ViaTrec Road Trip Journal

“You can barely buy a bottle of water for $1… so how can you rent an RV for $1 a day?”

If you’re wondering whether it’s too good to be true, you’re not alone.

It’s one of the questions we hear most often.

The answer is simple: these aren’t traditional RV rentals. They’re one-way RV relocations.

What is an RV relocation?

RV rental companies regularly need to move vehicles between cities to meet customer demand.

For example, they may have too many RVs in Los Angeles and need more in Denver, Salt Lake City or New York. Rather than paying to transport empty vehicles across the country, they offer travellers the opportunity to drive them instead.

This helps the rental company reposition its fleet while giving travellers access to an incredible road trip at a fraction of the normal rental price.

Why are some relocations only $1 per day?

The rental company isn’t trying to make money from these trips.

Their priority is getting the vehicle to its next destination.

Paying a transport company or professional driver can cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars. Offering the vehicle to a traveller from as little as $1 per day is often the more economical option.

Not every relocation costs $1/day, but many are heavily discounted compared to a standard one-way RV rental.

So what’s involved?

Because this is still a rental vehicle, there are a few costs and requirements to be aware of.

When you book through ViaTrec:

• A $20 booking fee is charged when you make your reservation. This covers the booking and is non-refundable.
• A $75 booking deposit is also paid at the time of booking. This helps ensure customers are committed to collecting the vehicle, as the rental company is reserving it specifically for your relocation. Once you complete the relocation, this deposit is refunded by the rental company according to their refund process.
• When you collect the RV, the rental company places a refundable security bond (deposit) on your credit card, just like a standard RV rental. The amount varies depending on the supplier and vehicle.

You’ll also generally be responsible for expenses such as fuel, campsites, tolls and any optional extras during your trip.

Is this a scam?

No.

RV relocations have been around for many years and are offered by established rental companies across the USA and Canada.

The reason many people haven’t heard of them is simply because rental companies don’t always advertise relocation vehicles widely.

ViaTrec brings available relocation routes together in one place, making them easier to find and book.

Who are RV relocations best for?

They’re perfect if you:

• Love road trips.
• Have flexible travel dates.
• Are planning a one-way journey.
• Want to save hundreds—or even thousands—on an RV holiday.
• Enjoy discovering new places along the way.

Many travellers end up taking routes they never would have considered, turning a simple relocation into an unforgettable adventure.

The bottom line

If you’ve ever thought, “There’s no way an RV rental can cost $1 a day,” you’re right to ask the question.

The low price isn’t a gimmick—it’s because you’re helping a rental company move one of its vehicles to where it’s needed next.

Once you understand how RV relocations work, it makes perfect sense.

Browse the latest one-way RV relocation routes and discover where your next adventure could take you.