Platform Review
Cruise America Review: Simple Rental, Hidden Costs
Cruise America is the Enterprise Rent-A-Car of the RV world. Standardized fleet, 130+ locations, predictable experience. No surprises with the vehicle — but the fees on your final bill might catch you off guard.
What Is Cruise America?
Cruise America is a fleet RV rental company. Unlike Outdoorsy and RVshare where you rent from private owners, Cruise America owns and maintains every vehicle in their fleet. Founded in 1972 in Mesa, Arizona. Over 50 years in business. 130+ rental locations across the US and Canada.
The model is simple. They have three vehicle sizes. You pick one, pick your dates and location, and book. No browsing through hundreds of listings. No contacting individual owners. No wondering if the vehicle matches the photos. You know exactly what you're getting.
That simplicity is Cruise America's biggest strength — and its biggest limitation.
Cruise America Vehicle Options
Three vehicles. That's it. No travel trailers, no campervans, no fifth wheels. Just three Class C motorhomes in different sizes:
Compact (C19)
19 feet. Sleeps 3. The smallest and cheapest option. No slide-out. Basic kitchen with two-burner stove, microwave and small fridge. Bathroom with toilet and shower. Good for couples or a couple with one small child. Easiest to drive and park.
Typical rate: $100-$175/night
Standard (C25)
25 feet. Sleeps 5. The most popular rental. Over-cab sleeping area plus a dinette that converts to a bed. Full kitchen. Bathroom. Enough room for a family of four without feeling cramped. The go-to for most first-time renters.
Typical rate: $150-$225/night
Large (C30)
30 feet. Sleeps 7. The biggest option. Over-cab bed, rear queen bed and dinette/couch beds. More kitchen counter space. Larger bathroom. Best for families of 5+ or groups who want room to spread out. Harder to maneuver in tight campgrounds.
Typical rate: $175-$275/night
The Real Cost of a Cruise America Rental
The base nightly rate looks attractive. Then the fees start stacking:
| Fee | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Nightly rate | $100-$275 | Varies by vehicle, season and location |
| Generator | $3.50/hour | Metered. This is your AC and power off-grid. |
| Mileage overage | $0.35/mile | After included miles (often 100/night) |
| Vehicle kit | $75-$130 | Sheets, towels, pots, pans. Optional but most need it. |
| Insurance (VIP) | $20-$30/day | Reduces deductible to $0. Basic has $1,000 deductible. |
| One-way fee | $0-$500+ | Varies by route and season |
Real example: C25 Standard at $175/night for 5 nights. Subtotal: $875. Generator (3 hrs/day at $3.50): $52.50. Vehicle kit: $100. Insurance (VIP): $125. Mileage overage (150 extra miles): $52.50. Total: $1,205. The generator and kit fees alone add $150 that wouldn't exist on a peer-to-peer rental.
One-Way Rentals: Cruise America's Ace Card
This is where Cruise America beats every peer-to-peer platform. You can pick up in one city and drop off in another. LA to Las Vegas. Denver to Salt Lake City. New York to Miami. Whatever route you want.
Try doing that on Outdoorsy or RVshare. Some owners allow it, but most don't — you're returning a private person's vehicle to a different city. Cruise America's fleet model makes one-way trips easy.
One-way fees vary. Popular routes between high-demand locations sometimes have reduced or waived fees. Off-season repositioning deals can be incredible — Cruise America occasionally offers sub-$50/night rates when they need vehicles moved between locations.
Cruise America Pros and Cons
Pros
- → Consistent, company-maintained vehicles
- → 130+ locations across US and Canada
- → One-way rentals available
- → Simple booking — no owner back-and-forth
- → Insurance included with upgrade options
- → Off-season repositioning deals
Cons
- → Only 3 vehicle types (all Class C motorhomes)
- → Basic, utilitarian interiors
- → Generator fees add up fast ($3.50/hr)
- → Mileage overages at $0.35/mile
- → Kitchen/personal kit costs extra
- → Peak season prices spike hard
Who Should Use Cruise America?
- → First-timers who want a predictable, no-hassle experience
- → Anyone doing a one-way trip between cities
- → People who want fleet-maintained vehicle reliability
- → Renters near one of their 130+ locations
Skip Cruise America if you want a campervan, travel trailer, unique vehicle or the lowest total price. Outdoorsy and RVshare offer more variety at competitive rates. Escape Campervans beats them on budget van rentals.
Our Verdict
Cruise America earns 4.0/5. The consistency and one-way rental capability are genuine advantages. But the limited vehicle selection, basic interiors and nickel-and-dime fee structure hold it back. You're paying for simplicity — and that's worth something for the right renter.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Cruise America cost per night?
$100-$275/night depending on vehicle size and season. Add generator ($3.50/hr), mileage overages ($0.35/mi), vehicle kit ($75-130) and insurance for the real total.
Does Cruise America include mileage?
Most packages include ~100 miles/night. Overages are $0.35/mile. Some promotions offer unlimited mileage. Check your specific quote.
Are the RVs nice inside?
Functional but basic. Everything works. Nothing is fancy. Think rental car interior, not Airbnb. If interior quality matters, peer-to-peer platforms offer nicer options.
Can you do a one-way rental?
Yes — this is Cruise America's biggest advantage. Pick up and drop off at different locations. One-way fees vary. Off-season repositioning deals can be very cheap.