Between transportation, lodging, and other necessities, traveling often gets expensive. And because of how pricy it could get, it’s normal for people to want to get the most out of their trip. On the other hand, for those who are traveling with limited resources, sticking to a strict budget has become essential to ensure they don’t end up spending more than they can.
With travel costs posing a problem, some people who still yearn to travel are looking at other alternatives. Traveling with a campervan, for instance, is one of the most affordable options available. Fortunately, rentals such as the Wilderness Campervans offer budget-friendly transportation. Now you have a mode of transportation while also doubling as your accommodation.
To help you plan the budget for your upcoming trip with a campervan, here are some of the things you need to take into consideration:
1. Transportation
Looking for a campervan is perhaps easy, considering how many rentals and auto shops are out there. However, how you pay them is where things could get tricky. Generally, you have two options when getting a campervan: either rent one or buy one.
Naturally, renting a campervan is the cheapest option of the two. And so, if you aren’t planning to travel as much, this may be the best option to consider. But for avid travelers, investing in a campervan may be a suitable choice. For one, you can customize it according to your travel needs and preferences.
Generally, the cost of renting a campervan will depend on various factors, such as the van’s model, the number of days you’ll be renting the vehicle, and the season of your travel. The price could range from $100 to $200 a day. While this number can be a steal for some, long-time travelers who frequently venture out for days – even weeks – might consider this inconvenient. Thus, they may be more willing to purchase their own campervan.
Aside from the cost of renting or buying a campervan, you’ll also need to include gas fees in the computation. Considering how fuel prices fluctuate frequently, the only way travelers can determine how much they cost is to determine the campervan’s fuel consumption. Fortunately, rentals such as Wilderness Motorhomes offer fuel-efficient vehicles that only use around 12 liters of diesel per 100 kilometers, which is equivalent to around 62 miles.
2. Food And Water
Another essential component that can affect your travel budget is food and water. No matter how short your trip is, removing food and water from your list is impossible. And depending on the number and type of nourishment you pack, your expected expense could either be higher or lower.
For instance, some people bring with them canned goods to last them longer. Plus, they’re also cheaper options. On the other hand, if your budget allows you to splurge, you could opt to purchase ingredients and prepare meals while traveling. After all, campervans often come with a compact kitchen and built-in stove, making it easier to cook your food. Some also come with a small fridge.
3. Campgrounds or RV Resorts
Even though travelers take care to maintain regular check-ups on their vehicles, operating them beyond the limit of the distance they have is the last thing you’d consider wise. To give them respite, some consider stopping by accommodations. Fortunately, there are multiple stopovers you can make along the road. Some of these accommodations are campgrounds and RV resorts.
Campgrounds are much cheaper, considering they’re open spaces that allow wide room between you and your neighbors. However, in most cases, they don’t offer much privacy when trees are the only things dividing each traveler. On the other hand, RV parks have more amenities, such as pools, hot tubs, and golf courses.
Campgrounds could range between $15 to $50 per night, while RV resorts could go as much as $100 per night.
4. Splurging
Whether renting a campervan or buying one for yourself, living with only the essentials throughout the trip might not be enough to eliminate boredom. As such, if possible, consider allotting a buffer in your budget for other things. For instance, you can stop over at a diner to eat. You could also buy souvenirs from your trip.
How Much Do They All Cost?
It can be hard to put a definite price tag on how much you’re expected to shell out for your road trip with a campervan, especially since your budget depends on factors like how long and where you’re traveling to. But, hopefully, the list above can give you a good start as you plan your budget.
With that, keep in mind the transportation cost, regardless if you’re planning to buy a campervan or rent one, food and water, campground fees, and other essentials.