You suddenly have free time, and you want to travel around America comfortably? Take a Campervan. If you have always wanted to travel around America, consider this article a nudge in the right direction. The best part about traveling in a Campervan is that you can get the most out of any place you visit. You are free to stop anywhere you want for however long you want. A campervan road trip makes your traveling adventures easier and more convenient.
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Best Places to Rent A Campervan in the United States
- ElMonte– El Monte is a traditional Campervan rental company. It has been in the Campervan business for a while and offers a one-way trip. This rental company is a good choice for pet owners since all their rentals are pet-friendly. You can find this rental company in Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Washington, DC,
- Outdoorsy: Outdoorsy is one of the best Campervan rental marketplaces in the world. With this rental marketplace, you do not have to buy your rig. Over 15,000 Campervan owners from all over America rent their rigs out on Outdoorsy, so you can find a Campervan no matter where you are in America.
- Cruise America: Cruise America has many rental locations in America. This campervan rental place has 133 locations in 33 states in America. You can find them in cities like Orlando, Las Vegas, Boston, Miami, Dallas, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Nashville, Albuquerque, Minneapolis, and more.
- RV Share: This company is similar to Outdoorsy as it is also a Campervan rental marketplace. You can get your choice of Campervans on their website. This marketplace also offers a rewards program where you can save a little money off your next rental if you are frequently on the road. It also gives insurance protection with their $1,000,000 in liability and $200,000 in RV value.
How Much Does it Cost to Rent a Campervan in the United States?
We researched hundreds of rental places to get the average Campervan rental cost in the United States. The average daily cost of renting a Campervan in the United States differs depending on the Campervan’s age and class. It also varies depending on the rental location and the rental company you are renting.
Typically, you will find prices like this for different Campervan types:
- For class A Campervans: $175-$275 per night if it is over ten years older, and $350-$450 per night if it is newer.
- For class B: $100-$200 per night if ten years or older, and $200-$350 per night if newer.
- For class C: $150-$200 per night if ten years or older, and $225-$400 per night if newer.
- Travel Trailer: $50-$125 per night if ten years or older, and $125-$200 per night if newer.
- Fifth Wheel: $60-$150 per night if ten years or older, and $150-$300 per night if newer.
Other Fees and Prices to Consider
The cost of renting the Campervan itself is not the only fee you have to pay. In addition to the daily rental fee, you will have to pay for things like:
- Campground Rates: You have to pay for your camping spot if you decide to stay at a campground. Generally, campervan campsites cost between $25-$80 per night. This price depends on the size of the space, the location, and the facilities offered. If you do not mind less comfort, then you can go dry camping or boondocking for free instead.
- Cleaning Fees: Not all rental places charge cleaning fees, but the ones that do, charge an average of $50-$100. If you want to avoid the payment, clean the Campervan before returning it.
- Delivery/Set up Fees: Some rentals offer to deliver the Campervan to your campground site and set it up for you for a price. It usually costs around $150-$200 to do so. It can be lower depending on the rental place you choose and the location of the camping site.
- Gas: You will be charged a fee if you do not fill your camper van’s tank before returning it.
- Mileage/Price Per Mile: It is rare before you see a rental place with limited mileage, but some rental companies charge for additional miles if renters go past the restricted number of miles. The average fee is $0.25-$0.75 per mile.
- Taxes: When renting a Campervan, you have to pay the rental taxes of the state the rental place is.
- Rental Insurance: Some rental places like Outdoorsy give campervan renters up to $1 million in insurance and roadside assistance. Additionally, for 6.5% of your total rental cost, you can also purchase Damage protection or Trip Insurance. With Damage Protection, you do not have to pay for damaged interiors, damaged appliances, etc. Trip Insurance lets you get your deposit or any fee back in case of a covered emergency interruption or cancellation.
- Security Deposit: You may have to pay a security deposit that will be refunded at the end of your trip if there are no damages to the Campervan. Security Deposits usually cost $500. You have to be careful so as not to damage your Campervan.
14 Travel Tips before you Rent a Campervan
Do a little research and preparation if you want to avoid being struck by a nasty surprise after renting a Campervan. We have gathered a list of travel tips you need to know before renting a campervan. These tips are:
- Passengers: Before renting a Campervan you have to look out for the number of passengers that can sleep in it. Some Campervans can only sit two people legally. If you are more than two, then get a Campervan that sits more than 2.
- Transmission: Most Campervans are manual transmissions. Before renting a Campervan, check whether it is a manual or automatic transmission. It would be sad for you to arrive to pick up your Campervan only to realize that you cannot drive it. If you can drive a manual transmission, then go for it. If you can’t, get an automatic transmission.
- License Requirements: Make sure you have all the license requirements before renting out a Campervan. You should have your primary driver’s license if you are traveling within the United States and an international driver’s license if you are traveling abroad. Ensure you research state laws on license requirements before traveling.
- Age Restrictions: Terms and Conditions for each Campervan rental place are different. Generally, the minimum age for renting a Campervan in the United States is 25 years old. If you are 21-24, you may have to take out additional insurance coverage and be subject to an additional daily fee.
- Seating Children and Traveling with Babies: Make sure you research the state laws on seating children in Campervans. You must choose the right Campervan if you are traveling with children. Children under a certain age should not travel in Campervans with only seats in the driver’s cabin.
Each state has varying laws around baby seats in campervans, so make sure to pick the right Campervan for the locations you will be. If you have a baby, choose a Campervan with a flat seat design and ISOFIX points.
6. Van Year Model: Some rental places offer a choice of renting either a brand-new campervan or a campervan with a few extra kilometers. If you cannot decide on the year model to rent, hire a used campervan with new interior appliances and fittings.
7. Size of the Van: You should check out the size specifications of your van before booking it. You should consider the Campervan’s size before renting it, especially if you are on a budget. Sometimes it depends on how long you are going to stay in the Campervan. If you will be in the campervan for months, get a van with enough space to prevent you from feeling cramped. If you are renting it out for a day, then you can get a smaller van.
To find the right size of the campervan for you, ask yourself how much space you will need, whether you are comfortable driving it and whether you can stand up inside. You can also decide the size you want by checking whether it can fit in underground car parks and whether it has enough storage space for my luggage?”
8. Equipment and Appliances: Before renting a Campervan, you should have a list of what you need on your Campervan and what you can live without. Most Campervans come with built-in gas burners, microwaves, and fridges which you may find useful. Others come with portable gas cookers and cooler boxes which suits some renters just fine.
Larger campervans typically come with built-in showers and toilets, which you may not need if you plan on staying at campground sites.
9. Power Supply: Some Campervans come with power hook-ups, which you can plug in at campground sites that own a power supply. You will find this electrical appliance important if you want to charge your devices or if you want to take advantage of the fridge.
10. Extra Fees: As we said before, the rental fee is not the only fee you will have to pay. Make sure you do your research on the fees charged by the rental place you are checking out. Also, check the equipment and appliances available in your Campervan, so you will not have to spend extra money to hire or buy any additional items.
11. Other Benefits of the Rental Place: It is a good idea for you to check other things the rental place you are renting from has to offer. Some rental companies offer discounts or camping grounds, and this is an offer that you should take.
12. Campervan Depot Opening Hours: Check when your campervan depot is open before you book your flights.
13. Debit/Credit/Cash: You should do your research to find what type of card you will need. Most rental places require renters to have a credit card for security and bond purposes.
14. Read the Terms and Conditions: Almost everybody in the world has ticked and skipped past terms and conditions without going through them. Reading the terms and conditions of your rental place will help you understand what you need to know about your Campervan rental. It is where you can find where you can or cannot take your Campervan, and the things included in your cover.
Places To Visit with your Campervan in the United States
There are so many beautiful places in the United States that you can visit in your Campervan. Some of these places are:
- Death Valley National Park, Nevada: This National Park sounds ominous, but it is one of the places in America with a spectacular view. This park is in Nevada near the California border and has a little over 3 million acres of mountainside and desert. Apart from the large expanse of desert in Death Valley, you can find towering peaks of mountains frosted with snow in the winter months.
- Yosemite National Park, California: This park is in the Sierra Mountains of northeast California. It is one of the most desired travel destinations in America. Its landscapes span a distance of 1200 Miles, where renters can hike its lush meadows and deep valleys to photograph its jaw-dropping waterfalls and seemingly endless wilderness.
- Crater Lake, Oregon: Crater Lake formed over 7,000 years ago after a violent volcanic eruption. This place showcases the biggest lake in the United States and the beautiful Cascade Mountain Range. Note that camping is not available in all the months, as the weather gets too harsh for camping in some months.
- Glacier National Park, Montana: This park is near the northernmost section of western Montana. It is over 1,000 square miles of wilderness. It features Lake McDonald, valleys that span to the Canadian border, and ice-covered peaks. Glacier Park is a nice location for renters that want to hike. It offers over 700 miles of trails and is one of the best places to take pictures.
- Mount Rushmore, South Dakota: This place is in the Black Hills region of southwest South Dakota. This artwork depicts four former American presidents: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln. You should visit Mouth Rushmore on your Campervan. Whether or not you are a history buff, we are sure you will be amazed at the landmark.
- Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming: This park is in the northwest corner of Wyoming. It is the first park created in the whole world, and it features numerous mud pots, colorful hot springs, and geysers that you are sure to enjoy.
- Alta Lakes, Colorado: This lake is located in southwest Colorado and on the opposite side of the Telluride Ski Resort. You are sure to have fun whether you are traveling in the winter or summer.
- Arches National Park, Utah: Arches National Park. This park spans over 70, 000 acres and features more than 2,000 natural sandstone pinnacles, arches, boulders, and fins. It is truly a beautiful place to see.
- Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona: The Grand Canyon is a massive gorge that features layers of red rock bands with millions of years of geological history. This park also has other viewpoints that you can experience. These viewpoints include Desert View Watchtower, Mather Point, Lipan Point, and Yavapai Observation Station.
There are many more beautiful places that you can visit in the United States. Wherever you decide to go, make sure you plan and do your research on the surrounding campgrounds. Note that some of these sites such as Yosemite National Park have campgrounds inside them that you can take advantage of.
Places to Avoid Going with Your Campervan
Some Campervans are built to withstand most places and weather conditions, but you should still avoid staying at the following places:
- Depressions and Gullies: These places are likely to be flooded or waterlogged during heavy rains.
- Gorges: If you must camp in a gorge, pay attention to weather conditions. Park your campervan above flood debris levels. You should camp elsewhere if there is a chance of heavy rain.
- Exposed hilltops or Ridges: Avoid camping on exposed hilltops or ridges, especially in areas with frequent storms.
- Under or near Lone Trees: Lone trees can attract lightning strikes.
- Near Water Sources: While it is hard to resist a lake or river campsite, they usually come with more bugs. If you must come near a river, make sure there is no open space in your Campervan.
Some Campervan Campgrounds
There are many Campervan campgrounds that you can take advantage of on your trip. These campgrounds are:
a. Upper Pines Campground: This campground is in Yosemite National Park is one of the most popular campgrounds in the park. Its Amenities include picnic tables, fire rings, food lockers, and flushable toilets. Pets are welcome in this park.
b. North Pine Campground is another campsite located in Yosemite National Park.
c. Mather Campground: This campsite is at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. Its amenities include picnic tables, drinking water, a Campervan dump near camp services, fire rings with grates, and more.
Other Campgrounds in the Grand Canyon includes the Trailer Village, North Rim Campground.
d. Madison Campground: This campsite is in Yellowstone National Park. Its amenities include cold water faucets, a fire pit with grate, flush toilets, food storage bins, and dishwashing stations in most restrooms.
Grant Village Campground is another campground located in Yellowstone National Park.
Other campgrounds that you can visit in the United States include:
- Watchman Campground and South Campground, are located in southwestern Utah.
- Aspenglen Campground and Estes Park Campground, are located at Rock Mountain National Park.
- Indian Cove Campground and Jumbo Rocks Campground, located in
- Joshua Tree National Park.
- Apgar Campground and fish creek, are located in Glacier National Park.
- Moro Campground is Located in Laguna Beach, California.
- Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park and the Kirk Creek Campground, are located in Big Sur, California.
- Harris Beach State Park Campground is located in Oregon.
- Mesquite Spring is located in Death Valley National Park, California
- Rancho Sedona in Sedona Arizona, and many more.
