Arizona’s stunning desert scenery makes it one of the most popular destinations for an RV road trip in America.
As ‘The Grand Canyon State’, Arizona is also home to the Sonoran Desert, the Painted Desert, the Pertrified Forest, Indian cliff dwellings and petroglyphs, Coconino National Forest, the red cliffs of Sedona and the busy nightlife of Phoenix.
And traveling by RV gives you the independence and flexibility to visit any of these attractions whenever you like.
Although the costs of RV ownership, or the distance from your home to Arizona make may an RV road trip in Arizona seem impossible, it’s not.
There is an easy and cost effective answer: rent an RV in Arizona.
RVing is so popular in Arizona that the larger cities like Phoenix, Tucson, Mesa and Flagstaff all have RV rental agencies. KOA (Kampgrounds of America) also publishes a list of recommended RV rental agencies throughout the state on the KOA website.
The most popular RV rented by couples and families is the class C motorhome (click to see our list of RV types). Although the class C motor home has only one double bed, it can comfortably sleep up to nine people.
Typically, it will also have a toilet and shower, a kitchen with a microwave and refrigerator, heating and air conditioning.
One thing to check with your RV rental agency is whether they include, or sell, RV ‘home-keeping’ travel kits, which include the linens and kitchen supplies such as dishes that you will need for your trip.
The most popular (and expensive) time to rent an RV in Arizona is the summer season, which begins in May and lasts until September.
For those looking for a bargain, and some cooler weather, you can save around $20 a day by traveling during the off-season.
Rates per day will also generally be cheaper if you rent the RV for a longer period of time.
So, as with any vacation, shop around before you rent:
Check each Arizonan RV rental agency’s pricing scheme to find the arrangement that works best for you.
For example, if you are intending to do a lot of driving, rather than staying in one or two RV campgrounds, many companies charge a day rate plus an additional mileage charge.
You should also ask about temporary RV or campervan insurance, as your regular car insurance may not cover the RV rental.
Finally, ask about clean-up costs and find out if there is a security deposit.
And last but not least, after all your preparations, don’t forget to have fun on your Arizona road trip!
