I would be lying if I said I didn’t dream of dropping everything and buying a camper van, basically every day. That is not an option right now, so I have settled for the next best thing: renting a camper van! So, how does one rent a camper van with ease? Keep reading to find out!

I have made some mistakes renting vans in the past. So, here are my top tips on how to rent a camper van. What to pack, where to rent, where to stay, grocery lists, and advice for U.S. road trips! After reading this you will be an expert on how to have a stress-free camper van rental! Happy Camping!

Why Rent a Camper Van?

• Saves Money! Rental car + hotel cost, all in one.
• No underage driver fee (usually). Great for 21+.
  • Great for College-Age travelers like myself, read for more tips to Travel Often in College
• Flexibility: change plans anytime during your trip, with no cancellation fees or hassle.
• Wherever you go, you can nap, change, sleep, and cook.
  • You can take a break between hikes and activities without having to leave your destination. Arrive early in the morning, and sleep until you are ready to start your day.
• Everything you need, always with you
  • This is a huge benefit at places like Zion National Park, where parking can be competitive.

Downsides of Renting a Camper Van

• Constantly making a mess and cleaning it up: I’m talking dirty underwear on the dashboard and barbecue sauce on your pillow…
• Finding a place to shower (cue ad for baby wipes)
• Top speed: 65 mph

7 Tips to Rent a Camper Van with Ease

1. Know What’s Included w/ Van Rental

Companies may trick you with a low base rate, but charge you for everything from bedding, kitchen sets, and extra miles. Do your research, and add up all the costs before choosing your camper van rental. ALWAYS LOOK UP COUPONS OR DEALS BEFORE BOOKING.

2. Order Groceries Ahead of Time

This will help the first day of your trip go much smoother. Get on your way instead of spending an hour at the store, or at least have a list ready. In addition, you may have just spent all day flying and Uber-ing to your Camper Van rental, ordering groceries for pick-up will relieve some stress.

Grocery List for Your Camper Van Rental

1. PAPER TOWELS
2. BABY WIPES (Great for “showers” and wiping out dishes you don’t feel like doing…)
3. Bread
4. Nut butter and Jelly
5. Oatmeal/ Cereal/Plant Milk
6. Coffee Grounds/Instant Coffee
7. Gian Water Jug (I HATE buying plastic water jugs, but you can refill them many times on your trip, and it will save time later)
8. Rice A Roni
9. Bananas, apples, cuties.
10. Canned Soup- make sure you have a can opener! (Buy some vegan cheese for grilled cheese + tomato soup)
11. Ice-If you have a cooler.
12. Applesauce
13. Granola Bars (buy double what you think you’ll need)

3. Where to Sleep in a Camper Van Rental 

Free: Dispersed Camping (and Walmart Parking Lots)

There are tons of free camping options on BLM and National Forest Land. These will not be traditional campsites, more like dirt roads with places to park and leftover campfire pits. For most camper van rentals, these will be accessible. The Dyrt is a great resource to look at reviews and advice for many of these areas. These campgrounds are often private, out in nature, and beautiful.

Bureau of Land Management– Search free or low-cost dispersed campgrounds.

Paid: Campgrounds can range from $20-$60+ a night, and you will probably need a reservation (however, they do offer safety and a shower. Bonus: no peeing on the concrete at Walmart…). In a camper van, you will probably have to pay the RV rate, even though your rental is small and no different than a car and tent. Some campgrounds to stay at in your camper van may include State Parks, National Parks, city parks, private campgrounds, KOA, etc.

4. Look for Showers ahead of Time

They may be scarce, but damn, they are glorious after a few days in the van. I would mark truck stops or travel centers that offer showers that are along your route. You won’t have to worry about finding them during your traveling, and you won’t drive right past the last shower for the next 100 miles (I’m talking about you, Utah.) Be ready to spend about $10-$20. Some other options are gym memberships, sneaking into campgrounds, public pools? get creative…. this is van life on a budget. If all else fails, put your baby wipes to use

5. Bring Extra Bags for Organization 

A Ziploc bag, a cloth grocery bag, and a small purse or backpack will go a long way. This will help you organize your luggage and supplies. Van life can get disorganized very fast, a few extra bags will make your life much easier. Especially if I am flying, I like to put my liquids bag in a Tupperware container, which is nice for storing leftovers in the van or packing for a hike.

6. Van Life – It’s Colder Than You Think

Some rental vans have little to no insulation. In addition, you will probably be cooking outside. If you are anything like me, you will not regret packing a warmer coat than you think you need. A pair of mittens or gloves may be nice too, especially when handling metal pots/pans/stoves on cold mornings.

7. Insurance

If you are not purchasing coverage from the rental company, have an idea of what your personal insurance will cover. This will save you some stress if something happens to go wrong, and trust me, with some of the old camper vans rental companies have, things may very well go wrong. Also, make sure to take photos of the van before taking off.

Where & Who to Rent a Camper Van From?

The Bearfoot Theory Blog has a great list of 22 campervan rental companies. Here are a few:

• Road Trip Oregon-Great service, prices, and most extras are free. Great for a first-time camper van experience.
• Road Trip Arizona
• Escape Campervans – Not much included, must pay for extras like miles, kitchen sets, and bedding. Vans are barely insulated, and we even had to replace a part on the van a day into our trip. However, very cheap.
• Outdoorsy , Campanda -The Airbnb of campervans

More Van-life and Camper Van Rental Tips. 

• The Other Side on YouTube
• Bearfoot Theory Blog– Van-life tips and destinations
• FnA Van Life the Podcast– Vanlife advice from a couple who have be living life on the road for years. They also include guests who live nomadically, own rental companies, or who have rented camper-vans abroad.

I hope this helps you have the best experience renting a camper van!

Peace and luvvv

Shley