How Much Does It Cost To Rent An RV

There are many benefits to renting a recreational vehicle (RV) when traveling, compared to public transportation and checking in hotels along the way. RVs are low-cost, flexible, and convenient, especially when you are travelling with the whole family or with a group of people. Read on and find out how much it costs to rent an RV.

Typical Cost Of RV Rental

Motorized RV rental costs $70 to $150 per night.

Non-motorized RVs costs $50 to $175 a night for travel trailers and $50 to $90 a month for a camping trailer.

Included In The Price Of Renting An RV

The price includes the vehicle or trailer with all the basic equipment and furniture needed inside. This price refers to a typical RV size of 20 to 30 feet long or Class C RV.

Consider These Factors

  • Size. The size of the RV can determine the price of your rental. The bigger RV you need, the bigger the price can become.

  • Number of people. How many people will you be traveling with? An average 25-foot RV can sleep three adults and two kids. So the more people you travel with, the bigger the RV you need to rent.

  • Type. The price estimates refer to a Class C RV, which means a mini-motorhome. There are larger and more luxurious motorhomes but are priced definitely higher. They are called Class A motorhomes with a size starting from 21 feet to 40 feet. An average nightly rental is $150 to $350.

  • Amenities. The more amenities you can find inside an RV, the higher its rental price can become. Amenities like portable generator, bicycle rack, TV, DVD players, and camp chairs can be priced for an additional $5 to $50 per day.

  • Duration of travel. How long are you going to travel? Most RV rental companies will give you a good discount if you book for a one-week rental instead of shorter days and nights.

  • Other factors. Your location and the current season you rent an RV have a lot to do with the overall cost. Peak seasons may mean higher charges. Cheap rates, however, are available during the winter months.

  • Deposit. When you rent an RV, you usually have to pay for a deposit of around $200 to $500 or even more. This deposit is a form of security in the side of the company but is refundable when you return the RV in good condition and shape. Companies can charge for cleaning, empty fuel tank, and loaded waste system upon inspection after drop-off. .

Additional Costs

  • Mileage fees. Companies usually charge 25 to 40 cents per mile as a mileage fee for class C rentals and 35 to 60 cents for a class A rental. If you go for non-motorized homes, you don't have to pay for this kind of fee.

  • Insurance. Some rented RVs are not covered by insurance. If this is the case, it can mean an additional $15 to $50 per day.

  • Taxes. The quoted price of most RV rental companies usually does not include rental taxes and state taxes.

  • Fuel. Depending on the distance you want to travel and the type of RV you rent, fuel expenses are in. A Class A RV can average around eight to 10 miles per gallon (mpg) while a Class C RV can average 10 mpg. Calculate your expenses by multiplying the distance you want to travel and the current price of fuel per gallon. Check out this price estimate for a one-week RV rental of a Class C motorhome from the RoamingTimes.com. If you are renting a non-motorized home, the fuel expenses depend on the type of vehicle you will be towing it with.

  • Supplies. You need to prepare your own kitchen utensils, cleaning supplies, and linens for the trip. Food is also a very big additional cost when traveling with an RV.

  • Parking. RV or campground parking lots can be an added cost for you, too. It costs around $10 to $15 a night. For free or less than $10 of RV parking across the U.S., check out this directory at FreeCampGrounds.com.

Tips Before You Decide To Rent An RV

Make sure you know what things to look for when renting an RV. Check out this very useful article from BudgetTravel.com to make your vacation a comfortable, enjoyable, and affordable experience.

Plan for your road trip before you even rent an RV. Go on the details of the location, where to park for the night, what sights to visit, how long you want to be on the road, and how many people are in the trip. This will help you a lot when choosing the kind of RV to rent and get the best deal possible for you. Here’s how you can plan a successful RV vacation from Roadtrip America.

Deal only with trusted RV rental companies. CruiseAmerica and ElMonteRV are two of the most trusted companies you can deal with when renting an RV all over America. You can also find a good RV rental company through the Recreation Vehicle Rental Association (RVRA).

Choose the right RV to rent. The RVRA has listed all types of RVs available for rental and which one is best for you to choose depending on your needs.

Make sure you grab a written documentation of everything regarding the rental including mileage and rental rates, miscellaneous fees, and security deposit. Check out cancellation policies and the terms and conditions page.

Consider getting a one-way RV rental to save money. This means you don’t have to drive the RV back to its original location in exchange for a fee. You can simply grab a cheap plane ticket at your last destination and save both money and time. USA RV Rentals has waived one-way fees for pick-ups from November 1, 2011 to March 31, 2012 in 23 US cities.