RV Travel is getting more and more popular. Couples and families are getting a taste of the RV lifestyle. According to Grand View Research "The global RV rental market size was valued at USD 820.3 million in 2021 and is expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.4% from 2022 to 2030". With this said, RV rental is the future of travel! But when weighing RV vs. flying and staying in a hotel, which is the better deal? Let's consider some factors to help you with making this travel decision.
We're all looking to escape life's daily demands, dramas and deadlines and find ways that enable us to clear our minds. We want to spend more time adventuring and discovering new things. You may ask yourself "What's the best way to do this?" For a lot of us, the best way is also the most cost effective way. We want to spend more time having fun and not stressing out about finances.
Your decision will likely be influenced by a few key factors:
The number of people traveling
The distance and location
Length of trip
Travel Style
Once you have the above factors figured out, your next step is to decide what option will be the most beneficial and cost effective.
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WHAT IS AN RV?
An RV is a recreational vehicle and refers to motorized vehicles with a living space built in. How cool is this? One of the world’s first and largest peer-to-peer RV rental in the marketplace is RVshare which serves more than 60,000 RV owners across the US. They have a broad inventory ranging from travel trailers to luxury motorhomes and have the perfect RV for your vacation, tailgate, or temporary lodging needs. Another benefit of RV travel is that it makes regular travel easier for those who need special accommodations through the use of wheelchair accessible RV motorhomes and travel trailers.
Here is a comparison guide to help you make the most informed decision. Let’s get started!
FLIGHT vs. RENTING A RV
The average US flight cost is $260 dollars. That, multiplied by the number of people traveling, could add up to the thousands. Additional travel costs could include:
Travel insurance on average is 5% to 6% of your trip costs
Baggage Fees on average - $30 per person
Airport meals - $25 per person
PROTECT YOUR TRAVELS: Travelex Travel Insurance: Coverage for the Unexpected
At RVshare you can find rentals starting as low as $50 a night for tow behinds and $75 for drivable RVs. If you go for something more middle of the range or even feel like going larger with a $200 + a day RV rental, you are still looking at dividing this number by the amount of people in your party, not multiplying, which already brings about great savings.
RENTING A CAR vs. RENTING A RV GAS IMPACT
On average, the nationwide rate for car rental is $109. Renting a vehicle could get really expensive depending on the size, number of days, mileage, and gas. Choosing to skip the rental car agency and using ride share apps won’t save you that much money with average rides across the country at $25 one way. Another option would be Public transportation which is a cost effective way to get around depending on your destination.
In 2022 the rise in gasoline and diesel prices made taking roadtrips difficult. However, so far for 2023 the average prices around the country are going down. Gasbuddy predicts the average cost of gas for 2023 to be $3.49, much better than the $5.00 mark last year. The cost of gasoline will vary depending on the miles of travel. The most standard RV, a class C, typically holds a 40 gallon gas tank and has an average of 10 mpg. Filling up the tank at an average current price of $4.00 a gallon would cost (40 x $4.00 = $160). That $160 fill up will be able to take you about 400 miles, which is about 6.5 hours of travel time. This same formula last year came up to $200 for a fill up. With gas prices decreasing, there is significant savings when it comes to RV travel.
HOTEL vs. RV CAMPGROUND
Hotel prices are up 54% right now. Some hotels allow you to squeeze four people into a hotel room. But if you have more than five people you'll probably have to reserve another room for the duration of your stay. In this case, an RV might be your most cost effective option seeing there are multiple RV sizes. You actually avoid paying double at a hotel. Also, keep in mind that for hotels, there are other factors like location, rooms with kitchens, breakfast included and amenities that will influence your cost greatly. Campgrounds come with all types of price tags from $0 for public lands to $40 for a spot in an established campground with water and electric hook-ups. Boondocking allows you to park for free on public land but there are limitations. You’ll have to use water and electricity from your own supply and most often you will be further away from attractions.
DINING OUT vs. BUYING GROCERIES
Let's talk travel style. Do you like cooking your own food, or do you like eating out and trying new restaurants? Dining is part of any travel adventure but when you are limited to a microwave in the hotel room, you are going to find yourself with another unexpected high budget point. In an RV, not only can you store groceries and pack the fridge with everyone’s favorites, but you have the option to cook meals together. You could even have the family favorite meal on the menu. RVs are equipped with full kitchens and although doing the dishes while on vacation is not everyone’s dream, having the space and appliances to cook a meal will save hundreds.
HOW TO LIST or RENT A RV
Click on the link below to search and rent the right RV for your trip. Or you can list your RV for free. Also, available are the current promotion. Note that every booked reservation through RVshare includes Roadside Assistance, provided by Questx Tow Network (“Quest”). They are available nationwide to assist with issues 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. And don't forget those RV travel must haves. Shop here.
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