Thinking about taking an RV trip but wondering what it actually costs? If you’re curious about how much to rent an RV, you’ll be happy to hear that renting a camper is still quite affordable, especially if you’re willing to compromise on size and amenities.
For most rentals, you’ll probably end up spending at least $100 a night. But if you’re intent on taking a winding road trip, an RV does triple duty as your rental car, your hotel, and your entertainment along the way. In most cases, it’s a vacation affordable enough for you and your family or friends even if you’re on a budget.
Overall, how much to rent a camper depends on several different factors, like which time of year you’re planning on traveling, what size RV you need, and how far you’ll be driving. Whether you’re hitting the road for the weekend or an entire month, read on to learn more about what you can expect to pay for an RV road trip.
How Much to Rent an RV for a Weekend
Renting an RV for the weekend is ideal for first timers or people looking for a taste of the RV life without setting out on a summerlong excursion. Whether you’re heading to a weekend music festival or taking the kids for a visit to the grandparents for a couple of days, piling into an RV is a great way to travel with all the comforts of home.
In most cases, you’ll need to rent the RV for at least three nights, since many rental companies have a three-night minimum. Summer rates for a compact RV that sleeps up to three people start at around $130 per night, while larger RVs can rent for up to $300. Cheaper rates can usually be found in the spring and fall months, when fewer people are traveling.
How Much to Rent an RV for a Week
Considering the expense of how much to rent a RV for the weekend, it might be worth it to see if you can a few extra days off and rent for an entire week. If you’re planning on traveling to more than one city or attraction, you’ll likely need more time than one weekend anyway.
Generally, you can expect to pay about $1,000 to rent an RV for the week during the busy summer months. Those traveling with larger groups (between five to eight people) will end up paying more, typically in the $1,500 range.
Again, the savings will be quite significant if you’re traveling during the spring and fall months. A standard RV for four people in November is about half of what it rents for in August, for example. Depending on where you live and where you’ll be traveling, it may or may not make sense to push your trip back, but if you’re on a budget, it’s definitely something to consider.
How Much to Rent an RV for Two Weeks
Two weeks is an ideal time period to rent an RV. It’s not so long that you’ll be missing out on much back at home, but it’s enough time for a proper roadtrip, especially if you’re just exploring a few hundred miles.
If you’re planning on taking your two-week trip during summer, expect to pay a premium. Even a smaller five-person RV costs around $2,000 for a two-week rental period during July and August, while the same RV in November is about half that. Spring rentals, while less popular than those in the summer, are typically still a bit pricier than fall rentals due to spring break.
How Much to Rent an RV for a Month
Ready to rent an RV for an entire month? Once again, what time of year you’re looking to book a reservation will greatly impact the cost of how much to rent an RV per month. Depending on the season, a monthly RV rental will run anywhere from $2,500 to $7,000 for the duration of your trip.
Some RV rental companies offer discounts for long-term rentals, so it’s worth making the extra effort to call your local RV dealerships about before making a reservation online. Don’t forget to calculate the cost of campsites too, which can be quite pricey if you’ll be moving from campground to campground every few days.
Extra Costs and Fees
Many travelers see the base rate for an RV rental and assume that’s how much they’ll be charged for the trip. Don’t make the same mistake! Renting an RV comes with all sorts of extra costs and fees, so it’s important to take them into consideration when calculating your total costs. How much it costs to rent an RV overall is much different than simply the quoted rate for how much to rent an RV for a day.
The mileage fee is likely to be your next biggest expense, since most rental companies charge an extra fee based on how far you drive. You’ll also want to ask if there are any fees associated with using the generator, kitchen supplies, bedding, and other household items. And don’t forget the cost of fuel — RVs are notorious gas guzzlers, so be sure to budget potentially hundreds of extra dollars for gas along the way.
Final Ways to Save
If you’re trying to cut costs even further, don’t forget to search online for any RV rental specials or coupon codes. Often times, rental companies run promotions during slow periods or offer incentives for drivers to take an RV from one specific location to another. Google the name of the rental company plus something like “coupon code” or “promotions” before making your reservation to make sure you aren’t missing out on a great deal.
Finally, consider renting from a peer-to-peer rental site, which can help connect you to an actual RV owner rather than a large dealership. Since many owners are looking to make extra money on their RV instead of just having it sit in the driveway, you can often get a great deal. RV owners tend to be more flexible than rental companies, too, so if you don’t want to deal with a three-night minimum or have another complication, renting from a peer-to-peer site might be the way to go.