Simulation

Is an RV Trip Cheaper Than Driving and Staying in Hotels

For a 1,500-mile, 10-day trip for two, an RV at 9 MPG with $55/night camping and $25/person/day cooked food totals about $1,575, while driving a car at 28 MPG with $120/night hotels and $45/person/day restaurant food totals about $3,140. The RV saves roughly $1,565, mainly because hotels and restaurant meals are expensive. The RV wins more as trip length and group size grow, since camping and cooking scale gently while hotel rooms and dining bills climb. For very short trips or solo travelers, the hotel option can narrow the gap once RV fuel thirst and campsite fees are counted.

Results

Visualization

RVRove provides estimates only. RV prices, fuel, campground and ownership costs vary widely by model, region and season. This is not financial advice — verify with a dealer and experienced RV owner communities before buying or renting.

How It Works

We model two parallel trips over the same miles and days. The RV scenario pays fuel at RV MPG, campsite fees per night, and modest cooked-food cost. The hotel scenario pays fuel at car MPG, hotel rooms per night, and higher restaurant food cost. Each total is the sum of its three parts, and we track the cumulative cost day by day. The chart shows the RV line starting near the hotel line (hotels look cheap per day early) then the hotel line pulling away as rooms and meals stack up.

What Should You Do?

The RV advantage grows with trip length and group size because camping and cooking are largely fixed per night and per person, while hotels and restaurants multiply. For a single short weekend the hotel may win once you count RV fuel thirst. Cooking most meals is essential to the RV savings — if you eat out anyway, the gap shrinks fast. Also remember the RV comparison assumes you already own or rent the RV; if buying just for one trip, the purchase price dwarfs any hotel savings.

Frequently Asked Questions

When does the hotel win?

For very short trips or solo travelers, when RV fuel and campsite costs exceed a single cheap hotel room and modest meals.

Why is food different between scenarios?

RV travelers usually cook, costing less per person; hotel travelers eat out more, costing more. Cooking is key to RV savings.

Does this assume I own the RV?

It compares trip operating costs only. If you must buy an RV for the trip, add that price and the hotel wins easily.

How does group size change things?

Hotel rooms and restaurant bills rise with people; RV camping and cooking rise gently, so bigger groups favor the RV more.

What about comfort and convenience?

Hotels offer privacy and amenities; RVs offer freedom and kitchens. The cost gap is real, but lifestyle matters too.