How to rent an RV and plan your cross-country road trip — or your staycation

SPONSORED: Travel expert Jennifer Weatherhead joins Your Morning Vancouver to share some travel smart tips as we head into the summer months.

Michael McNaught still recalls the rust-coloured shoreline of Prince Edward Island unfurling before him on his first recreational vehicle trip more than three decades ago. But connecting with fellow travellers and family along the way left an even bigger impression.

“My grandpa had a CB radio in the truck, so I got to talk to all the truckers along the drive,” said McNaught, recalling his tour of the Maritimes as a child in the early 1990s.

Since then, the Ottawa resident has managed to spread those sorts of experiences to hundreds of thousands of others through his 10-year-old startup, RVezy.

Often described as an Airbnb for RVs, the company connects recreational vehicle owners with renters via its online platform.

Peer-to-peer marketplaces are just one way Canadians can hit the open road — or hunker down at a campground — in motorhomes and towable trailers, as the turn away from U.S. travel continues to stoke interest in regional getaways.

Enthusiasts say those looking to rent an RV should give careful consideration to their travel needs and budget, and plan their trip with an eye to campground locations and electrical hookups.

“We’re seeing a lot of interest in RVing across Canada, especially from rental agencies,” said Shane Devenish, president of the Canadian Recreational Vehicle Association.

Rates at big rental outfits such as CanaDream, Cruise Canada and Fraserway sit between $100 and $400 per night, depending on the size and season. They notch closer to the upper half of that range this time of year.

A “kilometre package,” where mileage is paid for in advance, can cost a few hundred dollars more — $300 for 800 kilometres, for example. Make sure to allow some runway for detours and diversions.

Some agencies charge about $100 for the basic tool kit of propane, toilet chemicals and hoses, plus $15 to $35 per day for insurance.

RVezy rentals often go for between $100 and $150 a night for a trailer and $200 to $300 per night for a motorhome — often with unlimited mileage — according to Devenish and McNaught. But they also come with the slight risk of last-minute cancellation by the owner.

As for RV size, they typically range from 20 to 33 feet in length. One rule of thumb is to choose based on the number of travellers to ensure enough sleeping spots. A motorhome with a sleeping space above the cab and bunk beds along the side can be ideal for families with younger kids, said Devenish.

“They can put pictures on the wall, stuffed animals, to make that feel like their space,” he said, citing the advantages over a pullout couch or dinette bench.

Also, note that the bigger the vehicle, the more gas guzzled. A typical tank on a 25-footer holds about 200 litres of gas, costing $320 to fill at $1.60 per litre.

Planning in advance — up to a point — is essential to a successful road trip.

Devenish recommends booking a campsite at least two to three days ahead of time. For popular national and provincial parks, six months might be more advisable; spots fill up quickly.

Unserviced sites can cost as little as $15 or $20 per night, while national and provincial parks charge between $30 and $60. Private campgrounds often have a higher price ceiling.

Some campgrounds offer full water, electrical and sewage hookups, while others offer only some, or none.

“The biggest mistake that people make is they just figure an RV works everywhere,” McNaught said. “And the answer to that is yes, but if you’re off-grid, your batteries are going to only last so long” — maybe a few days, depending on how often you plug in the air fryer or hair dryer.

As a loose planning guide, McNaught points to the so-called three-three-three rule, well known in RVing communities: “Don’t drive more than 300 kilometres in a day; arrive before 3 p.m.; and stay at least three days.”

Devenish’s limit is more like 500 or 600 kilometres. “But you don’t want to get into a situation where you just keep on driving and then you’re stuck near the end of the day trying to find a campsite.”

For many, RVs offer a path to nothing more than a weekend getaway or a weeks-long hangout at a single site, plus day trips.

Those seeking convenience can opt for RVezy or its Texas-based rival, Outdoorsy.

“Just pick a campground, get it delivered,” said McNaught.

However, customers should make sure they know how to work the tanks and generators, that everything is on hand as advertised and that they have a support line if things go awry.

One obstacle to giving the lifestyle a shot can be uncertainty about the technical demands of an RV.

“It can be overwhelming if you look at it all at once and you say, ‘Well, I really don’t know how to drive that, and I’m not sure about that septic tank and filling the water,’” said Christopher Mahony, president of Go RVing Canada, an industry group that represents manufacturers and dealers.

Non-profit industry groups and online user associations offer helpful resources, he said. Travel companies such as Authentik Canada provide custom RV trip planning that includes pre-booked campgrounds and road trip itineraries, while big rental operators offer support for routes and campsite selection.

Neighbourly assistance can also go a long way.

“The RV community is massively friendly,” Mahony said.

“When I pulled into a campground and I didn’t know how to pull out my outdoor kitchen and operate our barbecue, our next-door neighbours just came over. Next thing you know, they’re helping me set this thing up ... We’re having a beer and then we’re sitting around the campfire and we’re telling stories and we’re friends.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 18, 2026.

Christopher Reynolds, The Canadian Press