Campervan hire in Los Angeles made simple for surf seekers and road trip lovers. Cruise the Pacific Coast Highway to Big Sur, wander into the deserts of Joshua Tree, or begin a Route 66 journey from the iconic Santa Monica Pier. Choose from our Adventure, California, Active, or Comfort range, all with unlimited kilometres, one-way travel options, and practical extras like BBQ kits, child seats, and surf racks to enhance your experience. Backed by thousands of 4.7-star reviews, Indie Campers is trusted by travellers across the U.S.
Our Road Trips Itineraries
Los Angeles's position between coast, desert, and mountains makes it ideal for diverse road trips. Here's what you can reach:
Here's what sets us apart:
Unlimited kilometres – Los Angeles to San Francisco (615km), Los Angeles to Las Vegas and back (900km return trip), Los Angeles to Yosemite (450km), drive without distance caps. Critical in the Western US where distances are vast.
Flexible one-way hire – Drop off in San Francisco, Las Vegas, Phoenix, or
April-May and September-October are ideal. Southern California has mild year-round weather, but spring and autumn offer comfortable temps for both beach and desert/mountain trips without extreme heat or summer crowds.
Spring (March to May)
Temperatures: 15-20°C (March), 18-24°C (May)
Rainfall: Low (25-40mm/month, mostly March)
Excellent season. Wildflower blooms in desert (March-April after winter rains—Anza-Borrego, Antelope Valley poppy fields). Mild temps perfect for Joshua Tree, Death Valley before extreme heat kicks in. Yosemite waterfalls at peak flow (May). Less crowded than summer. Some higher elevation roads still closed (Tioga Pass in Yosemite until late May). Occasional spring rain in March. Easter week and Memorial Day weekend (late May) see price spikes and campground bookings. Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival (Indio, 160 km east of LA, mid-April, 2 weekends) draws massive crowds, campervan hire spike 40-50%, book 3-4 months ahead, many use LA as base or camp near festival grounds.
Best for: Desert parks (Joshua Tree, Death Valley), wildflower viewing, Yosemite waterfalls, beach weather without summer crowds, shoulder season pricing, Coachella festival access.
Summer (June to August)
3 to 5 Days
Joshua Tree & Palm Springs (450km return trip, 3-4 days)
Day 1: LA → Joshua Tree (225km) - Explore park, camp at Jumbo Rocks
Day 2: Full day Joshua Tree - Hiking, climbing, stargazing
Day 3: Joshua Tree → Palm Springs (65km) - Desert Hot Springs, aerial tramway
Day 4: Return to LA via I-10
San Diego & Coastal Route (550km return trip, 4 days)
Day 1: LA → San Diego via I-5 (190km) - Beaches, Balboa Park
Day 2: San Diego exploring - Old Town, Coronado, Gaslamp Quarter
Day 3: San Diego → LA via PCH/Highway 1 (220km) - Laguna Beach, Dana Point
Day 4: LA
Fuel Stations
Average diesel price: $1.11-1.27/L (LA area typically $0.20-0.40 more than Central Valley)
California fuel notes:
Requirements
What's Included
Seasonal Considerations
Speed Limits
Enforcement: California Highway Patrol (CHP) active on motorways. Speeding tickets $200-500+ depending on speed over limit. Many urban areas have automated speed cameras in construction zones.
campervan-specific limits: Some mountain roads (e.g., routes to Yosemite, Big Sur hills) post lower limits for trucks/campervans. Follow posted limits—grades can be steep.
Road Conditions
campervan hire: $850-1,800 (varies by season/vehicle size, special events increase prices 30-50%)
Fuel: $280-450 (diesel $1.11-1.27/L, 600-1,287 km typical week, 19.6-29.4 L/100km = 50-379 L)
Propane: $30-60 (if refill needed mid-trip)
Tolls (if used): $10-30 (optional in California, mostly avoidable)
Campgrounds: $210-665 ($30-95/night × 7, national parks cheaper, beach caravan parks most expensive)
Food: $250-500 (groceries vs restaurants, restaurants $20-40/person)
Activities: $150-400 (National park entry fees $30-35/vehicle, museum entries $15-30, tours/activities $20-60)
Parking: $40-100 (beach areas, some trailheads, $10-20/day)
Total estimates:
Budget: $1,850 (smaller campervan, cook all meals, free/cheap camping like BLM/national forest dispersed sites, national parks, hiking/free activities)
Los Angeles → San Francisco (615km, 6 hours via I-5 or 8-10 hours via Highway 1) - Tech hub, Golden Gate, wine country
Los Angeles → Las Vegas (435km, 4 hours via I-15) - Entertainment, Grand Canyon access, desert base
Los Angeles → Phoenix (600km, 6 hours via I-10) - Arizona, Sedona, Grand Canyon routes
Los Angeles → San Diego (190km, 2 hours via I-5) - Beaches, Baja California access (short drop-off)
Los Angeles → Denver (1,600km, 16-18 hours, allow 8-10 days) - Rockies, multi-state road trip
Los Angeles combines urban beaches (Santa Monica, Venice) and Hollywood glamour with unmatched access to the American West's most iconic landscapes, Joshua Tree in 2.5 hours, Yosemite in 5 hours, Big Sur's coastal cliffs in 4 hours, and Death Valley's otherworldly terrain in 4 hours. Add proximity to major festivals (Coachella, EDC) and year-round sporting events (Lakers, Dodgers, Rams), and you're positioned at the centre of California culture and adventure. You're not choosing between city or wilderness, you get both.
Most importantly, LA's central West Coast position means you can drive to San Francisco's culture, Las Vegas's entertainment, San Diego's year-round sunshine, or Arizona's red rocks without extreme detours. Unlimited kilometres and one-way hire open routes from Pacific beaches to Rocky Mountains, even cross-country journeys on historic Route 66 to
The roads are excellent. I-5 is fast but traffic-heavy, avoid LA rush hours (6-10am, 3-7pm). Highway 1 (Pacific Coast Highway/PCH) is scenic but slow and winding. I-10 east to desert is smooth. CA-99 to Yosemite flows well outside LA traffic. FasTrak electronic toll lanes on some motorways ($2-15 depending on traffic). petrol stations plentiful except desert/mountain areas—fuel up before Death Valley or Sequoia.
Kitchen kits included – Full cooking equipment. US national park restaurants are expensive ($20-35 per person). Cooking saves significantly, especially on multi-week trips.
24/7 roadside assistance – Across the US.
Pet-friendly options – Many California campgrounds welcome dogs. Bring your pet on the road trip (confirm pet policy when booking).
Temperatures: 24-29°C coastal, 35-40°C inland/desert
Rainfall: Near zero (June Gloom—coastal fog mornings)
Peak season with maximum availability and activities. Beaches active, festivals, long daylight hours (sunset 8pm). Coastal areas have "June Gloom"—morning fog/overcast, burns off by noon creating perfect afternoon beach weather. Mountains and high elevation parks (Yosemite, Sequoia) offer cool escapes with comfortable temps and spectacular hiking. Note: Desert parks (Joshua Tree, Death Valley) extremely hot (40-50°C), best saved for cooler months. Traffic increases on popular routes. Book campgrounds 3-4 months ahead for prime locations. Fourth of July weekend brings celebrations and fireworks at beaches. Higher prices (30-50% premium July-August) reflect peak demand. EDC Las Vegas (Electric Daisy Carnival, 435km from LA, mid-May) draws festival-goers, campervan demand spikes around these events.
Best for: Beach camping, coastal drives (Big Sur, Santa Barbara), mountain parks (Yosemite, Sequoia), long daylight, guaranteed dry weather, family holidays (school break), festival season. Focus on coast and mountains; save desert exploration for fall/winter/spring.
Autumn (September to October)
Temperatures: 24-28°C (September), 20-24°C (October)
Rainfall: Near zero (dry season continues)
Best overall season. Warm, dry weather without summer heat. Crowds thin after Labour Day (early September), prices drop 20-30%, campgrounds easier to book. September has ideal temps for desert parks (Joshua Tree, Death Valley still warm but manageable). October perfect for all destinations. Autumn foliage limited (Southern California stays green year-round except high elevations). Wine harvest season in Paso Robles, Temecula (September-October). After Halloween, availability increases dramatically, lowest prices of year.
Best for: Desert parks re-open to comfortable temps, beach weather, Big Sur drives, wine harvest experiences, fewer tourists, shoulder season pricing, flexible last-minute bookings.
Winter (November to February)
Temperatures: 18-22°C coastal, 5-15°C mountains, cold desert nights
Rainfall: Moderate to high (60-100mm/month Dec-Feb)
Off-peak but viable season for coastal trips. Mild temps, lowest prices (40-50% below summer), empty campgrounds, winter storms bring rain (mostly December-February). Mountains get snow—Yosemite roads close (Tioga Pass closed November-May), Sequoia limited access. Desert parks excellent (Joshua Tree, Death Valley comfortable days, cold nights 0-5°C). Whale watching season (grey whales migrate December-April along coast). Holiday weeks (Christmas, New Year's) see price spikes. January-February rainiest months—check forecasts, some campgrounds close for maintenance.
Best for: Budget travellers, desert camping (Death Valley, Joshua Tree), whale watching, avoiding crowds, coastal drives in dry spells, experienced campers comfortable with variable weather. Not ideal for mountain parks.
Most popular months: July, August, September, October (70% of annual hire).
7 to 10 Days
California Desert & National Parks Loop (1,600km, 8-9 days)
LA → Joshua Tree (2 nights) → Death Valley (2 nights, 300km from Joshua Tree) → Las Vegas (1 night, 200km) → return via I-15 (370km to LA). Or continue to Sequoia/Kings Canyon (add 2 nights, 450km from Death Valley).
Pacific Coast Highway (1,400km, 9-10 days)
LA → Santa Barbara (1 night) → Big Sur (2 nights) → Monterey/Carmel (1 night) → Santa Cruz (1 night) → San Francisco (2-3 nights) → return via inland route (I-5, 615km) or one-way drop-off.
Yosemite & Sierra Nevada (1,800km, 8-10 days)
LA → Sequoia/Kings Canyon (2 nights, 370km) → Yosemite (3 nights, 250km) → Mono Lake/Eastern Sierra (1 night, 150km) → Death Valley (2 nights, 400km) → return to LA (360km).
14+ Days
Grand Circle Road Trip (3,500km+, 14-18 days)
LA → Joshua Tree → Grand Canyon (700km from Joshua Tree) → Monument Valley → Arches/Canyonlands (Utah) → Zion → Las Vegas → Death Valley → return to LA. Classic American Southwest loop.
California Coast to National Parks (2,800km, 16-18 days)
LA → San Diego (2 nights) → Joshua Tree (2 nights) → Death Valley (2 nights) → Sequoia/Kings Canyon (2 nights) → Yosemite (3 nights) → San Francisco (2 nights) → Big Sur (2 nights) → Santa Barbara → return to LA.
West Coast Epic (4,000km+, 21+ days)
LA → San Diego → Arizona (Sedona, Grand Canyon) → Las Vegas → Death Valley → Yosemite → San Francisco → PCH north to Oregon/Washington → return. One-way drop-off in San Francisco, Portland, or Seattle recommended.
Most travellers find 7-10 days ideal for LA + 2-3 major destinations (Big Sur + Yosemite, or Joshua Tree + Death Valley + Vegas).
Propane Refill Stations
Propane notes: Critical for campervan travel, powers fridge, stove, heating, sometimes generator. National parks don't have propane, refill in cities before heading to remote areas. Typical campervan tank 20-114 L, costs $60-120 to fill from empty.
Dump Stations
Most California state parks and private campgrounds allow non-guest dumps $10-20.
Helpful Apps
Driving Culture
Alcohol Limit: 0.08% BAC (0.00% for drivers under 21). DUI fines $1,000-10,000+, licence suspension, jail time possible. Checkpoints common on holiday weekends.
campervan-Specific
Mountain driving: Use lower gears on downgrades (steep descents to Yosemite Valley, Big Sur hills). Don't ride brakes—overheating risk.
California is expensive, fuel and campgrounds cost more than most US states. Death Valley/desert trips cheaper (fuel sparse but camping cheap). Coast trips pricier (beach campgrounds $75-155/night).
One-way fees vary. Confirm availability and fees when booking.
Over 28,000 travellers hired campervans from Los Angeles last year, with April-May and September-October being particularly popular for desert wildflowers and fall road trips. Find your campervan and start planning your California adventure.
In general, a special licence is not required to hire our campervans in Los Angeles. However, a valid driving licence is required to operate our vehicles. For some non-EU citizens, a IDP is required, in addition to their home country's driver's licence. Other considerations such as a valid vehicle licence to the vehicle type (manual or automatic) will also be required. For more information regarding our licence requirements read this.
Yes, our campervans are pet-friendly. Just make sure to purchase the extra cleaning service during your booking. This service includes professional anti-allergic cleaning after your trip. Please note that only one pet is allowed per motorhome, and it must weigh no more than 30kg. Keep in mind, we are not responsible for any legal fees related to travelling with your pet. For marketplace bookings, check the "vehicle rules" section for the pet-friendly icon to confirm if pets are allowed in that specific vehicle.
The number of people who can sleep in our campervans will depend on the size of the vehicle and the model. In general, our class C motorhome models can sleep up to 4-8 people, whereas our class B motorhomes can sleep up to 2-4. For cars with a rooftop tent, around 2 people can sleep in this vehicles. More details on our models and sleeping capacities can be found here.
If you are travelling in a campervan, motorhome or caravan around Los Angeles, it is important to understand official camping rules of the country you are visiting. As natural areas are generally protected by laws, using an official campsite or designated overnight parking area is highly recommended. This helps protect local communities and ensures you can all enjoy safely. Read more safety tips and protocols here.
We offer three protection plans to cover incidents and damages during your hire period. All Indie Campers motorhomes come with insurance for third-party vehicles and property damage (valid insurance will depend on the country). For marketplace vehicles, insurance options may vary based on the host.
Learn more about our protection plans here.
Yes, our search filter allows you to find a campervan near your location using a 60km radius system. This means depending on the location you are searching from, you will be able to find an Indie campervan hire pick-up centre near you.
Yes, a selected number of Indie Campers campervan hire in Los Angeles include unlimited kilometres, allowing you to explore freely and make the most of your road trip! Please note that unlimited kilometres applies exclusively to Indie Campers campervans and is subject to responsible use.
Our Road Trips Itineraries
Campervans, Motorhomes & Campervans for Every Kind of Traveller
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“indiecampers made us happy! nice trip. thanks!”
“Pick up was great. The person that helped me was very informative and friendly and answered all questions. Drop off was quick as well. ”
“The wrangler was super fun and had everything we needed for a good camping trip”
