See how Blacksford and Cruise America stack up before booking your next road trip.
Blacksford and Cruise America both rent RVs for road trips, but each company has a different approach to vehicles, pricing, and customer service.
Cruise America has more rental locations, generally lower starting rates, and more one-way rental options.
Blacksford specializes in newer, low-mileage RVs with unlimited mileage, included camping supplies, free airport transportation, and personal 24/7 support.
Here’s how the two companies compare and what to consider when choosing an RV for your trip.
Blacksford vs. Cruise America: Quick Glance
Rates, vehicle availability, and rental policies can change. Always compare quotes for your actual travel dates and itinerary.
Cost Comparisons
Cruise America’s lower nightly rates can make it an attractive option, especially for short trips or renters who bring their own camping supplies.
Blacksford’s nightly rates can sometimes be higher, but they include items and services that Cruise America charges separately for.
Nightly rates and mileage charges
Cruise America’s rental prices run about $80–$300+ per night, while Blacksford’s range is $250–$350 per night. Rates for both companies vary by location, season, and vehicle type.
One important difference is mileage.
Cruise America charges $0.39 per mile. Your charges are based on an estimate of 100 miles/night for round-trip trips and 250 miles/night for one-way rentals. But these aren't free miles—they're estimates for billing, and the charges are adjusted based on how far you actually drive.
Blacksford includes unlimited mileage with every rental.
For example, on a seven-night trip covering 1,000 miles:
Cruise America: $390 in mileage charges.
Blacksford: No additional mileage charges.
Cruise America’s lower nightly rates may make it cheaper for shorter trips with less driving. On longer road trips, mileage charges can add up quickly.
Cruise America sometimes has mileage promotions, so check current rates when comparing quotes.
Generator use
Cruise America charges $3.50 per hour for generator use, or renters can sometimes choose unlimited use for $8 per day (plus tax).
Blacksford doesn't charge for generator use, which is helpful when you're camping off-grid (without electrical hookups) and need to run appliances or air conditioning.
If you're mostly staying at RV parks with electrical hookups, generator fees may not add much to your costs.
Bedding, dishes, and camping supplies
Every Blacksford rental includes the following at no extra charge:
Linens: Professionally cleaned bedding, towels, pillows, and blankets
Kitchenware: cookware, drinkware, dishes, and utensils
Coffee maker
Camp chairs
For more, see everything included in a Blacksford rental.
“Sheets, blankets, cooking utensils, camp chairs. Just get in and drive.”
Cruise America’s standard rentals don’t include bedding, towels, or cookware. Customers can bring their own equipment or reserve optional kits:
Personal Kit, $75/person: Bedding, a pillow, towels, and other personal essentials.
Vehicle Provisioning Kit, $125: Cookware, dishes, utensils, and basic kitchen equipment.
For a couple renting both kits, that’s an additional $275.
Cruise America customers can save money by packing their own supplies. Blacksford’s included essential supplies are especially convenient if you’re flying in and picking up your RV rental.
Compare the total price, not just the nightly rate
When comparing rental quotes, look at the total cost for a similar-sized RV, the same travel dates, and the same itinerary.
For a couple taking a seven-night, 1,000-mile trip (like Vegas to Zion, Arches, and the Grand Canyon), Cruise America’s mileage charges, bedding, and kitchen kits alone would add $665 to the base rental price.
Blacksford’s unlimited mileage and included supplies wouldn’t add those additional costs.
How Do the RVs Compare?
Cruise America rents a handful of standard motorhome models, while Blacksford has a wider variety of newer Winnebago, Thor, and Nexus RVs, from compact camper vans to larger motorhomes that sleep up to eight people.
RV sizes, layouts, and sleeping capacity
Blacksford’s Winnebago EKKO
Cruise America RV. Credit: BrokenSphere - Own work, via Wikimedia, CC BY-SA 3.0
Cruise America RV’s range from 21–30 feet long and the largest sleeps up to seven people. Their standard RVs don't have slide-outs (which expand the living area when parked,), while several Blacksford models do.
Blacksford's RV fleet includes:
Winnebago Solis PX (sleeps 4): Compact camper van with a kitchenette, wet bath, and pop-top bed
Winnebago EKKO (sleeps 4): All-wheel-drive RV with a kitchenette, wet bath, and pop-top bed
Winnebago View 24D (sleeps 5): Full kitchen, private bath & shower, slide-out, Murphy bed
Winnebago Sunflyer 24GG (sleeps 4–5): Full kitchen, separate shower, convertible king bed, large storage area
Nexus Triumph 24TS (sleeps 5): Full kitchen, private bath & separate shower, slide-out
Thor Quantum LC28 (sleeps 7): Full kitchen, private bath & separate shower, slide-out
Nexus Triumph 29T (sleeps 8): Full kitchen with oven, private bath & separate shower, slide-out, king bed.
Smaller RVs can be easier to drive and park, particularly on narrow roads or in campgrounds with limited space. Larger models may be more comfortable for families spending several nights at the same campground.
Vehicle age and condition
Blacksford rents newer, low-mileage RVs, while Cruise America's larger fleet includes vehicles of varying ages and mileage.
Cruise America doesn't publish the average age or mileage of its rental fleet, so a direct comparison isn't possible.
Blacksford customers often mention the condition of their RVs in reviews.
“...the RV we selected looked, smelled and rode like it was brand new, like seriously brand new.”
Rental Locations and Trip Flexibility
One of Cruise America’s biggest advantages is its number of locations.
The company rents RVs across much of the United States and in Canada. That gives customers more options for where to begin a trip, particularly if they’re departing from a city outside the western United States.
Blacksford operates from four regional rental hubs:
Seattle: Convenient for Olympic National Park, Mount Rainier, the North Cascades, Vancouver, and Pacific Northwest road trips.
Bozeman: A starting point for Yellowstone, Grand Teton, Glacier, Banff, and Lake Louise.
Las Vegas: Customers visit Zion, Bryce Canyon, Grand Canyon, Joshua Tree, Death Valley, and Northern California.
Phoenix: For road trips to Sedona, the Grand Canyon, Monument Valley, Chiricahua National Park, and Saguaro National Park.
Blacksford concentrates its vehicles and staff in these regions rather than trying to serve every major city.
One-way vs. round-trip RV rentals
Cruise America allows one-way rentals between participating locations, making it a good choice for cross-country trips.
Blacksford primarily rents RVs for round-trip travel from its four hubs. One-way rentals between hubs may be available with advance approval, depending on the route and vehicle availability. Additional fees may apply.
Airport pickup and drop-off
Blacksford includes free airport pickup and drop-off at all four rental locations. A team member picks you up at the airport, drives you to your RV, and takes you back to the airport after your trip.
Cruise America generally requires renters to arrange their own airport transportation (many use taxis or ride-share services). Its optional Early Bird Departure Special includes transport from designated hotels and return transport to a hotel or airport, for a fee at certain locations.
For travelers flying in with kids and luggage, Blacksford's included transportation makes getting started and heading home a little easier.
Customer Service and Support During Your Trip
Both Cruise America and Blacksford have 24/7 customer support, but their approaches and customer experiences are different.
Getting familiar with your RV before departure
Cruise America requires a vehicle orientation that typically lasts 30 minutes to an hour. The company also has instructional videos and guides to help renters learn how to operate the RV.
Blacksford gives every renter an in-person walkthrough covering the RV's features, electrical systems, water tanks, hookups, and other equipment. There's plenty of time to ask questions, which first-time renters find especially helpful.
Help on the road
Cruise America has a national 24/7 traveler assistance line for questions and problems during your trip.
Blacksford gives renters a direct phone number for their local manager, who knows their specific RV. Customers can call or text anytime they need help.
One Blacksford customer, describing a trip through Zion, Bryce Canyon, and the Grand Canyon's North Rim, said:
“She was like our personal concierge for the whole trip, if we needed help with anything or didn’t know how to work something in the RV, we just called her directly.”
Both companies have support lines. The difference is between a national support operation and a smaller company where the renter can contact someone familiar with the particular vehicle and area.
Reservation reliability
Several Cruise America customers have reported canceled or unfulfilled reservations on Trustpilot. In one case, Ryan and Erica said they were notified just 15 minutes before pickup that no RV was available. Other customers described similar experiences, including arriving at a rental location only to find their reserved RV unavailable.
These accounts describe serious disruptions for those individual customers, though they don't establish how frequently Cruise America cancels reservations or whether cancellations are typical across its network.
Blacksford prioritizes honoring confirmed reservations and works directly with customers if a vehicle needs to be changed before their trip.
Which Company Is Right for Your Trip?
Both Blacksford and Cruise America have advantages, depending on your budget, travel plans, and what you need on your vacation.
Cruise America may be the better choice if:
You want a lower starting rental rate. Its lower starting prices can be especially attractive for shorter trips.
You need a one-way rental. Its larger rental network gives you more options for picking up and returning your RV in different cities.
You’re starting outside Blacksford’s four hubs. Cruise America has rental locations across much of the U.S. and Canada.
You’re okay packing or paying extra for linens, towels, and supplies. Pack your own bedding, towels, and kitchenware to avoid paying for optional rental kits.
You're happy with a standard motorhome. A standard motorhome may have everything you need.
Blacksford may be the better choice if:
You’re planning a western national park road trip. Its four hubs are positioned near popular national parks in the Rocky Mountains, the Southwest, and the Pacific Northwest.
You expect to drive long distances or go off-grid. Unlimited mileage and generator use are included at no extra charge.
You’re flying in to pick up your RV. Free airport transportation and included camping supplies make packing and pickup easier.
You want a newer RV with specific features. Choose from recent-model Winnebago, Thor, and Nexus RVs with different sizes, layouts, and amenities.
You appreciate direct, personal customer support. Your local manager is available by phone or text throughout your trip.
You don’t want to pack or pay for essentials. Bedding, towels, kitchen supplies, and camp chairs are already included in your rental.
Ready to Compare Them Yourself?
When comparing Cruise America and Blacksford, look at more than the nightly rate. Look for language about fees for mileage, generator use, rental supplies, airport transportation, and other costs.
Price matters, but so do the RV's features, pickup location, and customer service. The best choice depends on your trip and what matters most to you.
If you're planning a trip from Seattle, Bozeman, Las Vegas, or Phoenix, browse Blacksford's RV fleet and check rental rates for your travel dates.