- Is it cheaper to vacation in an RV?
- 1. Hit up your favorite local spots
- 2. RV delivery services
- 3. Head out to a campground or park nearby
- 4. Go to a landmark on your bucket list
- 5. Look for a stationary RVs
- 6. A gas app will be your best friend on a road trip
- 7. Utilize Harvest Hosts
- 8. Look around for free camping sites
A relaxing vacation does not always mean you have to fly to your destination. Believe it or not, you can enjoy an RV road trip without the hefty price tag of driving it across the country.
Is it cheaper to vacation in an RV?
An RV motorhome site | Stefan Sauer/picture alliance via Getty Images
Technically speaking, yes, it is! According to the RV Industry Association, recreational vehicle vacations are cheaper than other types of vacation travel. Specifically, savings range from 21% to 64% for a four-person trip, whereas two-person trips can be 8% to 53% cheaper.
Although it may be a bit cheaper to hit the open road in your RV, there are still other costs to consider. For example, you’ll have fuel expenses, campground fees, and if you’re renting your RV, you will need to add on those rental fees. Depending on where you travel, though, it can still be significantly cheaper than flying somewhere. Of course, you’re going to want to budget accordingly.
Here are eight tips for taking an affordable RV road trip:
1. Hit up your favorite local spots
Driving your RV to a surrounding city is one way to feel like you’re going on a getaway. The best part? You won’t have to spend hours on the road. Long weekend trips are more convenient when closer to home, especially if you’re traveling with small children!
2. RV delivery services
You can use apps like RVShare or Outdoorsy and have your RV delivered to your destination. That way, you won’t have to worry about filling it with fuel. Everything you need to have a great time will be on board for you and your passengers.
3. Head out to a campground or park nearby
It’s always cool to explore new surroundings near your home. Once you’re out in nature, it’ll feel like you are far away. Plus, many campgrounds offer many different amenities, so you’ll feel like you are on a luxury vacation!
4. Go to a landmark on your bucket list
Our RV adventures never end when you have the outdoors as your bucket list @thejurgys 🚐🌲 pic.twitter.com/QVLK8gpyCC
— Camping World (@CampingWorld) March 21, 2021
Whether there’s a beach, pond, or fishing spot you’ve been hoping to visit in your state, take your RV. It may not be the Eiffel Tower or the Great Wall of China, but it’d be cool to check off your bucket list in the meantime.
5. Look for a stationary RVs
A stationary RV means you’ll stay wherever it’s parked. This is a great idea if you’ve been wanting to go to a music festival. Be sure to plan these trips in advance!
6. A gas app will be your best friend on a road trip
Per Money Crashers, use gas apps to help find the best deals around or gas stations near you. If you aren’t familiar with an area, it will really come in handy.
7. Utilize Harvest Hosts
If you’re new to the RV world, Harvest Hosts is a membership program that lets its members spend the night in their RVs at nearly 3,000 locations across the U.S. It has fantastic perks for wineries, farms, museums, and other neat places.
8. Look around for free camping sites
Brb going off the grid… in style of course.
Tag who you'd chill with ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/xLrbcqpN6W
— Camping World (@CampingWorld) May 7, 2022
If campgrounds aren’t your scene, that’s OK! Be sure to check out the Bureau of Land Management for free camping sites. For example, you’ll be able to head off the beaten path and enjoy your road trip underneath the stars.
Keyword: 8 Tips for Taking an Affordable RV Road Trip