As gas prices climbed again this summer, somewhere a family of five looked at flight costs and wondered if a road trip in a rented RV might be a better option.
If you’re not sure where to start, check out RV rental sites to compare different models, features, and prices near you. Consider how many people are coming, what kind of vehicle you’ll feel comfortable driving, and where you want to go. Even if itap your first time, you can look for rentals with easy delivery or pet-friendly options so that you can hit the road feeling prepared.
Forget the old ideas you might have about RVing. They’re not just for retirees anymore, and today’s RVs aren’t the slow, bulky vehicles from the past. They’re a real travel option, and more people choose them every year.
The comfort of home
What sets RV travel apart? Itap not only about having wheels; itap also about the freedom it gives you.
“Flexibility is one of the greatest advantages of RV travel,” says Maddi Bourgerie, VP of marketing at . It lets travelers “build their trip around their schedule, bring the comforts of home along with them, and stay closer to the places they actually want to explore, whether that is a national park, an event, or a bucket-list road trip.”
Think about a typical vacation: you pack your bag, unpack it at the hotel, and then repack it a couple of days later. You repeat this until you’re finally home, often feeling more tired from all the packing than from the trip itself. With an RV, you only pack once and never have to unpack. The journey becomes part of the fun, not something to get through.
“RVing makes the journey part of the experience,” Bourgerie says.
Families get to spend real time together, she says, “without the hassle of busy airports and hotel logistics, focusing on what matters most: quality time.”
And your dog can come along, too. Many rental RVs allow pets, so your best friend doesn’t have to stay at a kennel. Check each listing for pet rules, since some owners may require a pet deposit or limit the size or number of animals.
Most RVs have a basic kitchen with a stove, fridge, and a small sink, but the cookware and utensils can vary from one to another. Look at the RV’s description to see whatap included, and bring your own pots, pans, or coffee maker if you need something special. With a kitchen on board, you don’t have to worry about dietary needs, picky eaters, or going over your food budget. You can cook what you want, whenever you want.
Gas prices go up. RVers get creative
Everyone is thinking about fuel costs these days, but that hasn’t stopped people from taking RV trips. Instead, travelers are finding smarter ways to make it work.
“The trend we see when gas prices spike is not that people skip their RV trips,” Bourgerie says. “Instead, they adapt their plans.”
That might mean picking a destination closer to home, trimming a few stops off the itinerary, or skipping the driving altogether. That last option is more important than it might seem. Bourgerie says over half of the company’s RV rentals are delivered directly to travelers. Instead of driving the RV across the country and using extra gas, you can pay a delivery fee and have the RV waiting for you when you arrive.
Opt for a smaller ride
Boyd Fletcher has watched this play out from the ground level. He’s owned in Denver for 12 years, and he says gas prices haven’t slowed his bookings down. But they’ve changed the conversation.
“There’s a lot more asking about gas mileage before they rent,” Fletcher says. “But the prices don’t put people off.”
His camper vans get 15 to 20 mpg, he says, which puts them in the same range as a lot of SUVs and pickups already sitting in people’s driveways. RV fuel efficiency depends on the type and weight of the vehicle. Mid-size Class C RVs get 10 to 14 mpg, while large Class A RVs typically drop to 6 to 10 mpg. Towing drops fuel economy by 20-35%.
The bigger threat to bookings isn’t the price at the pump. Itap potential confusion over national park access if the government shuts down. “Thatap when I see people freak out,” Fletcher says. Visitors, especially ones flying in from the East Coast, assume a shutdown means a locked gate. It usually just means fewer services, not a closed park.
Finding what works for you
Not sure which type of RV is right for your group? Here’s a quick guide: Camper vans are usually best for couples or small families who want something compact and easy to drive, like when you need to parallel park at the grocery store or handle narrow mountain roads. Class C RVs have more space and built-in features, making them popular with bigger groups or families who want extra room, but they can feel more like driving a moving truck than a car.
If you’re new to RVing or nervous about driving something large, a van might be less stressful. If you want more comfort and space, especially with kids, a Class C could be a better fit. Either way, check the rental listings for the layout and sleeping arrangements to make sure everyone has a place to sleep.
Does the math actually work?
This is where it really matters. Renting an RV isn’t just an old-fashioned alternative to flying. For many families, itap the better plan.
An industry study found that RV trips can save travelers about 60% compared to flying and staying in hotels for a group of four, and about 46% for couples. The average domestic plane ticket is over $380 this year, and thatap before you add hotel rooms, rental cars, and restaurant bills. Some RVs can be rented for as little as $50 a night. Even the more expensive $200-a-night RVs often end up being cheaper once you factor in the savings on hotels and rental cars.
Just remember to budget for extra costs like campground fees, insurance, and sometimes a cleaning or prep fee when you return the RV. These costs can change depending on where you go and the type of RV you choose, but knowing about them ahead of time helps you avoid surprise charges later.
Fletcher says renting a camper van is about as expensive as a rental car, but it saves on lodging and meals. With an RV, all those costs are combined into one bill. You don’t need a separate hotel reservation, a rental car counter, or to worry about where you’ll eat. But value isn’t just about money. Fletcher, who takes his family of six camping, says the real reward comes after the hike.
“There’s something nice about coming back from a hike and hanging out by the bumper with ice cream or popsicles.”
He makes sure potential camper van renters know what to expect. A camper van isn’t a hotel suite on wheels, and it shouldn’t be seen that way. Most camper vans have a small bed in the back, usually a convertible sofa or platform bed, and some have pop-tops for extra sleeping space for kids. This means a family of four can sleep together, but it will be cozy.
Larger Class C RVs offer more sleeping options, such as overhead bunks, fold-out sofas, and a rear bed, making them better for larger groups or anyone who wants more space. The van gets you to places like Zion or Arches and lets you sleep right by the trailhead instead of far away in a hotel parking lot. Thatap the real benefit, he says.
“The camper van is icing on top of cake,” Fletcher adds. “The destination is the cake.”
Choosing the right option for you
So is renting an RV worth it this summer? It really depends on what you want from your trip. If you prefer a couch, a flatscreen, and someone else taking care of the details, a hotel is probably best.
But if you like the idea of eating ice cream by the van after a long hike, and waking up to a view better than any hotel window, an RV could be the best choice you make all year.
Rental options
Cruise America
Address: 8950 Federal Blvd. in Federal Heights
Phone: (303) 482-1120 | 1-800-671-8042
Website:
Fireside RV Rental
Address: 23905 E. 26th Ave. in Aurora
Phone: (720) 526-4848
Website:
Road Bear RV Rentals & Sales
Address: 6586 Brighton Blvd. in Commerce City
Phone: (720) 570-1100
Website:
Native Campervans
Address: 2919 E 42nd Ave. in Denver
Phone: (877) 550-5335
Website:
Rocky Mountain Campervans
Address: 5455 W. 59th Ave., Unit S in Arvada
Phone: (720) 593-0433
Website:
Outdoorsy (peer-to-peer marketplace)
Website:
RVshare (peer-to-peer marketplace)
Website:
Sara B. Hansen is a Denver-based freelance writer.
