How do you define too expensive?
A lot of posts involving multiple RVing issues involve people saying this or that is overpriced. How do you make that determination? There are posts where people say they won't stop at a certain fue...
Forum Discussion
I read the entire thread and there are so many points to comment on. I'll start with a set price limit per night is useless without a location. Real estate rules apply to campgrounds just as home prices and rents.
I know where the best value is for fuel locally and plan accordingly. I agree that isn't what OP asked. I generally find a 5-10 cent difference at any given stop with maybe one outlier expensive station. I constantly do the math on price per gallon difference with how many gallons I need to fill up. I'm taking the station that is easiest to get back on the highway and easiest access with a trailer if it's $3 difference. $5 for the tank I think a little harder and over that I change stations.
For folks commenting on savings, there are many ways to save. We've eaten thousands of sandwiches on the road savings thousands of dollars. I never buy coffee unless a friend wants to meet for coffee. My coffee is better anyway.
But I've stayed at many KOAs and loved them. Sure a few were bad. Ditto for other campgrounds. I love State Parks for destination travel but that's not what I do. If I'm going to a national park, I do everything possible to be in the park. But often I just need a central location to see an area. State Parks might be a 10-15 minute drive from the gate to the campground. Reservation systems are a pain in many states. The campground store has awful hours if there is one. I don't need a pool but I like a friendly campground, ability to buy small supplies, hookups, and a good location.
Someone mentioned opportunity costs which I have pounded in my kids. Time value of money also applies. KOAs app is easy to use. I work long hours and don't have a lot of time to search for the best deal at every location. I've loved a few parks run by small towns with $15 sites. They are hard to find online and you have to get lucky. The rules are different for someone working than if I was retired. I save plenty for retirement and pinch pennies where it makes sense but crossing traffic to save a few bucks gas isn't it and if the KOA saves me 30 minutes per day when I'm touring an area, I'll pay $15/day more. The cheaper campground is usually off the beaten path and harder to get to.
I know where the best value is for fuel locally and plan accordingly. I agree that isn't what OP asked. I generally find a 5-10 cent difference at any given stop with maybe one outlier expensive station. I constantly do the math on price per gallon difference with how many gallons I need to fill up. I'm taking the station that is easiest to get back on the highway and easiest access with a trailer if it's $3 difference. $5 for the tank I think a little harder and over that I change stations.
For folks commenting on savings, there are many ways to save. We've eaten thousands of sandwiches on the road savings thousands of dollars. I never buy coffee unless a friend wants to meet for coffee. My coffee is better anyway.
But I've stayed at many KOAs and loved them. Sure a few were bad. Ditto for other campgrounds. I love State Parks for destination travel but that's not what I do. If I'm going to a national park, I do everything possible to be in the park. But often I just need a central location to see an area. State Parks might be a 10-15 minute drive from the gate to the campground. Reservation systems are a pain in many states. The campground store has awful hours if there is one. I don't need a pool but I like a friendly campground, ability to buy small supplies, hookups, and a good location.
Someone mentioned opportunity costs which I have pounded in my kids. Time value of money also applies. KOAs app is easy to use. I work long hours and don't have a lot of time to search for the best deal at every location. I've loved a few parks run by small towns with $15 sites. They are hard to find online and you have to get lucky. The rules are different for someone working than if I was retired. I save plenty for retirement and pinch pennies where it makes sense but crossing traffic to save a few bucks gas isn't it and if the KOA saves me 30 minutes per day when I'm touring an area, I'll pay $15/day more. The cheaper campground is usually off the beaten path and harder to get to.
