A vacation with family is the perfect time to relax in the company of loved ones and create memories that will last a lifetime. Being a family run company ourselves, Traveland RV understands how regular family get-away’s can improve and strengthen relationships! We also understand how difficult and expensive it can be to organize pet sitters, book plane tickets, hotels, and more – It is no wonder why many families struggle to plan even just one vacation together per year!
At Traveland RV, we want to help families enjoy more frequent vacations together, and what better way to do that than by purchasing an RV? Although the initial cost of an RV may seem intimidating, you’ll only be investing in a re-useable vacation and a lifetime of saving on vacation costs.
To show you how much money can be saved by travelling in an RV, we priced out a 14 day vacation for a family of 4 to Disneyland, California! Read on to see the cost comparison of Flight VS RV travel for this trip.
RV Owner Cost Summary
| Fuel | $1917.00 |
| Accommodations | $1,303.00 |
| Food | $1,320.92 |
| Activities | $5,604.58 |
| Total Trip Cost | $10,146.00 |
All costs are in Canadian dollars
Fuel Cost Breakdown
Tow Vehicle used in example – 2022 Super Duty Platinum F-350
Fuel tank 34 Gallons or 128 liters
Fuel average – 13MPG or 18L/100km
RV used in example – 2022 Jay Feather 27BHB Travel Trailer
Gross Vehicle Weight – 7600 lbs or 3,447 kg
Fuel mileage while towing (Estimated -21% from average fuel mileage)
13 X .21 = 2.73
13 – 2.73 = 10.27 MPG / 23 L/100km
4,022km using 891 liters of Diesel
Calculated with GasBuddy
Fuel Total – $1917 CAD
Tow Vehicle used in example – 2022 Super Duty Platinum F-350
Fuel tank 34 Gallons or 128 liters
Fuel average – 13MPG or 18L/100km
RV used in example – 2022 Jay Feather 27BHB Travel Trailer
Gross Vehicle Weight – 7600 lbs or 3,447 kg
Fuel mileage while towing (Estimated -21% from average fuel mileage)
13 X .21 = 2.73
13 – 2.73 = 10.27 MPG / 23 L/100km
4,022km using 891 liters of Diesel
Calculated with GasBuddy
Fuel Total – $1917 CAD
Accommodation Cost Breakdown
Night 1 – Portland Oregon
Basketball court, games room, playgrounds, clubhouse, heated pool, fitness center, pet friendly.
$55 USD one night
Night 2 – Mt Shasta
The Lake Siskiyou Trail is a popular route to walk, run, or cycle. This seven-mile paved trail circles the lake, including a scenic crossing on the Wagon Creek pedestrian bridge. Also located by the Mount Shasta Golf Course.
$55 USD one night
Night 3 – Stockton
Full hook ups, swimming pool, spa, dog park, playground, gym and more!
$60 USD one night
Night 4, 5 and 6 – Anaheim
Deluxe site accommodates trailers and motorhomes up to 40 feet in length. Includes parking for one tow/pull vehicle, a grassy area, and a picnic table. All sites are full hookups, back-in only.
$75 USD per night (75 X 3)
$225 USD three nights
Night 7 and 8 – San Diego
Exclusive fishing in stocked lakes for campers, as well as access to two pools, a spa, pedal boat rentals and more!
$70 USD per night (70 X 2)
$140 USD two nights
Night 9 – Vista
Amenities include a clubhouse, dog park, recreation room, heated pool and spa, and more!
$90 USD one night
Nights 10, 11, and 12 – Van Nuys
Includes full hook ups, a gym, play house and even an art gallery!
$80 USD per night (80 X 3)
$240 USD three nights
Night 13 – Sacramento
North to the Sacramento River this RV park features large shady trees over their sites, welcomes pets, includes a swimming pool, playground, dog park, BBQ area, clubhouse, and more!
$75 USD one night
Night 14 – Eugene
Includes full hook ups, pull through and back in sites, an adult fireplace lounge, recreation room filled with games, a pool, spa, and gym, badminton, volleyball, and basketball courts, two off leash dog areas, and more!
$65 USD one night
Total Cost – $1,005 USD or $1,303 CAD
Food Cost Breakdown
One of the many ways that RV owners can save is by utilizing their RV kitchen! Families who travel by plane must pay extra for a hotel room that includes a kitchen, or eat out for every meal. But RV owners can grocery shop as they travel, and easily whip something up at any point!
USDA estimates a family of 4 spends around $1,241 USD on groceries every month.
1241 divided by 2 = $620 USD every 2 weeks.
We budgeted 5 meals eaten out or eaten at theme parks at $20 USD per person
20 x 5 = $100
100 X 4 = $400
620 + 400 = $1,020 USD
Food Total – 1,320.92 CAD
Activity Cost Breakdown
When you travel by plane, the trip is only as good as your destination, and the fun only starts once you have conquered the airport(s), survived the flight(s), successfully rented a vehicle or hailed a cab, and arrived at your hotel.
When you travel in an RV, the journey to your destination makes the trip everything that it is.
Road trips are a fantastic opportunity to stop and explore new places along your route. Every city you drive through offers a multitude of unique attractions for a low cost or even for free! Do more, pay less, travel in an RV!
Near Jantzen Beach RV Resort
Oregon Museum of Science and Industry Adult tickets $42 each and Youth $28 each
(42 x 2) + (28 X 2)
$140.00 USD or $181.00 CAD
Washington Park – Free!
Oregon Zoo – $24 USD per person X 4 $96USD or $125 CAD
Total Spent In Oregon – $306.00 CAD
Near Lake Siskiyou campground
Scenic stop at Dunsmuir before Mt Shasta to see Hedge Creek Falls – Free!
Near French Camp RV Park Resort
Unlimited rides $10 x 2 = $20
General admission $5 x 2 = $10
20 + 10 = $30 USD
Children’s Museum – $6 per person (6 x 4) = $24 USD
Downtown Stockton Marina – Free!
Total Spent in Stockton – $70.00 CAD
Disneyland
3 Day Park Hopper Ticket $390.00USD per ticket x 4
4 x Ages 10+ ($390.00/ticket)
$1,560USD or $2,023 CAD
Parking – $30 for a one day parking pass
30 X 3 = $90USD or $116.72CAD
Disneyland Total – $2,139.72 CAD
SeaWorld
The San Diego 3-For-1 Ticket is valid for 1 visit to SeaWorld San Diego, San Diego Zoo, and San Diego Safari Park.
$173 USD per ticket x 4 = $692USD or $896.57 CAD
Parking – $35 for RV day parking (35 X 3) = $105USD or $136.26CAD
SeaWorld, Zoo, and Safari Park Total – $1032.83 CAD
LEGOLAND
Resort hopper 2 day ticket includes two day admission to LEGOLAND California, SEA LIFE Aquarium, and LEGOLAND Water Park $165USD per ticket
165 X 4 = $628USD or $813.88CAD
Parking – $35USD for day RV parking (35 X 2) = $70USD or $90.84 CAD
LEGOLAND Total – $904.72 CAD
Universal Studios
2 Day General Admission – $174 USD each
174 X 4 = $696 USD or 902.28 CAD
Parking – $30 per day (30 X 2) = $60 USD or $77.78 CAD
Universal Studios Total – $980.06 CAD
Near Sacramento Shade RV Park
California State Railroad Museum
Adults $12 per person (12 X 2)
Youth 6-17 $6 per person (6 X 2)
= $36USD or $46.70 CAD
Fairytale Town – Tickets $7 each (7 X 4)
= $28USD or $36.33 CAD
Total Spent in Sacramento – $83.03 CAD
Near Premier RV Resorts
Cascades Raptor center tickets $12 each (12×4) = $48 USD or $62.27 CAD
Adult tickets $7 each
Youth ages 6-17 – $3 each
(7 X 2) + (3 X 2) = $20 USD or 25.95 CAD
Owen Rose Garden – Free!
5th Street Public Market – Free!
Total Spent in Eugene – $88.22 CAD
Plane Travel Cost Summary
| Flight | $3,596.20 |
| Car Rental and Fuel | $1,588.31 |
| Accommodations | $7,978.49 |
| Food | $3,537.20 |
| Activities | $5,874.79 |
| Total Trip Cost | $22,574.99 |
All costs are in Canadian dollars
Flight Cost Breakdown
Air Canada flight departing from Vancouver Airport (YVR) at 9:50pm on July 29th and returning from John Wayne Airport (SNA) on August 12 at 1:50am*
*Overnight flights are the least costly*
Economy Comfort Tickets – Includes seat selection, 1 free checked bag, and tickets are fully refundable
2 hours 50 minutes of flight time.
Cost Breakdown
| Departing flight – Adult (359.00 x 2) | $718.00 |
| Departing flight – Youth (359.00 x 2) | $718.00 |
| Return flight – Adult (302.99 x 2) | $605.98 |
| Return flight – Youth (302.99 x 2) | $605.98 |
| Carrier surcharges – Canadian tax, fees and charges | $299.96 |
| September 11th Security Fee – United States ( 7.26 x4 ) | $29.04 |
| Airport Improvement Fee – Canada ( 25.00 x4 ) | $100.00 |
| Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) User Fee – United States ( 5.13 x4 ) | $20.52 |
| Transportation International / Domestic Tax – United States ( 51.06 x4 ) | $204.24 |
| Customs User Fee – United States ( 7.92 x4 ) | $31.68 |
| Goods and Services Tax – Canada – 100092287 RT0001 | $154.80 |
| Passenger Facility Charge – United States ( 5.83 x4 ) | $23.32 |
| Air Travellers Security Charge – Canada ( 12.10 x4 ) | $48.40 |
| Immigration User Fee – United States ( 9.07 x4 ) | $36.28 |
TOTAL – $3596.20 CAD
Car Rental Cost Breakdown
Hertz Car Rental at John Wayne Airport
Medium 5 passenger SUV
4 Bags
Unlimited miles
Chevrolet Equinox or similar
Rental Car Cost Breakdown
| $529.28 per week (529.28 x 2) | $1058.56 |
| Airport Concession Fee | $121.08 |
| Vehicle License Recovery Fee | $31.22 |
| State Tourism Assessment | $37.05 |
| Taxes | $93.85 |
Total – $1341.77 CAD
Accommodation Cost Breakdown
Howard Johnson by Wyndham Anaheim Hotel and Water Playground
Family suite, king-sized bed with a separate bunk room for kids. 8 min walk to Disney park from the hotel.
CA $461.02 average per night
$461.02 x 14 nights = $6,454.27 CAD
Taxes and fees CA $1,097.22
Parking – $20 per day plus 17% tax.
20 X 14 = $280USD
280 x .17 = 47.6
280 + 48 = $328 USD or $427 CAD
Total – $7,978.49 CAD
Food Cost Breakdown
Families who choose to travel by plane will most likely end up eating out for every one of their meals. To estimate the cost for this example, here are the prices that we have used.
Breakfast – $13 USD per person
Lunch and Dinner – $15 USD per person
Dining within theme parks, fancy restaurants, or Disney Dining – $20 USD per person
We estimated 13 basic breakfast meals, 14 basic lunch and dinner meals, and 15 meals eaten at theme parks or more high end restaurants.
13 X 13 = 169
14 X 15 = 210
15 x 20 = 300
169 + 210 + 300 = $679USD
679 X 4 = $2,716 USD
Total – $3,537.20 CAD
Activity Cost Breakdown
Disneyland
5 Day Park Hopper Ticket $440.00USD per ticket x 4
4 x Ages 10+ ($440.00/ticket)
$1,760.00USD or $2,282.00 CAD
Parking – $30 for a one day parking pass
30 X 5 = $150USD or $194.31CAD
Disneyland Total – $2,476.31 CAD
SeaWorld
The San Diego 3-For-1 Ticket is valid for 1 visit to SeaWorld San Diego, San Diego Zoo, and San Diego Safari Park.
$173 USD per ticket x 4 = $692USD or $896.57 CAD
Parking – $25 for car day parking (25 X 3) = $75USD or $97.17CAD
SeaWorld, Zoo, and Safari Park Total – $993.74 CAD
LEGOLAND
Resort hopper 2 day ticket includes two day admission to LEGOLAND California, SEA LIFE Aquarium, and LEGOLAND Water Park $165USD per ticket
165 X 4 = $628USD or $813.88CAD
Parking – $25USD for day car parking (25 X 2) = $50USD or $64.80 CAD
LEGOLAND Total – $878.68 CAD
Universal Studios
2 Day General Admission – $174 USD each
174 X 4 = $696 USD or 902.28 CAD
Parking – $30 per day (30 X 2) = $60 USD or $77.78 CAD
Universal Studios Total – $980.06 CAD
Knott’s Berry Farm
Ride and slide ticket – Valid for one admission to both Knott’s Berry Farm and Knott’s Soak City on the same date selected.
Online price $99.00 (gate price 169.00)
99 X 4 = $396USD or $513.10CAD
Car day parking – $25USD or 32.40CAD
Knott’s Berry Farm and Knott’s Soak City Total – $546.00 CAD
Why You Should Travel The Land
In A Traveland RV!
Sleep in your own bed!
Choosing the right hotel for your vacation is incredibly important as it will serve as a temporary home base while you are away from your own home. However, hotel websites can be misleading and it is impossible to know exactly what your new “home base” might look like until you are there.
Something as simple as your room neighbor making too much noise, an uncomfortable bed, a funny smell, or strands of hair that are certainly not yours left in the sink – can easily ruin a costly hotel experience.
RV owners have the pleasure of simply hooking up their very own “home away from home” and staying at RV resorts as they vacation. RV campgrounds are much cheaper than any hotel, and RV owners never have to worry about bed bugs, pests, or a dirty room. RV owners will always have the pleasure of sleeping in their own bed with familiar blankets and pillows every night!
Be your own pilot!
Most Airlines have experienced an increase in customer complaints following the Covid-19 pandemic. Airlines have been short staffed and travelers have had to endure overbooked or cancelled flights and repeatedly reach out to companies in order to receive any refund.
With an RV, you are your own pilot! Your departure time can be whenever is convenient for you, and you can make as many or as little pit stops as you please! RV travelers never have to endure plane food, but can stop at any fast food drive through or sit down restaurant they may be craving along the way. If an RV owner has something come up right before their big trip, and decide to cancel it entirely, no big deal! You may need to cancel campground reservations if you have made any, but this is a much easier task than cancelling plane tickets.
Better meals at less cost
Everybody knows there is nothing worse than plane food. But even after you have arrived at your destination, the only options for flyers are to splurge for a hotel that includes a kitchen, or eat out at restaurants for each meal.
RV owners can grocery shop as they travel, and they have lots of storage inside their RV for all of their favorite snacks! They can save lots of money by cooking meals in their RV kitchen. Click here to see some of our camping recipes!
You can bring the entire family!
When you book a trip via plane you have to purchase tickets per person, meaning the larger the family, the more expensive the trip. Pet owners who choose to travel by plane must also find somebody to look after their animal(s) while they are away, which almost always means spending more money on a pet sitter or at a kennel business.
RV owners are free to include as many friends and family members as they can fit in their tow vehicle. Plus they never have to leave their 4 legged family members at home! Not only will you save money, but pets will be so excited to be included on the RV adventure with their family. Click here for tips on RVing With Your Pets!
No lines and no airport security
Along with the convenience of leaving at any time you wish, and packing along any food or items you desire, RV owners never have to worry about what they can and can not take through airport security! RV owners can jump right onto the highway and begin their journey, but Flyers have to begin their vacation by enduring hours of line ups and sweating through airport security. RV owners are free to bring along any items and as many bags of luggage as they desire, for no extra costs! Click Here for our Essential RV Packing Checklist
Traveling with an RV enhances your vacation
When you travel by plane the trip is only as good as your destination, and the fun only starts once you have conquered the airport(s), survived the flight(s), successfully rented a vehicle and finally arrived at your hotel.
When you travel in an RV, the journey to your destination makes the trip everything that it is.
As you travel, you drive through towns and cities you may never have visited before, or ever visit again. It is a great way to learn more about other communities and meet new people from all over the map. The chaos of airports and flight travel make it nearly impossible to make a new connections with people, but it is extremely likely you will chat and possibly even develop a friendship with your campsite neighbor. RV owners relaxing at their campsites are almost always happy to participate in some small talk with fellow RV’ers, and you already share the common interest of RVing to help get the conversations flowing.
It is not just the city residents and campers you meet along your way that help to enhance your vacation, but the road trip itself! Kids can watch the landscapes change outside their window as you drive on, and there are endless cheap and even free roadside attractions to stop and do.
Travelling in an RV not only saves you significant money compared to plane travel, but it also gives you the freedom to set your own travel schedule, bring anything you want to pack along with you, including more people and pets, meet other like minded campers from all over the globe, and do more with your vacation for less cost!
Click here to view our inventory and purchase your re-useable vacation today!