Why choose an RV for travelling in Canada?

I tried out an RV in Canada for the first time with my 2 daughters, aged 5 and 7, and it was genuinely an amazing experience. A year later, they're still talking about it and already asking when we can go again!

Since then, RVs have become one of my favourite options to suggest to travellers who want to explore Canada differently, whether they're families or couples. And for families with children roughly the same age as mine, I particularly recommend it.

1. No more packing and unpacking at every stop

On a 2 or 3-weeks road trip in Canada, an RV becomes your home for the entire journey. You settle in once, and then your belongings travel with you from one stop to the next.

For families and adults alike, this genuinely makes a difference:

• No need to pack and unpack your suitcases every time you move
• Everyone has their own space and belongings night after night
• You avoid all the hassle associated with repeatedly changing accommodation
• Children quickly make their own little corner in the RV

What struck me was how quickly my daughters made the RV their own right from the start of the trip. They had their own little world, and they especially loved their beds above the cab. For them, going to bed up there was an adventure in itself! Even a year later, they're still talking about it and asking when we're going again.

It's easy to overlook, but this excitement of travelling freely and having your own little home on wheels also thrills adults! For me, this feeling is a true synonym for the word 'holiday'.

2. Open the RV door and you're already outside

On a Canadian road trip, an RV makes the transition from driving to enjoying the outdoors far more natural. Once you're set up at the campsite, there's no extra planning needed to make the most of being outside: you just open the door.

Days quickly take on a different rhythm:

• You naturally spend more time outdoors
• Children can enjoy the campsite's facilities
• You can alternate between wilderness campsites and private sites with pools or play areas
• Evenings stretch out around a campfire instead of being confined to a hotel room

One of my fondest memories with my daughters is of the evening campfires. They absolutely loved those moments (and so did we, it must be said), especially when we got the marshmallows out! At the campsites, they could also be outside, running around and exploring near us. I knew where they were, but they still had that little sense of freedom that's harder to find in a hotel.

Compare available RVs here:

3. Children (and adults) with their noses glued to the window

In an RV, the miles between stops are no longer just time to pass. The higher seating position and large windows mean you can enjoy the passing scenery more, especially on Canada's scenic routes.

The journey itself becomes part of the adventure:

• You watch the landscapes change as you drive
• You get a clearer view from inside the cabin
• You chat more about what you're seeing around you
• And, with a bit of luck, you might even forget about screens for a few miles

I distinctly remember my daughters during the journeys, just gazing out of the large RV window. They watched the scenery roll by, and it truly felt like part of the experience. These are simple moments, but looking back, I think they perfectly sum up RV travel: even between destinations, something is always happening.

4. Chatting with your campsite neighbours

Travelling across Canada in an RV also means sharing campsites with locals and other travellers. You meet outside, it's easier to strike up a conversation, and sometimes, all it takes is needing a little help to get chatting.

These encounters are a real part of the experience:

• You share the same spaces, and much of life happens outdoors
• Opportunities to chat with your neighbours arise naturally
• You meet Canadians, as well as other travellers passing through
• A simple request for help can quickly become an opportunity for a good natter

I experienced this firsthand on my first trip. At one point, I simply couldn't get the RV cooker to work. I asked someone at the campsite for help, and they came right over. It’s a simple story, but that’s precisely what I loved about it: there seems to be something more human about travelling in an RV.

Our RV itineraries

Canada by Motorhome

4.53 (265 reviews)

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$1,175 / adult + vehicle

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• 15 days

The West by RV

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$1,695 / adult + vehicle

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Gaspésie by RV

4.3 (25 reviews)

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$902 / adult + vehicle

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• 14 days

5. Get behind the wheel, even if it’s your first time in an RV

When you see the size of an RV, you might quickly wonder if you’ll truly feel comfortable behind the wheel. It was a first experience for us too, and in the end, it was much easier to get the hang of than we’d imagined.

During our trip, we were particularly reassured by:

• how quickly we got used to driving the vehicle
• easy manoeuvres, even when reversing into campsites
• simple connections to make once set up
• finding our bearings quickly despite a 26-foot RV

We chose the CanaDream MHC, a 26-foot RV. My partner had never driven one before and absolutely loved the experience. Even reversing into our camping spot went smoothly. Honestly, it showed us that it’s much more accessible than you might think before you set off.

6. Keep your budget in check

An RV doesn't just offer a different way to travel; depending on your circumstances and itinerary, it can also help you save money. Having a kitchen on board means you can prepare some of your meals instead of eating out every day.

When it comes to your budget, an RV can make a big difference in several areas:

• you can cook directly on board
• it's easier to limit the number of restaurant meals
• the whole family travels and sleeps in the same vehicle
• for larger families, you can sometimes avoid booking two hotel rooms

I also see this when I'm planning trips for my clients. Recently, I was working on a quote for a family of five. Some accommodation options didn’t offer a suitable room for five, so sometimes they would have needed two rooms. And naturally, the budget quickly goes up.

It’s in these kinds of situations that I find an RV truly appealing: you need to compare the entire trip, not just the price of the vehicle against that of a hotel room.

So, travelling by RV in Canada: yes or no?

For me, it’s a definite yes. I tried it with my two daughters, and since then, it's an option I recommend much more readily to the travellers I help, especially families.

In fact, I recently found a satisfaction survey from a client who was torn between a car and an RV for her family trip. She thanked me for helping her choose the RV, even though it was her first experience. Of course, before you try it, you can have a lot of questions about driving, organisation, or life on a campsite. But once you’ve done it, you realise it's genuinely more accessible than you ever imagined.

As for us, we honestly loved the experience so much that we’re already planning to go again next year. Let me know what you think in the comments below!

And to find the best RV prices, you can compare here: