RV Trip Fuel Cost Optimizer
Discover how small changes in driving habits and maintenance can lead to big savings on your next RV adventure.
Calculate Your Potential Savings
Where the savings come from:
How to Optimize Your RV Fuel Economy
Fuel is often the biggest, and most painful, expense of any RV trip. While you cannot control the soaring prices at the pump, you absolutely have control over how efficiently your heavy rig burns that fuel. Even a minor improvement of 1 or 2 MPG can result in hundreds of dollars in savings over a cross-country trip.
1. The Golden Rule: Slow Down
Aerodynamic drag is the enemy of fuel efficiency, and it increases exponentially with speed. A Class A motorhome or a large 5th wheel has the aerodynamic profile of a brick wall. Pushing that wall through the air at 70 mph requires massively more horsepower—and fuel—than pushing it at 55 mph.
For the vast majority of RVs, the "sweet spot" for fuel efficiency is between 55 and 60 mph. Extensive testing shows that driving an RV at 65 mph instead of 55 mph can increase fuel consumption by 15% to 20%. Drop your speed, enjoy the scenery, and watch your fuel gauge drop much slower.
2. Basic "Hypermiling" Techniques
- Smooth Acceleration: "Jackrabbit" starts at green lights dump massive amounts of unburned fuel into the engine. Accelerate smoothly and gradually.
- Look Ahead: Anticipate traffic flow. If you a see a red light a quarter-mile ahead, take your foot off the gas and coast. Braking abruptly wastes the forward momentum you just paid fuel to generate.
- Manage the Hills: When approaching a steep grade, build up a little momentum at the bottom. As you climb, let your speed bleed off naturally to keep engine RPMs steady. Do not press the pedal to the floor to maintain 65mph up a 6% grade.
3. Tire Pressure and Maintenance
Under-inflated tires have a larger 'footprint' on the road, which increases rolling resistance. Imagine trying to push a wheelbarrow with a flat tire. Keeping your RV and tow vehicle tires inflated to the manufacturer's maximum recommended pressure ensures the lowest possible rolling resistance. Additionally, a clean engine air filter and fresh spark plugs ensure the engine runs at peak combustion efficiency.
Expert Saving Tip: The "Empty Tank" Strategy
Water is incredibly heavy, weighing 8.3 pounds per gallon. If your RV holds 60 gallons of fresh water and 80 gallons of gray/black water, you could be hauling an extra 1,160 pounds of dead weight! Unless you are driving directly to a remote, dry-camping desert location, travel with your holding tanks completely empty, and only keep 5-10 gallons in the fresh tank for bathroom use on the road.
4. Weather and Wind Factors
RVs act like giant sails in the wind. Driving into a strong 20mph headwind can destroy your MPG, forcing your engine to work as if you were driving 85mph. Conversely, driving with a 20mph tailwind can yield the best fuel economy of your life. If you have a flexible schedule, check wind forecasts and try to plan long driving days when the wind is at your back, or at least calm.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Does using cruise control save gas in an RV?
On flat, level highways, yes. Cruise control prevents micro-fluctuations in speed that waste gas. However, in hilly or mountainous terrain, cruise control is terrible for fuel economy. It will aggressively downshift and floor the accelerator to maintain the exact set speed up a hill. In mountains, turn cruise control off and use your foot to manage RPMs.
Does running the dash A/C ruin fuel economy?
Running the dash air conditioning puts a load on the engine compressor, which uses fuel. However, modern compressors are efficient. At highway speeds, the aerodynamic drag caused by driving with the windows rolled down is actually worse for your MPG than simply rolling the windows up and turning on the A/C.