Get rollin’
How to travel in an RV on a budget
Heading out on a road trip in a recreational vehicle this summer? It allows travelers an opportunity to explore the nation while enjoying some comforts. But RV travel still comes with some expenses. Here’s how to keep them in check. If the total exceeds your fuel budget, try a few saving strategies: Use an app like GasBuddy to map out gas stations along the route and identify those with the lowest prices and pay with a credit card that offers rewards on gas purchases. Or slow down: the faster you go, the more
you’re going to burn.
1 Go small RVs range from small campers and towable trailers to grand motor homes over 40 feet long. Whether you rent or buy, the bigger you go, the more it’ll cost.
“People can opt for a big luxury coach and pay thousands of dollars a week, or they can get a small (one) for a fraction of that price,” says Chuck Woodbury, editor for RVtravel.com, who adds that larger vehicles typically offer less fuel efficiency and flexibility. “When you decide you need to get some milk or cereal or want to go out and hit the local tavern, well, you’ve got to move your home to do that.”
2 Fuel efficiently RVs get about 6 to 18 mpg, depending on the size and model, Woodbury says. Cars average about 24 mpg. Hall recommends using AAA’s gas cost calculator to estimate the expense upfront.
3 Camp cheaply While you’ll avoid the cost of staying in hotels, you could still face fees for camping plus hooking up to water, sewer and electricity. The good news: There are plenty of affordable campsites. With an RV, you can camp free overnight on U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management lands and in Walmart parking lots, where allowed. Some people search for free spots on websites like iOverlander.com and FreeCampsites.net.
4 Join a club Memberships and loyalty programs offer a wide variety of perks. A one-year, $44 membership for the camping club Passport America includes a 50% discount per night on stays throughout its network of RV campgrounds. There may be exclusions, though, often during popular travel times like Fourth of July and Labor Day weekends. Check availability at each location in advance.
This article was provided to The Associated Press by the personal finance website NerdWallet.