Best RVs to rent for a family road trip
A straight guide to the five RV types worth renting for a family trip, who each one suits, and what it really costs a night.
Everything you need
to rent an RV
How renting works, what it really costs, and which platform to book. The complete guide to planning your first trip with confidence.
How renting an RV works
Most rentals today happen on peer-to-peer marketplaces, which work like Airbnb for motorhomes and trailers. You browse listings from private owners in your area, filter by dates and rig type, and book online. The platform handles payment, insurance, and support, and the owner hands over the keys. Every booking on RVshare, Outdoorsy, and RVezy includes insurance and 24/7 roadside assistance.
The alternative is a commercial fleet like Cruise America, which rents standardized motorhomes from branch locations. Fleets are consistent and simple, but usually pricier and less personal. For most first-timers, the marketplaces offer more choice and better value.
What it costs
Plan on roughly $150 to $300 a night for a drivable motorhome, or $60 to $150 a night for a towable trailer, before fees. The catch: The nightly rate is only about half of what you actually pay. Service fees, insurance, a cleaning fee, plus your campground and fuel all stack on top, so a typical week lands somewhere between $1,200 and $3,000 all in.
| RV type | Nightly rate | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Class C motorhome | $150 to $300 | The most popular first rental: drivable, sleeps a family, easy to live in. |
| Class A motorhome | $175 to $450 | Maximum space and comfort, but bigger to drive and thirstier on fuel. |
| Class B campervan | $100 to $250 | Compact and simple, ideal for one or two people. |
| Travel trailer | $60 to $150 | The cheapest way in, if you have a vehicle that can tow it. |
Want the full breakdown? Our guide to how much it costs to rent an RV covers nightly rates by class, every fee to expect, and a realistic one-week budget.
Which platform should you use?
None of the three is reliably cheaper, since owners set their own rates. The right one depends on where you are and what you value.
Biggest selection
Outdoorsy
Over 200,000 rigs across the US, Canada, and Europe. The best odds of finding one near you.
Browse Outdoorsy ›Best US protection
RVshare
More than 100,000 US listings with a worry-free guarantee and rental replacement.
Browse RVshare ›Best for Canada
RVezy
The specialist for Canada and the one platform built for cross-border trips.
Browse RVezy ›Not sure which to book? See our full side-by-side of RVshare vs Outdoorsy vs RVezy for selection, protection, cancellation, and where each one lets you travel.
Should you rent before you buy?
If you are thinking about buying an RV, rent first. A rental week is a few hundred dollars against a purchase that runs into the tens of thousands, and it answers the real question: Not whether a given RV is nice, but whether this kind of travel actually fits your life. Rent the type you are leaning toward, take it on a proper trip, and let the experience decide.
Deciding whether to buy? Read should you rent an RV before buying before you commit.
How to book your first rental
- Pick your dates and pickup city Search the same trip on each platform so you can compare what is actually available near you.
- Choose the rig type Match it to your group size, your comfort with driving, and whether you can tow.
- Compare the total, not the nightly rate Add fees, insurance, and mileage to see the real price on each listing.
- Read the cancellation terms and reviews Check the owner's rating and the exact refund policy before you pay.
- Book and plan the handover Confirm pickup time, the walkthrough, and what you need to return, like empty tanks and a full fuel tank.
Tips for a smooth first rental
- Travel off-peak and midweek: Better rates and far better availability than summer weekends.
- Book by the week: The weekly discount usually beats seven separate nights.
- Rent close to home: It avoids delivery fees and keeps your mileage down.
- Do the walkthrough carefully: Photograph any existing damage and learn the systems before you drive off.
- Return it clean with empty tanks: A little effort at the dump station saves the cleaning and dump fees.
Ready to hit the road?
Price the same trip on all three platforms and book the best combination of the right rig, total cost, and a cancellation policy you can live with.
Rentals
Everything you need
to rent an RV
How renting works, what it really costs, and which platform to book. The complete guide to planning your first trip with confidence.
Most popular
How much does it cost to rent an RV?
Nightly rates by class, every fee, and a real one-week budget.
Compare
RVshare vs Outdoorsy vs RVezy
Which of the three marketplaces to book for your trip.
Before you buy
Should you rent before buying?
Why a rental week is the cheapest way to decide.
How renting an RV works
Most rentals today happen on peer-to-peer marketplaces, which work like Airbnb for motorhomes and trailers. You browse listings from private owners in your area, filter by dates and rig type, and book online. The platform handles payment, insurance, and support, and the owner hands over the keys. Every booking on RVshare, Outdoorsy, and RVezy includes insurance and 24/7 roadside assistance.
The alternative is a commercial fleet like Cruise America, which rents standardized motorhomes from branch locations. Fleets are consistent and simple, but usually pricier and less personal. For most first-timers, the marketplaces offer more choice and better value.
What it costs
Plan on roughly $150 to $300 a night for a drivable motorhome, or $60 to $150 a night for a towable trailer, before fees. The catch: The nightly rate is only about half of what you actually pay. Service fees, insurance, a cleaning fee, plus your campground and fuel all stack on top, so a typical week lands somewhere between $1,200 and $3,000 all in.
| RV type | Nightly rate | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Class C motorhome | $150 to $300 | The most popular first rental: drivable, sleeps a family, easy to live in. |
| Class A motorhome | $175 to $450 | Maximum space and comfort, but bigger to drive and thirstier on fuel. |
| Class B campervan | $100 to $250 | Compact and simple, ideal for one or two people. |
| Travel trailer | $60 to $150 | The cheapest way in, if you have a vehicle that can tow it. |
Want the full breakdown? Our guide to how much it costs to rent an RV covers nightly rates by class, every fee to expect, and a realistic one-week budget.
Which platform should you use?
None of the three is reliably cheaper, since owners set their own rates. The right one depends on where you are and what you value.
Biggest selection
Outdoorsy
Over 200,000 rigs across the US, Canada, and Europe. The best odds of finding one near you.
Best US protection
RVshare
More than 100,000 US listings with a worry-free guarantee and rental replacement.
Best for Canada
RVezy
The specialist for Canada and the one platform built for cross-border trips.
Not sure which to book? See our full side-by-side of RVshare vs Outdoorsy vs RVezy for selection, protection, cancellation, and where each one lets you travel.
Should you rent before you buy?
If you are thinking about buying an RV, rent first. A rental week is a few hundred dollars against a purchase that runs into the tens of thousands, and it answers the real question: Not whether a given RV is nice, but whether this kind of travel actually fits your life. Rent the type you are leaning toward, take it on a proper trip, and let the experience decide.
Deciding whether to buy? Read should you rent an RV before buying before you commit.
How to book your first rental
- Pick your dates and pickup city Search the same trip on each platform so you can compare what is actually available near you.
- Choose the rig type Match it to your group size, your comfort with driving, and whether you can tow.
- Compare the total, not the nightly rate Add fees, insurance, and mileage to see the real price on each listing.
- Read the cancellation terms and reviews Check the owner’s rating and the exact refund policy before you pay.
- Book and plan the handover Confirm pickup time, the walkthrough, and what you need to return, like empty tanks and a full fuel tank.
Tips for a smooth first rental
- Travel off-peak and midweek: Better rates and far better availability than summer weekends.
- Book by the week: The weekly discount usually beats seven separate nights.
- Rent close to home: It avoids delivery fees and keeps your mileage down.
- Do the walkthrough carefully: Photograph any existing damage and learn the systems before you drive off.
- Return it clean with empty tanks: A little effort at the dump station saves the cleaning and dump fees.
Ready to hit the road?
Price the same trip on all three platforms and book the best combination of the right rig, total cost, and a cancellation policy you can live with.
One-way RV rentals explained
A one-way RV rental lets you pick up in one city and drop off in another, so you can drive a scenic route without doubling back. Here is how it works, what the drop fee costs, and how to keep it down.
How much does it cost to rent an RV?
Renting an RV usually costs far more than the nightly rate. Once fees, insurance, mileage, and the campground are in, the sticker price is often only about half of what you actually pay.
RVshare vs Outdoorsy vs RVezy: which should you book?
They look identical at first glance, but selection, protection, cancellation, and where you can travel set them apart. Here is which RV rental platform to book.
Should you rent an RV before buying?
Renting an RV for a real trip before you buy is the cheapest insurance there is. Here is what a test rental teaches you, what it costs, and when you can skip it.