Costs to Rent
No matter how you slice it, renting an RV can be a great, economical way to see the country—especially when you compare costs to flights, car rental, hotel rooms and meals.
You should be aware that RV rental rates will differ from company to company, so shop around. Some firms vary their fees with the seasons and unit availability while others proudly state that their rates remain constant all year long.
Daily rates can start as low as $45 a day. But realistically, once you factor in taxes, fees, and miles (on motorhomes, usually not on trailers), you're looking at something like $80 per day, all the way up to $300 daily for a top-of-the-line rolling estate.
Additionally, don't forget about gas. With mileage rates between 7 and 11 miles per gallon, fueling costs will be an important consideration.
More: 6 Common RV Repairs You Can Do on the Road
See More With One-Way Rentals
If you live in one of the more remote corners of the country, just getting to your dream campground can burn up a lot of precious vacation time. So why waste it traveling through familiar territory and back again?
One-way rentals are offered by many of the larger RV rental companies. You can either start your road trip at your house and leave the rig off at the other end, or pick it up there and camp your way back. And, a lot of these rental firms offer convenient drop-off and pick-up locations near major airports, making it easy to fly in, grab your rig and go.
Here's an idea: if you're absolutely in love with camping but don't feel like dealing with driving, set-up, breaking camp, and moving onto the next location, there are companies that will do that for you. You just tell them what size rig you need, where you want to camp and when and they'll take care of everything—including stocking the pantry and laying in some firewood. They'll even stage your next campsite so it will be ready and waiting for you when you arrive.
Drivers License and Insurance
In most states, your standard automobile driver's license is all that's needed to drive or tow any type of RV. And if you already have an auto insurance policy, the RV rental may be automatically covered. But call your insurance company to be sure. An RV rental rider may need to be added to your policy, or you might have to purchase RV rental coverage from the RV rental company.
Hitting the open road with an RV makes for a fantastic family vacation that will be remembered for years. Renting an RV can make it an economical experience, too.
More: Best State Parks for RV Camping
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