How Much Does It Cost to Rent an RV?

If you are planning an RV trip, the cost of your adventure is probably the first thing on your mind. Luckily, the beauty of planning an RV trip is that you can customize it to your travel budget. Therefore, you can have all the bells and whistles to treat yourself.    

However, if you prefer to be with nature, you can rent an RV with only the essentials. It all depends on how you want your adventure to go; the rest falls on your budget.  

If you are looking for a place to start, our guide to RV rental prices can help you get a rough estimate. Additionally, we included some other costs that you should keep in mind when planning an RV trip. However, budget fluctuations are expected, so always have some extra cash on the side.  Also, make sure that RV is always insured, therefore make sure to check out our list of best RV insurance companies.

So without further ado, let’s begin! 

How Much Does It Cost to Rent an RV?

Finding a stellar deal on RV rental prices is easier than ever thanks to several online websites offering peer-to-peer service. With so many options available, finding the perfect RV for your trip, and your budget has become easier.          

It’s important to note that the type and age of your RV can change RV rental prices and impact your budget. For example, a Class A 2019 motorhome will be a lot more expensive than a teardrop camper. Additionally, the rental company, location, and rental size play a crucial role in determining RV rental prices.      

Here is a breakdown of the cost to rent an RV. Keep in mind that we have included the average cost of RV rentals because the prices fluctuate depending on the season.   

Average Costs of RV Rentals Daily

RV rental costs vary from company to company. It’s a free market; so, every RV company has different rates. Some companies have expert salesmen who will convince you to rent an RV from them. Others might try to persuade you into renting a Class A motorhome even though you don’t need to. Therefore, sticking to peer-to-peer renting options is best if you are on a budget. 

Nevertheless, here is the average cost of RV rentals daily to give you an idea of what to expect. Of course, when you browse the RV rental market, you might experience low or higher prices since these rates aren’t fixed. But, these RV rental prices will give you an estimate of where your budget will lie.    

Features	Class A Motorhome	Class B Motorhome	Class C Motorhome	Travel Trailer	Fifth-Wheel
Tow or Drive?	Drive	Drive	Drive	Tow	Tow
Driving Pleasure	Good	Excellent	Good	Average	Average
MPG	6 – 8 MPG	10 – 15 MPG	8 – 13 MPG	10 – 20 MPG	10 – 18 MPG
Benefits	– Classic  – The most rented RV – Big seats	– Comfortable drive – Compact – Fuel savings	– Excellent amenities for the price – Has a compartment for sleeping	– Space for amenities – Detach from the truck – Available in different sizes	– Biggest RV  – Less swaying while driving
Usual Length	21 ft – 41 ft	12 ft – 20 ft	20 ft – 38 ft	21 ft – 28 ft	22 ft – 44 ft
Cost of Rental (New)	$350 – $450 per night	$200 – $350 per night	$ 225 – $400 per night	$125 – $200 per night	$150 – $300 per night
Cost of Rental (Older)	$350–$450 per night	$200–$350 per night	$225–$400 per night	$125–$200 per night	$150–$300 per night

 

Class A Motorhomes 

Class A motorhomes are top-of-the-line RV’s; they are ideal for people who want to travel in style. Class A motorhomes have a bedroom where two people can comfortably sleep. In addition, the couch in the living area can fold into a bed that can accommodate two children.             

You should choose the Class A motorhome if you value plenty of storage space, luxury, sleeping space, and an interior that resembles a home. However, these RVs have a poor mileage of six to eight miles per gallon.     

Class B Motorhomes 

Class B motorhomes are compact with excellent fuel economy. If you want to be one with nature, a Class B motorhome is ideal for you. They have all the necessities like a kitchen, living room, and bathroom, but they are very small. They are commonly known as camper vans and have plenty of headroom.            

Fortunately, since these motorhomes are compact, they are easy to drive. Parking the vehicle isn’t an issue as it can easily fit into small spaces. However, there is very little room inside the van and it lacks storage space for a family. But, if you want to stick to a budget, a Class B motorhome is an excellent choice.        

Class C Motorhomes 

The Class C motorhome is a compromise between Class A and B. They have a large sleeping area on the top which provides more space to the living area. Therefore, a family of four can comfortably travel in a Class C motorhome.         

Additionally, the Class C motorhome can tow a separate car for when your RV is parked on the camping site. The fuel economy of Class C motorhomes is between Classes A and B.  

However, Class C motorhomes aren’t the best value for saving money because their latest model will cost you more than a Class B motorhome. The fuel average isn’t impressive, and the driving pleasure is OK.     

A large living room might be a good option if you plan to live in an RV, but you can compromise the living room area for fuel economy if you plan to travel far.

Travel Trailers 

Travel trailers are economical and can be towed to your pickup truck. You may have seen one pull over on the highway to enjoy the view while making hamburgers. Travel trailers have a kitchen and a massive living space. These trailers are best for camping on a budget.      

Although, they don’t have an engine, so the fuel efficiency depends on your car. If you have a brand new pickup truck, you may get 15–22 miles per gallon. Older trucks can give between 10–20 miles per gallon, depending on your driving style.               

Fifth-Wheel RV 

Fifth-wheel RV is the most budget-friendly option for your RV adventures. It has a luxurious interior with a kitchen and a massive living space. In addition, it has comfortable sofas, perfect for a family of five. However, it’s a tow RV, so its fuel economy depends on your car.   

You get a lot of stuff for the price in a fifth-wheel RV. For instance, you have a massive living area with theatre seats, an LED TV, and a kitchen with two sinks. Some luxury fifth-wheels even have a wooden floor plan with a marble sink.        

Another possible perk is that you get a master bedroom with a hydraulic bed. Also, there is plenty of storage room in a fifth-wheel, and you will never run out of space. It has a one-piece shower unit with a sitting area to clean your feet. If you are traveling on a budget and looking to compromise on “premium luxury,” you can do good with a fifth-wheel RV.   

Most RV travelers will search for a vegas Class A RV for sale or the best Class A motorhome. But you don’t have to spend a ridiculous amount of money on RV rent when your main goal is to enjoy nature.   

A fifth-wheel RV is best for people searching for “RV rental prices near me” because they’ll save hundreds of dollars on rent and fuel costs combined.      

How Much Does It Cost to Rent an RV Cross Country?

The price of your cross-country adventure depends on the age and size of your RV. Still, an estimated price will be between $2,500–$5,000, depending on the rental location. 

RV rates are per night, so a lot of your RV budget depends on how long your cross-country tour will last. If you can wrap up your tour in 20 days, your cost will be $1,900–$2,500 for an affordable RV.    

How Much Does It Cost to Rent a Luxury RV for a Weekend?

If you are constantly traveling due to business or simply love exploring new locations and you are searching for “daily RV rentals,” but don’t want to settle in an average travel trailer or a fifth-wheel RV, a luxury RV is what you need.      

If you want your home on wheels to resemble your stationary home, you might need to deepen your pocket. An RV listed for $396 for a day can cost you around $4,791 for a week. In addition, it has an $85 insurance fee, a $316 fee for service, and $541 in taxes.   

Like all luxury things, the higher you go up the ladder, the more an RV will cost you. However, keep in mind that these are estimated prices, and the actual rates may be higher or lower. 

Here is a breakdown of different luxury RV rental prices: 

• Class A luxury RVs rental prices– $275 to $425 per night.
• Class C RVs– $200 to $300 per night.    
• Fifth-Wheels– $250 to $400 per night.    

How Much Does It Cost to Rent an RV For a Month?

Renting an RV for a month can be as expensive as you want. If you rent a luxurious RV, expect to pay between $4,500 and $9,000 per month. However, there are affordable options like a small pop-up camper for $1,500 per month with a 10–20% discount.    

It’s worth noting that you’ll score better RV rental prices if you increase the duration of your trip. Therefore, most RV campers rent an RV for a month for better discounts. On a side note, lengthy trips are fuel-efficient because you take long breaks as opposed to driving.               

Why Is It So Expensive to Rent an RV? 

Renting an RV can be very expensive, mainly due to the additional costs RV owners have to bear. For instance, insurance, maintenance, and taxes are some of the costs of owning and renting an RV. Add the cost of purchasing a basic rig to the equation, and you’ll realize why RVs are so expensive.       

Here is a breakdown of all the costs RV owners have to face before and after renting: 

• The cost of purchasing a mid-sized RV is around $100,000.  
• Depreciation cost over 10 years is $833/month.   
• A mid-sized RV’s maintenance and repair costs are $5,000 a year— mainly because amateur drivers damage their RV, and the repair cost is on the owner’s head.
• RVs aren’t rented in winter, so that cuts out six months of income.
• The storage fee of an RV is $200/month.     
• The insurance and licensing of a mid-sized RV is $167/month.    

 

These are some of the costs incurred by RV owners, which makes renting an RV very expensive. However, it’s cheaper to rent than buy because you don’t have to pay storage and repair costs.     

How Rental RV Pricing Works

RVshare has highly competitive prices because the owners don’t have to pay any listing fees. As a result, they have the freedom to set their prices to what they want in order to gain more customers.        

However, RV owners set limitations for their gig. So while there aren’t any hidden fees at RVshare, there are some disclosed ones you need to know.    

• The price of an RV depends on its age, size, and RV type. An older Class B will cost you a lot less than a Class A diesel pusher. 
• Owners often have RV rental costs per day, week, and month. Nightly rates fluctuate based on the season and demand. 
• Some owners may charge you a fee for their RV insurance. 
• Most owners set a limit for generator use. If you exceed this amount, you’ll have to pay additional charges per hour or mile of generator use.
• There is a security deposit, but you’ll get it back when you return the RV clean and unscratched. 
• There might be an additional fee for extra luxurious furniture. 
• There might be a tax on the RV rental amount.         

As you can see, there are a lot of charges involved when renting an RV. Therefore, it’s best to go through every listing before making a final decision. The competitive advantage of RVshare is that users can control how much they pay for an RV.             

If you are on a tighter budget, you can choose an older RV and limit generator usage. All of these prices might have you wondering how much is it for a trailer. You can find the rental price of the trailer mentioned above.     

Tips for Renting an RV

Renting an RV should be a fun and rewarding experience. RV travel combines luxury, convenience, and excitement into one package. To make your RV renting experience successful, you should consider a few aspects before renting an RV. 

Does this include things like how much does it cost to rent a travel trailer? How much are caravan rental prices? And what is the best weekend RV rental near me? Asking yourself all of the questions will improve your RV renting experience and camping trip.  

Here are our tips to help you prepare for a great RV experience:         

Book in Advance   

We can’t stress this enough as the RV market has more demand than supply, and nothing dampers your trip more than knowing there aren’t RV’s for rent.    

Keep this in mind, especially during the summer and holiday season. We advise you to book your RV two months before your intended timeframe. This will help you pack things accordingly because you will know how many items you can carry with you based on your RV’s storage capacity.         

Choose Secure Payment Methods 

It’s a no-brainer but worth mentioning; making payments over the phone or email can be nerve-wracking, especially if you are booking months before your trip. Making sure your payment is secure is a top priority. Make sure to never pay via the phone or give away your credit card information to anyone.         

Compare Prices 

Comparing prices gives you market knowledge, and you can spot if anyone is overcharging for their old RV. Plus, you can score an amazing deal if you know the latest RV prices. Otherwise, you might leap on the first offer and miss out on saving hundreds of dollars.                    

Consider Sleeping Arrangement

If you are going on a long journey, you need to sleep comfortably. Compromising on comfort to save a few dollars isn’t a good decision. You want to enjoy traveling across the US, and if you don’t have a comfortable bed, you will be tired all the time. Sleeping on a chair isn’t ideal for long hours. If you are going on a trip of more than two weeks, you need an RV with a bedroom.   

Fees and Prices to Consider 

While RV rental prices make up a large bulk of your expenses, it’s not the only cost you should consider. There are other fees that you should take into account when planning an RV trip. 

Here are all the costs you should look out for:         

Rates and Fees for RV Campsite 

While you won’t pay for hotel accommodation on your RV adventure, you will have to pay campsite rates and fees. Therefore, do research ahead of time on the best campsites for RVs. This will help you plan your budget accordingly.        

Some lavish five-star campsites might charge as high as $100 per night. At the same time, other more low-key campgrounds might charge as low as $30 per night.    

Park Attraction and Entrance Charges 

On top of the campsite fee, you might have to pay park attraction and entrance charges if you are parked in a state park. Also, if you are staying in an RV park and traveling to tourist spots, you need to consider this cost.     

Fuel and Mileage Cost

Fueling up a Class A motorhome is nothing like filling up your sedan’s tank. Some Class A motorhomes can store up to 150 gallons of fuel in a full tank. Unfortunately, this might cost additional expenses because Class A motorhomes have terrible fuel economy. So be prepared to refuel your car very often.     

However, you can save some money here by renting a Class B motorhome because they have a better fuel average. Nevertheless, the fuel cost amounts to the same value when you consider fuel tank sizes.     

You can also consider a travel trailer or a fifth-wheel trailer, but they’ll wear out your car’s engine and tires. When you add your vehicle maintenance cost at the end of the trip; you probably paid the same price as a Class B motorhome.               

Cleaning Fee 

Some renters will charge a cleaning fee if their RV isn’t in tip-top shape. To avoid this additional expense, travel with garbage bags and don’t carelessly throw your trash in the RV. It’s a cost you can avoid by being careful.          

Tips for Staying on Budget With RV Travel 

Traveling with an RV gives you the freedom to visit any destination you want. Plus, you have the comfort of theatre seats, a TV, and whisper sound AC. In addition, some RVs come with marble-finish flooring to add the feel of home while traveling.     

However, one can quickly go overboard with RV travel and spend more than planned. Here are our tips for staying on a tight budget and enjoying the experience of RV travel:    

Travel Off-Season  

RV rental prices are sky-high during peak season. During this time, everyone is looking to rent an RV, and the demand exceeds the supply, which causes the prices to increase. If you want to enjoy the experience of traveling in an RV, you should book ahead of time and travel during off-seasons. That way you get the same tourist spots with less crowd and traffic.           

Keep an Eye Out for Discounts 

Some RV renters put out a discount for a short period to boost their listings. You need to watch out for these discounts.  Most of these RVs are in tip-top condition, and their owners are trying to boost their listings. By frequently visiting peer-to-peer RV rental platforms, you can find a stellar discount that’ll probably save you hundreds of dollars.          

Take Your Time Driving 

To Enjoy the experience of RV travel you have to stay in one spot for at least a day. If you are on the road all the time, you won’t get the chance to see that beautiful sunset or sunrise. Moreover, traveling less and staying more saves fuel and cuts your RV costs by a significant percentage. 

Fill Your RV Refrigerator  

Eating out on an RV adventure defeats the purpose of renting an RV. Plus, it can become expensive if you have a large family with children. Also, it’s unhealthy to eat out all the time because you don’t know the food quality of these places.            

It’s best to fill your RV refrigerator with fruits, vegetables, meat, and some ready-to-cook meals. However, avoid adding fish to your fridge because it might release an unpleasant odor.  

Discover Free or Low–Cost Camping Spots 

Camping sites can be as costly as $100 per night. This is equal to renting two rooms at an affordable hotel. Plan ahead and look for affordable camping spots on your travel destination. Ask locals for free and low-cost camping spots.               

Some camping spots are under-rated and have the best view. If you talk to people around you, you’ll surely discover a free spot to park your RV and enjoy the night sky.    

Some Additional Tips for Staying on a Budget

• Look for discounts on RV renting prices. As we mentioned before, owners often give you a few free days for long-term rentals. You can always negotiate with them, too.
• Pay close attention to your mileage and generator use. Overage fees add up quickly—you could end up paying hundreds of dollars in fees just for a few hundred miles and several hours on the generator.     
• Plan your route and make campground reservations ahead of time. This not only keeps you on your mileage budget, but it will also save you on gas.    
• You might want to use an app to find the cheapest gas stations nearby. Every penny counts!    
• Make sure the RV isn’t overburdened, and check your tire pressure daily. Excess weight will eat up your fuel supply (and it’s not good for the RV).  

In Conclusion 

Renting an RV is an exciting experience, but it can quickly become a nightmare if you don’t plan your trip properly. By following our guide, you can save up on travel and fuel expense. Plus, by limiting entertainment expenses, you can save money and spend some quality time with nature. 

Below are some frequently asked questions by new RV travelers. Overall, we hope these questions help you with any additional doubt you might have.    

FAQs