Vancouver RV rental prices
All prices below are in Canadian dollars for the vehicle only, before insurance, mileage, fuel and campground fees.
| Vehicle | Shoulder season (May to June, September to October) | Peak season (July to August) | Sleeps |
|---|---|---|---|
| Campervan (Class B) | CAD 150 to 200 per night | CAD 200 to 260 per night | 2 to 3 |
| Standard Class C (4 berth) | CAD 225 to 300 per night | CAD 350 to 450 per night | 4 |
| Large Class C or Class A (6 berth) | CAD 250 to 350 per night | CAD 350 to 500 per night | 6 to 7 |
Shoulder season typically runs 15 to 30 percent below peak, which is a large enough gap to be worth moving dates for. The off-season from November to April drops further, sometimes to CAD 100 to 180 per night for smaller vehicles, though with cooler weather and fewer campgrounds open.
Fuel is a bigger line item in British Columbia than most travellers expect. Prices in the Vancouver area typically run around CAD 1.80 to 2.10 per litre, and a motorhome consumes roughly 18 to 30 litres per 100 km, with the mountain grades on the Sea-to-Sky and the Coquihalla pushing that higher. Campgrounds add about CAD 40 to 90 per night. Insurance or damage-cover upgrades, cleaning fees, propane and generator use sit on top of the nightly rate, and mileage is often sold in packs rather than included, so check the per-kilometre overage rate before committing to a Rockies loop.
One-way rentals from Vancouver to Calgary are common and popular, since that route crosses the Rockies in the right direction. Expect a one-way fee, and book early for July and August. For how North American pricing and one-way fees work more generally, see the North America RV rental guide.
Best road trips from Vancouver
British Columbia packs an unusual amount of variety within a day’s drive of the Delta depots: fjords, alpine passes, desert-dry wine valleys and temperate rainforest.
| Route | Distance from Vancouver | Drive time one way | Suggested trip length |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sea-to-Sky Highway to Whistler | About 120 km, 75 miles | About 2 hours | 2 to 3 days |
| Vancouver Island via Tsawwassen ferry | Ferry plus driving | 1.5 to 2 hour crossing | 4 to 7 days |
| Okanagan Valley (Kelowna) | About 390 km, 242 miles | 4 to 5 hours | 3 to 5 days |
| Tofino and Pacific Rim National Park | Ferry plus about 320 km | Full day including ferry | 5 to 7 days |
| Banff and the Canadian Rockies | About 850 km, 528 miles | 10 to 11 hours | 7 to 14 days |
| Kootenays and Nelson | About 650 km, 404 miles | 7 to 8 hours | 5 to 7 days |
Sea-to-Sky to Whistler is the obvious first trip and one of the most scenic short drives in Canada, running along Howe Sound past Squamish and the Stawamus Chief. Two to three days is enough, and Alice Lake and Porteau Cove provincial parks both take RVs.
Vancouver Island is the trip the Delta depot location was made for. Sail from Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay for Victoria or to Duke Point for Nanaimo, then work north or west depending on time. Book the vehicle space in advance and have the RV’s exact length and height ready, because both affect the fare.
Tofino and Pacific Rim National Park is the long version of the Island trip, crossing to Nanaimo then over the mountains on Highway 4 to the west coast. That highway is narrow and winding in sections, which is a real argument for a smaller vehicle. Campground reservations at Pacific Rim National Park Reserve go through Parks Canada.
The Okanagan swaps rainforest for something close to desert, with lake towns, orchards and one of Canada’s major wine regions around Kelowna and Penticton. It is the warmest and driest part of the province in summer and the natural pairing with a wine-focused itinerary.
Banff and the Rockies is the big one, and it is better done as a one-way to Calgary than as a return trip. Ten hours of driving each way eats a fortnight, whereas a one-way lets you spend the time in Yoho, Banff and Jasper instead. Park passes and campground bookings run through Parks Canada.
For provincial park campgrounds anywhere in BC, reservations go through BC Parks and its Discover Camping system, and both open on a rolling window that fills fast for summer weekends. Destination BC is the official provincial tourism resource, and DriveBC carries live road conditions, closures and mountain pass status, which is essential reading outside high summer.
Using a Vancouver RV to reach Canadian events
British Columbia’s two biggest RV-friendly events are both within driving range of Vancouver, and until now neither had a BC pickup city to point at.
Shambhala Music Festival runs 24 to 27 July 2026 at Salmo River Ranch in the Kootenays, about seven hours east of Vancouver. It is a camping festival by design, with the mountain drive in forming part of the experience, and an RV solves both the accommodation and the long-drive problem at once.
The Okanagan Wine Festival sits four to five hours east in the Okanagan Valley, and is close to an ideal RV event: the tasting rooms are spread across a long valley, and having a bed with you removes the obvious problem with a wine tour.
Further east, the Calgary Stampede from 3 to 12 July 2026, Big Valley Jamboree at Camrose from 30 July to 2 August, and Country Thunder Alberta all pair naturally with a one-way Vancouver to Calgary run. In Ontario and Quebec, Boots and Hearts, the Canadian National Exhibition, Ottawa Bluesfest, Montreal Jazz and Carnaval de Québec are better served from Toronto. The full list is on the Canada hub and the events index.
Crossing south into the United States is straightforward geographically, since the border is under an hour from Delta, but cross-border permission varies by operator and must be confirmed before booking. Seattle is about 230 km south and Portland about 500 km, and both make sensible one-way or extended-loop options. If you are weighing on-site festival camping against nearby parks, our guide to freedom camping versus organised campgrounds covers the trade-offs, and keeping a campervan cool is worth reading before an Okanagan summer trip.
What is included
A standard Vancouver motorhome rental includes a kitchen with fridge, gas cooktop and sink, a bathroom with shower and toilet on the mid-size and larger Class C units, fresh, grey and black water tanks, a heater, and a generator on most motorhomes. Roadside assistance is standard across both operators.
Bedding, kitchen kits and camping chairs are commonly optional extras rather than inclusions, so confirm at the quote stage. Insurance is offered in tiers, and mileage is frequently capped or sold in packs. Campervans and truck campers trade the onboard bathroom for far easier handling, which matters more in British Columbia than in flatter markets, since Highway 4 to Tofino and the forestry roads in the Kootenays are genuinely tight in places.
When to go
July and August are the warmest, driest and busiest months, and also the most expensive, with mountain campgrounds booked well ahead. Late May through June and September into early October are the sweet spot: rates fall 15 to 30 percent, the crowds thin, and the weather generally holds. September is particularly good for the Okanagan, when harvest is underway.
Vancouver itself stays mild year-round, but the mountains do not. From November through April, high passes carry snow, winter tyre requirements apply on many BC highways, some provincial campgrounds close, and the Sea-to-Sky and Coquihalla can close at short notice. Winter RV travel here is possible but should be planned around the coast and the valley rather than the alpine, and DriveBC should be checked daily.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to rent an RV in Vancouver?
Around CAD 150 to 225 per night for a campervan and CAD 225 to 400 for a Class C motorhome, with peak summer four-berth units reaching CAD 350 to 450. Shoulder season typically runs 15 to 30 percent cheaper.
Where do you pick up an RV in Vancouver?
Both depots are in Delta, about 26 km from YVR. CanaDream is at 8223 92 Street and Cruise Canada at 7731 Vantage Way. Neither is in Vancouver proper, and both are a taxi or rideshare of roughly half an hour from the airport.
Which Vancouver depot should I choose?
CanaDream if you want a vehicle type other than a standard Class C, since it carries campervans and truck campers as well as motorhomes. Cruise Canada if you want a one-way trip, because its network reaches Calgary, Toronto, Montreal and Halifax.
Can I take a Vancouver RV to Vancouver Island?
Yes, and the depots are well placed for it. The Tsawwassen ferry terminal is in Delta, close to both yards. Book vehicle space with BC Ferries in advance, as fares depend on length and height and summer sailings fill early.
Do I need a special licence to rent an RV in British Columbia?
No. A standard Class 5 licence or the equivalent from your home country is sufficient. If it is not in English or French, bring an International Driving Permit. Most operators set a minimum age of 25.
Can I drive a Vancouver rental RV to Banff?
Yes, though it is about 850 km and ten to eleven hours each way. A one-way rental finishing in Calgary usually makes more sense than a return trip, since it converts four days of driving into four days of mountains.
Can I take a Canadian rental RV into the United States?
Sometimes, and the border is under an hour from the depots, but never assume it. Cross-border permission varies by operator and must be confirmed in writing before booking, along with insurance implications.
When is the cheapest time to rent an RV in Vancouver?
November through April is lowest, sometimes CAD 100 to 180 per night for smaller vehicles, but many mountain campgrounds close and passes carry snow. The best balance of price and conditions is late May to June or September to early October.
How much should I budget for fuel?
Fuel in the Vancouver area typically runs CAD 1.80 to 2.10 per litre, and a motorhome uses roughly 18 to 30 litres per 100 km. A Sea-to-Sky return loop is a modest fuel bill, but a Rockies run is a substantial one, so factor it in early.
Is Vancouver a good base for a first RV trip?
Yes. The Sea-to-Sky Highway and the Island ferry give you two excellent short trips that do not require long driving days, which makes it a forgiving place to get used to a large vehicle before committing to the Rockies.
Ready to book
Vancouver puts fjords, alpine highways, island rainforest and wine country within a day’s drive of the depot gate, and the Delta location that looks awkward on a map turns out to be a head start on the ferry. Compare live prices across CanaDream and Cruise Canada, decide between a campervan and a full motorhome based on how much mountain road is on your route, and book early for July and August.
Search your dates using the widget above, or start a booking. Planning more of Canada? Browse the Canada RV rental hub and the Toronto guide, or head south to Seattle and Portland. Questions about documentation or driver requirements are covered in the FAQs, or contact the team.
