What Size RV Should I Rent?
The Decision That Shapes Your Entire Trip
Choosing the wrong size RV is the most common first-timer mistake, and it cascades into everything: where you can camp, how much you spend on fuel, how stressful the driving is, and whether you actually enjoy the trip.
Most people default to "bigger is better" because they're thinking about living space. That's the wrong frame. The right question is: what's the smallest RV that gives you what you actually need?
The Size Categories
Camper Vans (Class B) — 17 to 23 Feet
Best for: Couples, solo travelers, adventure-focused trips where you're mostly outside the RV.
Sleeping capacity: 2 adults comfortably. Some models claim 3–4 but that's marketing fiction for anyone over 5'5".
What you get: A bed (usually converts from a dinette), a tiny kitchen with a two-burner stove, a wet bath (shower and toilet in the same tiny space), and minimal storage.
What you don't get: Separation. If one person wants to sleep and the other wants to read, you're managing that in a space smaller than most walk-in closets.
Driving: Like a big van. Easy to park, easy to fuel, fits in standard parking spots. This is the RV for people who hate driving big vehicles.
Fuel cost: 15–20 MPG. Budget $50–80/day for a moderate driving day.
Campground flexibility: Maximum. You fit everywhere a car fits, plus you can do dispersed camping on forest roads, street park in cities (where legal), and access smaller campgrounds that exclude larger rigs.
Small to Mid-Size Motorhomes (Class C) — 22 to 28 Feet
Best for: Couples who want more space, small families (2 adults + 1–2 kids).
Sleeping capacity: 4–6, with the cab-over bunk sleeping 1–2 (usually kids — adults find it cramped) and a rear bed or convertible dinette.
What you get: A real kitchen with a decent refrigerator, a separate bathroom with a standup shower, a dinette that seats 4, and enough storage for a week-long trip without tetris-packing.
Driving: Noticeably different from a car but manageable for any competent driver. The 22–25 foot range is the sweet spot for first-timers who want more than a van.
Fuel cost: 10–15 MPG. Budget $70–120/day for a moderate driving day.
Campground flexibility: High. Most campground sites accommodate up to 30 feet without issues. You'll occasionally find a tight site, but it's rare.
Large Motorhomes (Class C/A) — 28 to 35 Feet
Best for: Families of 4–6, extended trips (2+ weeks) where comfort matters more than mobility.
Sleeping capacity: 6–8 on paper, 4–6 in practice without everyone hating each other.
What you get: A master bedroom with a door you can close, a full kitchen, a larger bathroom, slide-outs that dramatically expand the living space when parked, and entertainment systems.
Driving: Requires real attention and adjustment. See the driving guide for details. First-timers can handle it, but expect the first day to be stressful.
Fuel cost: 7–12 MPG. Budget $100–160/day for a moderate driving day.
Campground flexibility: Moderate. You need to check site length limits before booking. National park campgrounds are often too small. Private campgrounds are usually fine.
Full-Size Motorhomes (Class A) — 35 to 45 Feet
Best for: Large families or groups willing to trade mobility for hotel-level comfort. Multi-week trips.
Sleeping capacity: 6–10 on paper. Realistically, 6 adults travel comfortably.
What you get: Residential-quality kitchen and bathroom, washer/dryer in some models, multiple slide-outs creating a genuinely spacious living area, king-size beds, and enough storage to pack for a month.
Driving: Significant learning curve. Not recommended for first-time RV renters unless you have commercial driving experience or extensive towing experience.
Fuel cost: 5–10 MPG. Budget $130–200+/day for a moderate driving day.
Campground flexibility: Limited. Many campgrounds can't accommodate 40+ feet. You'll be planning around campground restrictions, not destinations.
The Decision Matrix
| Factor | Van | Small C | Large C/A | Full A |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party Size | 1–2 | 2–4 | 4–6 | 6+ |
| Driving Stress | Low | Low-Med | Medium | High |
| Fuel Cost/Day | $50–80 | $70–120 | $100–160 | $130–200+ |
| Rental Cost/Day | $150–250 | $175–300 | $200–400 | $300–600 |
| Campground Options | All | Most | Many | Limited |
| Privacy | None | Minimal | Moderate | Good |
| Kitchen Quality | Basic | Good | Full | Excellent |
| First-Timer Friendly | Yes | Yes | With prep | No |
The Rules I'd Give a Friend
Rule 1: Subtract one size from what you think you need. Almost everyone overestimates the space they need and underestimates the hassle of driving something bigger. The family that rents a 32-foot Class C when a 25-footer would work spends an extra $50–100/day in rental and fuel costs for space they mostly don't use.
Rule 2: If you have kids under 10, you need less space than you think. Young kids don't need their own room. They need a bunk they think is cool and outdoor space to run around. The campground is the living room, not the RV.
Rule 3: If it's your first time, stay under 28 feet. You can always size up next time. You can't un-stress yourself from a terrifying first drive in a 38-foot motorhome.
Rule 4: Check your destination campgrounds before choosing a size. If you're headed to national parks, many campground sites max out at 25–30 feet. If you've rented a 35-footer, you've just eliminated half your campsite options.
Rule 5: Budget the total cost, not just the nightly rate. A $150/night camper van at 18 MPG might cost less overall than a $200/night Class C at 10 MPG when you factor in fuel for a 1,500-mile trip. Do the math with your actual itinerary.
Travel Trailers: A Different Calculation
If you're towing a travel trailer with your own vehicle (or a rental truck), the size calculation adds another variable: your tow vehicle's capacity.
Never exceed your vehicle's tow rating. This isn't a suggestion — it's a safety requirement. A 6,000 lb travel trailer behind a vehicle rated for 5,000 lbs is a dangerous, potentially fatal situation. Check the trailer's GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) against your vehicle's tow capacity, and leave at least 10–15% margin.
Travel trailers offer more living space per dollar than motorhomes because you're not paying for an engine and drivetrain in the rental cost. A 25-foot travel trailer has roughly the same living space as a 30-foot motorhome. The tradeoff is the towing learning curve and reduced mobility once you're set up (you have to unhitch to run errands).
The best RV for your trip isn't the biggest one you can afford. It's the smallest one you can enjoy. You'll spend more time outside the RV than in it, and you'll thank yourself every time you pull into a gas station or campsite without a stress headache.