Budget Travel This Labor Day Weekend | Lifestyles

We asked RVshare.com for tips on how to get the most bang for the buck:

Q: What tips do you have for families looking to save with an RV rental?

RVshare: We offer rentals starting 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 delivery options, 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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Q: Gas prices are expensive for road trippers, aren’t they?

RVshare: The cost of gas will vary depending on the miles of travel it takes to reach your destination. Cross country road trips might not seem like the obvious choice for a cost effective vacation right now, but don’t let that discourage you.

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 $5.00 a gallon would cost $200. That $200 fill up will be able to take you about 400 miles, which is about 6.5 hours of travel time.

Despite rising concerns of gas prices, RVshare insights show that the average cost of an RV trip compared to last year, is less than $35 a trip. With gas prices currently down 14% in August since their peak in June, that number is even less than it was earlier this summer.

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

Q: Is a campground stay less expensive than a hotel stay?

RVshare: 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, room types, meal options and other amenities will influence and determine 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.

RVshare: 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.

Q: Is camping a cost-effective way to travel?

RVshare: Here’s an example. 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 $680 total for this adventure.

Disclosure: The links in this article may be from one of our content partners. If you click a link in this article, we may earn a commission.