If you’ve ever dreamed of taking an epic North American road trip but been put off by the cost of hiring an RV, you’re not alone.

Traditional RV rentals can easily cost $200–$500 per day, making a multi-week road trip expensive before you’ve even paid for fuel or campsites.

What many travellers don’t realise is that there’s another option.

Rental companies regularly need to move their RVs and campervans between cities to prepare for seasonal demand, maintenance, or fleet balancing. Instead of paying employees to relocate those vehicles, they sometimes offer them to travellers at heavily discounted rates.

These are known as RV relocations, and they’re one of the best travel hacks for exploring the USA on a budget.

What is an RV relocation?

An RV relocation is a one-way rental where you’re helping move a vehicle from one rental depot to another.

For example:

Los Angeles → Seattle
Miami → Chicago
San Francisco → Nashville
Denver → Chicago

The rental company already needs the vehicle moved.

Instead of driving it themselves, they make the relocation available to travellers.

In return, you may be able to rent the RV for as little as $1/day on selected routes.

Why are RV relocations so cheap?

It often sounds too good to be true, but there’s a simple reason.

Rental companies constantly reposition vehicles between locations because customer demand changes throughout the year.

Examples include:

RVs moving north for summer
Vehicles returning south before winter
Fleet balancing between busy depots
Moving new vehicles into service
Maintenance and operational requirements

Rather than paying staff to drive the vehicles, they offer relocation deals to travellers.

It’s a win-win:

The rental company gets the RV where it needs to go.
Travellers save thousands on rental costs.

How does ViaTrec work?

ViaTrec connects travellers with available RV and campervan relocation opportunities across the USA and Canada.

The process is simple:

Browse live relocation routes.
Choose a route that suits your travel plans.
Submit your booking request.
Receive confirmation from the rental company within 24 hours of submitting your booking request. Once confirmed, you’ll receive your rental agreement and vehicle details directly from the rental company.
Complete the online check in on the rental companies portal
Pick up your RV and start your adventure.

You’ll sign the rental agreement directly with the rental company, while ViaTrec helps you discover available relocation opportunities.

What vehicle will I receive?

The vehicle details shown on each relocation listing are intended to represent the type of RV available. Because relocations are driven by the rental company’s operational needs, the exact vehicle assigned to your booking may occasionally change before pickup.

For example, a rental company may need to substitute another vehicle to better meet relocation demand across its network. In rare cases, a vehicle may also need to be relocated so it can undergo minor repairs or cosmetic maintenance, such as a refrigerator repair or bodywork.

While the exact make, model or floor plan cannot always be guaranteed, you can be confident that the vehicle provided will:

Be safe and roadworthy.
Meet the number of seat belts listed on your booking.
Sleep the number of people advertised for that relocation.
Be suitable for completing the booked relocation.

Many travellers even receive a newer model or complimentary upgrade, although this can’t be guaranteed.

If having a specific floor plan, layout or RV model is essential to your trip, a standard RV rental may be a better fit. Relocations offer exceptional value because they prioritize the rental company’s operational requirements, so a little flexibility is part of the experience.

What costs should you expect?

Although some relocations are available from $1/day, there are still a few costs to understand.

Depending on the relocation, these may include:

A ViaTrec booking fee
A refundable holding deposit (returned after completing the relocation according to the rental company’s terms)
A refundable security bond held on your credit card by the rental company during your rental
Fuel
Campgrounds
Optional extras

Every relocation is different, so always read the listing carefully before booking.

Can I add extra rental days?

Often, yes.

Many rental companies allow you to extend your trip by adding extra rental days for a discounted daily rate, after the required relocation dates.

This gives you more time to explore national parks, small towns and scenic highways along the way.

Availability varies by route, so if you’re hoping to spend a few extra days exploring, it’s worth looking for relocations that offer additional rental days.

Why flexibility gives you the best deals

One of the biggest secrets to getting amazing relocation deals is being flexible.

Unlike traditional rentals, relocation routes are created because of operational needs.

That means:

routes can appear at short notice (most are listed the week before the pick up date)
new opportunities are added regularly
some routes disappear quickly once booked
pickup dates may have limited flexibility

Travellers who can adjust their travel dates by a few days often have access to many more relocation opportunities.

If you’re planning a road trip around a relocation rather than expecting the relocation to fit perfectly around your plans, you’ll usually find the best value.

Can relocations ever be cancelled?

Occasionally, yes.

Although uncommon, relocations exist because of the rental company’s operational requirements. Those requirements can sometimes change unexpectedly.

For example:

the vehicle may already have been relocated
a customer may extend their original rental
maintenance issues may take a vehicle out of service
fleet requirements may change
the vehicle may need to be substituted or reassigned to meet changing operational requirements

If this happens, the rental company may need to cancel the relocation before pickup.

While cancellations are frustrating, they are a normal part of fleet management and are not unique to ViaTrec.

The good news is that they’re relatively uncommon, and rental companies work hard to avoid them.

If your travel plans are flexible, it also becomes much easier to move to another available relocation should a cancellation occur.

Our recommendation: avoid booking non-refundable flights or accommodation until your relocation has been confirmed by the rental company.

Who are RV relocations best for?

Relocations are perfect for travellers who enjoy flexibility and adventure.

They are especially popular with:

Road trip enthusiasts
Budget-conscious travellers
Couples
Families
Digital nomads
Working holiday makers
International visitors
Photographers and outdoor lovers

If you’ve always wanted to drive America’s iconic highways without paying full RV rental prices, relocations can be an incredible option.

Where can you go?

Routes change regularly, but popular departures often include cities such as:

Los Angeles
San Francisco
Seattle
Denver
Miami
Las Vegas
Calgary
Vancouver
Toronto

Destinations vary throughout the year depending on rental company demand.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are RV relocations legitimate?

Yes. RV relocations have been offered by rental companies around the world for many years. They are a legitimate way of moving vehicles between rental depots while giving travellers access to heavily discounted one-way rentals.

Why would a rental company rent an RV for $1/day?

Because relocating the vehicle is something they already need to do. Offering discounted relocations can be much less expensive than paying staff or transport companies to move the vehicle.

Will I receive the exact RV shown in the listing?

Not always. The exact vehicle may occasionally change before pickup due to operational requirements or maintenance scheduling. However, the rental company guarantees that the vehicle will be safe to drive and will provide at least the number of seat belts and sleeping capacity shown in the listing.

Can anyone book a relocation?

Requirements vary depending on the rental company, but you’ll generally need to meet their driver’s licence, age, insurance and rental eligibility requirements.

Are relocations available all year?

Yes, although availability changes constantly.

Routes are added whenever rental companies need vehicles relocated.

Some seasons have significantly more relocations than others.

How quickly do routes sell out?

Popular routes can book very quickly.

If you find a route that matches your travel plans, it’s usually worth securing it sooner rather than later.

Start Your Next Road Trip

Browse RV Relocation Routes

RV relocations offer one of the most affordable ways to experience the USA and Canada by road.

Whether you’re planning to drive the Pacific Coast, explore the Rocky Mountains or cross the country, relocating an RV could save you thousands while turning the journey itself into the adventure.

Browse the latest one-way RV and campervan relocation opportunities and discover where your next road trip could take you.

Browse current RV and campervan relocation opportunities across the United States.