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Plan your camper trip through Canada – find your ideal camper in minutes

Road Genius compares campervan and motorhome rentals from many Canadian suppliers so you can choose the vehicle that fits your route and budget. Main pickup cities include Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto, Montréal and Halifax, all close to the Trans-Canada Highway. Canada is very large, so plan drive days and fuel stops carefully.

Campervan Rental Cost

How much does it cost to rent an RV in Canada?

Renting an RV in Canada varies depending on the RV type, location, rental duration and season. Apart from the daily rate, consider additional costs for mileage, generator use, insurance and deposits.

Here are typical daily rental rates for various RV types:

  • Class A Motorhomes: CAD $215 - $550 (largest and most luxurious)
  • Class B Motorhomes: CAD $125 - $375 (smaller and more affordable)
  • Class C Motorhomes: CAD $180 - $450 (medium-sized, balanced option)
  • Truck Campers: CAD $85 - $185 (compact and affordable)

Campervan Pickup Locations

Map of campervan rental depots near 379792

Best Time for a Campervan Trip in Canada

Season Avg High °C │ °F Good?
Winter (Nov–Mar) −4 │ 25 No. Roads often icy and many campgrounds close.
Spring (Apr–May) 13 │ 55 Possible but nights are cold and some parks still closed.
Summer (Jun–Aug) 21 │ 70 Yes. Warm, long days, all facilities open.
Fall (Sep–Oct) 10 │ 50 Yes for early fall. Good foliage, fewer bugs, some sites close after mid-Oct.

Driving Tips

  • Speed limits on highways are usually 100 km/h (62 mph). Rural roads often have lower limits of 80 km/h (50 mph). Fines are high.
  • Expect wildlife on roads at dawn and dusk. Moose and deer collisions are common.
  • Distances are long. Fill up when the fuel tank is half-full in remote areas.
  • In British Columbia and some mountain routes, carrying snow chains or winter tires is required from 1 Oct–30 Apr.
  • Fuel prices vary by province. Québec and Atlantic Canada are often cheaper than British Columbia.
  • Tolls are limited. Ontario's Highway 407 uses license-plate billing and sends the invoice to your rental company.
  • Cell phone coverage can be weak in northern and mountain areas. Download offline maps before travel.
  • Park signs may appear in French and English. Route numbers are the same in both languages.

Camping Spots

Place Hook-ups Pros Cons
KOA or similar private RV parks (nationwide) Full Showers, laundry, Wi-Fi, allow big vehicles Higher price, book early in summer
Parks Canada campgrounds (e.g., Banff, Fundy) Water+Electric (some), None (many) Scenic, trail access, Discovery Pass accepted No sewer on most sites, strict food storage for bears
Provincial Park campgrounds (e.g., Algonquin, Porteau Cove) Water+Electric (some) Cheaper than private, can book 5–7 months ahead Popular weekends sell out fast
Crown land / "free camping" in Ontario, BC, AB None Free, remote nature No toilets, 14-day limit, only self-contained vehicles
Walmart or Canadian Tire parking lots (selected towns) None Convenient for one overnight, near stores Local bylaws vary; ask manager first

Refueling Spots

  • Petro-Canada, Shell and Esso stations line the Trans-Canada Highway and often have high-clearance canopies for large vehicles.
  • Many provincial park visitor centers provide drinking water taps and paid dump stations.
  • Commercial truck stops such as Flying J and Husky Travel Centers offer diesel, propane and 24-hour dump stations.

Practical Tips

  • Mosquitoes peak from June to early August, especially near lakes. Carry insect repellent and protective netting.
  • Forest-fire season runs July–September in western Canada. Check current fire bans at albertafirebans.ca and bcwildfire.ca.
  • A Parks Canada Discovery Pass is required for national parks and historic sites. Buy online or at park gates.
  • Emergency number is 911 nationwide. For roadside help, most rentals allow calling CAA 1-800-222-4357.
  • Quiet hours in most public campgrounds are 23:00–07:00. Generators outside those times may result in fines.
  • Store all food and scented items in the vehicle or bear lockers in bear country. Fines apply for improper storage.

FAQs

Is wild camping allowed in Canada?

Wild camping is not allowed in Canada. You can only sleep in a campervan at designated campgrounds. Staying overnight at rest areas or parking lots is against the rules.

There are many campgrounds in Canada typically costing between $40 and $90 CAD per night.

However, you might be able to stay overnight in a Walmart parking lot if you get approval from the store manager.

What are the license requirement to rent a camper in Canada?

To rent a campervan, all drivers must hold a valid and complete driver's license. Licenses from other countries are fine if they're in English or French, or if you have an official translation. If your license is in another language, you'll need an International Driving Permit (IDP).

Even with an English or French license, if you're staying in Canada for 3 months or longer, you might also need an IDP. Regulations differ across provinces, so it's important to research and understand the local requirements beforehand.

Can I rent a campervan one-way in Canada?

Absolutely! Many travelers choose popular one-way trips like going from Vancouver to Montreal, Calgary to Vancouver, or Toronto to Montreal.

Can I travel to the USA in my rental vehicle?

Yes, most Canadian campervan rental companies do permit travel to the USA with their vehicles. Be sure to review the specific terms and conditions of your chosen provider.

Always adhere to visa and customs regulations while traveling.