Where to find RV rentals under $100 a day

The cheapest RV rentals come from peer-to-peer platforms where owners rent their own vehicles, not from traditional rental companies. Outdoorsy and RVshare are the two largest sites for this, and both let you filter by daily rate, location, and how far you're willing to travel. Rates on these platforms often run $50 to $80 per day for smaller RVs like Class B vans, compared to $120 to $200 at companies like Enterprise or Home Depot.

Traditional rental companies do have cheaper options if you book far in advance—sometimes 30 to 60 days out. Cruise America and El Monte RV occasionally run promotions on their smallest units. Check their websites directly rather than third-party booking sites, because the best rates are often only on the company's own page.

Local RV dealers sometimes rent their inventory when they're not selling, and these rates can undercut both peer-to-peer and national chains. Search "[your city] RV rental" or call dealers in your area to ask if they rent by the day or week. Smaller dealers are more likely to negotiate on price than large chains.

Key Takeaways

  • Peer-to-peer rental platforms like Outdoorsy and RVshare typically cost $50 to $80 per day, while traditional companies charge $120 to $200 for the same vehicle type.
  • Booking 30 to 60 days in advance on traditional rental company websites—not third-party booking sites—sometimes unlocks lower rates.
  • Local RV dealers often rent their own inventory at rates lower than national chains, and you can negotiate directly with them.
  • Smaller Class B vans and travel trailers cost less per day than large motorhomes, and off-season rentals (fall and winter) are cheaper than summer.

How peer-to-peer RV rental platforms work

On Outdoorsy and RVshare, you search by location and dates, see photos and reviews of each RV, and book directly with the owner. The owner sets the daily rate, and the platform handles payment and insurance. You pick up the RV from the owner's location (not a rental office), which is why rates are lower—owners don't have the overhead of a storefront or fleet maintenance staff.

Both platforms require you to upload a driver's license and pass a background check before you can book. The process takes a few hours to a day. Most owners also require a security deposit, usually $500 to $2,000, held on your credit card but not charged unless you damage the RV or violate the rental agreement.

Insurance is included in the rental price on both platforms, but it has a deductible—typically $1,000 to $2,500 per claim. If you want lower deductible coverage, both sites offer paid add-ons. Read the owner's cancellation policy before you book, because some owners charge a fee if you cancel within 7 to 14 days of your rental start date.

What to expect from traditional rental company rates

National RV rental companies charge by the day plus a mileage fee (usually 25 to 40 cents per mile) and a generator or kitchen fee if you use those features. A Class C motorhome (the most common size) costs $120 to $180 per day at companies like Cruise America, El Monte, and Camping World, plus $0.25 to $0.40 per mile driven. A week-long rental can easily reach $1,200 to $1,500 before taxes and fuel.

The advantage of traditional companies is that they handle all maintenance and roadside support—if the RV breaks down, they send a replacement or tow truck. Peer-to-peer rentals put that burden on you and the owner, though both Outdoorsy and RVshare offer roadside information add-ons for $50 to $100.

Traditional companies also require you to pick up and drop off at their location, which may not be near you. If the nearest Cruise America is 50 miles away, that's a drive you have to make twice. Peer-to-peer owners are often in residential neighborhoods, so pickup and dropoff are sometimes closer to where you live.

How to lower your RV rental cost

Rent during the off-season (September through May, excluding holidays) instead of summer. Peak season rates can be 50% higher than off-season rates for the same RV. A Class B van that costs $60 per day in October might cost $90 to $100 per day in July.

Choose a smaller RV. Class B vans (which sleep two to four people) cost $50 to $80 per day on peer-to-peer platforms, while Class A motorhomes (which sleep six to eight) cost $100 to $150. If your group is small, a van saves money and uses less fuel.

Book for a full week or longer. Both peer-to-peer platforms and traditional companies offer weekly discounts—usually 10% to 20% off the daily rate. A seven-day rental is often cheaper per day than a three-day rental of the same RV.

Rent from owners who live outside tourist areas. An RV in a rural town 30 miles from a national park costs less than one in a town next to the park entrance. If you're flexible about your starting location, you can save $20 to $40 per day.

What to check before you book

Read the owner's or company's cancellation policy. Some charge a full refund if you cancel more than 14 days out, but charge 50% of the rental price if you cancel within 7 days. Others charge a flat cancellation fee. Know this before you commit, because RV rental cancellations can be expensive.

Confirm what's included in the rental price. Some owners include bedding, kitchen supplies, and propane; others charge extra for these. Ask whether the RV comes with a full tank of propane and whether you're expected to return it full. On peer-to-peer platforms, the listing should say this, but call the owner to confirm.

Check the mileage limit if you're renting from a traditional company. Most allow 100 to 150 miles per day included in the price, then charge $0.25 to $0.40 per mile over that. If you plan to drive 200 miles per day, that overage fee adds up quickly.

Verify the RV's age and condition. On peer-to-peer platforms, look at the photos and read recent reviews. Older RVs (10+ years) may have plumbing or electrical issues. Ask the owner when the RV was last serviced and whether the air conditioning, heating, and water systems work. On traditional rentals, inspect the RV in person before you leave the lot and document any damage with photos.

Insurance and liability when renting an RV

Peer-to-peer platforms include basic liability insurance in the rental price, but it covers damage to the RV, not your personal belongings or injuries. Your personal auto insurance may not cover an RV you're renting, so check your policy before you book. If your policy doesn't cover rentals, the platform's add-on insurance (usually $50 to $100 for the rental period) covers you.

Traditional rental companies require you to purchase their collision damage waiver (CDW), which costs $15 to $30 per day. This covers damage to the RV but not your belongings. If you have a credit card with rental car coverage, check whether it covers RVs—some do, some don't.

In either case, you're liable for damage beyond normal wear and tear. Hitting a tree branch, scraping the roof on a low bridge, or damaging the plumbing system can cost $500 to $5,000 to repair. Take photos of the RV's exterior and interior before you leave the lot, and keep those photos until after you return it.

How to search by location and availability

On Outdoorsy and RVshare, enter your desired pickup location and travel dates. Both show you available RVs within a radius you set (usually 5 to 50 miles). You can filter by RV type (Class A, B, C, or travel trailer), price per day, and amenities like a full kitchen or bathroom.

If you don't have a specific location in mind, search a region instead. For example, search "Colorado" on Outdoorsy and you'll see all available RVs in the state, sorted by price. This helps you find cheaper rentals in smaller towns rather than tourist hotspots.

For traditional companies, visit their websites directly and enter your pickup and dropoff locations and dates. Most show you available inventory and prices when ready. Call the location directly if you want to negotiate on price or ask about upcoming promotions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I rent an RV if I'm under 25?

Most peer-to-peer owners require you to be at least 25 years old, though some allow renters as young as 21 with an additional fee. Traditional rental companies usually require 25 or older. Check the specific owner's or company's age policy before you book.

What happens if the RV breaks down during my rental?

On peer-to-peer platforms, you contact the owner first, then the platform's support team if the owner doesn't respond. Some owners cover repairs; others don't. Traditional companies send a replacement RV or tow truck at no cost. If you want roadside support on a peer-to-peer rental, purchase the add-on coverage before you book.

Do I need a special driver's license to rent an RV?

No. A standard driver's license is sufficient for Class B and Class C RVs in all states. Some states require a commercial license for very large Class A motorhomes, but most rental companies only rent Class B and C to private renters, so this rarely applies.

Can I bring my pet in a rental RV?

Some owners and companies allow pets, but most charge a pet fee ($50 to $200 for the rental) and require you to disclose the pet when you book. Always ask before you reserve, and expect a higher cleaning fee when you return the RV.

What's the difference between a Class B, C, and A motorhome?

Class B vans are the smallest (sleep 2–4, built on a van chassis), Class C are mid-size (sleep 4–6, built on a truck chassis), and Class A are the largest (sleep 6–8, built on a bus chassis). Class B costs the least per day and uses the least fuel; Class A costs the most but offers the most space and amenities.