Great replies already, thanks for the info. I think the $100 a day number might be fairly close.
Like Skip pointed out, I should have been more specific. We're planning on making a loop from here (Montana), to the East Coast (DC), down through the South and across to SoCal and back. We're just trying to see if we can actually swing it. $9000 might be a little rough, but it would definitely be the trip of a lifetime!
KD
Trip of a Lifetime Blog - 10372 Miles, 88 Days, 4 Humans, 1 Mini Daschund...FUN!
Wildwood LE 23BH
2003 Chevy Suburban 4x4 Z71 5.3L 3.73
We figure $120 a day total, but we seldom eat out. Most of that is gas. We use Passport America CGs when possible for 50% discount, that sure helps.
Chuck
Wonderful Wife
Lovely German Shepherd.
1999 Mercedes ML320 TV
2003 Wanderer 187TB Toybox (3620# UVW, 4800# loaded) Not yet camped in Hawaii, 2 Canada Provinces, & 2 Territories. I can't be lost because I don't care where this lovely road is going
ArcticDodge wrote: My last big RV trip (2006 19 days Yellowstone) was over $350 per day.
WOW... In 05' we Rented a 29' class C and did the giant loop. MI to Grand Canyon, Tetons, Yellowstone, Mount Rushmore and back. Three weeks total. Rental, Gas, CG's, Extra milage and all the fun stuff and kept it under 5K.
We were going to do another three weeks last year and rent again. Did some math and decided to buy our TT for just over 10K and we can do that trip twice and be money ahead. Now we can go every year.
We are going to do such a trip in 4 days. We will have $2000 available each month, planning to spend about 40% on gas, 40% on food and cg, 20% on incidentals. We have PPA, Golden Age, and will do some boondocking as well. Any monies saved on campground fees will be added to fuel budget. When we run low on money, we'll set til the end of the month.
If you happen to see us setting along side the road somewhere late in the month, spare pocket change might be appreciated, lol.
I finally sat down and ran numbers, putting the mileage, per night cost average, events and tickets (the trip is largely educational, so not a lot of six flags, etc.), plus misc costs we'll need. I also figured our savings by keeping the house shut up for 3 months, etc. and it was interesting, it lined up pretty well with the $55-60/day numbers.
This assumes $3.50/gallon which might be low (hope not). We get 11mpg pulling at 60mph. It also assumes an average nightly of $20, which seems to be close to PPA, but it might be more like $25.
This also assumes very minimal eating out, which will save a lot. We don't eat out much at home, so the same would be true for this trip. For outings, we'll pack a lunch to take with us when we're away from the camper.
We're looking at a loop from here, to Boston, down to Myrtle, across to SoCal, up to Seattle, and back. About 8200 miles or so.
I might also be low on the event stuff. DC, Philly, Boston, etc. are largely free, branson will cost a bit, and we're staying with family and friends on a few nights.
Thanks to all for input. If someone is planning this type of trip and wants to see my skeleton budget, I'd be happy to email you a copy.
For my wife and I we spend alittle less than $100/day. That is an average on our 7 week trip from here in PA to FL and back. Total mileage came in at 3000. @ 10 MPG and an avg of $3/gal we spent about $900 on fuel.
Definitely join Passport America. We also belong to Thousand Trails & Resorts of Distinction ("free" camping after annual dues are paid). We went on a 17k mile 8 month loop last year and averaged $71/day for two of us, with a fair amount of cheaper camping nites. We weren't trying to save money, but we also don't eat out a lot (but will buy ice creams on long travel days, and occassionally lunch). We averaged 11.3mpg (solo & towing) for the 17k miles.
Have fun, and don't do too many really long driving days - they are a drag!
2004 Yukon XL K1500 w/ 5.3L & 3.73 diff.
1989 22ft. Wilderness TT @ 5500# loaded
Member: TTN, Escapees, Good Sam
Just retired, will travel!
Still Searchin' wrote: Definitely join Passport America. We also belong to Thousand Trails & Resorts of Distinction ("free" camping after annual dues are paid). We went on a 17k mile 8 month loop last year and averaged $71/day for two of us, with a fair amount of cheaper camping nites. We weren't trying to save money, but we also don't eat out a lot (but will buy ice creams on long travel days, and occasionally lunch). We averaged 11.3mpg (solo & towing) for the 17k miles.Have fun, and don't do too many really long driving days - they are a drag!
PPA sounds good, and I'll have to check out the other one. I definitely agree on the long driving days, this will be about the journey, so slow and steady as she goes!
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