VAN-COMPARATOR Guide
Class A, B or C: which American RV to choose
Understanding American RV classes: Class A buses, Class B campervans, Class C cab-overs, lengths in feet, daily prices and which size fits which road trip.
The first surprise when renting a motorhome in the United States: the naming has nothing to do with Europe. No semi-integrated or alcove models on the menu — instead, "classes" A, B and C, and lengths in feet. Here is how to make sense of it before comparing offers on Van-Comparator.
Class C: the default choice, for good reason
The Class C is the American cab-over: a truck cab topped with a bed, 22 to 32 feet long, 4 to 7 berths, a shower, a real kitchen and often a generator. It's the family vehicle and the backbone of rental fleets: $150 to $350 per day depending on season and size, plus mileage. Our advice: take the shortest one that covers your berths — a 25-footer fits everywhere, including national park campgrounds that often cap length at 27–30 ft; a 32-footer, not always.
Class B: the campervan, for mobile couples
The Class B is a campervan (17 to 23 ft): 2 berths, a compact kitchen, sometimes a wet bath. It parks in cities, handles winding roads (Highway 1, the Million Dollar Highway) and burns 30 to 40% less fuel than a Class C. Expect $120 to $250 per day. Its limit is volume — beyond two people or a rainy week, you'll be stepping on each other.
Class A: the bus, for stationary comfort
The Class A is the flat-faced land yacht, 28 to 40 ft, with slide-outs and fixed bedding: $250 to $500 per day, fuel economy of 6 to 8 mpg, and a footprint that rules out many public campgrounds and mountain roads. It makes sense if you stay put at full-hook-up private resorts, rarely for a moving road trip.
Three questions to settle it
1. How many sleep aboard? 2 people → Class B; 3–5 → 25-ft Class C; 6–7 → 30-ft Class C. 2. What route? Coastal and mountain roads → the shortest vehicle possible. 3. What total budget? Add rental, mileage, fuel and campgrounds — the full comparison is in which RV for which trip. Good news on licensing: all these rental vehicles drive on a standard car license, with an IDP recommended for Europeans (details in our USA guide).