Wondering if it is cheaper to RV or stay in hotels? It all depends on the amenities you want. Photo: Shutterstock
Should You Stay in a Hotel or RV?
Your approach to cost comparison between RVing and hotel stays depends on several factors. One of the first things to note is what type of RVer you are. Are you a full-time RVer, or just a weekender? Do you already own an RV, or are you thinking about renting an RV?
What type of RVer are you?
If you own an RV, whether it is paid in full or you are still making payments on it, you already have access to this resource and the cost is already figured into your regular budget. If you do not, the RV rental cost will need to be a part of your overall determination of RV or hotel.
The current cost of renting an RV depends on the type of RV. The average cost to rent an RV for a week is around $1580. Here are some cost ranges per night; the older it is, the lower the rate:
- Class A: $175-450
- Class B: $100-350
- Class C: $150-400
- Travel Trailer: $50-200
- Fifth Wheel: $60-300
Note: You will need a towing vehicle for the travel trailer and fifth wheel. You may want to tow a vehicle behind the Class A. Figure in the extra cost for renting tows.
RV owners average around 10 miles per gallon. It depends on the distance, but you will need to figure this into your expenses. Several hours of driving can cost around $100 for a large rig.
We factor in park costs and fuel for our RV travels in a fifth wheel.
How many people are traveling?
The other item to consider is how many people will be traveling with you. There are a lot of RV rental options that have two bedrooms and can sleep 8+ people.
If you already own an RV, then you know how many people travel with you. In a hotel, you will usually have maximum 4 people per room, and for each person over 2, you will need to pay extra for them. You don’t always have to pay extra for kids, but you can be charged $20-50 per additional adult in a room. The larger your group, the more cost effective it is to choose an RV.
Where will you sleep?
The average cost per hotel room per night for 2020 was $186, but in 2019, it was $274. You can expect it to rise again to pre-pandemic pricing.
The average cost for RV parking is $25-80 per night, but if you stay for 7 nights, you can receive weekly rates and electricity. The average weekly rate is $250-600. It will depend on the location, space size, and amenities offered.
Where do you plan to have meals?
You may want to eat out at least once to try the local cuisine. That is a huge part of experiencing a new location. But if you plan on eating most meals you prep yourself, the RV is a clear winner here.
You may have a reasonable propane cost (or it’s already included with a rental) for cooking your own meals. But, planning your own menus and having a full kitchen to cook in is a huge cost savings. The average cost per person per meal prepared at home is $4.31.
For a family of two that is $181.02 a week. Compare that to the average cost of eating out – $20.37 per person per meal. Now a family of two is spending $855.54 in one week.
You might need propane to cook in your RV. A 30-gallon tank can last a week and cost around $30 to fill.
You can cook up a full-on pasta dinner on most RV stoves. Save and enjoy local fare too.
Is It Cheaper To RV Or Stay In Hotels?
Let’s look at this One Week Vacation Comparison Chart For Two People (Based On Average Costs)
| Cost Items | Hotel | RV |
| Room | $1300 one room | $300 average park rental |
| Water/Electric | Included | Included |
| Meals | $850 (sometimes breakfast is included) | Save by making your own. $200 |
| Fuel/Propane | N/A | Included with rental.
RV Owner – Fuel depends on distance (average $200) Propane – $30 |
| Housekeeping | Included – tips not included | Included with rental.
RV Owner – DIY |
| Trash Pickup | Included | DIY |
| Transportation/Air | Rental Car? Air? | Included. You may want to tow a car |
| TOTAL: | $2150 | $730 |
So, is it cheaper to RV or stay in hotels?
As you can see by the chart, RVs are a huge savings. Even if you must factor in a week’s RV rental, it can still be a savings over a hotel room when it comes to meal options and the number of people you are traveling with.
You can shop for your hotel based on the location and amenities just like you can with the RV. Unlike your hotel though, if you find there is a new venue you want to try out, you can cut back on costs elsewhere.
The one thing that is hard to put a value on, though, is memories. RVing opens the options to experiences you will never get in a hotel. An RV can give you personal privacy and at the same time deliver opportunities to meet other travelers. Or, you can prepare meals together or cook-out over a firepit. And if you want to visit several areas, you don’t have to feel like you are living out of a suitcase. So, get out there and do something new – something you will always remember.
For all of your camping and trip planning needs, look no further than RV LIFE Campgrounds and RV LIFE Trip Wizard. RV LIFE Campgrounds is a trusted source of campground and RV park reviews offered by camping and RV enthusiasts just like you. With its accompanying RV LIFE App, RV LIFE Trip Wizard gets you to your camping destinations utilizing RV-friendly routes specific to your RV and travel preferences.
Related articles:
- 15 Reasons Why I Like My RV Better Than A Hotel
- 8 Reasons Why Traveling In An RV Is Better Than An Airplane
Since 2019 Lucinda Belden has been a full-time RVer and travel writer specializing in topics such as living on the road, working while traveling, RVing with outdoor recreation toys, and discovering unique location experiences. She is also the Program Director for MyRVRadio, a non-stationary radio station for RVers broadcasting news, events, culture, expert advice, humor, and entertainment. As a skilled entrepreneur, promoter and travel industry consultant, she and her husband Will Belden organize national events for the outdoor industry, such as the Direction Wide Open RV & Motorcycle Rally. She draws daily inspiration from the full-time RV lifestyle, motorcycling and world travel expeditions.
Everything here points to the RV being cheaper. The cost of buying the RV is not mentioned. 40-70K+ for a travel trailer. Up to10 times that for a Motorhome.
Plus maintenance, fuel, storage (if you don’t have a place for it at home), equipping the RV for living.
A tow vehicle costing 60K+( more NOW), and insurance.
And it depends on how much you are planning on using it.
Depending on how far you plan to drive, it may take twice as long to reach a destination.
I can easily drive my car 600 miles in one day. Pulling my trailer I try to limit myself to 300 miles so I have time to set it up for the night and make it ready to pull the next day.
The chart leaves off a lot either in cost of ownership or the rental itself. We own our RV, a class C. For us, in our state, we have property taxes in addition to insurance. We store at home and own ours outright and have for years, but my point is the RV part still isn’t free. One big savings and benefit for us is to be able to bring our dogs along. Priceless for the love from them and their joy in exploring new hiking trails. But quantifiable in the savings over having a dog sitter stay with them. Apples and oranges, though, we still travel in hotels as well…different types of trips.
Thanks for reading Kasey. Yes – it is a short article for a long topic and is difficult to address every single point. Variables are different for every user – and if you own, you are investing.
I rather be in my rv because I know who sleeps in my bed every night.
Your data does not display the cost of the RV insurance, and license plate cost as well as depreciation. The proper pricing will place the price to be cheaper staying in a motel. RV costs more, but it is nicer to stay in your own bed and bath in your own shower. Your own refrigerator is also nice. RVing is a lot better but costs more.
Hi Judway, thanks for pointing out those details. Yes it is hard to include every item. But if you do own your RV, you are profiting from an investment – staying in a hotel is like renting and you will have zero return.
While we enjoy our travel trailer, I’ve run the numbers myself to include the higher cots of fuel, taxes, insurance, storage, maintenance and depreciation on the trailer and truck. I based it on our 45 nights out over the last 7 years and it’s definitely not a money saver. I also don’t believe purchasing something that immediately starts depreciating can be viewed as an investment.
Where is the acquisition and maintenance cost of the RV in this analysis? My low end motorhome cost $80K. Many cost double that or more. Absent that, the rest are trivial incidentals, and it invalidates any conclusions reached. This is a critical data omission.
Hi Roger, thanks for your input. The article is a broad overview and hard to specify details based on type of RV, ownership or no, etc. But if you own, you have an investment – with hotels, you don’t. There are still valid comparisons to be considered in the overview.
I travel a lot on my motorcycle and average a $100 a night in hotel cost. I probably spend around $30 a day to eat. According to this article I travel like a vagrant. I guess fine dining and luxury hotels aren’t important to me.
I travel via motorcycle too T. Thanks for the input. The article is drawing on broad averages to give a concept. When I travel via motorcycle, I don’t even do a hotel 🙂 I hammock stay and pack nuts and fruit. So yes, how we travel will definitely effect the numbers.
The article is good, but the true answer to the question really depends on the length of stay.
For example, We already own a 44 foot Entegra and want to attend the RV show in Tampa next month. It is a 4 1/2 hour drive and we are planning to leave Tuesday night, overnight in a hotel, attend the show on Wednesday, and then head home that evening. It will cost more in fuel just to take the coach down there than the hotel, fuel for the car, and food combined.
Hi Dr. Mike, thanks for your feedback. It is a game of time and money. Hopefully the article will give everyone a concept of basic things to consider to get their own ideas flowing. The goal is to get out there and have an experience based on your criteria.
The one big factor Linda didn’t address is the cost of the RV itself, the annual license and insurance.
Hi Debbie,
Thanks for your idea. That was purposefully not included because people’s scenarios vary. They may already own their RV outright. They may rent. If you are paying off an RV and have annual costs, you also have an investment. Everyone will have to play with their own numbers to arrive at an exact cost. This article is short and can’t cover everyone’s situation but hopefully will be enough to get you thinking 🙂
This comparison is not accurate. The cost of the RV needs to factored in. If you have a TOAD, it cancels with the cost of your car you travel in. If you compare all the costs, staying in a 5 star hotel beats it ever time.
You can’t compare apples and oranges.
Hi Ronald, thanks for your input. The cost of the RV was only touched on because some rent, some already own and it is paid off – although basic cost options were included. Hotel costs are average costs, not 5 star. And you are right, no comparing apples to oranges. This article will hopefully just get someone thinking about what works for them and a few things to consider when comparing. It is possible to RV at any level and make it happen!
Don’t forget about the fuel cost. If you travel anywhere but your local RV park there will be a huge fuel bill.
And don’t forget about the repair costs because they come often. They are not cheap in a Motor Home.
Hi Susan, thanks for touching base. Yes – fuel is an important factor. I left this as a variable based on whether someone needed to fly to stay in their hotel as well. Lots of variables! Each person will need to compare their exact cost. This should give everyone ideas of where to start. 🙂
My PRIMARY reason for quitting the motel fiasco and springing for an older Class A diesel pusher was… NOISE…!!! No matter which hotel, at what costs, on whatever floor… there was no way to get away from all the rude, inconsiderate, narcissistic clowns banging and slamming and yelling loud enough to hear every conversation and thump they slammed down into the floors and walls…!!! Aside from living out of a suitcase and having to carry everything in, and out by 11am checkout time (moot point because nobody can sleep in past 5am with all the banging thumping noise), making reservations sometimes weeks in advance or not being able to find ANY lodging available anywhere near where you are wanting to go…. especially if there is a big event going on that week/weekend… such football games, graduations, major conventions etc. I sold/traded my beautiful Harley cruiser bike towards an older Class A diesel pusher, and yes it comes with some different requirements and costs, but I have found the costs are balancing out just about the same, and I am free within my own traveling home and destinations I choose… even if it means boondocking anywhere I want fully self-contained. I hope to never have to go back to motel hopping ever again… ;o)
I have tent camped many years, 5th wheel for 15, Ida destroyed my trailer so that is over for now. RVing is not cheap when taking in cost of trailer and rigs. To start again a 5th wheel will easily cost 40-50,000 a new truck 60,000. I can travel a lot for 100,000. The least expensive I have found is to rent a cabin in the woods or park system, go with good friends and split the cost. My wife and I with 2 other couples rented a 3 bedroom cabin in Blue Ridge Ga. 6 nights, cooking a big breakfast every morning, lunch out, evening wine and snacks, cost was $560 per couple plus outside food beside breakfast. Drove my honda pilot at 25 mpg vs towing 5 wheel at 9 mpg. Driving car 1 day vs. towing overnight. We had a fire pit, deer sleeping at night in the front yard. I plan on going to Utah and do the same thing. Down side I had to leave my dog with friends that spoil him rotten.
Agree with the previous posters about Apples and Raisins.
Disagree that owning an RV is an “Investment”. Even with the rise in value related to recent events, RV’s depreciate significantly. Additionally, the costs of RV ownership are significant (cost of the RV, depreciation, MAINTNENCE, storage, registration, taxes, insurance and fuel.
In the final analysis, it is most always cheaper to fly and stay in hotel/AirBNB/Short term rental. There is no financial analysis that would create a scenario where RV is the low-cost option.
a depreciating asset is NOT an investment by very definition. And investment is something you do with your money to make more money.
So, let’s stop calling an RV purchase an investment; unless you are buying it to rent it out and make money off of it. Then, it is an investment.
With the price of diesel fuel these days we dry to stay in a 300 mile radius of home which is central Florida with many resort rv parks and beaches to visit. On a once a month, month and and a half bassis it’s like going to Manhattan for fine dinning and attractions and bringing your own hotel room.