "referendum" all they want, without money it went nowhere on those "FASTracks" for years. LOL.

Gotta agree that cab service in this town is virtually non-existent. Never has been a useful way to get around Denver.

Although neither has RTD. Good old Reason To Drive... Heh. RTD can get you across town in three hours or so on a good day. Four usually.

Amazing that they accomplish this with special lanes on the highways with no traffic to contend with.

The train system currently seems to serve mostly as a way to get drunk people to and from stadiums. Probably saving some lives. Ha.

 

[Clark1961]

They had a huge say. The cab union effectively killed funding for it for years. RTD can "referendum" all they want, without money it went nowhere on those "FASTracks" for years. LOL.

Using RTD's taxing authority was at the heart of fastracks. RTD sold their soles (such as they might be) to the political machines and got it passed. The first line was to Jeffco - why exactly? Because that is where most of the voters are. Of course now RTD is screwing the northwestern 'burbs and they'll never win another vote...but they got the west line and the DIA line out of it. Sounds like the 225 line is also going to happen...

 

[denverpilot]

Using RTD's taxing authority was at the heart of fastracks. RTD sold their soles (such as they might be) to the political machines and got it passed. The first line was to Jeffco - why exactly? Because that is where most of the voters are. Of course now RTD is screwing the northwestern 'burbs and they'll never win another vote...but they got the west line and the DIA line out of it. Sounds like the 225 line is also going to happen...

Interestingly under TABOR, RTD had no taxing authority. Voters have given it back to them over time.

It's amazing how easily the frogs get boiled in the Denver political pot.

225 line. Ha. Geeze. You'd think they would have done that while it was all torn up. Now that it's almost finished they'll tear it up again. LOL.

Good money in road contracts around here. Keep tearing them up before they need fixin'. Must make some owners of road companies smile.

 

[Everskyward]

One set of levers? Golly, dunno what to think 'bout that...how do ya git the props to max?



Overcast pretty much all day, some storms around but nothing major yet. Flash flood watches out so NWS is expecting something...

Props are fixed pitch like a 172.

Finally took off. Held for about 15 minutes over the NW gate until the tstm moved out.

 

[murphey]

Props are fixed pitch like a 172.

Finally took off. Held for about 15 minutes over the NW gate until the tstm moved out.

I had 4-5 inch deep puddles in the back yard. 15 minutes after the storm passed, the backyard was dry.

The dog was really hoping to drag muddy feet in the house to annoy me.

 

[hankrausch]

Here is second endorsement for Enterprise, ended up on a license plate toll road in NC with an Enterprise rental car and they just billed me the toll, no surcharge.

I rent with Enterprise every other week & find them far superior to the major rental car companies. First off they are at mos small fields, second the people that run the local outfit are generally young, always college educated, and always very respectful.

 

[murphey]

Here is second endorsement for Enterprise, ended up on a license plate toll road in NC with an Enterprise rental car and they just billed me the toll, no surcharge.

I rent with Enterprise every other week & find them far superior to the major rental car companies. First off they are at mos small fields, second the people that run the local outfit are generally young, always college educated, and always very respectful.

Not cheap at Denver DIA. Rates for a week start at $720. But if you get to a local store, cars are considerably more reasonable.

 

[denverpilot]

I like Enterprise too, but can't for the life of me figure out why anyone would care if they hire liberal arts majors? LOL.

Don't know if they're still doing it, but it seemed interesting that they had all the staff in suits he last time I was there. I doubt they pay extra for the clothing allowance though. Looks better than e corporate polo, but being I'm in a seriously slob dressing industry myself, I don't really care. Just different these days to see suits.