How To Save Money On The Road

There are over 1 million people across this country that consider themselves to be full-time RVers. Whether you’re one of them, or you’re more of a part-timer, everyone who gets behind the wheel can probably agree on one thing: Saving money is a good thing.

As we start to look toward the busier season for many RVers, it’s important to keep your budget in mind when you hit the road. Saving a little money here and there can help you to save up for more trips, after all!

So, what can you do to save money while RVing this season, whether you’re on the road every day or you’re more of a weekend warrior?

Take it Slow

It’s tempting to put your foot on the gas and get to your destination as quickly as possible. But, taking it slowly and enjoying the scenic route is actually better for your vehicle and will help you to save on gas.

Additionally, don’t rush through your trips. Instead of staying one or two nights at your favorite campground, try to book several days, or even a week! You can often get discounted rates or a better deal if you stay for a longer period of time, because it ensures the campground that they’ll be making money.

Practice Smart Dining

One of the biggest money pits on the road is eating out. Thankfully, most RVs come with some type of kitchen, so you can stock up on your favorite foods and prepare your own meals. But, that’s not always feasible when you’ve been driving all day and you’re exhausted by dinnertime - too exhausted to cook.

You can invest in a slow cooker or Instant Pot for situations like these. The slow cooker allows your meal to cook all day while you’re driving, so you’ll enjoy the delicious aroma for hours, and once you reach your destination it will be ready for you.

If you do want to eat out on occasion, take advantage of coupons and deals restaurants provide. Groupon is a great way to check out deals near you. Some chain restaurants also have apps you can download on your phone that have coupons, or offer things like free appetizers or desserts.

Find Free Activities

You’re not always going to be staying in a campground while you’re on the road. So, to keep things exciting, do your research on some free or inexpensive local activities in your areas of travel. Many cities give great tours of different sites, buildings, and more. You could go on a ghost tour in Savannah, GA, or see the Budweiser Museum in St. Louis, MO and check out their famous Clydesdale horses. Again, tours like these are usually very reasonably priced (and sometimes free), and you can learn a lot.

We hope you keep these simple tips in mind this year as you hit the road again. If you’re already a full-timer looking for a few ways to save some green, they can help you, too! Enjoy the savings, and don’t be afraid to get creative when it comes to other ways of saving on the road.

Jan 27th 2020 Stacey Koziel