Last Updated on March 31, 2024 by Jessica Lauren Vine
“How much does it cost to rent an RV?” is like asking how much it costs to rent a suit. Despite the wide range of prices, I am going to give you some real information and tips you can use so you can have the best RV camping trip ever.
You Can Expect to Pay
$99 – $300 per night, depending on the RV.
To give you an idea, here are some prices of RVs near me. This is one of the most popular places to camp near me. Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, in the Great Smoky Mountains, is on and poppin’, so these prices are pretty standard when it comes to renting in a sought-after place.
As you can see, the above RVs are mostly small travel trailers ranging from $99 per night to $119 per night, which isn’t bad at all. However, do keep an eye out for cleaning fees or any other fees that you might not expect. Yes, you might know there is a cleaning fee, but sometimes they really jack it up, so the price they show is competitive.
Now, as you can see, when you start trying to rent drivable RVs, that’s when the price really starts to go up.
This is in the same location but with bigger, more luxurious motor vehicles. $185 per night is a pretty awesome deal which is why it is listed as a budget RV. If you really want luxury, then you’ll have to pull out $300 per night.
Keep in mind that this is the popular and warm season (May) in Pigeon Forge. There are a lot of people that want to camp, but when it really gets crazy, and the prices really go up in the fall when all the leaves change, so keep a look out for price hikes during that time of the year.
Throughout the country, you’ll find similar pricing. You should always look at each individual listing to see what they offer. Some of them offer to put your RV on a campsite for you, so you don’t have to drive or pull it. Others require a huge deposit, so you don’t trash it and leave them out of money.
Other Fees to Consider
Once you start planning your trip, it’s easy to get excited and totally forget all the other important things that will cost money. If you want to have the best RV trip, you need to make sure everything is in order, and here are some of the things you need to remember before you head out.
Camping Location Fees
Unless you’re into dispersed camping, camping location fees can be rather pricey. In fact, sometimes, they can be just as expensive as renting an RV. If you don’t need a lot of amenities, you can save a lot of money. However, if you want to stay in an RV resort, you’ll pay the price to have the pool, tennis court, and other goodies there.
Fuel & Mileage Fees
If you choose to drive an RV, you have to put fuel in it. You also are only allowed to put so many miles on your RV before you start having to pay per mile you put on the RV. Mileage fees can really add up, so make sure you do a few calculations before you hit the road.
Now, keep in mind that if you have the RV rental for 4 days, that’s 800 total miles even if you drive those in 2 days or in 4 days. The above example is if you’d only rented it for 1 day and drove all the miles in 1 day—which is unlikely.
Fun Fees
When I say fun fees, I’m talking about things you’re going to do when you go to this camping location. Sometimes you just want to hang out around the RV park. However, other times there are theme parks and lots of other fun to be had.
Figure out how much each activity will cost you before you head out so you know you have plenty of cash on you.
Budget-friendly RV Rental
If you want to save money when you rent an RV and avoid hidden costs when renting an RV, there are some simple things you can do to save a buck.
- Fix all of your food at your campsite
- Find free or almost free campsites
- Travel when it isn’t peak season
- Look into memberships that give you discounts
- Find gas stations with the best fuel pricing
Enjoying a fun RV trip with your family is a great way to create some pretty awesome memories. Renting an RV is a way to save money as well because you don’t have to purchase and maintain the RV.
How Much Does It Cost to Rent an RV? – Frequently Asked Questions
Can you rent an RV with a regular license?
Yes. You do not need any special license or special endorsement to rent an RV.
Is renting a motorhome worth it?
Yes. Renting a motorhome makes RV trips so much more fun and you don’t have to worry about not having a bathroom nearby or a kitchen that you can access.
What is the cheapest RV rental?
A small travel trailer is the cheapest type of RV you can rent.
How Much Does It Cost to Rent an RV? – Conclusion
Now you’ve got the answer to, “How much doe sit cost to rent an RV?” and it’s time to hit the road. There are so many cool adventures waiting for you, and I can’t wait to hear how they go.
When Jessica was older and had a family, she took her crew on the road for 2.5 years. They lived in 2 different RVs during that time. One 18 foot long and one 28 foot long. Both pull-behind RVs.
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