Vacations that won’t break the bank. (Speed limit? That’s on you.)

Your gas bill will be higher if you are towing a travel trailer or driving a motorhome. Research by Go RVing and the RV Industry Association shows that when fuel prices are higher, RVers save on fuel costs by driving fewer miles, taking trips closer to home, and staying longer in one destination. For a 2-4 person travel party, fuel prices would still need to rise significantly (from between $5.50 to more than $13 per gallon depending on RV type) from current levels for RVing to lose its economic advantage. If gas prices are a significant concern for you, pay close attention to the weight of the rig you are purchasing and plan to take trips closer to home for longer periods of time.

With new RVs costing anywhere from $9,000 to $140,000 on average, this is the most important place to manage your costs. If you are financing, divide your total yearly payment by how many nights you plan on traveling. This will help you measure the value of your investment. This number should be far lower than what you would personally spend on a hotel room or vacation home. However, some people are willing to spend more because of all the benefits of RV travel.

There are annual maintenance costs for your RV, and it is important to plan for them before you make a purchase. Price out winterizing and de-winterizing, along with basic service prices at your RV dealership. Remember that the cost of maintaining a motorized unit versus a towable will vary greatly so do your research! You’ll also want to price out storage if you can’t keep your RV in your sticks and bricks driveway. That cost will vary depending on where you live.