Photo via Unsplash
Travel lovers everywhere have been renting RVs for decades, and for good reason. There simply isn’t a better way to see the world than from the comfort of a luxurious vehicle at your own leisure, only going to places you want to go, whenever you want. One of the most attractive parts of RV rentals is the number of options available. You can spend as much or as little as you want and completely customize your experience, making it a prime candidate for your vacation vehicle.
Getting started on finding an RV rental and figuring out how much it costs to rent an RV can be daunting, but we’re here to help! In this guide, we’ll cover what you need to know about renting an RV for your travelling pleasure and how to save money while doing it.
Much like a hotel, RVs are typically rented on a per-night basis, so the cost is directly proportional to how long you plan to use the RV. Past that, defining exactly how much it costs to rent an RV can still be tricky since it depends on a few different factors including:
How old the RV is: Older RVs are typically cheaper to rent than newer models.
What kind of RV it is: Luxury brands or large Class A motorhomes will cost more than smaller, economical options.
Where you’re renting it from: Prices will also vary depending on the state and local market from which you’re renting your RV.
To give you a general idea of what you can expect to pay on a nightly basis, here’s a list of the average price per night of several different types of RVs if you rent from Outdoorsy:
Average Nightly Rental Price
Class A Motorhome
$175 to $275
Class B Motorhome
$100 to $200
Class C Motorhome
$150 to $200
Toy Hauler
$100 to $200
Fifth Wheel
$60 to $150
Travel Trailer
$50 to $125
Pop-up Camper
$50 to $100
If you’re ready to rent an RV and have the time of your life travelling the country, you can search Outdoorsy for your preferred type of RV!
INSURE YOUR RV
Are you an RV owner looking to make money off of your rig when you’re not exploring? Learn more about Roamly— insurance coverage for you and your renters.
Unfortunately when it comes to renting RVs, you often have to consider more than just the base rental price. RVs can come with a variety of other expenses that you’ll want to think about. We want to make sure your expectations are set appropriately so that you can budget properly and have a relaxing, stress-free vacation that isn’t hampered by surprise costs! Here are the fees you’re likely to encounter on your trip:
Yes, taxes are unavoidable in this life, even when you’re driving across the country. Expect to pay taxes on your rental based on the tax rate of the state you rent your RV from. For example, if you’re from Texas but decide to rent an RV in New Mexico on the way to Utah, you’d pay taxes according to the rate in New Mexico— not Texas or Utah.
You’ll need to put gas in your rented RV as you go to keep it moving, and the cost of this fuel might be more than you expect. RVs are large vehicles with fuel tanks to match, so it takes a lot more gas to fill them up than it would your daily driving car. RV owners may also charge an additional fee for mileage above a specified limit per day, which is something to confirm before going through with the rental.
A rear photo of an RV driving down a long, empty desert road.
Photo via Unsplash
Some RV owners offer delivery and set up for the campers that they rent out. This means that they’ll have the RV ready for you at the campsite so you can just show up and let the fun begin! You’ll have to pay anywhere between $50 and several hundred for the convenience, however.
The owners of the RV you’re renting will likely be handing it off to you with the vehicle in excellent condition. They’ll also want it returned the same way— or as close as you can get it. If you bring the RV back dirty or damaged, you can expect to incur extra fees.
Taking the time at the end of the trip to clean up the RV is not only the polite thing to do, but it could save you. If you’re looking for convenience, some owners will even offer a post-trip cleaning service that you can pay for in advance of your trip.
While it’s certainly not as expensive as staying at a hotel, RV campsites do come at a cost. Luckily, there are a wide range of cost options out there for everyone. Some campgrounds boast numerous amenities and luxury touches— and you can expect to pay a premium for these.
Other parks offer just what you need with none of the frills and fit right in a modest budget. Discount communities will be on the cheaper end of campsites, whereas private parks will tend to be more expensive. You’ll also want to keep in mind additional fees from the campsite itself, such as transportation from the campground if you plan to leave at any point without taking your RV.
An often overlooked— yet essential— part of RV living is disposing of your wastewater. Doing it yourself is messy and a little unpleasant, so many renters find it worth it to pay a little extra for your campground to do it for you if they offer this service. You can also choose to use restrooms outside of the RV so that you don’t have to worry about this at all, but that depends on the nature of your trip and where you’ll be parking.
Each state legally requires you to have a minimum amount of rental insurance to cover damages when you rent an RV. Luckily, if you rent through Outdoorsy you will automatically be insured with up to $1 million in coverage, leaving you with nothing to worry about in this regard.
Some RV companies will offer extra packages in the RV rental that will provide you with amenities such as kitchenware, fresh linens, and additional cooking utilities like grill equipment.
PLAN YOUR DREAM TRIP
Wondering where you should take your RV rental next? Check out our list of most popular National Parks for RVers to get in on the action.
All of these extras can add up quickly. But RVing on a budget is very doable if you plan ahead and take advantage of money-saving tips like these.
Cook before you go to have some cheap, easy meals in between your nice dinners out (if that’s your style). This can help take some of the headache away from the day-to-day planning of your trip and give you full flexibility in the food you’re eating, including how much it costs. For quick and affordable meals to eat on your RV vacation, we recommend sandwiches, breakfast bars, yogurt, and pan-roasted chicken and vegetables if you have a stovetop in your RV. If you’re so inclined, you can even whip up some nice meals in your own home in bulk and store them in your RV’s refrigerator to heat up on the road at your convenience.
Photo of family around a campfire in front of a small RV
Photo via Unsplash
To ensure you get the best rate for the spot you want, look ahead at the campsites you want to stay at. On top of potentially saving you some money, this can help simply the logistics of your trip. When you have everything planned out, you won’t encounter any unwanted surprises like finding that your favorite campground is full. Plus, you can plan out your driving route using the campsite as a destination.
Get more miles per gallon by driving smoothly and avoiding sudden stops or accelerations. You can accidentally waste fuel by driving unsteadily, so be sure to keep the ride nice and even.
ACCIDENTS HAPPEN
It’s not always smooth sailing on the open road. Learn what you should do if you get in an accident while traveling in an RV.
Gas prices tend to be higher on the weekend so if you can fill your tank closer to the middle of the week, you’ll enjoy some nice savings. It’s also worth checking out multiple gas stations and comparing prices— even the smallest savings add up quickly when you’re buying gas in the quantities an RV requires. Prices also increase during the summer, which is helpful to know if you haven’t planned your vacation’s start date yet and are open to scheduling an off-season trip.
Now that you know how much it costs to rent an RV and how to save money on the road, you’re ready to rent an RV from Outdoorsy and take that wonderful vacation you’ve been planning. You can search through plenty of RV options and style your rental to your trip and budgetary needs. Make sure to plan ahead, pack well, and most of all, have fun!
Roamly Insurance Group, LLC ("Roamly") is a licensed general agent for affiliated and non-affiliated insurance companies. Roamly is licensed as an agency in all states in which products are offered. Availability and qualification for coverage, terms, rates, and discounts may vary by jurisdiction. We do not in any way imply that the materials on the site or products are available in jurisdictions in which we are not licensed to do business or that we are soliciting business in any such jurisdiction. Coverage under your insurance policy is subject to the terms and conditions of that policy and is ultimately the decision of the buyer.
Policies provided by Roamly are underwritten by Spinnaker Insurance Company, Progressive Insurance Company, Safeco Insurance, Foremost Insurance Company, National General Insurance, Allstate Insurance Company, Mobilitas Insurance Company, HIPPO Insurance Services, Lyndon Southern Insurance Company and others.