American West: Car or RV?

September 5, 2026 Comment this post

8-minute read

Car or RV for your USA road trip? Having done both, I can tell you that the right choice really depends on your trip. Your itinerary, budget, departure date, and travel style can all tip the balance.

1. Car or RV: a quick comparison chart

Your itinerary, number of travellers, budget, departure date… these are the main criteria to consider when choosing the best vehicle for your trip. To help you make an informed decision, compare the two options in this table.

#	Criterion	Priority	Car	RV
1	What kind of itinerary have you planned?	🔴 ↑	You'll be visiting a mix of cities, parks and other stops, and you're looking for flexibility when you're on the move.	Your trip focuses on parks, nature and wide-open spaces, and you want to sleep in or near certain parks.
2	What level of comfort are you looking for?	🔴 ↑	You enjoy the comfort of different accommodation at each stop.	You like having your living space and belongings with you throughout the trip.
3	How is your budget structured?	🔴 ↑	Your overall budget includes vehicle hire, petrol, accommodation and meals.	Your budget includes vehicle hire, petrol and campsites, with the option to cook on board.
4	When are you travelling?	🔴 ↑	You're travelling when cold or changeable weather could affect your itinerary.	You're travelling when temperatures make it easier to enjoy life on board and at campsites.
5	How many of you are travelling?	🟠 →	You can find a vehicle category that suits your group, and the number of rooms needed fits your budget.	You can find a model that suits your group and want to share the same living space during the trip.
6	What type of accommodation do you prefer?	🟠 →	You like to change hotels, motels or other accommodation along the way.	You prefer to sleep in the same space and stay at campsites along the way.
7	How big a role do major cities play in your trip?	🟠 →	You plan to spend several days there and want to get around and park more easily.	You're prepared to arrange your travel differently: peripheral camping, shuttle, public transport or Uber depending on the city.
8	How do you want to manage your meals?	🟢 ↓	You like eating at restaurants, grabbing takeaways or choosing accommodation with cooking facilities.	You want to shop at the supermarket and cook regularly on board.
9	When do you plan to book?	🟢 ↓	You're looking for more flexibility in choosing and booking your vehicle.	You can book several months in advance for more choice and to take advantage of early bird prices.
10	How comfortable are you with the vehicle?	🟢 ↓	You prefer a compact, familiar vehicle, especially for manoeuvring and parking.	You're comfortable with a larger vehicle and can adapt to its size relatively quickly.

Do you identify with both columns? That's perfectly normal. Start by looking at the criteria that carry the most weight for your trip, then use the others to refine your choice.

Marie-Michèle's advice: Don't choose based solely on the rental price. For a family of five, for example, two hotel rooms and restaurant meals can quickly change the maths. You need to compare the overall cost of the trip.

2. What criteria should you use to choose your vehicle for a USA road trip?

A grey motorhome on a Grand Canyon road in Utah — It might look big, but it's easier to drive than you think.

Got an initial idea? To take it further, four criteria can really tip the balance: your travel style, your itinerary, your budget and the time of year you travel.

👤 Your profile and travel style

Are you travelling with family, as a couple or with friends? Do you like to have everything to hand or prefer the comfort of a hotel?

An RV might be right for you if you…	A car might be right for you if you…
like to share the same living space throughout the trip	prefer the comfort of hotels and other accommodation
like to have your belongings within easy reach	like to change accommodation at each stop
want the option to cook some of your meals	want a more compact vehicle for everyday use
want to sleep as close to nature as possible	appreciate the novelty of new accommodation at each stop

💡Things to remember: there are no hard and fast rules based on age or group composition. A couple might dream of an RV, while a family might prefer hotels.

Marie-Michèle's experience: When I went in an RV with my children, everyone had their games, books and snacks within easy reach. Once the suitcases were unpacked, we didn't have to get everything out at each stop.

How much would an RV cost for your trip?

The price can vary significantly depending on your dates, the length of your stay and the model chosen. Get an initial estimate for your trip.

🗺️ Your itinerary

Does your route include a mix of national parks, scenic drives and major cities? Consider how big a part each type of stop plays in your trip.

An RV might be right for you if you…	A car might be right for you if you…
want to sleep in or near certain parks	want easy access to different types of accommodation
plan to spend a lot of time in wide-open spaces	regularly alternate between parks and major cities
are prepared to plan your city travel further in advance	want to get around and park more easily in the city
can use shuttles, public transport or Uber at certain stops	want to use the same vehicle for most of your sightseeing

💡 Things to remember: look at your itinerary as a whole, rather than choosing your vehicle based on a single stop.

Marie-Michèle's advice: In San Francisco, I like to suggest travellers spend a few days without a vehicle, either at the beginning or end of their trip. In Los Angeles, I travelled in an RV myself. I left the vehicle in a large car park and continued by Uber to make sightseeing easier.

What if a car suits your itinerary?

Rental prices vary depending on your dates, route and the vehicle category you choose. Compare available cars for your trip.

💰 Your overall budget

The rental price only tells part of the story. To find out which option is truly the best value for your trip, you need to compare the overall cost of the holiday, not just the vehicle.

Expenditure	Car	RV
Accommodation	Factor in the cost of hotels and other accommodation. Near national parks, the best-located options can be more expensive.	Factor in the cost of campsites, in or near parks depending on your itinerary.
Petrol	Fuel consumption is generally lower than with an RV.	Fuel consumption is higher. The more miles your itinerary covers, the more this item can affect your budget.
Meals	Factor in restaurants, takeaways or accommodation with kitchen facilities.	You can shop at the supermarket and cook on board, which can reduce your food budget.
Vehicle hire	Price varies depending on your dates, the length of the trip and the car category chosen.	Price varies depending on your dates, duration, model and booking time. Booking several months in advance can make a real difference to prices and availability.

For a family of five needing to book two hotel rooms, for example, the cost of accommodation and restaurants can quickly offset some of the higher rental and petrol prices for an RV.

Marie-Michèle's advice: Book your RV early! For summer trips, I often suggest looking 9 to 12 months in advance. I've seen rentals that were £3,000 to £4,000 when booked early go up to around £7,000 a few months later. These aren't fixed rates, but it shows how much of a difference booking early can make.

⛅ The time of your trip

Car on American roads — Getting around is a breeze, from the national parks to the cities.

Are you travelling in June or October? That can completely change everything. There isn't a specific date after which you absolutely must choose a car. However, the earlier in spring or later in autumn you travel, the more weather conditions and road conditions along your route should influence your decision.

☀️ From late May to late September, temperatures are generally more favourable for making the most of your RV trip, and the risks associated with cold weather are lower.

❄️ In spring or autumn, the weather can have a greater impact on your choice, particularly if your route includes high-altitude areas. Temperatures can drop quickly at night, snow can close certain mountain roads, and winterising the RV might limit onboard water usage.

Marie-Michèle's advice: I've been to Bryce Canyon in early November and it was snowing! From October onwards, I really look at the itinerary before recommending an RV. Depending on the regions you're passing through, a car might be more comfortable at that time of year.

3. What if you combined a car and an RV?

Yes, that's absolutely possible! In the American West, one option is to explore some of the major parks in an RV, then continue your journey by car towards California.

What could this look like?

Las Vegas → Bryce Canyon → Zion → Las Vegas by RV Then Las Vegas → Los Angeles → California coast → San Francisco by car

This option allows you to swap vehicles in Las Vegas and enjoy two different ways of travelling during the same holiday. The itinerary can also be done in reverse, depending on your flights and route.

💡Key takeaway: If your itinerary has you deliberating between a car and an RV, the best answer can sometimes simply be... both!

Marie-Michèle's advice: This is an option I suggest when both vehicles make sense for a single trip. For example, you could do a loop through the parks from Las Vegas in an RV, then pick up a car to head to California. This lets you enjoy the benefits of both without having to compromise for the entire journey.

4. What practical information should you know before choosing?

Before making your decision, there are a few practical points to consider. Nothing too complicated, but it's best to be aware of them before you set off.

🚐 Driving

Driving a car is generally simpler to get used to and manoeuvre.
An RV's size requires a little getting used to, especially for corners and parking.
That said, you don't need prior RV driving experience; more compact models are usually quite easy to handle.

🅿️ Parking

Finding a parking space is generally easier with a car, particularly in towns and cities.
With an RV, you need to plan ahead more for where you can park.
Depending on your stops, you might be able to leave the vehicle at a campsite and continue on foot, by shuttle, public transport, or Uber.

🏕️ Campsites

In very popular areas, it's best to book your campsites in advance.
Remember to check the length of your RV; pitches are designed for different sizes.
Depending on the campsite, you might have access to water and electricity hook-ups. If you take the vehicle out for the day, you might need to unhook it and then set it back up upon your return.

🚌 Shuttles and transport

Travelling in an RV doesn't mean you have to use it for every outing.
In some parks and towns, local shuttles and transport allow you to leave your vehicle parked and explore more easily.

💡Key takeaway: A car generally requires less daily organisation. An RV demands a few extra considerations, but once your itinerary and campsites are well-prepared, these challenges are perfectly manageable.

Marie-Michèle's advice: To travellers worried about driving, I often tell them about my own trip: I travelled solo with my four children in a 25-foot RV! You simply need to take the time to get used to the vehicle's size at the start of the journey.

So, car or RV?

You now have all the information you need to make your choice. However, as prices vary depending on your dates, itinerary, and chosen vehicle, the best approach is to compare both options for your own trip.

🚗 Compare car prices

🚐 Compare RV prices

Still can't decide?

That's perfectly normal; two travellers could have the exact same itinerary, yet one might be better suited to a car and the other to an RV.

If you're still undecided, our advisors are on hand to chat about your plans and help you choose the option that best suits your travel style, budget, and desires.

Book an appointment with a local advisor

They are here to listen and help you realize your dreams.

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About the author

Marie-Michèle Ouellet Charlevoix

Travel Agent

As a U.S. travel specialist at Authentik, I help travelers plan their trips and share my advice and favorite recommendations with them. Passionate about travel, I love discovering new places, unique landscapes, and new experiences. I’m also a true nature and outdoor enthusiast.

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