Cruise America vs. Outdoorsy: Which RV Rental Is Better?

Cruise America Overview

Launched all the way back in 1972, Cruise America is now one of the oldest brands in the niche. It follows a traditional business model, similar to most car rentals. The only key difference here is the fleet, as Cruise America specializes in RVs, offering Class C motorhomes and trailers.

The company has more than 130 locations across the United States and Canada, meaning you'll find pickup locations near most major travel destinations. One of Cruise America's biggest advantages is its one-way rental program. You can pick up your RV in one city and return it to another, making cross-country road trips much easier to plan.

Cruise America is especially popular for longer road trips through destinations like Yellowstone, Glacier, Zion, and the Grand Canyon. If you're planning a park-focused adventure, check out our guide to the best RV rentals for national parks .

Cruise America has a Trustpilot rating of 4.1, based on almost 8,000 verified reviews. Most travelers had a positive experience with the company, where some of the most commonly mentioned points are customer support, helpful and professional booking agents, and an overall seamless experience.

Outdoorsy Overview

Outdoorsy is a much younger brand, having launched in 2015. Unlike Cruise America, this is a peer-to-peer rental platform. Instead of renting from a company-owned fleet, you'll rent directly from individual RV owners.

It is also an international available across 14 countries, although most listings are based in the U.S. In total, there are over 25,000 RVs available on the platform, giving you a broad list of options.

Outdoorsy also has a great reputation among its customers, earning a 3.8-star Trustpilot rating. While reviews are generally positive, customer experiences can vary more because rentals are managed by individual owners rather than a standardized company fleet.

Key Differences Between Cruise America and Outdoorsy

Before diving deeper into the details, let's have a brief overview of the main differences between Outdoorsy and Cruise America.

Vehicle Selection and Customer Experience

Vehicle selection is one of the biggest differences between Cruise America and Outdoorsy. Cruise America offers a fairly small standardized set of RVs and motorhomes of several types. While the selection is smaller, it also makes choosing an RV much simpler. Not to mention, you can be much more confident that the company is able to maintain such a fleet consistently.

Because Cruise America is more traditional and operates its own fleet, the rental process and customer experience are generally consistent from one location to another. The process is the same in every location, and you can expect a similar level of service across all locations.

Outdoorsy could not be more different. Its peer-to-peer business model gives you a much wider selection of RVs to choose from, which is great if you're looking for a very specific model. The downside here is that the number and type of listings are not consistent across different locations.

Of course, maintenance and service quality can vary among different hosts, but your experience with Outdoorsy itself and its customer support team will likely be positive.

Pricing and Fees

Comparing prices between Outdoorsy and Cruise America can be tricky, because these platforms operate under completely different models. With Cruise America, you may need to cover:

• Rental rate
• Mileage rate
• Generator use
• Taxes
• A $300 non-refundable down payment, which goes toward the total cost
• A refundable security deposit

Outdoorsy has a more flexible but less predictable pricing structure. The main pricing factor is the nightly rate, which is set by the owner and may vary a lot. Other fees and expenses you will need to cover include:

• Nightly rental rate
• A guest service fee
• Delivery fee (optional)
• Insurance fee
• A 10% transaction fee
• A security deposit
• A young driver fee (for drivers under 24)

Estimated Cost for a 700-Mile, One-Week Trip (700 miles)

A very rough estimate for a weekly trip of 700 miles is around $1,995 with Cruise America and $1,835 with Outdoorsy. Of course, this is a very broad prediction especially given the variety of models available. In many cases, Outdoorsy can be the more affordable option, while Cruise America offers a more standardized and predictable pricing structure.

Extra Features

We've already discussed Cruise America's one-way rentals and Outdoorsy's RV delivery, but there are several other additional features that make these two platforms different.

Cruise America is especially beginner-friendly. Its representatives are professional and always ready to help if you have any questions about the models or the rental process. And while you can get some more information from Outdoorsy's customer support team, it is never the same as talking to a real booking agent.

Outdoorsy, in turn, offers a wide range of flexible amenities and extra features, including pet-friendly RVs, camping gear , bike racks, and different protection policies. Because every listing is managed by an individual owner, available amenities and extras can vary significantly from one RV to another.

Before your trip, it's also worth reserving your campsites. Popular campgrounds near national parks and major destinations often book months in advance.

Cruise America vs Outdoorsy: Which Should You Choose?

Both platforms are excellent choices, but the better option depends on your travel style and priorities. Here's when each one makes the most sense.

Choose Cruise America if you:

• Prefer a traditional and predictable rental process
• Are renting an RV for the first time
• Would like to choose from a set of standardized, tested, and well-maintained vehicles
• Need a one-way rental with a different drop-off location
• Expect straightforward pricing

Choose Outdoorsy if you:

• Want a larger variety and selection of RVs
• Are looking for a specific non-standard model
• Would like to have your vehicle delivered
• Need a pet-friendly motorhome
• Care about specific amenities
• Are traveling outside of the U.S.

Our Verdict

Summing up, both companies are valid and strong options for American travelers. If you're looking to get a well-maintained RV with no hassle, Cruise America is an excellent choice.

If you prefer browsing through listings and choosing a perfect motorhome that fits the specific needs of your trip, Outdoorsy is a great fit for this approach.

Still comparing RV rental platforms? Our Outdoorsy vs. RVezy guide explores another popular peer-to-peer marketplace and may help you decide which platform best fits your trip.