This Is What Happens if You Travel by RV Rather Than Car

Is it easier to travel by RV? 

RVs have gained much popularity in recent years, and many people have started leaving their cars at home and renting an RV for their vacation. This may seem like a real deal, less expensive than traveling with your vehicle, but on the other hand, there are also a lot of costs involved, particularly if, like me, you’re driving an older car with a high mileage.

Before embarking on a lengthy road trip, you must know that you will need to spend some money to prepare the RV. That’s why in this article, I will give you both the pros and cons of traveling by RV and let you decide if it suits you or not.

You have the freedom to travel where you want

If you choose to travel by RV, you will have the freedom to travel where you want as long as it’s free to camp there at night. You won’t have to be limited by bus and train routes to explore the cities, and you won’t have to worry about spending a ton on accommodation because you will have your comfy bed inside the RV.

RVs with solar panels, generators, and big water tanks let you live off the grid for a long time. With this feature, you may camp in isolated locations without depending on campground amenities, giving you a special chance to take in the beauty and serenity of the outdoors. Plus, it will be more intimate too!

You use a ton of gas in one go

Unfortunately, this is considered a huge con from my point of view. If you travel by RV, you might want to be ready to splurge a lot on gas. Especially if you do that during warm seasons because the generator will be used a lot for AC, therefore the gas will run out pretty quickly depending on the car’s specifications.

Depending on the destination you want to travel to, you may spend around $200 per week, which can be very costly for some individuals.

You will need to pack a lot of stuff

If you decide to travel by RV, you will need a lot of items, from kitchen utensils to camping gear and toiletries. The good thing is that you may not need to spend much on them since you can also grab the ones you have at home.

In case you are lucky and you get a way out of this less costly, you must spend a lot on RV-specific gadgets like a water pressure regulator, a water hose, and a good generator. Depending on the kind of RV, they can cost anywhere from $100 to $300. Also, if you want to cook your meals, which I recommend, you will need a small grill, a tiny table, and a couple of chairs, depending on the number of people who travel with you.

…but it will be more spacious than a regular car trunk

Whenever I and my partner decide to travel by RV, we think about packing more than usual too. Why? Well, we will definitely have more time on the road, so we will need plenty of stuff, especially clean clothes since we won’t have the luxury to wash them. We also bring our bikes along, especially when we travel to mountainous areas.

Parking will be challenging

It might be difficult to find adequate parking spaces for an RV, particularly in popular tourist locations or metropolitan regions. Finding an RV parking space that is both practical and secure might take some effort because many locations have limits on this type of parking.

Freedom to bring your furry friend along

Traveling with pets can be challenging if you depend on hotels or other housing alternatives since not all of them permit you to bring your pet along. For many accommodations, the answer is still no, even with various explanations.
Pets are welcome in an RV, so you won’t have to worry about searching for hotels that allow them. You and your furry companions will experience less stress when traveling and both of you will enjoy yourselves.

Do you want to travel by RV this season? You’re going to need many items, but no morning is complete without a great cup of coffee, right? While you won’t be able to drag your coffee machine with you in the RV, you will need a Mini Single Serve Coffee Maker. It can be yours for $59.99, and you can find it on Amazon. 

The costs of renting may add up quickly

I initially intended to rent an RV when I started organizing my trip. But when my partner and I started researching prices, we saw that a month-long rental with excess mileage charges would get us almost halfway to the cost of a used one.

RV rentals can get pricey since a lot of peer-to-peer rental owners and rental firms tack on extra costs for things like insurance, extra miles, cleaning, and generator use. If renting it’s ok price-wise for you, go ahead and do it. Select the ideal thing for your trip to be the best one.

You will have 100% intimacy

Introverts love to travel by RV! By doing this, you will avoid all the huge queues from the airports, the noisy crowds, and, of course, all the plane delays, which are always a thing during the peak season. You won’t have to worry about picking the wrong restaurant or a bad hotel room since you will have everything you need in your RV.

RVs are great for a city getaway

Are you thinking about a short getaway during a long weekend? Traveling by RV makes it easier. Pack light and make some sandwiches for the road in case you’re hungry and need a snack, and you’re good to go. Of course, you can do that by personal car too, but it wouldn’t be that fun, and you will also end up spending a lot on hotels.

Get ready for a high-maintenance job!

Traveling by RV is all fun and games until you realize that it needs a lot of maintenance. You must keep a cleaning schedule which includes disposing of the trash, ensuring that tires are inflated and fluids are topped off. Of course, you should also check if there are any reparations needed because it’s better to do them while they’re still small. The costs of RV repairs are pretty high. Make sure you’re ready for this whole thing.

Traveling with the RV allows you to have extended family visits

Having long stays with family is one of the many wonderful advantages of RV travel. Instead of staying in a hotel, you may spend quality time with your family by parking your RV nearby or on a relative’s property. This setup is ideal for extended periods spent catching up with loved ones, family reunions, and holidays. It allows you to be near relatives but still feel comfortable in your place, which makes visits more laid-back and fun.

Have you ever traveled with an RV? Tell me in the comments.

Are you leaving for a trip soon and packing your bags seems like a pain in the neck? You’re not the only one, but good thing I got your back so go hurry and check out Smart Tips to Pack Your Luggage Better.