Many RV owners across California ask the same question: how much does RV storage actually cost? Prices change a lot depending on the city, the level of protection, and the size of your RV. If you live in Bakersfield or anywhere in the Central Valley, you know the heat, dust, and sun can be tough on any vehicle, so understanding storage costs is not just about budgeting — it’s about protecting your RV so it lasts longer.
The short answer: RV storage in California runs about $75 to $250 a month outdoors, $150 to $400 covered, and $300 to $750 or more fully enclosed. Bakersfield sits toward the lower end of each range.
This guide breaks down the real numbers. We’ll compare outdoor RV storage, covered storage, and fully enclosed storage in California, explain why pricing varies so much, and show how choosing the right storage can save you thousands in repairs later on. Own a camper, travel trailer, or fifth wheel instead of a motorhome? Jump to the camper and trailer pricing table below.
This post is part of our RV storage series. If you missed the earlier articles, you can find them here:
Now let’s break down the real costs RV owners can expect across the state of California.
RV storage pricing varies by region, but here are the typical statewide averages:
California has some of the highest vehicle storage costs in the country, especially in coastal cities. Bakersfield and the Central Valley generally sit in the middle of the range, offering more space and better affordability while still providing high-level protection options.
RV storage pricing is influenced by space, demand, climate, and land value. Here’s a simple breakdown of why prices differ across the state:
RV storage in San Diego, Los Angeles, and the Bay Area is usually more expensive because land is expensive. Facilities in these areas charge more simply to cover land costs and limited space.
Regions near beaches, lakes, and national parks often have higher RV storage demand year-round. That demand pushes prices upward.
California has intense UV levels. In Bakersfield the heat is even more extreme, which means outdoor storage can cause faster wear on RV roofs, seals, and paint. Because of this, many Central Valley RV owners upgrade to covered or enclosed storage — which also raises average price ranges.
Storage locations with higher security — cameras, gated access, on-site staff, LED lighting, and license plate tracking — typically have higher monthly rates. But these features dramatically reduce theft and vandalism risk.
Some facilities are built specifically for RVs and oversized vehicles, with wider aisles, taller bays, strong dust control, and overhead protection. These spots cost more, but the quality is much higher than a basic self-storage lot.
If you want to explore specialized RV storage options, you can view several solutions at Elite RV & Storage:
Bakersfield storage prices are often more affordable than coastal areas, but the climate here creates different challenges. Extreme heat can shorten the lifespan of RV roofs, AC units, and seals, and dust storms add to maintenance costs.
That’s why many RV owners in Kern County choose covered or enclosed options even though outdoor storage is cheaper. They want long-term protection, safer parking, and less time spent cleaning the RV after every heat wave.
Here’s the typical range we see in Bakersfield and nearby cities:
These prices match what we shared in the last post but put Bakersfield into statewide context.
Campers and travel trailers cost noticeably less to store than full motorhomes, for the simple reason that they take up less room. A 24-foot travel trailer occupies a fraction of the space a 40-foot Class A does, and storage is priced by the foot.
Across California, expect these monthly ranges for camper and trailer storage:
| Rig type | Outdoor | Covered | Enclosed |
| Pop-up camper (10 to 16 ft) | $45 to $95 | $85 to $160 | $150 to $300 |
| Truck camper | $50 to $110 | $95 to $180 | $175 to $325 |
| Small travel trailer (16 to 24 ft) | $60 to $130 | $110 to $225 | $225 to $425 |
| Large travel trailer (25 to 34 ft) | $75 to $175 | $140 to $290 | $275 to $525 |
| Fifth wheel (30 to 40 ft) | $90 to $210 | $165 to $350 | $325 to $600 |
| Class C motorhome (25 to 32 ft) | $85 to $195 | $155 to $325 | $300 to $560 |
| Class A motorhome (33 to 45 ft) | $110 to $250 | $200 to $400 | $375 to $750 |
In Bakersfield and the wider Central Valley, most of these land in the lower half of each range. Land here costs less than it does on the coast, and that difference passes through to what you pay every month.
Here’s the part that surprises people: a 24-foot travel trailer sometimes costs nearly as much to store as a 30-foot motorhome, even though it’s six feet shorter.
The reason is that facilities price by the slot, not by the inch. A 24-foot trailer and a 30-foot motorhome frequently occupy the same 35-foot bay, because the next size down doesn’t exist. If your camper is just over a size break, you pay for the whole next slot.
Two things follow from that. First, ask what the actual slot lengths are before you assume you’ll pay a small-rig rate. Second, if you’re close to a break point, the extra space isn’t wasted — you can store a tow vehicle, a generator, gear, or bikes in the same footprint you’re already paying for.
For a typical travel trailer in Bakersfield, plan on roughly $60 to $175 per month outdoors, $110 to $290 covered, and $225 to $525 fully enclosed, depending on length.
Those numbers are lower than coastal California and lower than the Los Angeles basin, which is why some owners store their rig here even when they live elsewhere in the state — the savings over a year outrun the drive.
Travel trailers and campers are built lighter than motorhomes, and that shows up fastest in three places: the roof membrane, the seals around every window and vent, and the tires.
A trailer roof left in full Central Valley sun will typically need resealing years earlier than one kept covered, and a roof reseal runs several hundred to a few thousand dollars. Rubber seals dry, crack, and start letting water in. Trailer tires that sit in direct sun degrade from UV long before they wear out from mileage, and a blowout on the highway is both expensive and dangerous.
Set against $50 to $150 a month for the step up from outdoor to covered, the arithmetic usually favors covering the rig — especially for a trailer you plan to keep more than a few years.
When comparing RV storage prices, the number alone doesn’t tell you much. What matters is the value behind the price. Here are the main factors that make some locations cost more — and why they’re often worth it.
California’s UV rays are some of the strongest in the country. Long-term exposure can fade paint, weaken fiberglass, crack seals, and damage roof coatings. Covered or enclosed storage reduces this risk dramatically.
Dust storms are common in the Central Valley. Dust gets inside vents, AC units, slide-outs, and compartments. Enclosed storage solves this completely, while covered storage helps with most of the problem.
Theft of catalytic converters, batteries, propane tanks, and even entire RVs is on the rise in California. Secure facilities with cameras, gates, and strong lighting offer far more protection — and fewer headaches.
Facilities designed for RVs usually offer wide drive lanes, large turning radiuses, taller spaces, and smooth surfaces. That makes parking easier and reduces the risk of damage while maneuvering your RV.
Cheaper outdoor storage may save money each month, but long-term repair costs often outweigh the savings. Roof repairs, AC replacements, paint fading, and seal failures can cost thousands.
Choosing the right storage now protects your investment later.
Elite RV & Storage is built for RVs, oversized vehicles, commercial fleets, and luxury vehicles. It’s not a basic self-storage lot — it’s a purpose-built facility of fully enclosed, insulated units designed for large vehicles.
RV owners across Bakersfield and Kern County choose Elite for several reasons:
Elite also offers specialty vehicle storage that goes far beyond RVs:
In California, RV storage runs about $75 to $250 per month outdoors, $150 to $400 covered, and $300 to $750 or more fully enclosed. In Bakersfield and the Central Valley, expect the lower end of each of those ranges.
Campers and travel trailers cost less than motorhomes because they take up less space. A typical travel trailer runs roughly $60 to $175 monthly outdoors, $110 to $290 covered, and $225 to $525 enclosed. Pop-up and truck campers cost less still.
For a travel trailer, plan on roughly $60 to $175 a month outdoors, $110 to $290 covered, and $225 to $525 fully enclosed in Bakersfield, with length setting where you land. Shorter utility, cargo, and boat trailers generally price toward the low end because they take up less room. Fifth wheels run higher, closer to motorhome rates.
Most RV owners in California pay between $100 and $300 per month. Where you land inside that depends primarily on length and on whether the rig is outdoors, covered, or enclosed. A 40-foot Class A in an enclosed unit will sit well above it; a 22-foot trailer parked outdoors will sit below it.
Generally yes. Land costs less in the Central Valley than in coastal and Southern California markets, and RV storage is fundamentally a land business. Owners regularly save 20 to 40 percent versus Los Angeles or San Diego rates, which is enough that some store here and drive out to collect the rig.
Over a long enough horizon, usually. Enclosed storage costs more per month, but sun and dust exposure is what produces faded and failing clear coat, cracked seals, dried-out roof membranes, sun-damaged interiors, and UV-degraded tires. A single roof reseal or repaint can exceed several years of the difference between outdoor and enclosed.
Measure your rig hitch to bumper and add 3 to 5 feet of working room, then measure total height including the air conditioner and any solar or satellite equipment. Confirm the door opening rather than the ceiling height — the door is what you have to drive through. Elite’s units have 16-foot ceilings and 12- to 14-foot roll-up doors, which clear most fifth wheels and Class A motorhomes with room to spare.
In a large enough enclosed unit, yes — and it often costs less than renting two separate spaces. See oversized vehicle storage for the sizes available.
It’s worth it if you camp through the year or want to keep batteries maintained and a refrigerator running. If the rig is stored seasonally and properly winterized, you can skip it and put the savings toward covered or enclosed space instead.
The cost to store an RV in California depends on the level of protection you choose. Outdoor storage costs the least but exposes your RV to heat, sun, and dust. Covered storage offers solid protection at a mid-range price. Fully enclosed storage offers the highest protection and the longest RV lifespan, making it the best long-term value.
If you want your RV to stay clean, safe, and ready for your next trip, the smartest choice is a storage facility built for oversized vehicles — like Elite RV & Storage in Bakersfield.
To find an open unit, see available storage or explore our oversized vehicle storage options.
