A 30-foot Cruise America motorhome one way from Chicago to Boston (Hampton, NH) for $9 a night, about $130 for 7 nights with 2,000 free miles
Cruise America is moving motorhomes out of its Chicago (East Dundee) lot for resale and renting them one way for $9 a night: the 30-foot Large RV (sleeps up to 7) to Boston (Hampton, NH) comes with up to 7 nights, 2,000 free miles, a $400 fuel credit and no drop fee. Adding the $50 prep fee, $9.95 environment fee and 6% state tax that its regular rentals carry, that's about $130. The same RV from the same lot for Nov 2–9 is $983.63 at the regular rate (round trip, 700 miles), and one-ways on this route aren't sold online at all.
- 30-foot Large RV for up to 7 nights, one way
- 2,000 free miles
- $400 fuel credit
- No drop fee
The catches
What you pay
| Item | Basis | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Relocation rate (7 nights × $9)Required | per RV, per the offer | $63 |
| Prep fee (estimate: as charged on regular rentals from this lot)Approx. | estimate; confirm by phone whether it applies to the special | ~$50 |
| Environment fee (estimate: as charged on regular rentals)Approx. | estimate; confirm by phone | ~$10 |
| State tax, 6% (estimate)Approx. | estimate: 6% of the above, the rate on Cruise America's regular quote from this lot | ~$7 |
| Total | Whole RV, one way, up to 7 nights: $63 rental plus the prep fee, environment fee and 6% tax shown on Cruise America's regular quote from the same lot (our estimate for the special) | $130 |
| Fuel (about 1,050 miles; Cruise America gives a $400 fuel credit)Not included | bought separately; our rough estimate is under $400 at ~9 mpg, so the credit should cover most or all of it | |
| Kitchen kit ($125) and personal kits ($75 each)Not included | regular-rental prices; bring your own bedding and cookware instead | |
| Zero Damage Plan ($24.95 a night)Not included | regular-rental price | |
| Getting home from Hampton, NHNot included | not included | |
| Campgrounds and foodNot included | not included | |
| Refundable security depositNot included | $2,000 held at pickup, returned after drop-off |
How to book it
- Call Cruise America at (800) 671-8042 and ask for the $9-a-night 'Relocation from Chicago' one-way to Boston (Hampton), NH in the 30-foot Large RV.
- Pick a Monday–Friday departure that gets the RV to Hampton by Dec 1; ask which fees and taxes apply and how the $400 fuel credit is paid.
- Pay the $300 reservation deposit and bring a card for the $2,000 security deposit at pickup in East Dundee.
Why it's this cheap
Cruise America needs these motorhomes at its sales lots and would otherwise pay to move them; renting them one way for a token $9 a night costs it less than a driver.
Why it's a steal
GOOD COMPARISONCruise America's own online quote for a Large RV from Chicago (E Dundee), Nov 2–9 (7 nights): $595 rental + 700 estimated miles at 39¢ ($273) + $50 prep fee + $9.95 environment fee + $55.68 state tax = $983.63. The regular quote is a round trip with 700 miles; the special is one way with 2,000 free miles and no drop fee. Cruise America doesn't sell one-ways from Chicago to Hampton, Manassas or Seattle online at all, so a regular one-way (if offered by phone) would cost more. The special must be booked by phone, departs Mon–Fri only and needs a $2,000 security deposit ($500 on regular rentals). Standard (25-foot) RV, same lot and dates: $899.95 + tax for the rental before miles.
Evidence trail
| Source | What we checked | Checked |
|---|---|---|
| Cruise America deal page re-checked | Chicago (E Dundee) to Boston (Hampton), NH, 30' Large still listed at $9/night: depart beginning Oct 7, return by Dec 1, 2026, 7 nights allowed, 2,000 free miles, $400 fuel credit. | Nov 11, 7:57 AM ET |
| Cruise America online quote: Large RV, E Dundee, Nov 2–9 | 7 nights $595; 700 est. miles $273 (39¢/mi); prep fee $50; environment fee $9.95; subtotal $927.95; state tax $55.68; total $983.63; $500 security deposit; $300 down payment. Standard RV $899.95 + tax before miles. One-way quotes E Dundee→Hampton NH, →Manassas VA, →Everett WA: 'one-way rentals aren't available between the locations you selected'. | Oct 26, 6:12 PM ET |
| Deposit and down-payment terms | FAQ says $300 reservation down payment is applied to rental fees and nonrefundable on confirmation. Promotion lists $2,000 refundable security deposit. Reconciliation when final fees are below $300 is not stated. | Oct 18, 10:36 AM ET |
