If you take capital costs into account the MH is probably a clear loser. But you're not doing that. As said, crunch the numbers. Where will you stay, Days Inn, La Quinta? Price a few. You must eat out, whats a meal usually cost you out the door? Your gas mileage and cost is easy. You'll get a pretty good estimate and you can then make a decision.
When I'm traveling with my DW and two granddaughters eating out can easily be the major cost, so I try to minimize it. And that ignores the experience, motels and restaurants would be a downer to me over pulling my TT. Unless I was in a hurry and the destination was more important than the experience.
Spending an entire month in a honda civic would drive me crazy. We did ten days in a Jeep Wrangler and I was ready for the trip to be over. I also did nine days in a cobalt ss and didn't want to even see the car for a week. You'll have all your stuff crammed in there plus what you pick up along the way; by week two you won't be able to find anything unless you clean out your car at just about every stop... The car will shrink each day you spend driving it.
I've toured the west in my car, flown out and rented an SUV, and driven my trailer out there. The most enjoyable by far was the trip with the tt. If the value of my vacations was only based on $$, the car wins.
2008 Ford F250 diesel
2013 Keystone Sprinter 277RLS
We just did a trip from Pa to AZ and back, we spent less than $200 for camping on the entire trip, I figured that was probably 2 nights in a motel/hotel. I am going in the MH, for all the reasons above. We did not count food costs as we seem to eat out a lot whether we are at home or traveling in the RV. We took the Jeep along and it made exploring the National Parks a lot of fun and. If you are retired go and buy your Golden Eagle pass for the National Parks and save money there.
Blake
2000 Kountry Star 3565
98 Jeep Wrangler Toad
Wife in passenger seat.
I did some number crunching looking for a cheaper way to travel. I found with our economy car, if I stayed a places like motel 6 and KOA's with the cozy cabins I could save a little money. That being said however, There is nothing like being in your own bed to get a good nights sleep. You can park in some awesome locations instead of next to the freeway. Lastley you can prepare your own meals which is always a healthier option than eating every meal out. In the end though it's whatever is going to make you happy.
John & Judy
2007 Winnebago Access 31C
2008 Ford Focus
Why own a motor home,if you are going to leave it home for a long trip? Money is flying out the window every day you own a MH. The longer the trip,the closer you will come to breaking even.
2008 Newmar Canyon Star - 2007 Dodge Dakota Toad - Ready Brute tow bar & brake system - one cat - Sassy 14
Since it is possible to make a case for either the RV or a car as being the least expensive, depending on the class of motel you are going to stay in, it really boils down to what you would rather do.
Just drive the Honda and sell the mh to pay for your trips. If you loved rv'ing you would have never asked this question.
Eddie
03 Fleetwood Pride, 36-5L
04 Ford F-250 Superduty
15K Pullrite Superglide
Old coach 04 Pace Arrow 37C with brakes sometimes.
Owner- The Toy Shop-
Auto Restoration and Customs-28years
We love 56 T-Birds
We're planning a trip from San Antonio, when project is done, to Oregon and then back to Atlanta for Dr appt in July. It will be our longest trip, so far and we aren't staying at any of the relatives or in a motel wherever we visit. Don't have to worry about forgetting something in a motel, eating something that disagrees with us or even packing a suitcase.
I'm finding many Passport America CG's and or other low cost campgrounds to offset the high price of diesel. We don't boondock. But we'll eat the majority of our meals in the RV or tuna sandwiches and bottled water out of the ice chest. Plus, we don't have to board the cats for 14 days and return back to SA to pick up the RV for the trip back to GA.
2009 DRV Mobile Suite 38TKSB3 (38RSSB3)....our custom home w/2011 upgrades
2010 Ford F450 KR CC 4x4......his office
Working Fulltimers since 3/2005
"Shoot for the Moon! Even if you miss it, you will land among the Stars."
What do you want us to tell you? The answer is simple math...... Grab your calculator and figure it out.
captain crunch wrote: I want to take a month long trip out west, western states . With the price of gas ,would it be cheaper to take the Honda civic or my class A motor home with a 460 engine. The price of motels might be costly as well. Might go as far as Oregon. Thanks for any help.
Captain Crunch
Paul & Sandra
New Bedford, MA
2003 Monaco Executive M43 DS2
Offline
, Shawn- Musician/Entrepreneur
, Zoe- Faithful Golden Retriever
, 2007 Chevrolet Avalanche LS, 2007 Rockwood Roo 23SS w/Equalizer and Prodigy, and 5 Mtn. bikes and 2 Road bikes
