El Monte
Apollo
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Cruise America
Escaper Campervans

Chicago to Los Angeles One-Way Campervan Rental

Planning a road trip from Chicago to Los Angeles? Did you know you can rent a one-way RV rental? Compare vehicles from several RV rental companies.

Popular Campervans

Find the perfect camper for your travel needs.

Cruise America C19 Compact

C19 Compact

Cruise America

Automatic
Cruise America C30 Large

C30 Large Motorhome

Cruise America

Automatic
El Monte RV C28 Class C

C28 Class C

El Monte RV

Automatic
Escape 2-4 Berth Mavericks

2-4 Berth Mavericks

Escape

Automatic
Expedition Class C Thor Citation

Class C Thor Citation

Expedition

Automatic
Road Bear 28-30ft Class C

28-30ft Class C

Road Bear

Automatic

Not all vehicles may be available. Use the search tool to check availability for your travel dates.

Chicago to Los Angeles One Way Itinerary

Part Six: Amarillo, Texas to Santa Fe, New Mexico

Distance: Approximately 290 miles

Estimated Driving Time: About 4 to 4.5 hours

Attractions:

  • Santa Fe Plaza
  • Georgia O'Keeffe Museum
  • Loretto Chapel

Part Seven: Santa Fe, New Mexico to Albuquerque, New Mexico

Distance: Approximately 65 miles

Estimated Driving Time: About 1 hour

Attractions:

  • Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta Park
  • Old Town Albuquerque
  • Sandia Peak Tramway

Part Eight: Albuquerque, New Mexico to Petrified Forest National Park, Arizona

Distance: Approximately 220 miles

Estimated Driving Time: About 3.5 hours

Attractions:

  • Petrified Forest National Park
  • Painted Desert
  • Blue Mesa Trail

Part Nine: Petrified Forest National Park, Arizona to Flagstaff, Arizona

Distance: Approximately 160 miles

Estimated Driving Time: About 2.5 to 3 hours

Attractions:

  • Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff
  • Walnut Canyon National Monument
  • Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument

Part Ten: Flagstaff, Arizona to Grand Canyon Village, Arizona

Distance: Approximately 80 miles

Estimated Driving Time: About 1.5 to 2 hours

Attractions:

  • Grand Canyon National Park
  • South Rim Trail
  • Grand Canyon Desert View Watchtower

Part Eleven: Grand Canyon Village, Arizona to Sedona, Arizona

Distance: Approximately 110 miles

Estimated Driving Time: About 2 to 2.5 hours

Attractions:

  • Red Rock State Park
  • Chapel of the Holy Cross
  • Slide Rock State Park

Part Twelve: Sedona, Arizona to Phoenix, Arizona

Distance: Approximately 120 miles

Estimated Driving Time: About 2 to 2.5 hours

Attractions:

  • Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix
  • Heard Museum
  • Camelback Mountain

Part Thirteen: Phoenix, Arizona to Palm Springs, California

Distance: Approximately 265 miles

Estimated Driving Time: About 4 to 4.5 hours

Attractions:

  • Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
  • Joshua Tree National Park
  • The Living Desert Zoo & Gardens

Part One: Chicago, Illinois to St. Louis, Missouri

Distance: Approximately 300 miles

Estimated Driving Time: About 4.5 to 5 hours Attractions:

  • Gateway Arch in St. Louis
  • City Museum
  • Missouri Botanical Garden

Part Two: St. Louis, Missouri to Springfield, Missouri

Distance: Approximately 215 miles

Estimated Driving Time: About 3.5 hours

Attractions:

  • Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum
  • Wonders of Wildlife National Museum and Aquarium
  • Route 66 Car Museum

Part Three: Springfield, Missouri to Tulsa, Oklahoma

Distance: Approximately 215 miles

Estimated Driving Time: About 3 to 3.5 hours

Attractions:

  • Philbrook Museum of Art in Tulsa
  • Tulsa Botanic Garden
  • The Gathering Place

Part Four: Tulsa, Oklahoma to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Distance: Approximately 100 miles

Estimated Driving Time: About 1.5 to 2 hours

Attractions:

  • National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum
  • Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum
  • Myriad Botanical Gardens

Part Five: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma to Amarillo, Texas

Distance: Approximately 260 miles

Estimated Driving Time: About 3.5 to 4 hours

Attractions:

  • Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo
  • Big Texan Steak Ranch
  • Palo Duro Canyon State Park

Part Fourteen: Palm Springs, California to Los Angeles, California

Distance: Approximately 110 miles

Estimated Driving Time: About 2 to 2.5 hours

Attractions:

  • The Getty Center in Los Angeles
  • Universal Studios Hollywood
  • Griffith Observatory

Frequently Asked Questions

Is free camping allowed in the US?

Free camping is not universally allowed across the USA; it is typically permitted in designated areas and on many US Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management lands, subject to local rules.

Both the US Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management care for millions of acres of land where free camping is allowed.

Many retailers and casinos may also allow you to camp for a night in their car park with permission from the owner.

There are also truck stops and rest stops where you can park for a night, though rest-area rules vary by state and some prohibit overnight stays.

Does my motorhome come with unlimited mileage?

The majority of campervan hire suppliers in the US do not include unlimited miles as a standard hire inclusion.

In most cases, miles are charged per mile or via prepaid mileage packs (for example, 100-mile packs), and additional fees will apply if you exceed what you’ve purchased/allowed. Refund rules vary by supplier—some refund unused estimated mileage deposits, while others do not refund unused prepaid miles. Some suppliers do include unlimited miles as standard.

Check our comparison tool for details.

Can I travel from the US to Canada in my hired motorhome?

This depends on the company. Several suppliers will allow you to travel to Canada in your hire vehicle, including Road Bear, El Monte, Cruise America, Escape Rentals, Campervan North America and Travellers Autobarn (Canada entry fee applies).

Please contact support for information on other suppliers. You must comply with visa and customs requirements at all times.

Are there any restrictions on where I can take my RV in the US?

Most hire companies only allow their vehicles to be driven on sealed roads.

In addition, note the following restrictions regarding specific areas:

  • Mexico - Travel to Mexico is generally prohibited in hire vehicles; some suppliers (such as El Monte) may allow it under certain conditions and with additional insurance.
  • Death Valley - Restrictions can vary between suppliers. Some suppliers restrict travel during the hottest months of the year. Check with your hire supplier for full details.
  • New York City/Downtown Manhattan - Some hire suppliers restrict travel in or through Manhattan (and sometimes parts of NYC). Check your hire agreement for full details.
  • Canada - Motorhomes are generally allowed; however, travel to certain locations may be restricted during colder seasons.

If you take your vehicle where it is not permitted, you will be liable for all damage incurred, and an additional fine may be imposed.

Check your hire agreement for any further restrictions regarding your motorhome hire.

How much does it cost to stay at a campground or RV park?

A stay at an RV park will usually cost around $25–80 (USD) per night.

The cost of campgrounds has risen in recent years due to the popularity of RV vacations in the USA.

What are the differences between Class A, B, and C motorhomes?

A wide variety of campers are available in the US, from smaller estate cars up to large motorhomes. Some of the common types include:

  • Class A: (21-45 ft) The biggest and most expensive; can be hard to manoeuvre if you are new to driving motorhomes but often comes equipped with additional luxuries.

Class A motorhomes are built on either a vehicle chassis, commercial truck chassis, or a commercial bus chassis, and run on either diesel or petrol, depending on the type of engine.

Usually, Class A vehicles are fully equipped with all amenities and a large living space.

  • Class B: (17-19 ft) Small and affordable, easier to drive or manoeuvre. Class B vehicles are often known as campervans/conversions and are built on a smaller chassis than the Class A.

Some Class B vehicles may include a toilet or freshwater tanks but not always. Class B vehicles usually have basic cooking equipment, folding beds, and limited storage space.

Class B vehicles are great for short-term getaways.

  • Class C: (20-33 ft) Medium-sized, moderate storage space, and a few extra luxuries.

Class C vehicles are a smaller version of the Class A motorhome. They are built on a truck or van cutaway chassis and operate on a petrol-powered engine.

The Class C motorhome generally has sleeping quarters above the cab and more sleeping space in the back. Some Class Cs also have a slide-out option that helps increase the living space when the motorhome is parked.

Class C vehicles come equipped with a good amount of facilities including a self-contained toilet, refrigerator, heating or air conditioning and cooking facilities.

Class C vehicles are very versatile and are great for both short or long-term getaways.

Our comparison tool will show you the specifications of each vehicle available to ensure you find a camper suitable for your needs.

Note: policies vary from supplier to supplier. Always check the T&Cs for your rental.