Budgeting is one of the most important parts of planning your next RV adventure! A great way to start planning your trip’s budget is by estimating major costs, like fuel.

You’re probably wondering, “How much does it cost to fill up an RV?”

There isn’t a set-in-stone cost for filling up an RV. The cost can fluctuate because gas prices change, and you’re likely in a different RV rental vehicle on each trip.  

However, there is a way to calculate your costs to make your vacation planning a little easier. Keep reading to learn more about Cruise America’s average RV gas tank size and how to calculate RV miles per gallon! 

How Much Does It Cost To Fill Up An RV: Planning Your Budget 

 

Average RV Gas Tank Size

First and foremost, before we get to gas tank sizes, let’s cover an important fact: all Cruise America RV rentals use Unleaded gasoline. This means that when gas prices are low, filling up an RV is even more affordable! So keep that fact in mind when planning your trip’s costs.

Naturally, the size of an RV’s gas tank will depend on the size of the RV itself. Just like cars of varying sizes have different size gas tanks, so do RVs. 

At Cruise America, there are four models of RV rentals for you to choose from. First, let’s take a look at the Compact RV Rental. This RV is great for short trips or small groups. The size of the Compact RV’s gas tank is 40 gallons.

Another model from Cruise America is the Standard RV Rental. This RV has room for five passengers and is a traditional favorite for family getaways! The size of the Standard RV Rental’s gas tank is 55 gallons.

Last, but absolutely not least, is the Large RV Rental model. This is the largest of the four rental models, which is perfect for anyone looking for a spacious RV for their big family trip. The size of the Large RV Rental gas tank is 55 gallons. 

Relative to Class A motorhomes, the RV options provided by Cruise America are very affordable and more cost-effective to fill up.

RV Gas Mileage Calculator & Costs

Generally, the answer to “How much does it cost to fill up an RV” will vary. To help you figure out your costs, we’ve compiled a list of some important factors to consider:

• Mileage, or Miles per gallon
  • On average, each RV rental from Cruise America comes in around 6-10 MPG.
• Gas price
  • This can vary depending on the time of year and where you’re traveling. Research average gas prices with the season and route in mind when planning a trip. 
• Distance Traveled
  • Use an app like Google Maps to calculate the distance you’ll travel to and from your destination. Once you have that, you can use it later to estimate the potential cost of gas!

So, the simple formula for calculating the cost of gas is as follows: 

First, divide the distance of the trip traveled by the estimated miles per gallon to determine how many gallons of gas you’ll need. Then, multiply the outcome by the cost of Unleaded gas to calculate the gas cost for your journey.

Take a few moments to research and calculate your fuel costs to budget for your next RV trip properly.

What About the Cost of Mileage? 

While this may not be used to calculate the cost of gas, it is important to remember the cost of mileage through Cruise America. 

Generally, the cost of mileage through Cruise America is a per night charge that is based on 100 miles if you’re renting locally or 250 miles for a one-way RV rental. 

The rate for this charge is 39 cents per mile. If, at the end of your rental, there are excess mileage charges based on the distance traveled, they will be refunded. 

Budgeting Outside of the RV Gas Cost Calculator

Obviously, the cost of gas will take up a large portion of your budget. The last thing you want is to be limited on where you can travel just because you’re coming to the end of your funds. After calculating how much it costs to fill up your RV, follow these budgeting tips. You may just save enough to get some additional side trips in your itinerary. 

Food Prep

We all know how expensive eating out can be, and it gets even worse on vacation. The last thing you’ll want to do after exploring Disneyland or hiking the Smoky Mountains is make an entire meal from scratch. If you prepare meals before you embark on your vacation, you’ll have a stash of cheap, delicious ready-to-go food. Utilize dried foods, the freezer/cooler, and easy-to-heat recipes. 

Research the Cheapest RV Parks 

Many RV parks charge a fee per night, and some could have hidden fees for bathroom use, Wi-Fi, and more. While the price per night is typically affordable, the total price for your whole trip can add up fast. There are plenty of free campgrounds to take advantage of, along with fun options like boondocking. 

Spend Time in the Great Outdoors

It sounds simple, but most parks are free or very cheap to enter so they’re a great way to enjoy yourself and save money! Instead of spending all your vacation at the water park, set aside a few days for a wonderful hiking trail. 

Treat your family to an amazing vacation in nature by renting an RV from Cruise America!

You’ll have an unforgettable adventure, all from the comfort of your RV rental.