What Is the Rebelle Rally?

This women-only event offers stunning scenery and puts navigational skills to the test.

Jill Ciminillo | 

Mar 8, 2023 | 3 min read

Kia

The Rebelle Rally just completed its seventh year, and while it's starting to get some mainstream coverage, the women-only off-road competition is still relatively unknown.

So let's dig into what it is and how you can take part.

What does the Rebelle Rally Involve?

Founded by Emily Miller, an accomplished off-road racer who trained under Rod Hall, the Rebelle Rally is more of a competition than a race because it centers around navigational precision, not just speed. The event covers eight days and more than 1,600 miles through the deserts of Nevada and California.

Some carmakers enter teams to compete, as Kia did in 2022 with a driver and navigator duo piloting a modified Sportage X-Pro.

There are four base camps, and competitors must bring and transport their own camping gear to each camp. The good news is that breakfast and dinner are provided by a Michelin-starred chef and team, so no camp cooking is necessary.

In some ways the Rebelle Rally is a modern-day treasure hunt where competitors search for hidden checkpoints using a map, map rulers, a compass, route books, and a plotter. Each day, competitors receive a series of longitude and latitude points they must plot on a map and then drive to.

The kicker: No GPS or cell phones are allowed. In fact, event rules prohibit entrants' cell phones and other GPS-enabled devices (including an Apple Watch or Garmin) prior to the event's start.

Kia

How do I prepare for the Rebelle Rally?

Right about now, you might be thinking: navigating without GPS? How do I prep for that? Thankfully, Rebelle offers a series of online and in-person training classes called Rebelle U, which not only teach women how to drive in off-road terrain but also give the basics of navigating — including how to use a map and compass.

There are also unofficial Facebook groups, some of which count past Rebelle competitors as members, where newcomers can seek advice about training, practice, packing, and more.

How do I sign up?

The Rebelle Rally historically takes place in October; registration is usually available online. Be aware, however, that there is often a waiting list for the event.

How much does it cost?

In addition to providing your own vehicle, there are registration fees as well as fees for training (optional), tracking equipment, fuel during the event, and media packages (optional).

Registration is probably going to be the biggest chunk of change: For the 2023 Rebelle, the cost is about $14,500 per team. Rebelle offers payment plans, though, as long as registrants pay a portion at the time they sign up (generally around $3,000).

Optional training classes through Rebelle U cost anywhere from about $600 to more than $2,000 per team, depending on location and length of training.

Tracking equipment rental and fuel are the other mandatory expenses you'll encounter through Rebelle directly. The tracking equipment will cost about $700, and the gasoline costs depend on how much you use during the event and the price of fuel.

Other outlays to consider include purchasing gear (such as sleeping bags and tents), travel costs associated with getting to and from the event/training classes, and the inevitable meals and accommodations during training and prior to the event's start.

All in, each team should budget a minimum of $20,000 to participate, excluding the cost of training courses from Rebelle U.

Jill Ciminillo

Jill Ciminillo is a Chicago-based automotive writer, YouTube personality, and podcast host, with her articles and videos appearing in outlets throughout the U.S. Additionally, she co-hosts a weekly radio show on cars for a local Chicago station. Previously, Jill has been the automotive editor for both newspaper and broadcast media conglomerates. She is also a past president for the Midwest Automotive Media Association and has the distinction of being the first female president for that organization.