How to Rent an RV: Costs, Types and Mistakes to Avoid on Your First Trip
An RV is not usually cheaper than a car and motels. It is a different trip. What renting really costs, which type to choose, where to sleep and the first-timer mistakes that turn a dream week into a stressful one.
To rent an RV for the first time, book a Class C motorhome or a campervan three to six months ahead from a national company or a peer-to-peer site like Outdoorsy or RVshare. Compare the total price, not the nightly rate: mileage, generator hours, kitchen kits, insurance and one-way fees can double it. Reserve campgrounds with hookups before you go. Expect a Class C to average roughly 8 to 12 miles per gallon. And know this upfront: an RV is rarely cheaper than a car and motels. It is a different way to travel.
RV trips look effortless on social media. Pull up to a lake, open the door, make coffee with a view. Sometimes it is exactly like that. Other times you are learning to empty a black tank at a dump station while a line of experienced campers watches. Both are part of it. This guide covers what we wish someone had told us before our first rental.
- $100–$400+Typical nightly base rate
- 8–12 mpgCommon for a Class C motorhome
- $30–$100Typical campground night with hookups
- 3–6 monthsHow far ahead to book for summer
The big misconception: RVs save money
People assume an RV saves money because you skip hotels and cook your own food. Sometimes it does, for a family of four or five on a long trip. Often it doesn’t. Add the rental, mileage, fuel at low mpg, campground fees, extra insurance and prep fees, and a week in an RV frequently costs as much as a week with a rental car and mid-range motels. In peak summer, it can cost more.
What you buy with an RV is different: waking up inside a national park, a kitchen and bathroom wherever you stop, no packing and unpacking every night and a lot of freedom. If that is what you want, it is worth it. If you are only trying to save money, run the numbers first. The table below helps.
| Cost for 7 nights | Class C RV | Campervan | Car and motels |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicle rental | $1,200–$2,500 | $800–$1,600 | $350–$700 |
| Mileage fees (1,000 mi) | $0–$500 | Often included | Usually included |
| Fuel (1,000 mi) | $300–$450 | $180–$280 | $110–$160 |
| Lodging | $250–$700 campgrounds | $150–$500 campgrounds | $900–$1,800 motels |
| Rough total | $1,750–$4,150 | $1,130–$2,380 | $1,360–$2,660 |
These are ballpark summer figures for planning, not quotes. They vary a lot by region, season and vehicle. The point stands: the gap is smaller than people think, and sometimes it runs the other way.
Types of RVs, explained simply
Class A motorhomes are the big bus-shaped ones, usually 30 to 45 feet long. They are spacious and luxurious, but hard to drive, thirsty for fuel and too long for many national park campgrounds and scenic roads. We don’t recommend them for first-timers.
Class C motorhomes are built on a truck or van chassis, with the familiar sleeping area over the cab. They range from about 20 to 32 feet. They are the most common rental, easier to drive than a Class A and big enough for a family. Most first-time renters choose one.
Class B campervans are converted vans, about 17 to 22 feet. They drive almost like a large car, fit in normal parking spots and get better mileage. Space is tight, and some don’t have a full bathroom. For couples, they are our top pick.
Travel trailers and fifth wheels are towed behind a truck. They make sense if you already own a capable tow vehicle. Towing takes practice, especially backing up. Some peer-to-peer hosts will deliver and set up a trailer at your campsite, which is a great way to try RV life without driving one.
When to book
Summer is peak RV season, and the best rigs at the best prices go early. For June through August, book three to six months out. For holiday weekends, earlier still. Spring and fall bring lower rates, emptier campgrounds and milder weather in the desert parks. Winter rentals are cheapest, but many northern campgrounds close and tanks can freeze. Southern Arizona, Southern California and Florida are the classic winter RV destinations. Some companies also run relocation deals, where you move an RV between cities for a token fee. They come with tight schedules, but they can be a bargain.
Where to rent
National rental companies have offices near major airports and cities. Their RVs are standardized, usually recent models, with roadside assistance and clear policies. Some charge per mile on top of the nightly rate.
Peer-to-peer platforms like Outdoorsy and RVshare work like vacation rental sites for RVs. Owners list their own vehicles, from vintage trailers to luxury motorhomes. Prices and quality vary, and you get more variety and sometimes better deals. Read reviews carefully, check what insurance the platform provides, and confirm what is included, like dishes, bedding and camp chairs.
Campervan specialists rent converted vans built for road trips, often with unlimited mileage and kitchen gear included. They are popular in the West, especially near national parks.
Hidden costs to ask about
- Mileage: often 35 to 50 cents per mile beyond a free allowance, or charged on every mile.
- Generator use: charged per hour on some rentals.
- Kitchen and bedding kits: sometimes an extra flat fee per person or per trip.
- Prep or cleaning fees: a one-time charge, plus penalties if you return it dirty or with full tanks.
- Insurance and damage waivers: your personal auto policy may not cover RVs. Check.
- One-way fees: often substantial. Loop trips are cheaper.
- Security deposit: can be $500 to $1,500 or more, held on your card.
- Pet fees: if pets are allowed at all.
Where to sleep
Campgrounds with hookups give you electricity, water and sometimes sewer at your site. Private campgrounds and RV parks have showers, laundry and Wi-Fi. They typically cost $40 to $100 a night, more in popular areas.
National and state park campgrounds are cheaper and far more scenic, though many have length limits and few hookups. Popular ones book up as soon as reservations open, often six months ahead. Our Recreation.gov booking guide explains how to get a site.
Dispersed camping, also called boondocking, means camping for free on public land, often in national forests or Bureau of Land Management areas, with no facilities. It is wonderful and requires self-sufficiency: water, power and a plan for waste.
Parking lots at some big-box stores, truck stops and casinos have allowed overnight RV parking. Policies vary by location and many cities ban it. Always ask the manager. Membership programs let RVers stay at wineries, farms and breweries for free in exchange for being a customer.
Driving an RV: what changes
An RV is taller, wider, longer and heavier than anything most people have driven. Most rentals don’t require a special license, but the learning curve is real.
- Know your height. Write it on a sticky note on the dashboard. Watch for low bridges, gas station canopies and drive-throughs.
- Take turns wide. The rear of the RV swings out and can hit curbs, signs and cars.
- Leave lots of space in front. Braking takes much longer.
- Use a spotter when backing up. Agree on hand signals first.
- Wind matters. Crosswinds on open highways can push you around.
- Slow down on downhill grades and use a lower gear to save the brakes.
Some roads restrict RVs. Glacier’s Going-to-the-Sun Road limits vehicle length, Zion’s tunnel requires escorts for large vehicles and parts of Sequoia’s Generals Highway are not recommended for long rigs. Check before you plan your route.
Tanks, hookups and the dump station
RVs have three tanks: fresh water, gray water from sinks and the shower, and black water from the toilet. At a full-hookup site, you connect a hose for water, plug in for electricity and attach the sewer hose. Without hookups, you fill the fresh tank before arriving and empty the others at a dump station.
Dumping is simpler than it sounds. Wear gloves. Connect the hose securely. Empty the black tank first, then the gray tank, which helps rinse the hose. Close the valves. Rinse. Most rental companies show you how at pickup. Ask questions. Take a video of the walk-through on your phone; you will refer to it later.
Propane and power
Most RVs run the fridge, stove, furnace and water heater on propane. Turn propane off while refueling. Some tunnels and bridges, including some in Baltimore, Boston and New York, restrict or ban vehicles carrying propane. Check your route.
When you aren’t hooked up, the house battery runs lights and the water pump. A generator or solar panels can recharge it and run the air conditioner. Many campgrounds have quiet hours when generators must be off.
Before you leave the lot
- Do a full walk-around with the agent and photograph any existing damage.
- Learn how to work the slide-outs, awning, generator, water pump and propane.
- Check that tanks are as expected: fresh water filled, waste tanks empty.
- Confirm what roadside assistance covers and how to reach it.
- Stock up on groceries and toilet paper made for RVs.
- Plan a short first day. Drive no more than two or three hours.
Common first-timer mistakes
Planning too many miles. RVs are slow. Setting up and breaking camp takes time. Plan 150 to 250 miles a day, not 400.
Not booking campgrounds. Popular areas fill months ahead.
Forgetting the slide-outs or awning. Do a walk-around before every departure.
Packing like a car trip. Weight matters, and storage is limited. Use soft bags.
Choosing a huge rig. Smaller is easier, cheaper and fits more campsites.
Best places for a first RV trip
Choose areas with good campgrounds, easy roads and short distances. Utah’s national parks, the Oregon coast, the Great Smoky Mountains, Florida’s Gulf Coast in winter and Northern California all work well. Our Utah Mighty 5 and Oregon coast road trips adapt nicely to RVs. Alaska is a classic RV destination too; see our Alaska road trip.
What to pack for an RV trip
Rental RVs vary in what they include. National companies often sell kitchen and bedding kits separately; peer-to-peer rentals often include them. Ask, then pack the gaps. Useful extras include a headlamp for nighttime hookups, disposable gloves for the dump station, RV-safe toilet paper, a doormat to keep dirt out, a small toolkit, a tire pressure gauge, camping chairs, a tablecloth with clips for windy picnic tables, and an extension cord or adapter if the campground’s power doesn’t match your rig. Bring a paper atlas. Cell signal disappears in many campgrounds. Our road trip packing list and camping for beginners guide cover the rest.
RV travel with kids and pets
RVs shine for families. Kids can nap, snack and use the bathroom without stopping, and campgrounds are full of other kids. Make sure every child has a proper seat with a seat belt while driving; passengers should never ride in the back unbuckled or lie in the beds while the vehicle moves. For pets, check the rental’s pet policy and fees, bring a crate for travel days and never leave animals in a parked RV in heat. Even with air conditioning, a power failure can turn deadly. Our guide on traveling with a dog has more tips.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to rent an RV for a week?
Total costs for a week often range from about $1,100 for a campervan to $4,000 or more for a large motorhome in summer, including fees, fuel and campgrounds.
Do you need a special license to drive a rental RV?
In most states, no. A standard driver’s license covers typical rental motorhomes. Check the company’s age and license rules.
Is it cheaper to rent an RV or stay in hotels?
Often similar. RVs can save money for large families on long trips, but fuel, fees and campgrounds add up.
What size RV should a beginner rent?
A campervan or a Class C under about 25 feet is easiest to drive and fits most campgrounds.
Your next steps
- Price a Class C, a campervan and a car-and-motel trip for the same route.
- Pick a route with short driving days and book campgrounds first.
- Read the rental’s full fee schedule and insurance terms.
- Plan a short, easy first day to learn the vehicle.
Eric Gamble
Eric Gamble is the founder of Travon Inc. and editor-in-chief of Travon Blog, based in New Orleans. He plans every guide around the questions travelers actually ask before they book: when to go, what it really costs, how to get around and what is worth skipping. Eric oversees research, fact-checking and the regular updates that keep each guide accurate.
