25 Ways to Save Big on RV Travel This Summer

Campgrounds vary dramatically in price, which is why you should choose your stops carefully and plan ahead of time. There are all kinds of affordable and scenic campgrounds throughout our great nation, but you'll need to do some leg work to find them.

The best way to save money on a road trip is to sit down ahead of time and plan out each of your stops. Check campground pricing along your desired route so you can decide early which campgrounds you want to stay at and for how long.

State and national parks offer some of the cheapest camping options nationwide while helping you connect with nature and get away from the crowds. Make sure to explore these national treasures and their pricing to see if they're a good fit for your summer road trip.

Food is often the biggest expense of any vacation, which is why you should plan your meals ahead. Buy ingredients for easy meals you can make in your RV with a stovetop or microwave. You'll likely save money and have fun cooking on the road.

If you run out of food or ingredients, fight the urge to stop in restaurants and diners for an easy meal you don't have to cook. You will always pay more for a restaurant meal, so stop at grocery stores to stock up on supplies instead.

While it depends on where your RV trip takes you, you can probably find find a plethora of free things to do. Take the family hiking through the wilderness or to a museum offering free entry. The more free activities you can take advantage of, the more you'll save over the course of your trip.

The high price of gas can make driving an RV an expensive affair. Use a money-saving app like Gas Buddy to check for the cheapest gas prices along your route. Because RV gas tanks are huge, even small savings per gallon can add up fast.

GoRving.com lets you compare prices and RVs available for rent in your area. Use this website to shop around for the best price and compare RVs in terms of their size and amenities. If you do your research ahead of time, you are bound to save a bundle and end up with the RV you want.

When it comes to renting an RV to see the country, size can make a huge difference in the final cost. Not only are larger RVs more expensive to rent, but they tend to use a lot more fuel as well. Rent an RV with enough space for your family but try not to overdo it if you hope to save some cash.

Nearly everything is more expensive when you get close to the nation's biggest cities, which is why you can save some cash by staying off the beaten path. Steer clear of big cities and you'll save some money-especially on fuel and food.

While it might sound fun to "wing it" on your summer RV trip, don't make up your itinerary on the fly. If you don't map out your route ahead of time, you could wind up paying a lot more than you have to for a campsite and other amenities. Plan ahead, and you avoid any unwelcome surprises.

Many RV rental companies charge extra for bedding if you don't bring your own. If you want to save money on your RV rental, make sure to pack your own sheets, blankets, and pillows so you can skip the bedding package altogether.

RV rental companies may also charge extra for dish kits that include pots, pans, plates, glasses, and bowls. However, you can save money by opting out of this surcharge and bringing your own supplies. Pack any cookware and camping gear you'll need along with dishes or disposable plates and cups.

The most expensive component of any RV trip is the time you spend on the road. If you are able, stay a while at each of your camping spots. You'll have more time to relax this way, and you'll spend a whole lot less on fuel.

It may be tempting to stop at hotels or motels along your route. However, doing so can cause the costs of your trip to surge dramatically. If you're going to rent an RV that has sleeping room for your family, you should commit to skipping hotels. Otherwise, save some money and rent a car instead.

Rest stops can offer a peaceful place to relax or take a break. While all rest stops offer bathrooms, many also offer showers and other amenities. You can also spend the night at a rest stop if you're tired of driving and want to avoid pricey campground fees.

Tire pressure can make a big difference in fuel economy, which is why you should fill up your tires to where they should be before you drive off into the sunset in your RV. If you're unsure how much air to add, check your RV's instruction manual for details.

RVs almost always get better fuel economy when they are out on the open road. Avoid small towns with lots of stops and stick to the highway if you want to get better mileage with your RV and save money on gas.

Any "extras" you have to buy once you leave home will add to the total costs of your RV trip. Make sure to pack toiletries, sunscreen, medicines, and other essentials you'll need on your journey so you can avoid having to splurge on the road.

There are numerous travel credit cards that let you redeem points to cover an RV rental or the fuel you'll need to buy. Make sure to explore flexible travel card options that can help you save hundreds-or even thousands-on your summer road trip.

While you can pay for a campsite with connections to water and sewer, you don't always have to. If you want to save money on at least some of your overnight campground stays, book a campsite where you can park your RV without connecting to utilities.

There are numerous luxury RV resorts around, many of which offer fancy amenities like pools, waterparks, and on-site restaurants. If your goal is saving some cash, you're better off sticking with basic campgrounds without all the added perks.

Theme parks offer a fun way to spend the day during your cross-country RV trip. If you want to save money, look for smaller, local parks that offer cheap day passes and inexpensive food options along with plenty of rides.

Renting an RV won't get you as close to nature as tent camping, but you can still enjoy the outdoors and all it has to offer. Enjoying nature is not only relaxing but also inherently frugal, which is why hiking and fishing are such popular pastimes.

You can make cheap meals over a campfire that will stretch your travel budget to the max, from hamburgers and hot dogs to "hobo meals" and grilled sweet corn. Of course, everyone loves S'mores as well, so don't forget to bring graham crackers, chocolate, and marshmallows along.