Is RVing Cheaper Than a Hotel? A Brutally Honest Cost Breakdown

TL;DR: Is RVing Cheaper Than a Hotel?

Short answer? It can be.
Longer answer? It depends. And not in a cop-out way.

RVing can be cheaper than a traditional hotel vacation, but it’s not automatic. Your travel style, trip length, destination, and RV type all matter. At first glance, the nightly rate on an RV might look like a win. But once you factor in fuel, campsites, and optional add-ons, the math gets more nuanced.

For shorter trips (think long weekends), hotels often edge out RVs on pure simplicity and cost. But for longer adventures — especially with families or groups — RV travel frequently delivers better overall value. One vehicle. One place to sleep. One built-in kitchen. And far fewer “Wait, how much was that?” moments at checkout.

Why are RV rental fees so high?

Let’s address the sticker shock.

RVs are significant investments. Owners are often managing six-figure assets that require maintenance, storage, insurance, and regular upkeep. When you rent through Outdoorsy, owners set their own pricing to reflect those real-world costs — plus the RV’s class, age, amenities, and demand in the market.

Peak travel seasons, popular destinations, and luxury models naturally command higher rates. A fully loaded Class A motorhome during summer in Yellowstone? That’s not going to price like a compact camper in February.

The key thing to remember: you’re not just renting a bed. You’re renting transportation, lodging, and a mobile basecamp — all in one.

What’s included in the base price?

The base price typically covers the daily rental rate of the RV itself, along with basic liability coverage. That’s your starting point.

But — and this is important — many trip essentials may be listed separately. Mileage limits, generator usage, cleaning fees, upgraded roadside assistance, kitchen kits, linen packages, or pet fees can all be optional add-ons depending on the listing.

None of this is hidden, but it does mean you should read the details. Platforms like Outdoorsy clearly outline what’s included so you can build your trip the way you want it — bare bones or fully turnkey.

Pro tip: If you’re comparing RV travel to hotels, compare the total cost, not just the nightly rate. Hotels rarely advertise resort fees, parking, and taxes up front either.

Are cleaning fees reasonable?

In most cases, yes.

An RV isn’t just a room — it’s a kitchen, bathroom, bedroom (sometimes several), dining area, and living space all rolled into one. Cleaning and sanitizing that entire footprint between guests takes real time and labor.

Cleaning fees help cover professional-grade supplies, prep time, and ensuring the RV is road-ready and spotless for the next traveler. When you compare that to hotel cleaning — which typically covers a single room — the cost difference starts to make sense.

If anything, it’s less about “Is this fee annoying?” and more about “Does this reflect the amount of space being cleaned?” Usually, it does.

RV Trip vs. Hotel + Rental Car + Flights: A Cost Comparison

To really answer the question, let’s put numbers side-by-side.

Below is a hypothetical 7-day trip for a family of four. These are illustrative estimates based on general market rates and data from Outdoorsy, Roamly, and common hotel/flight aggregators. Actual costs will vary, but this gives us a realistic comparison.

Disclaimer: These figures are estimates and can vary widely depending on location, season, RV type, flight deals, hotel choices, and personal spending habits.

The big swing factor? Food and transportation.

When you cook most of your meals in an RV, you control that budget. When you fly a family of four and eat out multiple times a day, costs climb fast. Add baggage fees and surge-priced rentals, and suddenly the “simple” vacation isn’t so simple.

So…is RVing cheaper?

Often, yes. Especially for longer trips and families who value flexibility and built-in amenities.

But more importantly, RV travel changes how you spend your money. Less on flights and restaurants. More on experience, flexibility, and time together.

If your goal is the absolute lowest price for a two-night stay? A hotel might win.
If your goal is to explore more places, move at your own pace, and stretch your budget over a week or more? An RV starts to look like a pretty smart play.

And if you’re doing the math anyway, you might as well factor in the value of waking up next to a lake instead of a parking lot.

That part doesn’t always show up in the spreadsheet.