RV rentals come from two kinds of companies: fleet renters such as Cruise America, which publish one set of rules for every vehicle, and peer-to-peer marketplaces such as Outdoorsy and RVshare, where each owner sets their own prices. The fee types are similar; the amounts are not. Use the published fleet figures below as a reference, and copy your own quote into the calculator.
The lines on a typical bill
| Fee | How it works | A published example |
|---|---|---|
| Nightly rate | Charged per night; it changes with season, location and how early you book. | Cruise America: each night counts as a rental day1. No fixed rate is published; get a quote. |
| Mileage | Either a free allowance with a per-mile charge above it, or a per-mile charge from the first mile. | Cruise America: 39¢ per mile1, collected up front on an estimated 100 miles per night for a local rental and 250 miles per night for a one-way rental1; unused estimated miles are refunded; extra miles are charged at 39¢1. |
| Generator | Metered by the hour. | Cruise America: $3.50 per hour1. Outdoorsy: listings typically include a base allowance of miles and generator hours, then charge for extra use2. |
| Kits | Bedding and kitchen kits are often extra. | Cruise America: personal kit $75 per person1; vehicle kit $125 per vehicle1. |
| Cleaning | Charged if the RV comes back dirty, or as a fixed prep fee. | Cruise America: up to $250 if the interior has not been cleaned1. |
| Dump fee | For returning with full holding tanks. | Cruise America: up to $100 if the holding tank is not emptied1. |
| Tax | Sales and rental taxes vary by state. | Cruise America: tax on the rental charges and any kits1. |
| Towing | If you tow a car or trailer behind the RV. | Cruise America: $25 per night towing charge1. |
| Late return | Charged by the hour. | Cruise America: $25 per hour after 11:00 AM on the return date1. |
| Winter | Using water systems in cold months. | Cruise America: de-winterizing may cost up to $601. |
Money you should get back
Deposits are not a cost if the RV comes back in good shape, but you need the cash or card limit. Cruise America asks for a $300 reservation down payment, plus a security deposit of at least $500 before departure1. Its cancellation rule: cancel up to 7 days before pick-up for a refund of the down payment1.
Questions to ask before you book
- How many miles and generator hours are included per night, and what is the rate above that?
- Is there a prep or cleaning fee even if I return the RV clean?
- Are kitchen and bedding kits included?
- What taxes and service fees are added at checkout?
- How big is the deposit, and when is it refunded?
Work out your own trip: open the RV rental calculator. It starts with sourced defaults and leaves the rest for your quote.
Sources
- Cruise America, RV Rental FAQs. Checked October 31, 2026.
- Outdoorsy Help Center, What are mileage and generator fees?. Checked October 31, 2026.