RV Rental in Illinois
Illinois stretches from Chicago and Lake Michigan through prairie, Route 66 towns, the state capital, and the forested southern tip. Because Chicago-area depots and traffic vary widely, confirm collection details before fixing day-one distance. Use a campground base for city sightseeing and reserve the exact utility class, especially outside the main camping season.
Things to Consider When Renting an RV in Illinois
Confirm the Depot Before Fixing the Route
The collection point may be outside central Illinois. Base day one and the return stage on the confirmed address and provider schedule.
Match the Vehicle to the Roads
Compare height, length, layout, braking, and provider road restrictions before committing to scenic or urban roads.
Reserve the Correct Utility Level
Campgrounds can mix dry, electric-only, water-and-electric, and full-hookup sites. Select the named site type and verify rig fit.
Plan for Local Weather and Seasons
Illinois campground water, buildings, and electrical services can be reduced during cold weather. Call ahead and avoid assuming every state-park site is full hookup.
Separate Sightseeing From Overnight Parking
A legal daytime parking space is not automatically a campsite. Use campgrounds for overnight stays and verify attraction parking separately.
Why Use USA RV Rentals?
USARVRentals.com brings available vehicles from participating rental providers into one comparison process.
- Compare RVs, campervans, and motorhomes for the relevant pickup area and dates.
- Review vehicle details, pricing, and inclusions together.
- Search round-trip and eligible one-way rentals, subject to provider and depot availability.
- Use experience developed helping travelers compare and book RV rentals since 2001.
- Book online or access customer assistance in the United States and Canada.
USA RV Rentals is a comparison and booking service. Participating rental companies supply and operate the vehicles, and their terms apply.
Things to See and Do Around Illinois and Midwest
Chicago and Lake Michigan
Use a legal campground base when visiting Chicago and Lake Michigan; urban or attraction parking for large vehicles should be confirmed in advance.
Starved Rock and Matthiessen country
This stop fits the regional route and adds a distinct landscape, historic site, or outdoor experience. Check current access, reservations, parking, and seasonal conditions before arrival.
Springfield and Lincoln sites
This stop fits the regional route and adds a distinct landscape, historic site, or outdoor experience. Check current access, reservations, parking, and seasonal conditions before arrival.
Route 66 communities
This stop fits the regional route and adds a distinct landscape, historic site, or outdoor experience. Check current access, reservations, parking, and seasonal conditions before arrival.
Mississippi River towns
This stop fits the regional route and adds a distinct landscape, historic site, or outdoor experience. Check current access, reservations, parking, and seasonal conditions before arrival.
Rend Lake
This stop fits the regional route and adds a distinct landscape, historic site, or outdoor experience. Check current access, reservations, parking, and seasonal conditions before arrival.
Shawnee National Forest
This stop fits the regional route and adds a distinct landscape, historic site, or outdoor experience. Check current access, reservations, parking, and seasonal conditions before arrival.
Suggested RV Itineraries Departing From Illinois
These are planning routes rather than guaranteed directions. Distances and times are approximate and vary with the actual depot, selected roads, traffic, weather, stops, and campground access. Reserve the specified powered or full-hookup category and reconfirm site length, amperage, operating dates, and availability.
Chicago, Starved Rock, and Springfield Loop
Route: Chicago area – Starved Rock – Springfield – Galena – Chicago area Approximate total: about 600 miles and 12 hours, plus optional local driving
Day 1: Starved Rock area
Approximately 95 miles; 2 hours. Travel to or explore Starved Rock area, allowing time for stops and current conditions.
Overnight: Starved Rock Family Campground; reserve a full-hookup site
Day 2: Starved Rock area
Approximately 25 miles; 1 hour local. Travel to or explore Starved Rock area, allowing time for stops and current conditions.
Overnight: Starved Rock Family Campground
Day 3: Springfield
Approximately 145 miles; 2½ hours. Travel to or explore Springfield, allowing time for stops and current conditions.
Overnight: Double J Campground; full-hookup site
Day 4: Springfield
Approximately 25 miles; 1 hour local. Travel to or explore Springfield, allowing time for stops and current conditions.
Overnight: Double J Campground
Day 5: Galena area
Approximately 190 miles; 3½ hours. Travel to or explore Galena area, allowing time for stops and current conditions.
Overnight: Palace Campground; full-hookup site
Day 6: Galena
Approximately 30 miles; 1 hour local. Travel to or explore Galena, allowing time for stops and current conditions.
Overnight: Palace Campground
Day 7: Chicago area
Approximately 165 miles; 3 hours. Travel to or explore Chicago area, allowing time for stops and current conditions.
Overnight: Chicago Northwest KOA Holiday or return RV
Illinois Route 66 and Southern Forest Circuit
Route: Chicago area – Starved Rock – Springfield – St. Louis area – Shawnee – Rend Lake – Chicago area Approximate total: about 980 miles and 19 hours, plus optional local driving
Day 1: pickup area to Chicago Northwest KOA Holiday
Approximately 60 miles; about 1.25 hours. Travel on major roads, check current conditions, and settle into the next base.
Overnight: Chicago Northwest KOA Holiday
Day 2: Chicago Northwest KOA Holiday exploration
Approximately 25 miles; about 1 hour local. Choose one or two realistic attractions and verify oversize parking before moving the RV.
Overnight: Chicago Northwest KOA Holiday
Day 3: Chicago Northwest KOA Holiday to Starved Rock Family Campground
Approximately 100 miles; about 2.25 hours. Travel on major roads, check current conditions, and settle into the next base.
Overnight: Starved Rock Family Campground
Day 4: Starved Rock Family Campground exploration
Approximately 25 miles; about 1 hour local. Choose one or two realistic attractions and verify oversize parking before moving the RV.
Overnight: Starved Rock Family Campground
Day 5: Starved Rock Family Campground to Double J Campground
Approximately 145 miles; about 3.25 hours. Travel on major roads, check current conditions, and settle into the next base.
Overnight: Double J Campground
Day 6: Double J Campground exploration
Approximately 25 miles; about 1 hour local. Choose one or two realistic attractions and verify oversize parking before moving the RV.
Overnight: Double J Campground
Day 7: Double J Campground to St. Louis NE/Route 66 KOA Holiday
Approximately 100 miles; about 2.25 hours. Travel on major roads, check current conditions, and settle into the next base.
Overnight: St. Louis NE/Route 66 KOA Holiday
Day 8: St. Louis NE/Route 66 KOA Holiday exploration
Approximately 25 miles; about 1 hour local. Choose one or two realistic attractions and verify oversize parking before moving the RV.
Overnight: St. Louis NE/Route 66 KOA Holiday
Day 9: St. Louis NE/Route 66 KOA Holiday to Shawnee Forest Campground
Approximately 150 miles; about 3.25 hours. Travel on major roads, check current conditions, and settle into the next base.
Overnight: Shawnee Forest Campground
Day 10: Shawnee Forest Campground exploration
Approximately 25 miles; about 1 hour local. Choose one or two realistic attractions and verify oversize parking before moving the RV.
Overnight: Shawnee Forest Campground
Day 11: Shawnee Forest Campground to Rend Lake full-hookup campground
Approximately 50 miles; about 1 hours. Travel on major roads, check current conditions, and settle into the next base.
Overnight: Rend Lake full-hookup campground
Day 12: Rend Lake full-hookup campground exploration
Approximately 25 miles; about 1 hour local. Choose one or two realistic attractions and verify oversize parking before moving the RV.
Overnight: Rend Lake full-hookup campground
Day 13: Rend Lake full-hookup campground to Kankakee South KOA Holiday
Approximately 250 miles; about 5.5 hours. Travel on major roads, check current conditions, and settle into the next base.
Overnight: Kankakee South KOA Holiday
Day 14: Kankakee South KOA Holiday to Illinois return
Approximately 60 miles; about 1.25 hours. Return to the confirmed depot with time for fuel, any required waste service, and provider inspection.
Overnight: Return the RV
Before departure, check current roads, vehicle restrictions, campground services, attraction access, and reservations. Rental-provider road rules remain controlling.
Frequently Asked Questions About RV Rental in Illinois
Should I Purchase an Insurance Pack for My RV Rental?
Should I Purchase an Insurance Pack for My RV Rental?
Purchasing an appropriate insurance pack is strongly recommended. Coverage, exclusions, deductibles, and liability vary, so review the provider’s applicable terms.
Should I Purchase a Mileage Pack for My RV Rental?
Should I Purchase a Mileage Pack for My RV Rental?
Purchasing a suitable mileage pack is strongly recommended. Compare the available allowance with the planned route and review excess-mileage charges.
Where Will I Collect the RV?
Where Will I Collect the RV?
The depot may be outside central Illinois. The exact address, pickup window, documents, deposit arrangements, and orientation depend on the provider and booking.
Are One-Way Rentals Available?
Are One-Way Rentals Available?
They may be available, subject to participating providers, eligible depots, vehicles, dates, conditions, and possible fees. Confirm the route before relying on it.
Can I Park the RV Overnight Outside a Campground?
Can I Park the RV Overnight Outside a Campground?
Do not assume that streets, attraction lots, trailheads, or retail parking areas permit overnight RV use. Use a legal campground.
What Driver’s License Do I Need?
What Driver’s License Do I Need?
Requirements vary by provider, vehicle, and licence jurisdiction. Enter accurate details and review the applicable rental terms.
Can I Bring a Pet?
Can I Bring a Pet?
Pet permission, fees, and restrictions vary across rental providers, vehicles, campgrounds, and attractions. Confirm every part of the trip.
Book Your RV Rental in Illinois Today
Compare available RV rentals, campervans, and motorhomes for your Illinois travel dates. Review vehicles, participating providers, pricing, and inclusions, then choose an option suited to your party and route.
I've stayed in hotels that weren't as clean as this motorhome. You could tell the owners took immense pride in the vehicle. It smelled fresh, and the linens were crisp and high-quality.