The RV life offers an enticing way to see the country, but don’t fall into the trap of thinking it’s a cost-free, carefree lifestyle. You may need RV repair services along the way, and you will definitely have to eat and fuel your motorhome. To help you get an idea of what your travel plans are going to cost, we have listed the major costs associated with RV travel along with some tips on how to plan for them.
Camping Costs
RV dealers recommend using an app such as RV Parky to help you locate camping sites along the way and find out what the site costs will be. Fuel, campsites, and entertainment or admissions are your 3 biggest cost factors. You can reduce the cost of camping by spending a night or two boondocking, but there will be times when a campground is the best option.Fuel Finances
Fueling your RV-- and any motorized toys you take along-- will be an appreciable part of your travel budget. To assist you with that, KOA has created a simple fuel calculator. Be sure to calculate the costs for everything which uses fuel, including generators, ATVs, and your secondary vehicle.Eating Expenses
Even with a well-stocked cupboard, there are going to be incidental costs associated with wining and dining your way across the country. For this, you can set limits for purchasing groceries and daily overages. If you refrain from eating at restaurants you can cut the costs of mealtime down to only a few dollars a day per person, but don’t skimp on nutrition or fluid intake.Adventure Allowances
Almost everything you do is going to have costs associated with it. Theme parks, National Park admission and special or unexpected equipment are all variables you should plan for in advance. You will need to do some research to come up with these numbers, and they will differ significantly from one excursion to the next.Special Spending
After you calculate the primary costs, you still need to be prepared for things that fall outside of them, including maintenance and repair. Since these costs will be extremely variable, the best idea is to multiply the number of days you plan to be on the road by a fixed amount per person in your party. For example, a family of 4 might plan on $10 per person per day for discretionary spending. You do not have to use these funds, and the money can be drawn from the total amount rather than sticking to a strict daily allotment.One of the best rules of thumb is to plan for your trip to cost more than you have calculated. It is better to have funds left over at the end of the adventure than to find yourself short of cash on the ride home. We recommend adding 10% to your calculated cost, but the simple truth is to set aside as much as you are able-- just to be safe.
