RVing is an incredible way to explore the great outdoors while maintaining the comforts of home. But if you’ve been on the road for a while, you know the costs can add up. At a recent campfire gathering, retirees agreed that RVing is more expensive than in the past. Luckily, these retirees happily shared tips and tricks for spending less while RVing. Here are some of their frugal RVing ideas.
Travel less, save fuel
One of the biggest expenses when RVing is fuel. Whether you’re driving a large motorhome or towing a trailer, the cost of gas can hit your wallet hard. To reduce this, consider slowing down your travel pace. Instead of moving from place to place every few days, try staying in one spot for longer. This not only cuts down on fuel costs but gives you a chance to really immerse yourself in the area.
Staying longer in one place can also have financial perks—many campgrounds offer discounted weekly or monthly rates, which can save you a good chunk of change compared to daily fees.
Cook your own meals
Eating out while traveling is tempting, but it’s also expensive. A simple way to save money is to plan and cook your own meals. Stock up on groceries and use your RV kitchen to whip up delicious, homemade dishes.
This doesn’t mean you have to give up enjoying local food entirely—you can still treat yourself to the occasional restaurant meal. One retiree suggested that RVers try eating out for lunch. She said, “Lunch menu items usually cost less, and come in healthier portion sizes.”
Budget-friendly campgrounds
Instead of always opting for private RV parks, explore alternatives like Corps of Engineers (COE) campgrounds or state parks. Here’s a good guidebook. These often offer lower campsite fees and still provide beautiful locations. Some state parks even have full hookups, meaning you won’t miss out on comfort while saving money. And if you’re over a certain age or a military veteran, you may qualify for additional discounts.
Work camping
If you plan to RV for an extended period, consider work camping, where you exchange work for a free campsite or even a small wage. Many campgrounds and national parks offer opportunities for RVers to earn money while living on-site. It’s a great way to cut costs and add a bit of income while you travel.
Join membership programs
RV membership clubs like Harvest Hosts, Passport America, and Thousand Trails can be game changers when it comes to saving money. These programs offer access to discounted or even free campsites, and while there’s a membership fee upfront, the savings often pay for themselves after just a few stays. Harvest Hosts, for example, lets you camp overnight at farms, vineyards, and breweries for free (just be prepared to buy some of their products in return).
If you enjoy visiting museums, aquariums, zoos, or other cultural attractions, join a program like the North American Reciprocal Museum Association (NARM). It allows you to visit affiliated museums across the country for free or at a reduced rate, giving you some budget-friendly entertainment on the road.
Invest in boondocking gear
Boondocking, or camping without hookups, is a fantastic way to save money. Public lands like Bureau of Land Management (BLM) sites often allow free dispersed camping, but you’ll need to be prepared. Investing in essentials like a generator, solar panels, and larger water tanks means you can comfortably stay off-grid without paying for campsites. The upfront cost might seem steep, but it can save you a lot in the long run.
Share costs with friends or family
Camping with friends or family members can help divide up the costs. You can split fuel expenses, campsite fees, and even food costs. Not only does this make your trip more affordable, but it also makes for a fun shared experience.
RVing doesn’t have to break the bank. With a bit of planning and some savvy choices, you can keep your expenses in check and still enjoy the freedom of the open road. Happy travels!
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We find volunteer opportunities at volunteer.gov. Volunteering has been a wonderful experience for us. We also use a cash back card for gas and an electric heater rather than propane to take the chill off.
Drive slower. When I tow my TD trailer, my mpg drops like a stone as I go over 65mph.
That’s one of the best ways to save fuel. Slowing down from 65 to 60 takes less than 30 minutes longer in 200 miles and could increase mileage by 3-5 MPG
…shop for insurance with several co.’s or agencies. Keep an eye on the xthr and try to plan travel days with tailwinds! Slow down to 55-60 or whatever, find the sweet spot for your engine. No hi-speed accelerations or braking. Refuel in the early morning when the fuel is cool.
Use GasBuddy to find the cheapest fuel and get a few cents per gallon in discounts.
Use the free, non-subscription grocery store apps to capitalize on weekly sales. You won’t save thousands but it all adds up.
Maintain your RV yourself. Paying $150+ to winterize or change oil when you can do it yourself is hard to justify. YouTube has tons of videos to show you how.
Don’t fund your adult kid’s financial issues. They need to learn how to get out of the hole and avoid the hole versus use your limited resources as a personal ATM.
Don’t fall for scams. If an “opportunity” pops up out of the blue, it’s not an opportunity for you.
The biggest way we compensate for high fuel costs when traveling is to do dry camp/overnight stops at rest areas, truck stops, Walmart, etc. Lots of extra money for fuel when not paying 40 to 80 dollars a night to sleep.
Thank you Gail for mentioning NARM!! Have been annual members for last 9 years of full timing. The first thing I look up when changing areas is what museums are available. Last year we saved over $600 in admissions for museums. Are all very interesting, a great way to get lots of walking in and we always learn something!!
Camping to us is to get away. We rarely camp near urban areas.
For camping without services, (BLM, many state and federal campgrounds. etc) we added 400 ah’s of batteries and 600 watts on the roof of our 25′ Bigfoot trailer. No microwave, oven or electric appliances. Our retirement is with limited funds, but making our camper rather self-sufficient works for us.
Thank you, Gail! 🙂 We prefer state parks and COE campgrounds. Most have electricity and water, and a dump station, so we have all we need. In a fit of frivolity we (as in I) opted for a lifetime Passport America membership. They do offer discounted fees, but they are narrowly available. Read the details carefully before joining, and especially before getting a long-term membership. Have a great day and safe travels!