Which is Cheaper? Comparing RV Vacation vs. Traditional Vacation

The first category up for comparison is the actual travel price of the adventure.

The average US flight cost is $260 dollars. That, multiplied by the number of people in your party and this can quickly add up to thousands. 

• Add baggage fees, at $30 a piece per person in almost every airline.

• Add rideshare/transportation to and from the airport at an average of $35 each way. 

• Add airport meals for about $25 per person 

RVshare rentals start as low as $50 a night for tow behinds and $75 for drivable RVs. If you go for something more middle of the range or even feel like going larger with a $200 + a day RV rental you are still looking at dividing this number by the amount of people in your party, not multiplying, which already brings about great savings. Plus with RV drop offs you can also save even more by eliminating rideshares from the pick up process. That cost effectively goes down to zero if you own the RV yourself.

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With the average nationwide car rental rate of $109 a day you are looking at another big budget category: transportation. Some locations like National Parks and small cities pretty much require you to rent a car in order to get to and from the attractions. Choosing to skip the rental car and using rideshare apps won’t save you that much money with average rides across the country at $25 one way. Public transportation would be the most cost effective way to get around but depending on your destination this can be more complicated and time consuming than helpful. 

Now, let’s talk about gas prices. 

In 2022 we saw a rise in gas and diesel prices that made thinking of going on a roadtrip difficult. However, as we kick off 2023 we are seeing average prices around the country go down. Gasbuddy predicts the average cost of gas for 2023 to be $3.49 much better than the $5 mark we saw last year. The cost of gas will vary depending on the miles of travel it takes to reach your destination and the location. The most standard RV, a class C, typically holds a 40 gallon gas tank and has an average of 10 mpg. Filling up the tank at an average current price of $4.00 a gallon would cost $160. That $160 fill up will be able to take you about 400 miles, which is about 6.5 hours of travel time. Last year this formula came up to $200 for a fill up, with gas prices decreasing we are already looking at significant savings when it comes to RV travel.

For the exact cost of traveling to your destination apply this formula with: Miles X Price of Gas. 

To find more information on gas mileage and RVs check out this detailed guide here. 

Hotel averages per night nationwide are around $186 a night, which might need to be increased if your party is too big for a standard room. Remember that other factors like location, rooms with kitchens, breakfast included and amenities will influence your cost in this category greatly. Sometimes saving on hotel prices can end up adding more to other budget categories. 

Campgrounds come with all types of price tags from $0 for public lands to $40 for a spot in an established campground with water and electric hook-ups. Boondocking allows you to park for free on public land but keep in mind the limitations. You’ll have to use water and electricity from your own supply and most often you will be further away from attractions. 

Dining is part of any travel adventure but when you are limited to a microwave in the hotel room you are going to find yourself with another unexpected high budget point. You will be multiplying cost per person of your party and before you know it you will be wanting to do the dishes.

In an RV not only can you store groceries and pack the fridge with everyone’s favorites, but you have the option to cook meals together. You could even have the family lasagna recipe on the dinner menu. RVs are equipped with full kitchens and although doing the dishes while on vacation is not everyone’s dream, having the space and appliances to cook a meal will save hundreds. 

Let’s apply this theory and have a comparison with real numbers to see which really comes to be the most cost effective travel. For our case study let’s look at a family of four from Cleveland, Ohio looking to take a four day vacation in The Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee, one of the most visited national parks in the country! Keep in mind that the costs in this comparison are averages, and every situation is different. 

With flights at $266 per person and hotel nights at $200, the air travel option quickly added up. Not only do you have the rideshare to and from the airport, but you need to rent a car if you are traveling to places like National Parks, adding about $480 of a rental car and we are facing some big expenses.

Although the gas cost is high for traveling a 1080-mile round trip, you can save big with access to a kitchen and a bed to sleep in! If you are an RV owner you are looking at only $680 total for this adventure! 

Bottom line: Every travel situation is different, but this comparison shined light onto what questions to ask, hidden costs to consider and gave you a roadmap to follow for planning your next adventure. After all, it’s about getting you out and experiencing travel in a way that is best for you — and your family. 

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