How to use the rv trip cost calculator
- Enter the total miles driven, including the drive home for a round trip.
- Enter the fuel economy of your RV in MPG and the fuel price per gallon.
- Enter the nights at campgrounds and the campsite cost per night.
- Optionally add other costs and the number of people sharing. Read the total, the cost per mile, per night and per person.
Formula
Gallons = miles / MPG Fuel cost = gallons x price per gallon
Campsite cost = nights x cost per night
Total = fuel + campsites + other costs Cost per mile = total / miles
One fuel economy and one price are used for the whole trip, and every figure is one you enter.
600 miles, 10 MPG, $4 a gallon and 2 nights at $45
600 miles at 10 MPG use 60 gallons. At $4.00 a gallon the fuel costs $240.00. Two nights at $45 cost $90.00, so the total is $330.00. That is $0.55 per mile and $165.00 per night.
Add $60 of other costs and 3 people sharing, and the total becomes $390.00, which is $130.00 each. With no campground nights the total is just the $240.00 of fuel.
Using your real numbers
RV fuel economy changes with weight, towing, speed, wind and hills, so use a figure you have measured on a similar trip rather than a brochure number. The MPG calculator works out your economy from a fill up. Fuel prices change along the route, so use the price you expect to pay, or an average of a few.
Campsite costs vary by season and site type. Enter the nightly cost you were quoted, and put hookup, dump station and reservation fees in the other costs box.
Beyond fuel and camping
A fuller trip budget includes food, activities and repairs. The trip budget planner lets you add many line items, the fuel cost calculator handles fuel alone and the trip cost split calculator settles who owes whom after the trip.
This calculator leaves out vehicle wear, depreciation and insurance, which matter if you are comparing an RV trip with renting. It also assumes one steady fuel price, so for a long route with big price swings, run the numbers twice with a low and a high price to see the range.
Assumptions and limits
- Miles, MPG, price, nights and rates are entered by you.
- One fuel price and one fuel economy apply to the whole trip.
- Wear, depreciation, insurance and the cost of owning the RV are not included.
- Taxes, tolls and fees count only if you add them to other costs.
Frequently asked questions
How much does an RV trip cost?
It depends entirely on your numbers. 600 miles at 10 MPG and $4 a gallon is $240 of fuel, and 2 nights at $45 adds $90, for $330.
How do I calculate RV fuel cost?
Divide the miles by your MPG to get gallons, then multiply by the price per gallon. 600 miles at 10 MPG is 60 gallons.
Should I count the drive home?
Yes for a round trip. Enter the total miles for the whole trip so the fuel covers both directions.
What goes in other costs?
Tolls, propane, food, hookup and dump fees and anything else you want counted. The tool adds it to the total.