When someone asks, “What will I pay to rent an RV for a day?” the only honest first answer is, “It depends.” Daily pricing is shaped by the size of the rig, the comfort extras you choose, how far it must travel, and a handful of small but unavoidable service fees. Below is a clear, no-nonsense guide built on my own experience as an RV rental operator. By the end, you should be able to sketch a realistic trip budget and avoid the sticker shock many first-time renters encounter.
THE BASE DAILY RATE
Every rental starts with a nightly (effectively daily) rate. For a compact, no-frills travel trailer—think basic sleeping space, a two-burner cooktop, and a wet bath—expect about $70 per night. At the other end of the spectrum, a roomy bunk-house model or a luxury fifth wheel with solid-surface counters, big-screen TV, and separate master suite can run $200 or more per night. Most family-friendly rigs land in the middle: $100 to $150 per night with heat, air-conditioning, a full kitchen, and enough beds for four to six people. When owners set these numbers they balance depreciation, maintenance, insurance, and the going rate in their region, so prices in Arizona or Florida during peak snowbird season may run a bit higher than a calm week in rural Tennessee.
HOW AMENITIES AFFECT PRICE
Amenities are the price swing factor most renters overlook. Two trailers may share identical floor-plans, yet one has a solar array and onboard inverter while the other relies solely on campground hookups. That single upgrade can add ten dollars a night, and it may be worth every cent if you plan to boondock. Similarly, linen packages, outdoor kitchens, bike racks, or pet-friendly setups all nudge the nightly fee upward but can save you from hauling extra gear or booking hotel rooms.
DELIVERY VS. DIY TOWING
If you own a capable tow vehicle, picking up the trailer yourself costs only fuel and time. Many travelers, however, prefer to let the owner deliver and set up the rig at their campsite. Standard delivery averages $150 for the first 50 miles from the owner’s storage lot, then about $3 per additional mile. Larger, heavier trailers require more powerful trucks and extra labor; owners commonly quote $4 to $5 per mile beyond 50 miles for units over 35 feet or 10,000 pounds. Delivery removes the stress of backing into tight pads, hooking up utilities, and leveling the frame, but it can double the cost of a one- or two-night getaway if the destination is remote.
CLEANING FEES AND WHY THEY MATTER
Every owner adds a cleaning fee—usually $75 to $150, with $100 being typical. That sum covers laundering linens, washing towels, disinfecting surfaces, and restocking consumables. Higher fees often correlate with higher standards; a spotless rig costs more to maintain than one that merely meets minimum hygiene. If you are sensitive to odors or allergens, choosing the trailer with the higher cleaning fee may buy you peace of mind and a noticeably fresher interior.
THE “SMALL” ADD-ONS THAT ADD UP
Beyond base rent, delivery, and cleaning, watch for several smaller charges:
• Taxes. State and local taxes can add anywhere from 5 to 12 percent.
• Platform or service fees. If you book through an online marketplace, expect a 5 to 10 percent booking fee.
• Insurance. Some platforms bundle coverage; others require a separate policy that runs $10 to $25 per day.
• Mileage or generator limits. Motorized RVs sometimes include only 100 miles per day and three generator hours, with overage fees that can reach 35 cents per mile or $4 per generator hour. Trailers rarely have mileage fees, but propane refills for the fridge and furnace come out of your pocket.
• Security deposit. Refunded if the rig returns on time and damage-free, but it ties up several hundred dollars on your credit card during the trip.
HOW LENGTH OF RENTAL CHANGES THE EQUATION
Owners love longer bookings because they cut turn-around labor. To encourage extended stays, many offer weekly or monthly discounts. A common structure is 10 percent off seven nights and 15 percent off ten or more nights. Let’s apply that to a rig renting for $100 per night with the standard $150 delivery and $100 cleaning fee:
– Two nights: $100 × 2 + $150 delivery + $100 cleaning = $450
– Five nights: $100 × 5 + $150 + $100 = $750
– Ten nights with 15 percent discount: $100 × 10 = $1,000 → $850 after discount, plus $150 + $100 = $1,100 total
The ten-night renter pays more overall, but only $110 per night versus $225 per night on the two-night sample, a sizeable drop. If your vacation calendar is flexible, negotiating a weekly rate can free up cash for excursions and campground upgrades.
REAL-WORLD SCENARIOS
Couple’s weekend close to home: You tow the trailer yourself to a state park 20 miles away. Base rate $90 per night for two nights, cleaning $100. No delivery, no extra miles, taxes about $15. Total ≈ $295.
Family road trip, 250 miles away: Seven nights in a large bunk-house at $150 per night. Owner delivers for first 50 miles, then 200 additional miles at $3 = $600. Cleaning $125. Subtotal rent $1,050, delivery $750, cleaning $125, insurance $140. Total ≈ $2,065 before fuel and campsites.
Festival stay with friends: Ten nights, mid-size trailer at $100 night with 15 percent discount, plus a premium campground that charges $60 night. Delivery within 50 miles $150, cleaning $100. Rental $850, campground $600, delivery $150, cleaning $100. Total ≈ $1,700 split four ways equals about $42 per person per day.
TIPS TO KEEP COSTS DOWN
Travel light. A smaller trailer not only rents cheaper but often uses less propane and fits more campsites.
Bundle extras. Ask the owner to roll linens, outdoor chairs, or a hitch into the base rate rather than paying separate à-la-carte fees.
Choose mid-week pickup. Some owners discount Monday-through-Thursday starts because weekends book themselves.
Stay put. Delivery is a one-time fee, but fuel and mileage charges on motorhomes accumulate every day you relocate.
Clean before return. Sweeping floors and emptying tanks can sometimes waive or reduce the cleaning charge—ask in advance.
FINAL THOUGHTS
So, how much does it cost to rent an RV per day? For most travelers the figure lands between $90 and $150 before delivery, cleaning, and insurance. Add those extras and the practical day rate often settles in the $130 to $180 range, lower on long rentals, higher for peak-season luxury rigs. The key is understanding each line on the invoice: base rent, delivery, cleaning, taxes, fees, and optional insurance. With that knowledge you can tailor the trailer, amenities, and length of stay to match both your budget and your sense of adventure—seeing the country not from a hotel window, but from the comfort of your own rolling front porch.