For many RVers, the question this summer may not be whether to travel—it may be how far.
A recent report from a Northern California campground suggests rising fuel prices could be influencing travel decisions. According to KRON4, managers at one North Bay campground say they’re seeing more visitors from nearby communities and fewer travelers arriving from longer distances.
One campground doesn’t prove a national trend. But it raises a question many RVers have probably asked themselves while watching fuel prices climb: Is that destination 500 miles away really worth the extra cost?
Historically, RVers have proven remarkably adaptable when fuel prices rise. Most don’t cancel trips—they change them.
Fuel prices and RV travel have always been connected
Unlike airline passengers or hotel guests, RVers see transportation costs every time they pull up to the pump.
A diesel motorhome getting 10 miles per gallon will burn about 100 gallons on a 1,000-mile trip. With diesel hovering around $5 per gallon nationally, that’s roughly $500 in fuel before paying for a single campsite, restaurant meal or attraction ticket.
For owners of large fifth wheels, toy haulers and heavier travel trailers, the math can look similar.
That doesn’t necessarily stop people from traveling. But it can influence where they go and how they get there.
Closer destinations may start looking better
When fuel costs rise, the campground three hours away can suddenly seem a lot more attractive than the one eight hours down the road.
Instead of crossing several states, some RVers may decide to explore attractions closer to home. Others may skip a lengthy detour and stick to a more direct route.
For campground owners near major metropolitan areas, that could mean increased interest from weekend travelers looking for an affordable getaway without a major fuel bill.
Meanwhile, destination campgrounds that depend heavily on long-distance travelers may face a tougher sales pitch.
Stay longer, drive less
Many experienced RVers already know one of the simplest ways to control fuel costs: Move less often.
A two-week stay in one campground typically uses far less fuel than relocating every few days. Besides reducing fuel expenses, it can make a trip more relaxing and leave more time to actually enjoy the destination.
Some travelers may also combine sightseeing, shopping and errands into a single travel day rather than making multiple separate trips.
Those small adjustments can add up surprisingly quickly over the course of a season.
RVers have weathered fuel spikes before. They tend to adapt rather than abandon travel altogether.
Most RVers won’t stay home
If history is any guide, higher fuel prices alone probably won’t empty campgrounds.
RVers have weathered fuel spikes before. They tend to adapt rather than abandon travel altogether. Routes get shorter. Stays get longer. Destinations move a little closer to home.
The road trip still happens.
It just may involve fewer miles between the driveway and the campsite.
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RVT1263b
We live in Indiana and in January we planned and booked our 3 week, 1460 mile RV trip to through the Upper Peninsula in Michigan. We have 1 week left of travels and so far the highest we paid for gas was $4.79. We just filled up at $4.31. More expensive than we are used to but not nearly as bad as the doomsayers predicted. Gas where we live is around $3.99 right now.
Before we left on the trip we did the math to see how much we would get back in refunds vs. what we need for gas if we go. I’m glad we decided to go even with the higher gas prices.
Not to discount the lived experiences of everyone regarding gas prices but if the average distance is 2,000 miles round trip at 10 miles per gallon is 200 gallons of fuel at $1.50 extra for a total cost add on of $300.00 for your summer trip. 2,000 miles likely means a 4-8 week summer or between $40 and $80/week. Double it for a 4,000 mile round trip.
Is anyone really contemplating canceling summer over 300 bucks? Really?!?!
If the choice is binary, summer or no summer, and it hangs by a $300 thread, maybe just sell the RV because 5 years ago the difference was $400.00, not $300.00 and was actually $450.00 when adjusted for inflation.
✌️😎
Still going on our 9-10,000 mile round trip this year, late summer through early fall, from So. Ca, to the very north east, and a round about, back…Just get me away from the way higher California gas prices and we’ll be fine
The authors have an obsession with fuel prices in article after article. How about some states charging outrageous fuel taxes, sales taxes, restaurant taxes, grocery taxes, etc.?
Many tourist destination communities have extra local taxes.
Fuel prices will be coming down. Those taxes will not. NO, higher fuel prices are not changing our plans. Senior citizens won’t live forever, so we travel while we still can. Stop whining, we have a beautiful USA to enjoy.
Rock and Ride-On! No one promised us tomorrow. I can’t believe 80yrs is close to me. My 80 gallon tank is full and needs to be emptied. I have volunteered!
We’re still doing a full travel year as usual, as full time RVers. We’ve only got so many years left. Yes, diesel is running high (ouch) and may go higher, but we can and will afford it. Not wasting time over perhaps as much as an extra $5k over the year. So far, we saw new places in New Mexico, Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska and Iowa. Note: Colorado State Parks raised their daily park pass from $10 to $15/day for out of state residents.
No changes for me…
Thank you for the anecdote, Russ and Tina. Someone once noted that an anecdote is still data, if only a single point. This does describe our likely summer and fall travels and explain the destinations. Have a great weekend and safe travels!
Oil price down ✅️
Gas price down ✅️
Iran capitulating ✅️
Leftists still whining ✅️✅️
Nothing settled until the papers are signed, and even then it will take at least a year to see prices drop anywhere near they used to be.
BTW, Iran is NOT giving in.
Bob cheering US failure in Iran. ✅️
Bob hoping Gas stays high thru midterms ✅️
Bob thinking the JCPOA was effective ✅️
Cancelproof: A war that never should have started to begin with.
Talks were beginning and BANG. He started a war.
Or BOOM, and an American city is gone!
Which American city are you willing to have evaporated?
Name it!
You tried sending Iran pallots of cash.
You tried making bad deals they ignored.
You tried doing nothing.
All failed!
Failure seems to be the common denominator until now!
Holy clueless. Stunning, absolutely stunning.
🫵🤣
We just got back from a 1200 mile trip. Gas prices were between $4.20 and $4.79.
One thing I did do is to back off on the speed. Amazing the difference in MPG driving a 60 instead of 70.
And it didn’t take much longer.
OH by the way – the price of oil was down to $80.00 a barrel yesterday! But alas – it is a fluid market (no pun intended!) subject to a lot of things and future outlooks and forecasting of world events. Either way, we will have to use the expensive oil before we can again enjoy the price of lower cost fuel during the lst term of Pres. Trump (45).
KRON4 is out of Petaluma, California whose median fuel price is $6.39 a gallon per GasBuddy.
The price of the absolute cheapest FHU site at the Petaluma KOA that was interviewed is $123.60 plus an additional $17.30 in tax per day.
If you have a tent and just need a grass pad there, the price is $72.10 plus $10.09 in tax per night.
For perspective, fuel at my home gas station is currently at $3.81 per gallon and the cheapest FHU site at our local KOA is $42 a night with no additional taxes.
Imagine trying to charge $4,285.70 a month for your cheapest back-in sites or $2,500 for a tent pad and thinking fuel prices are why your park isn’t overflowing with business.
Five Bucks a gallon? Where is this station? Not in our great state of Washington.
I just paid $6.50 for gas without cornflakes.
Yup, I know, some person said with the great new taxes would only cost us pennies per gallon.
Oh well, I’m hitting the highway tomorrow as the sun is shining!
Better than sitting at the docks as folks with yachts do.