How much does it cost to rent an RV? RV rental costs will start on average at $100 per night for a basic travel trailer or campervan to well over $300 per day for a very nice Class A motorhome.
There is however more to renting an RV than just the cost of the RV itself. In this post, we are going to go over the cost associated with renting an RV and provide you with 20 examples from the Top 5 best RV rental companies. Let’s get started.
Common RV Rental Costs
There is more to the cost of renting an RV than just the price you pay for the rental itself. RV rentals include several other charges that you need to be aware of. Below are some of the most common RV rental costs you may encounter:
- Nightly rental fee
- Mileage fee
- Generator fee
- Roadside Assistance Plan
Let take a look at each of these cost in more detail.
Nightly Fee
The nightly fee is similar to how a hotel charges for a bedroom, The RV rental nightly fee is the set amount you will pay per night to rent the camper. This fee is determined by the RV owner.
For example, the nightly fee for a 1990 Ford Jamboree Searcher Class C in the Los Angeles, Ca area is $110 per night. In contrast, a 2018 Thor Motor Coach Miramar in Rockwall, TX is $450 per night.
As you can see from the RV rental prices above they can vary tremendously based on the type of RV, the location you are renting from, and the number of nights you are renting.
Mileage Fee
The mileage fee is a fee charged for any miles that exceed the mileage allowance. Similar to a car rental company that may give you a certain number of miles per day and if you exceed those you end up paying “X” per extra mile. The RV mileage fee is determined by the RV owner and can vary as well.
For the 2018 Thor Motor Coach, Miramar mentioned above, the mileage fee is $0.39 per mile above the 150 miles per day allowance the owner gives you. Depending on the length of your travel this can add up rather quickly.
Generator Fee
On RVs that have a generator, the RV owner will tack on a generator usage fee. The fee is typically determined by hours. If you exceed your generator hour allowance, you will have to pay for the extra usage. This too is a fee determined by the RV owner.
In our Miramar Class A example, you are given a generator allowance of 5 hours per day. If you exceed the 5 hours you will be charged $2.95 per hour.
Cleaning Fees
Some RV rental owners have to clean their RVs once it’s returned to them. Some will charge a modest cleaning fee to the renters.
Roadside Assistance
Roadside Assistance is sometimes included in the Protection Package RV rental companies sell you, others will charge a daily fee. You also have the option to use your own Roadside Assitance company. However, I recommend you call them to make sure you are covered for the roadside assistance you will need.
Note this is only the rental of the RV and does not include insurance, gas, meals, etc. These are expenses you will need to take into account to determine the overall cost of renting an RV.
Can RV Rental Prices Be Negotiated?
Often times you can negotiate the price of your camper rental with the owner. RV owners are usually open to negotiations, and sometimes you can negotiate a package deal or a special offer. Don’t be afraid to ask.
How Much Does It Cost To Rent An RV for a Weekend?
Interested in renting an RV for just the weekend. Let’s take a look at what a weekend RV rental will cost you. I’ll use two examples of current listings to give you an idea.
| Model | 2021 Winnebago Micro Minnie | 2021 Forest River Forester |
| RV Type | Towable Travel Trailer | Class C Motorhome |
| Nightly Fee | $95 | $240 |
| Mileage Fee | Unlimited | $0.35/mile over 150/day |
| Generator Fee | N/A | $3.00/hour over 4-hour allowance/day |
| Misc Fees | $60 (1 Time Fee) | None |
| Total Weekend Price | $290 | $720 |
How Much Does It Cost To Rent An RV for a Week?
This is an example of how much it will cost to rent an RV for a week.
We’ll make the following assumptions:
- Nightly rate is $99
- The mileage allowance is 600 miles with a $0.35 for each extra mile
- Generator allowance is 20 hours with use overage of $5 per hour
Your trip is going to be for 6 nights. You calculated your mileage to be 850 miles round trip. You anticipate you’ll be using the generator very little as you will be parked at a campground. Here is your total:
6 nights X $99 = $594
250 miles x $0.35 = $87.50
You won’t exceed the generator allowance.
Your Cost For Renting an RV for One Week Is $681.50 for this example.
Note this is only the rental of the RV and does not include insurance, gas, meals, etc. Rental prices differ between different types such as a fifth-wheel, camper vans, etc.
RV Rental Costs Final Thoughts
Renting an RV is a great way to vacation with your family and friends. However, it’s important for your to know not just the fee for renting an RV but also the hidden fees that go along with the rental.
Check out these RV memberships that help you save money RVing.
I also wrote Pop Up Camper Rental Tips to help you save money.
