How Much Does It Cost To Fill Up An RV?
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As an RV owner, you need to know the costs to stay within your budget. This includes fuel and knowing how much it costs to fill up an RV before driving it.
RV owners should plan ahead when it comes to filling up their tanks with gas to stay within their budget too. Running out of gas or spending far more than your budget can be a potential problem in the future.
The cost of filling up an RV varies depending on the size of the RV, its fuel type, and the overall size of your gas tank. On average, you can expect to spend between $100 to $600 to fill up an RV based on the current fuel prices. The expensive range applies to larger RVs with bigger fuel tanks.
RVs are not cheap to buy or own, but they can be a very rewarding way to travel. RV owners need to know the cost of filling up their RV with fuel to properly plan their trips and remain within their budget. This guide discusses more about RVs, the different types, and how much it costs to fill them up with fuel.
The cost of filling up an RV can be quite expensive. You should consider what you are going to do with your RV when it is empty and how much you are willing to spend for each trip. Keep reading to learn more about the type of RV that provides the best fuel efficiency too.
How Much Does It Cost To Fill Up An RV?
There are many factors that determine how much it costs to fill up an RV. The cost of gas, the type of vehicle, and the size are just a few.
RV owners should consider their needs when determining the total cost of filling up their RV. Some people might not be able to afford to fill up their RV with gas if they don't have a job or if they live in a rural area where there is limited access to fuel stations.
On average, you can expect to pay between $100 to $600 with the current fuel prices around $4.00 per gallon. This average is based on the gas tank sizes of RVs with the smallest options being 25 gallons and the largest being about 150 gallons.
The price of fuel, the size of the tank, and how long you plan on staying are just some of the factors that will affect your decision. The cost of filling up an RV depends on the size and type of the RV.
The average cost varies greatly based on the type of RV class you drive along with the current fuel prices. You can learn more about each RV class type below to understand how much it costs to fill up your RV.
Class A RV
The Class A RVs have larger gas tanks with less fuel efficiency making them the most expensive to fill up. This is because they are designed for long-distance journeys, which means that they need a lot of fuel.
These RVs are extremely large and often get referred to as the most luxurious RV types on the market. But because of this, the cost to acquire one and maintain them over time on long trips is high.
The average size of this RV is about 33 to 35 feet with larger options available above 40 feet too. This makes travel difficult and driving them requires previous experience because they are more difficult to handle on the road too.
Class B RV
Class B RVs have smaller gas tanks with more fuel efficiency making them the most affordable to fill up. These are designed for all types of trips because they are much more compact.
This means they provide the best fuel efficiency and they are extremely easy to handle for less experienced drivers. However, you cannot fit as many people or as much gear inside for longer trips.
This compact RV is the smallest of the bunch. These motorhomes are ideal for short-distance trips or for those who prefer to travel with more comfort. You can keep your costs lower with this RV type.
Class C RV
Class C RVs have a lot of features that make them a great choice for those who want to go on a longer trip. It has an exterior design that is meant to be appealing, which makes it easy to find at campsites and other locations.
They have a similar compact design to the Class B RV but not nearly the same level of fuel efficiency. The design of these RVs includes a van frame to allow for more comfort and natural driving.
How Much Gas Does An RV Use?
RV gas usage depends on the type of RV and how it is being used. In general, the bigger an RV, the more gas it will consume. The best way to estimate total usage is with the average miles per gallon.
The amount of fuel that an RV consumes depends on several factors such as size, weight, speed, and power too. We have created an easy-to-read chart below to help you determine the exact amount of gas needed for each type of RV.
Other Factors That Impact How Much Fuel Your RV Uses
There are plenty of key factors that impact how much fuel your RV uses. Some of these factors can be controlled to try and keep your fuel costs down too. Other factors that may affect fuel efficiency are the weight of your RV, tire durability, and the fuel type used.
For example, the bigger the RV, the more fuel it will need to move it around. You should expect to pay more money in expenses like fuel when you opt to buy a bigger RV size.
RV Weight
The size of your RV will determine the amount of fuel it uses and how much it costs to fill up with gas. RV fuel economy will depend on how much the RV weighs and how long the RV can go before it needs to be refueled.
The weight and size of your RV will determine the amount of fuel it uses and how much it costs to fill it up with gas. The larger your RV is the more fuel that is required for use during your travel.
Typically, the weight changes based on the class of your RV too. As your RV gets bigger, the miles per gallon will decrease and the gas tank will increase in size. This results in a bigger fuel bill when you fill it up.
Fuel Type
The type of fuel used for your RV will also impact the cost to fill up with gas. A diesel RV is more expensive than a regular gas one because of the fuel prices, especially today.
Most RVs are powered by diesel engines, which require a large amount of fuel to operate at a higher cost. This can be a significant cost difference for some RV owners when they are traveling across the country or even just across town.
Gas Tank Size
The gas tank size on your RV will determine fuel efficiency and how much it costs to fill it up with gas. The smaller the size, the less you can store in it meaning that every trip to the gas station will be cheaper.
Bigger gas tanks cost more to fill up because they hold more fuel. When you have a larger gas tank, you should expect higher expenses too because they tend to be equipped on the less efficient RVs too.
Tire Pressure
Tire pressure is another underrated factor that impacts fuel economy. The best way to ensure your tire pressure is at optimal levels is to use a tire pressure gauge while you are driving on a level surface.
The best thing you can do for your fuel economy on the road is to maintain your tire pressure at optimal levels. When your tire pressure is too low, you have to use more fuel to overcome the extra weight on the tire.
Which RV Is The Cheapest To Fill Up?
Class B RVs are typically the most affordable option when it comes to fuel costs. They are the cheapest to fill up because they have the smallest gas tank sizes and they get the best gas mileage.
They tend to have gas tank sizes to hold around 25-40 gallons on average, saving you money to fill up every time at the pump. They also tend to get close to 15-25 miles per gallon for your long commutes.
The Class B RV is much smaller in size making it lighter and easy to handle too. This puts less pressure on your tires and allows fuel to last longer to keep your costs down.