If road tripping in Oregon isn’t on your bucket list, it should be. In this guide, we’re detailing the best Portland campervan rentals, along with tons of insider tips for a mind-blowing adventure in this beautiful state.
Thinking about renting a campervan for your Pacific Northwest adventure? You’re in for something special—and we’re genuinely excited for you!
Portland makes an ideal jumping-off point for the ultimate campervan road trip. With rugged coastline, misty forests, snow-capped peaks, and hot springs all within a few hours’ drive, this region was practically made for vanlife.
We’ve road-tripped all over Oregon in our self-built campervan, and each time we fall in love with something new—whether it’s sipping coffee in a cozy mountain town or waking up to ocean views on the coast. We can’t get enough of vanlife in Oregon!
But before you hit “book” on the first rental you find, there are a few things you’ll want to know. Not all campervans (or rental companies) are created equal, and we’re here to help you make the best choice for your travel style and budget.
In this guide, we’re sharing our top picks for Portland campervan rentals—plus insider tips, things to consider, and what we wish we knew before our first campervan road trip.
Our top recommendation
If you just want to skip to our overall recommendation, let’s cut to the chase…
Here are the top Portland campervan rental companies we recommend:
- Escape Campervans: Basic, budget-friendly vans with lots of pick-up/drop-off locations
- Outdoorsy Campervans: “The Airbnb of campervan rentals” has a huge variety of styles, price points and locations
We’d highly recommend you continue reading this guide as it is packed with insider tips on what to look for when choosing your vehicle, mistakes to avoid, and some other companies we’d recommend if you have a different budget or travel needs.
Guide to renting a campervan in Portland
Here’s what we cover in this guide. Click on any of the links below to jump down to that section, or keep scrolling to get all the juicy details.
- Why trust us?
- Our experience
- How to book campervan rentals in Portland
- Best Campervan Rentals in Portland
- Why rent a campervan or RV in Portland?
- When to make your booking
- Things to consider when choosing a vehicle
- How much does a campervan rental cost?
- Campervan insurance
- Portland Campervan Rental FAQs
- What to pack for a campervan trip
- Campervan with a baby
- Where to stay in your campervan
- Portland travel resources
Why you can trust us about campervan rentals
If you’re new to this blog (welcome!), we want to share a few reasons why you can trust us about all things campervan-related:
- We have personally built 3 campervans from scratch.
- We have traveled all over the US in our own campervans.
- We have rented vans all over the world, in New Zealand, Iceland, Scotland, and Ireland.
Now do you understand why I said we’re obsessed!?
I mention all of this to let you know we have a lot of personal experience on this subject. We truly know what we’re talking about and in this article we’re sharing our expertise with you.
Also, we simply love connecting with others who are interested in RV and campervan adventures, so let’s be friends!
Our personal experience traveling in a campervan in Portland
We have traveled around Oregon a LOT in campervans that we built ourselves. In fact, we love it so much that in 2021 we bought a house in Bend, OR, and we spend a ton of time exploring in our self-built van.
We feel like a campervan or motorhome really gives you an added level of freedom that you just don’t have when you’re staying in a hotel or Airbnb, and we honestly think it’s the best way to explore the state of Oregon.
Related: Steal this itinerary for the most magical Oregon road trip!
Since we’ve personally explored Oregon in a camper ourselves, you can trust that we know what we’re talking about in this article and are sharing tips that will truly help you plan your own trip.
How to book a campervan rental in Portland
Trying to figure out which company to rent a campervan through can be a daunting task.
We’ve done it 4 times now, so we know how overwhelming it can be the first time.
Our go-to place to find the best campervan rentals in a particular destination is Motorhome Republic. This is an aggregate (kind of like what Booking.com is for hotels or what Discover Cars is for car rentals) that rounds up all the options in one place so you can easily compare them.
We really like using their filters because you can input the number of travelers, other important features like “automatic transmission”, and amenities like a toilet or shower.
Additionally, you can choose to display options within a price range or filter by highest reviews, making it a really handy and user-friendly tool.
Best campervan rental companies in Portland
Okay, so you’ve got Motorhome Republic pulled up for your dates and you can see all your options… But how do you even begin to choose between the different companies?
Being that we’ve personally rented campervans all around the world (and have built 3 of our own!), we feel like we have a really good handle on what to look for.
The companies below have been hand-picked by us, and we think each can be a good choice depending on what it is you’re looking for.
Campervan rental companies in Portland
We’ve scoured reviews, compared specs, and analyzed prices to bring you a comprehensive list of the best campervan rentals in Portland so the decision is a little simpler for you.
We’re sharing what company we would recommend to rent with, but we’ll also highlight some other companies in case you think a different one would be a better fit for your personal needs or budget.
For each company, we’re sharing pros, cons, and price points (budget or mid-range) to make this big decision a breeze.
Good to know: Though Portland is a big city, campervan options here are more limited than some other nearby locations. If you’re not tied to Portland, you could check out campervan rentals in Seattle or other US campervan rentals for more options.
Escape
- Price range: budget
- Recommended for: solo travelers, couples, and budget travelers
- Check availability here
Very basic but comfortable campervans that don’t have the frills of some other companies. The biggest reason we like Escape is they are super budget-friendly, making it accessible for more people.
Each unique vehicle is hand-painted by artists in LA, so you’ll be sure to stand out anywhere you go and get lots of fun photos.
They offer a variety of different models from pop-top Jeep campers to the 5-sleeper “Big Sur”, which is a Ford T-350 van.
All Escape campervan rentals include a fridge, sink, and stove, plus a solar energy system with dual battery. Bedding, camping gear, and kitchen extras are available for an additional fee.
Pros:
- One of the most affordable rental options available
- Unique and fun designs painted on each campervan
- Different layouts to choose from
- One-way rentals available
Cons:
- You will not be able to stand up in these vans
- No self-contained options available (aka no toilets)
- Depending on your personality, the loud design on the exterior of the vehicle may be a drawback
- The builds themselves are quite basic and don’t have the frills of some of the more expensive “boutique” options
Outdoorsy
This is essentially the “Airbnb of campervan rentals” and gives you the most options no matter your location, your budget, or your style. In addition to campervans, you’ll also find tow-behind trailers and RV rentals.
- Discount: Use our code TWOWANDERINGSOLES to get $50 off your first booking!
Budget: 2016 Ford Transit Custom
For less than $200 a night you can rent this custom 2-person build with a minimalistic design and lots of storage. The composting toilet is hidden under a seat and they provide a privacy tent for the outdoor shower. It also has the most bonkers-huge fridge we’ve ever seen in a campervan.
Mid-range: 2004 Dodge Sprinter
This beautifully designed high-roof campervan gives hippy-hostel vibes with a blackboard, custom backsplash, and colorful prints throughout. The live-edge walnut countertop is straight from my dream kitchen mood board. It has a toilet and outdoor shower. Oh, and the wood paneling is aromatic cedar. Dreamy.
Mid-range: 2018 Winnebago Other
This slick rig is so cleverly laid out it could be made by Ikea. The 2-person bed moves electronically up and down, giving you more space underneath when you’re not using it. The rear passenger seat also converts to a bed for a third person. It’s equipped with a small kitchen, outdoor shower, and indoor toilet, which can also be converted to storage space with removable shelves.
GoCamp
- Price range: mid-range
- Recommended for: couples or solo travelers
- Check availability here
GoCamp is another platform similar to AirBnb where campervan owners rent out their vehicles. Not only is their fleet carefully curated, but the owners are also vetted to ensure you get the best campervan and the best renting experience.
Pros:
- With LOTS of different vehicles/layouts to choose from, you’ll find something to fit both your needs and budget
- They offer discounts for teachers, first responders, and active members of the military, as well as deals on long-term rentals (more than 10-14 nights)
Cons:
- The fee for pets is $125, which is higher than other campervan rental companies
Cruise America
- Price range: mid-range
- Recommended for: couples or young families wanting more space who are comfortable with a larger vehicle
- Check availability here
Though Cruise America doesn’t offer any vans, we think their Compact Motorhome is worth mentioning for those who are up for driving a slightly more robust vehicle.
Featuring all the amenities of a larger RV, this compact model is only 7.5 feet wide, so it’s easier to maneuver than a big motorhome.
Pros:
- Fully-contained with toilet, shower, and hot water
- 6.5-foot ceiling makes a comfortable space for tall campers
Cons:
- Bedding/linens and kitchenware/cutlery cost extra to rent
- Doesn’t have an awning
Why rent a campervan or RV in Portland?
If you’ve stumbled upon this article, you probably already know why you want to rent a campervan. However, if you need more convincing, we’re here to help…
Imagine waking up to the sound of waves slapping the shore and falling asleep surrounded by thick forest. There’s no comparable sense of the freedom you get when you can literally take your house with you.
If you’re looking for an epic road trip, without fully committing to the whole vanlife thing, renting a campervan is the perfect way to dip your toes in these very addicting waters!
Or perhaps you’ve been wanting to try out #vanlife, but aren’t ready to commit to building your own conversion just yet.
Either way, renting a campervan in Portland is one of the best ways to get off the beaten path and discover cute towns and hidden gems you’d never come across if you’d made hotel reservations.
When to book your campervan rental in Portland
If you’re planning to rent a campervan in Portland, listen up because this is crucial…
Book your vehicle as early as possible. (This applies to all companies on this list.)
During popular travel seasons (like summer), the best models get snagged up fast!
What types of campervans or RVs are available?
There is a huge variety to choose from.
We’ve listed a handful of different types below, but if you’re still confused, hop down to the next section where we’ve broken down some of the major things to consider that’ll make your decision easier.
- Low-roof converted minivan: ideal for budget-minded adventurers
- Pop-up campervan: iconic old-school campervan style
- High-roof campervan: spacious while still easy to drive and park
- Mini-motorhome: home on wheels, perfect for a young family
- Large motorhome: pile in the kids, bikes, and a dog for an epic road trip
Things to think about when choosing a rental vehicle
Choosing the best campervan can be a bit overwhelming. There are a lot of companies to choose from. Plus, every traveler has their own expectations for the level of comfort and budget they’re able to spend.
We’ve lived in 3 very different campervans, plus we’ve rented campervans in countries all over the world. So we have a pretty good idea of what to look for and some things to be wary of…
We’ve laid out our expert tips in this detailed article about what to look for in a campervan rental.
How much does a Portland campervan rental cost?
Campervan rentals will vary drastically, depending on the following factors:
- which company you choose
- type of vehicle
- time of year
- manual vs. automatic transmission
- how far in advance you make your reservation
To give you a general price range:
- 1 week in Portland in July (peak season) for a 2-berth campervan will cost about $1,200 (priced in August 2023)
- 1 week in Portland in October (shoulder season) for a 2-berth campervan will cost about $800 (priced in August 2023)
Other costs to consider
In addition to paying the nightly rental fee, you won’t want to forget these other things:
- Additional rental add ons (make sure you understand what is included with your company and what is an extra fee)
- Campground fees
- I’ll let you in on a lil secret: we rarely pay for camping. Here’s how we find free camping in the USA.
- Insurance
- Gas
- Insider Tip: Be sure you know whether your vehicle is gas or diesel so you fill up at the proper pump at the gas station.
Insurance for your campervan trip
Insurance is always one of those tricky topics to write about because it widely varies from person to person depending on the amount of risk you are willing to take.
When traveling, we always make sure we are covered (we’ve heard some horror stories of accidents happening abroad).
Read the fine print of your credit card: A typical credit card rental car insurance policy only covers 4-door sedans and not campervans, so don’t rely on that coverage.
As always, whether you get campervan rental insurance or not, we recommend getting medical travel insurance.
Psst! We have an entire guide to how to choose the best travel insurance policy for you that should be helpful!
Portland campervan rental FAQs
I get it — there is a lot to think about when it comes to renting a campervan in Portland.
Let’s go over some common questions and see if we can get them answered!
Do I need an international driver’s license to rent a campervan in Portland?
Most likely, no.
Unless your home country’s license is in a non-Roman language (Japanese, Russian, etc.), you will not need an international driver’s license.
Can I bring a child on a campervan trip?
Absolutely. We’ve brought our daughter on many campervan trips — even in Scotland (pictured above) and Ireland!
In fact, we’d say it’s a great way to travel with a baby or older children.
You will need to select a vehicle that has enough seating for your family. And you will need to think about what you will do about a sleeping space. (We have tips on that!)
Which is better: Campervan or RV?
The answer to this is truly a matter of personal opinion, but here’s our opinion:
If you’re traveling solo or as a couple, we’d absolutely recommend a campervan to keep the size to a minimum. However, if you’re traveling with a small family, a campervan may be too small to fit you all comfortably, so a small l motorhome might be a better option.
What to pack for a campervan trip
We have a whole checklist of things to bring for your campervan trip, but here are some items you really don’t want to forget:
- Aeropress: If you are a coffee drinker and your rental company doesn’t include a coffee maker (many don’t), definitely pack this!
- Rubber bands and/or chip clips: This is something that is often overlooked, but important to keep the food you buy sealed (think bags of granola, crackers, etc.).
- Spices and oil: When going on a campervan trip, we always like to bring our own spices so we don’t have to stock up. You can bring mini containers filled with your faves (we bring high-quality salt, pepper, cayenne, and any others that strike our fancy). We like this leak-proof container for storing coconut oil and this one for storing olive oil.
- Lightweight towel: If your campervan rental does not include towels in the rental price (many charge extra), bring your own! We like this microfiber one or this Turkish towel.
- Travel lumbar pillow: If you have a bad back (like Ben!), this would be clutch! He had some back issues during our trip to Ireland, and was wishing we had packed his lumbar pillow. It’s way too bulky to fly with though, so I found this pillow for next time!
- Shower shoes: Trust me when I say you don’t want to go barefoot in some of the campground showers!
- Travel slippers: The floors of your vehicle will inevitably get dirty, so it’s nice to have a lightweight pair of slippers to wear at night to prevent your feet from collecting all that dirt.
We even created this handy PDF downloadable checklist so you don’t forget anything. And it’s totally FREE!
For more ideas, we have an article dedicated to all of the campervan essentials you might want to have on the road with you.
Packing for a baby on a campervan trip
This checklist has a whole section of all our baby-related items we recommend, but here are a few things we’d definitely recommend bringing if you are renting a campervan with a little one in tow.
- Travel high chair: We love this portable high chair and use it in our personal campervan at home.
- Travel tent: This is the sleeping tent that we used on trips when our daughter was under a year old. It packs up super small and gave her a safe space to sleep.
- Inflatable bed bumpers: We’ve transitioned from the tent to these as our daughter has grown and they worked really well to transform a normal bed into a safe sleeping space for our toddler.
- Your favorite baby foods: If you have favorites (freeze dried strawberries from Trader Joe’s are one of our go-tos for travel!), we’d recommend prioritizing packing foods over diapers and wipes, as those will be easier to find anywhere.
- Travel sound machine: We don’t go anywhere without this!
- Tap light: This light is super handy at home or on travels.
Psst! Looking for more family travel tips? Check out our list of practical (& super encouraging!) tips for traveling with a baby.
Where to stay in your campervan
You’ll be happy to know that there are tons of campgrounds near Portland all around Oregon.
Wild Camping
If you’re traveling on a tight budget, and don’t want to pay for campgrounds every night, it’s worth mentioning that it is possible to wild camp in Portland (aka park somewhere that is not an established campground).
But you can’t just park anywhere! Read our article on how to find free camping so you know the ins and outs and don’t wind up inadvertently breaking the law (yikes!) on your road trip.
Portland travel resources
Be sure to bookmark these additional articles because they will be a huge help as you plan your trip.
Portland Map: Our favorite spots!
Click on the map and enter your email to gain access to our custom Portland Map.
It’s filled with 100+ custom pins of everything on this list, plus our favorite eateries, day trips and more! We’d made personal notes for each pin and included many of our personal photos so you know exactly what to expect from each pinned location.
How to Spend 1 day in Portland
Wondering how to fit all these great recommendations into a single day? We did the legwork for you and came up with what we think is the perfect Portland itinerary for just one day.
First timer’s guide to Portland
If this is your first time visiting the City of Roses, you’ll want to read our First Timer’s guide which is packed with helpful information like how to get around and where to find the best eats.
Where to Stay in Portland
In this guide we break down the best neighborhoods in Portland to find short term accommodation when visiting. Plus, we’ve included our top recommendations for hotels and Airbnbs.
Day trips from Portland
There are so many places near Portland that you can go for a quick adventure or a weekend getaway, so we decided to do an entire round-up of our favorite Portland day trips. This guide is packed full of insider tips for where to go when you want to get out of the city.
Plan your trip to Oregon
Being that Oregon is our home state, we have TONS of content to help you plan your trip. Start with our Oregon Homepage and be sure to check out the articles below. Leave us a comment if you have any more questions!
- If you need more ideas, here are some incredible places to visit in Oregon.
- You’ll want to keep this Oregon road trip itinerary close by.
- Read up on all the fun things to do in Bend, Oregon (our hometown!)
- If you’re headed west, here are all the cutest Oregon Coast towns.
- Plan your Oregon coast road trip with our insider tips & map.
- Don’t skip Cannon Beach, our favorite small town in Oregon.
- Keep this list of our favorite things to do in Oregon handy.
- This article will help you visit the 7 wonders of Oregon.
Don’t miss your chance to grab our Campervan Rental Packing List!
If you’re planning a campervan road trip, we have the ultimate resource for you!
This FREE PDF download includes everything you’re going to want to pack for your campervan trip, including what NOT to bring, plus tons of insider tips!
Sign up for our campervan rental packing checklist now and get a copy sent straight to your inbox.
Save this article on Pinterest for later!
We want to hear from you!
Are you planning a road trip and still have questions about your Portland campervan rental options? Leave your comment below and we’ll do our best to get you the answers you’re looking for!