RV Vacations Cheaper than Any Other Vacation Option

Saving on vacation costs is one of the primary reasons people buy an RV online. Compared to other vacation options, vacationing in an RV will save a family of four between 28% and 59% on their total vacation costs; and a traveling couple, from 15% to 45%. In a study conducted by PKF Consulting, an international travel consulting firm, RV vacations were found to be less expensive than any other combination of travel and lodging choices, including travel by car or airline and lodging in a hotel, rental house or condominium. In each scenario, the RV vacation was determined to be the least expensive choice.

The PKF study also compared vacation costs for different types of RVs: a car towing a folding trailer (pop-up), a pickup truck or SUV towing a travel trailer and a Class A motorhome. Not surprisingly, motorhomes, which are larger and heavier than other types of RVs, were found to be a more expensive travel option than travel trailers or folding trailers. What was surprising was the relatively small cost difference between travel trailer and motorhome vacations. For a family of 4, a 3-day weekend trip in a travel trailer cost an average $623. Traveling by motorhome cost $647, a difference of only $24. Vacationing in a folding trailer cost $508.

In comparison, driving and staying in a hotel cost $903. Add the cost of flying and vacation costs rose to $1,678. Staying in a rental home only decreased vacation costs by $150 to $1,514.