A 12-passenger van solves a specific problem: getting a group somewhere together, in one vehicle, without three cars and a convoy. Here is what it costs in Portland, Oregon, what you need to drive one, and where the Mercedes Sprinter differs from what the rental counters offer.
What does a 12-passenger van rental cost in Portland?
Rates in the Portland market average around $213 to $226 per day across the national chains, with occasional lows near $82 to $138 depending on season and how far ahead you book. Those vehicles are typically Ford Transits or Chrysler Pacificas, picked up at an airport or branch counter.
Our Mercedes-Benz Sprinter is $375 per day, plus $120 for delivery within 25 miles of Portland. It is more expensive, and it is a different vehicle in a different class, delivered rather than collected.
Which is right depends entirely on the trip. For a straightforward airport-to-hotel group run, a chain van is the sensible economic choice. For a full day in wine country, a wedding, or a corporate group where the vehicle is part of the experience, the difference is worth understanding before you decide.
What licence do you need to drive a 12-passenger van?
As a general matter, vehicles designed to carry 15 or fewer passengers do not require a commercial licence for non-commercial use in Oregon. Rules differ by state and by how the vehicle is being used, so confirm with us before you book if you are unsure.
How a Sprinter differs from a standard passenger van
The practical differences show up after the first hour of driving.
- Height. You can stand up inside a Sprinter. Loading luggage and moving between seats is a different experience from a Transit.
- Noise. Mercedes builds the Sprinter as a long-distance vehicle. Conversation across the cabin at highway speed is possible.
- Ride quality. It matters most on the roads you are likely to use it on: the Willamette Valley, the Gorge, the coast highway.
- Delivery. Ours arrives where you are. The chains require someone to collect it, which for a group usually means a rideshare to an airport counter before the trip has even started.
What people in Portland rent a Sprinter for
Wine tours. The Willamette Valley is roughly an hour southwest of Portland. One vehicle, one designated driver, everyone together this is the single most common reason people book ours.
Weddings. Moving the wedding party to the venue, and shuttling guests between hotel and reception. Twelve seats covers most of both jobs in one or two runs.
Corporate groups. Conference travel, team offsites, client visits. One vehicle is simpler to expense than four rideshares.
Family trips. Mt Hood, Cannon Beach, the Columbia River Gorge. Three generations in one vehicle rather than a convoy.
Airport arrivals. A group landing at PDX together can leave together; we stage the vehicle in long-term parking and hand it over remotely.
What is included
- 2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, 12 seats, automatic, diesel
- $375 per day, minimum two-day rental
- 200 miles per day included, $1.25 per mile after
- Delivery within 25 miles of Portland, Oregon for $120
- Your choice of drop-off location within the service area
- Travel permitted throughout Oregon and Washington
- No pets, no smoking
Will 200 miles a day be enough?
For most group trips from Portland, comfortably. A full day in the Willamette Valley, including several wineries, runs roughly 100 to 140 miles round trip. Cannon Beach and back is about 160. Mt Hood and back is around 120.
The trips that exceed it are Bend, Crater Lake, and anything down the coast past Newport. Those are worth planning as multi-day, or budgeting for the $1.25 overage.
How far ahead should you book?
We have one Sprinter. For wedding season, wine harvest in September and October, and the December holidays, several weeks ahead is realistic. For a midweek corporate booking, less notice is usually fine.
Booking
Check availability on our fleet page, or message us on WhatsApp at (503) 267-5133 and tell us the dates and where you want it delivered.