Long trip, what did it cost?
We just returned from a 38 day, 4,107 mile trip through seven sates. We, my bride, Millie (our Greyhound) and I, traveled in our 2012 Nexus Phantom 23P (24'), Class C with the Ford E-350 Chassis and the 6.8L V-10 w/5 speed transmission. The Cruise Control was never set to more than 60, and we managed to avoid the interstates 90% of the trip preferring the windy two lane highways, done mostly at 55. Several folks have asked what it actually costs to do such a trip so here are some hard numbers:
We paid for a CG or RV site 26 times having had a free full hook up site on our friends 6 acres in Nevada City for 11 nights. This was probably one of the most beautiful places we visited, fresh blackberries to pick, gold panning from his creek, the pool and his own private shooting range... but I digress.
The remaining 26 nights were split between CG's (USFS or National Parks whenever possible-love that Geezer card). The CG rates varied from a high of $33 in California at Burney falls with no hookups (but gorgeous), to $2.50 a night at the USFS North Fork CG 7 miles north of Sun Valley/Ketcham Idaho. Again no hookups but right on the Big Wood River in an empty CG (if you don't count the Elk and mountain lions).
We were surprised how many CG's offer at least 30 amp service at somewhat reasonable rates. Cape Blanco State Park in Oregon was only $20 a night, Bear Lake in northeastern Utah was $25 and Buckskin SP right on the Colorado River was $30. Total bill for 26 nights came to $510.50 for an average of $19.63 a night. Had we not been able to stay at our friends property the additional 11 nights would presumably added another $215 based upon our average. We had no electric for 11 nights and ran the generator a total of 11.5 hours.
The RV parks were a necessary evil and ranged from $19 at Sam's Town in a Vegas to $35 at a number of places including the Edgewater in Laughlin. We would utilize an RV park only if there were no decent CG's nearby or if we needed to do laundry or drop our tanks. All of the parks we stayed at were nice, most offered free WiFi, some free cable.
Fuel is obviously the big number and here is how it came out:
4,107 miles took 431 gallons for a trip total average of 9.52 mpg. This includes a lot of dirt roads, city traffic and 11 hours of 4Kw genny run time. Cruising at 55 to 60 we consistently got 10 or even a little better (best run of the trip was 10.56 on I-15), as shown by the Scan Gauge and verified at the pump. Highest price paid was $4.13 in Crescent City (I only bought 10 gallons) and the low was Tucson at $3.24. Average fuel cost per gallon was $3.60 and yes that is for unleaded. Total cost for fuel $1,543.
Having a 55 gallon tank is a huge perk. When gas was pricey we just took a little and moved on. With a 500 mile range and a 50 mile cushion to boot, coupled with the Gas Buddy App we were able to save some serious dollars.
Food and drink were a wash as we eat and drink in the rig just like we do at home. In 38 days we had one dinner out and couple of sit down (Burger), lunches but did see a lot of grocery stores. We aren't souvenir shoppers so other than two $5 T shirts In Sun Valley (I was out of clean ones), we simply did not buy anything.
RV Parks and Campgrounds - $510
Fuel - $1,543
Total Trip Expenses: $2,053 Divided by 38 days = $54 a day
The biggest money savers were the 55 gallon fuel tank along with the Gas Buddy App and our Senior (Geezer), Pass combined with doing virtually all of our eating and drinking in the rig. It was an amazing journey and we can't wait to go again. :B
We paid for a CG or RV site 26 times having had a free full hook up site on our friends 6 acres in Nevada City for 11 nights. This was probably one of the most beautiful places we visited, fresh blackberries to pick, gold panning from his creek, the pool and his own private shooting range... but I digress.
The remaining 26 nights were split between CG's (USFS or National Parks whenever possible-love that Geezer card). The CG rates varied from a high of $33 in California at Burney falls with no hookups (but gorgeous), to $2.50 a night at the USFS North Fork CG 7 miles north of Sun Valley/Ketcham Idaho. Again no hookups but right on the Big Wood River in an empty CG (if you don't count the Elk and mountain lions).
We were surprised how many CG's offer at least 30 amp service at somewhat reasonable rates. Cape Blanco State Park in Oregon was only $20 a night, Bear Lake in northeastern Utah was $25 and Buckskin SP right on the Colorado River was $30. Total bill for 26 nights came to $510.50 for an average of $19.63 a night. Had we not been able to stay at our friends property the additional 11 nights would presumably added another $215 based upon our average. We had no electric for 11 nights and ran the generator a total of 11.5 hours.
The RV parks were a necessary evil and ranged from $19 at Sam's Town in a Vegas to $35 at a number of places including the Edgewater in Laughlin. We would utilize an RV park only if there were no decent CG's nearby or if we needed to do laundry or drop our tanks. All of the parks we stayed at were nice, most offered free WiFi, some free cable.
Fuel is obviously the big number and here is how it came out:
4,107 miles took 431 gallons for a trip total average of 9.52 mpg. This includes a lot of dirt roads, city traffic and 11 hours of 4Kw genny run time. Cruising at 55 to 60 we consistently got 10 or even a little better (best run of the trip was 10.56 on I-15), as shown by the Scan Gauge and verified at the pump. Highest price paid was $4.13 in Crescent City (I only bought 10 gallons) and the low was Tucson at $3.24. Average fuel cost per gallon was $3.60 and yes that is for unleaded. Total cost for fuel $1,543.
Having a 55 gallon tank is a huge perk. When gas was pricey we just took a little and moved on. With a 500 mile range and a 50 mile cushion to boot, coupled with the Gas Buddy App we were able to save some serious dollars.
Food and drink were a wash as we eat and drink in the rig just like we do at home. In 38 days we had one dinner out and couple of sit down (Burger), lunches but did see a lot of grocery stores. We aren't souvenir shoppers so other than two $5 T shirts In Sun Valley (I was out of clean ones), we simply did not buy anything.
RV Parks and Campgrounds - $510
Fuel - $1,543
Total Trip Expenses: $2,053 Divided by 38 days = $54 a day
The biggest money savers were the 55 gallon fuel tank along with the Gas Buddy App and our Senior (Geezer), Pass combined with doing virtually all of our eating and drinking in the rig. It was an amazing journey and we can't wait to go again. :B
