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Curious about what life is like on the road? You don’t need to commit to buying a recreational vehicle to experience RV travel. Several companies make it easy to rent an RV, offering everything from luxury motorhomes to budget-friendly campervans.
While some traditional RV rental companies have gone out of business in recent years, peer-to-peer RV rental platforms have surged in popularity, providing more options than ever. But not all RV rental companies are created equal. The best RV rental companies are transparent about fees, ensure well-maintained and clean vehicles, and provide insurance options for peace of mind.
To help you navigate your options, we’ve reviewed the top RV rental sites, analyzing pricing, availability, and ease of use. Here’s what you need to know about renting an RV.
Types of RV rental companies
Before choosing a rental, it’s important to understand the two main types of RV rental companies: traditional RV rental services and peer-to-peer RV rental platforms.
Pros of traditional RV rental companies
Traditional RV rental companies operate like car rental agencies. They own fleets of standardized vehicles, perform regular maintenance and offer one-way rentals — a feature rarely available with peer-to-peer rentals. The benefits include:
- Consistency: Expect a uniform experience across rentals, from cleanliness to vehicle type.
- Professional maintenance: These companies inspect and service RVs between rentals.
- One-way rentals: Unlike private owners, traditional companies often allow drop-offs at different locations.
Pros of peer-to-peer RV rentals
Peer-to-peer RV rental platforms function like Airbnb, connecting RV owners with travelers. This model offers more variety, competitive pricing and unique vehicle options. Advantages include:
- Wider selection: Choose from a range of vehicles, including campervans, trailers, and luxury motorhomes.
- Potentially lower costs: Renting directly from an owner can be cheaper than a corporate rental.
- Flexible pickup and delivery: Some owners deliver the RV to your preferred location or campsite (so you might not actually have to drive the RV at all if you don't want to).
» Learn more: How safe is an RV road trip?
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Best traditional RV rental companies
These days, two long-established RV rental companies dominate the market: Cruise America and El Monte.
1. Cruise America - best overall for traditional RV rentals
Cruise America is the largest traditional RV rental company in North America, with over 123 locations across 33 U.S. states and five Canadian provinces. The booking process is straightforward, and its scale makes one-way rentals easy.
Fleet: Offers five types of RVs, mainly Class C motorhomes, which accommodate three to seven travelers.
Pricing: Rentals do not include unlimited mileage. Expect a charge of $0.38 per mile unless you score a promotional deal.
Extras: Renters must pay extra for kitchen and bedding kits.
Pros:
- Large network of locations, making one-way rentals possible.
- Consistent fleet and maintenance standards.
- Transparent pricing during the booking process.
Cons:
- Additional mileage charges add up quickly.
- Basic amenities cost extra.
2. El Monte - best if you need a generator
El Monte is smaller than Cruise America, with 27 U.S. locations plus one international branch in Tokyo. It offers a mix of Class C and larger Class A motorhomes.
Fleet: Features five types of RVs, ranging from 22 to 33 feet long.
Pricing: Unlike Cruise America, El Monte does not charge for generator usage—a big plus if you’re boondocking (camping without hookups).
Pros:
- No extra charge for generator use.
- Offers larger Class A motorhomes.
Cons:
- Fewer locations than Cruise America.
- Limited one-way rental options.
» Learn more: Great RV road trip routes in the United States
3. Roadsurfer - best for campervans Europe and California
New to the U.S., Roadsurfer specializes in campervan rentals, offering a sleek, modern fleet. Founded in Germany, Roadsurfer has a strong presence in Europe. Lately though, it's been expanding stateside with pickup and drop-off points mostly in California, but also a few other cities relatively nearby such as Las Vegas.
Fleet: Focuses on campervans, ideal for solo travelers and couples.
Pricing: Because their vehicles are much smaller than the massive RVs you can rent from others like Cruise America and RVshare, you'll likely save a boatload on gas — especially for longer roadtrips.
Pros:
- Newer, well-maintained campervans.
- More fuel-efficient than mega RVs.
- Strong European presence for cross-continent travelers.
Cons:
- Limited U.S. locations (though currently expanding).
- Fewer large RV options.
» Learn more: RV secrets straight from the experts
Best peer-to-peer RV rental companies
Two peer-to-peer RV rental sites currently dominate the market: RVshare and Outdoorsy. But up-and-comers like RVezy are nipping at their heels. Here's a look at the best RV rental sites for peer-to-peer rentals.
RVshare, founded in 2013, is the first and largest peer-to-peer RV rental marketplace, with over 100,000 vehicles available. It stands out for its 24/7 chat support and rental guarantees. Plus, if you're new to driving an RV (and figuring out what to do with the toilet waste), its website has an extensive library of educational resources.
The site also stands out because — if the RV owner is unresponsive or the vehicle isn’t as described (and yes, it's not uncommon for peer-to-peer hosts to ghost you) — RVshare promises to helps secure a replacement rental.
Pros:
- Strong renter protection policies.
- Easy-to-use platform with detailed vehicle descriptions.
Cons:
- Some hidden fees in listings.
» Learn more: How to save on road trips
2. RVezy - best for budget travelers
Originally founded in Canada in 2016, RVezy has quickly expanded southward into the U.S. While it might not be the largest, RVezy boasts that it's "North America's most trusted RV rental marketplace." And it points to over 150,000 five-star rated bookings to support that claim.
RVezy offers plenty of listings throughout the U.S., including hundreds of rentable RVs in and around Tampa, Florida. And the appealing rental rates makes RVezy worth a look the next time you consider an RV rental.
Pros:
- Generally lower rental costs.
- Good selection of campervans and smaller RVs.
Cons:
- Smaller inventory than RVshare.
» Learn more: RV secrets straight from the experts
RV rental companies, recapped
The first step in finding an RV rental is to figure out what type you want. Traditional RV rental companies — like Cruise America — are like the chain hotels of the RV rental space. If you're looking for a predictable rental from a large company, these are safe options. Plus, their many locations mean that you can do a one-way rental.
That makes peer-to-peer RV rental sites like Outdoorsy and RVshare the Airbnb of RV rentals. You'll have more variety, more locations and potentially cheaper cost. However, there are some inherent risks and inconsistencies with these types of rentals.
Before booking, compare prices, check fees and read reviews. Whether you’re planning a cross-country adventure or a weekend getaway, the right RV rental company can make all the difference.
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