How Much Does It Cost To Rent An RV For A Week

With the meteoric rise that RV vacations have seen in the past couple of years, it’s no surprise that people are starting to consider for themselves whether or not renting an RV is right for them. But how much does it actually cost to rent an RV for a week and drive it cross country?

The quick answer is: it depends!

There are many factors that go into how much an RV rental costs, including how big or old it is, whether or not it allows pets, etc. In this article, we’ll be breaking down nightly and weekly fees to determine a good estimate of how much it costs to rent an RV for a week. Then, we’ll compare that to the cost of hotels, Airbnbs, and rental cars. 

So, back to that first question— how much does it actually cost to rent an RV for a week?

RV Rental Cost Per Week Breakdown

RV Type	Average Rental Prices Per Night	Average Rental Prices Per Week
Class A	$175 to $275	$1,200 to $1,925
Class B	$100 to $200	$700 to $1,400
Class C	$150 to $200	$1,050 to $1,400
Travel Trailer	$50 to $125	$350 to $875
Fifth Wheel	$60 to $150	$420 to $1,050
Pop Up Camper	$50 to $100	$350 to $700
Toy Hauler	$100 to $200	$700 to $1,400
Campervan	$75 to $150	$525 to $1,050

When looking at the table above, it’s important to bear in mind that because these numbers come from averages, details such as the age of the model or the quality of its amenities might get lost in translation. However, the averages are an accurate representation of what you can expect to see on RV rental listing pages.

According to a survey from the RV Rental Association, the two most popular types of RV to rent are Class C and Travel Trailers. So, a week of vacation in RV might start anywhere between $350-$1,050 and go as high as $1,400. It all depends on the make and model.

Other Fees

Something that the table also doesn’t show are the taxes and fees associated with renting an RV, much like with a hotel or Airbnb. One or more of the following Host fees that should be factored into the overall cost of your vacation:

Cleaning Fee

Like a hotel room, an RV is your home while you stay in it— which is why most RV’s come with a one-time cleaning fee anywhere between $25-$90, depending on the size and class of the vehicle. This way, you can rest assured that the RV that you’re renting is 100% clean, sanitized, and ready to go for your adventure!

Pet fee

One unbeatable advantage to RVing over hotel stays is that renting an RV allows you to bring your furry companions with you almost anywhere! Many RVs allow dogs (and some even allow cats) with a one-time fee between $15-$75.

Campground/Attraction Fee

This is one fee that will have to be paid regardless of your mode of transportation or where you’re staying. Most state parks have an entrance fee of around $25-$35, with a nightly campground fee of about $25 to park your RV rental and use the grounds’ facilities. These numbers may change drastically in either direction depending on where you are and what you’re doing. In fact, many state parks have no entrance fees at all, like Great Basin National Park in Baker, Nevada. Others will have select days throughout the year when no entrance fee is charged, so be sure to keep these dates in mind while you’re planning your trip.

Taxes

When renting an RV, you’ll be subject to the taxes of the state that you’re picking the RV up in. So, if you live in Texas but the RV rental is in Oklahoma, you’ll pay Oklahoma’s sales tax. 

Delivery Fee

Many RVs offer the convenience of having your rental set up and delivered to your campsite for an additional one-time fee of $150-$200. For people who may feel uncomfortable navigating their RVs into the campsite itself, this is a highly recommended option.

Gas/Mileage

Aside from the fuel needed to power your RV, some RVs have limits on how many miles per day are allowed before additional cost is accrued. In the case of going over your daily mileage allowance, anywhere between $0.25-$0.85 is often charged. However, most mileage allowances are between 100-150 miles per day. If your trip isn’t as mile-intensive, this isn’t something you should worry about!

Damage Protection

Most important of all the fees involved with renting an RV is making sure it’s insured during your trip. RVnGO offers an industry-leading $1 million liability coverage for Hosts and Guests and coverage for damage to the RV up to $200,000. So you, as the Guest, would pay a nightly fee to cover the damage protection between $25-$70 depending on the size of the vehicle, and an optional Roadside Assistance fee of $12 per night. To learn more about RVnGO’s damage protection policy, click here.

Unlike other platforms, RVnGO doesn’t charge any non-value, tacked on “service” fees, transaction fees, or rental fees for trips shorter than five days. This way you can be sure that you’re getting the best value for your vacation and only paying the fees that the Hosts themselves have specified for your trip.

Is it cheaper to rent an RV or stay in a hotel?

So, this all begs the increasingly hot question: which is cheaper, renting an RV or staying in a hotel?

First, it’s important to note that what people look for when renting an RV or staying in a hotel room for a week are often incredibly different experiences. RVs allow people to stay within the heart of National Parks or scenic locations for a camping experience that can’t be replicated by a day visit via nearby hotels or lodges. It is, quite literally, as immersive as you can get in a true journey with yourself and your loved ones. 

Now, let’s compare two different popular road trip destinations for their average costs. For this, we’ll be factoring in the weekly rate for a 3-star or above hotel room, an Airbnb, and a rental car for a family of 2-4. We’ll be looking at San Francisco, California as a gateway to Yosemite National Park, and Sedona, Arizona, for its proximity to Red Rock State Park. The following rates are being observed during each destination’s respective high seasons, July and May, as of the time of writing this. The numbers have been recorded from Expedia and Kayak.

Hotel, Airbnb, and Car Rental Cost Per Week Breakdown

Destination	Hotel Weekly Rate	Airbnb Weekly Rate	Car Rental Weekly Rate
San Francisco, CA	$1,190-$2,450	$1,610-$2,800	$240-$350
Sedona, AZ	$1,610-$3,150	$1,120-$3,150	$290-$500

Based on the table above, the cost to stay in a hotel and rent a car in San Francisco is between $1,450-$2,450, and the cost to stay in an Airbnb and rent a car is between $1,850-$3,050. For Sedona, a hotel and car rental is between $1,900-$3,700. 

In comparison, the cost of a standard RV rental campground fee within both cities ranges from $43 to $75 per night. Regardless of whether or not your rental RV is parked within a major city or at a state or national park, the average cost to rent an RV for a week is still cheaper than it is to stay in a hotel or Airbnb with a rental car. 

Ultimately, your RV vacation is what you make of it. The cost to rent an RV for a week has more do with the moments in it themselves and the experiences gained from being in the heart of nature with others. The memories are what count— the RV simply gets you there.

Where will you go next?

PS, See More RV Rentals For A Week

As you can see, renting an RV for a week opens up a world of possibilities for your next vacation. If you’re curious about the specific costs of renting an RV in popular cities, we’ve got you covered. Check out our in-depth articles below for detailed information on RV rental costs in these exciting destinations:

• Cost to Rent An RV for a Week in Florida
• Cost for a weekly RV rental in Charlotte NC
• Cost for a weekly RV rental in Denver
• Weekly rate for RV rental in San Diego
• Weekly rate to rent an RV in Las Vegas
• Weekly rate to rent an RV in Dallas TX
• Weekly rate to rent an RV in Tampa