Campervan and RV 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 miles, 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 mileage – Los Angeles to San Francisco (615km), Los Angeles to Las Vegas and back (900km round trip), Los Angeles to Yosemite (450km), drive without distance caps. Critical in the Western US where distances are vast.
Flexible one-way hires – 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, 160km/100 miles east of LA, mid-April, 2 weekends) draws massive crowds, RV hires 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 round 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 round 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: $4.20-4.80/gallon (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 freeways. Speeding tickets $200-500+ depending on speed over limit. Many urban areas have automated speed cameras in construction zones.
RV-specific limits: Some mountain roads (e.g., routes to Yosemite, Big Sur hills) post lower limits for trucks/RVs. Follow posted limits—grades can be steep.
Road Conditions
RV hire: $850-1,800 (varies by season/vehicle size, special events increase prices 30-50%)
Fuel: $280-450 (diesel $4.20-4.80/gallon, 600-800 miles typical week, 8-12 mpg = 50-100 gallons)
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 RV 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 RV, 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 mileage and one-way hires 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 freeways ($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, RV 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 autumn/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 Labor 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 hires).
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 RV travel, powers fridge, stove, heating, sometimes generator. National parks don't have propane, refill in cities before heading to remote areas. Typical RV tank 20-30 gallons, 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.
RV-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 RVs from Los Angeles last year, with April-May and September-October being particularly popular for desert wildflowers and autumn road trips. Find your RV and start planning your California adventure.
For most travelers, a special licence is not necessary to hire a campervan in Los Angeles. A valid driving licence is required, though, to operate any of our vehicles. If you are a non-EU citizen, an International Driving Permit (IDP) may be required in addition to your home country’s driving licence. Additionally, your licence must match the transmission type of the vehicle (manual or automatic). You can find more details about driving licence requirements here.
Yes, our campervans are pet-friendly. Just be sure to add the extra cleaning service when booking. This ensures a professional anti-allergy cleaning is carried out after your trip. Please note that only one pet is allowed per campervan, and it must not exceed 30kg in weight. Also, we are not liable for any legal fees related to traveling with pets. If you’re booking through our marketplace, check the “vehicle rules” section to confirm if the vehicle is pet-friendly.
The sleeping capacity of our campervans and motorhomes varies depending on the model and size. Our Class C motorhomes can typically accommodate 4 to 8 people, while our Class B campervans can sleep between 2 to 4 people. Vehicles equipped with a rooftop tent generally have space for around 2 people. For a full breakdown of our models and sleeping capacities, click here.
If you're exploring Los Angeles in a campervan rental, it's essential to be aware of the country’s official camping regulations. Many natural areas are legally protected, so using designated overnight parking spots or official campsites is strongly recommended. This not only helps preserve the environment but also ensures a safe and enjoyable experience. For more guidance on safety and responsible camping, click here.
We provide three different protection plans to cover any incidents or damages that might occur during your campervan rental. All Indie Campers campervans come with third-party vehicle insurance, and property damage coverage (which varies based on the country). For marketplace rentals, insurance options may differ depending on the host. For further details on campervan insurance, visit this page.
Yes, our search filter makes it easy to rent a campervan close to your location by using a 60km radius system. Depending on where you're searching from, you can quickly find the nearest Indie Campers campervan rental pick-up centre.
Yes, a selected number of Indie Campers RV rentals in Los Angeles include unlimited mileage, allowing you to explore freely and make the most of your road trip! Please note that unlimited mileage applies exclusively to Indie Campers RVs and is subject to responsible use.
Start your Roadtrip with a Motorhome
“Perfect. Nice people helping you. ”
“Pick up was great. The person that helped me was very informative and friendly and answered all questions. Drop off was quick as well. ”
“Had to buy a new fresh water hose. Other than that, all good. Van worked great on our road trip to California national parks. ”
Our Road Trips Itineraries
Our Campervans
