If you’re planning a road trip with your RV or travel trailer, don’t forget to set aside enough money in your budget for gas. We’ve all seen gas prices fluctuate widely in recent years, and prices can even vary widely from state to state.

While paying for gas is a part of any road trip, there are some things you can do to improve your RV gas mileage and get the most out of your gas budget.

Some Tips to Improve your RV Gas Mileage

1. Pack light

Road trips are a great time to practice minimalism. This can be difficult if you’ll be visiting different climates (the mountains, the beach, and the plains) or have lots of activities planned. But remember that the more stuff you bring along, the heavier your rig will be and the worse your mileage will be. Bring fewer clothes and plan on doing laundry more frequently. See if you can rent the equipment you need for some of your activities instead of bringing it with you.

2. Travel with empty tanks

Try to fill your fresh water tank at or near your destination, and empty your gray and black tanks before you hit the road. When full, those tanks add a lot of weight (see #1 above).

3. Don’t tow a passenger vehicle

If you don’t really need it, don’t bring your toad along. The extra weight will have a negative impact on your mileage. Can you walk, ride a bike, or take public transportation to explore? If you can’t leave your car at home, keep in mind that your gas mileage won’t be as good as it could be.

4. Watch your speed

55 MPH is better than 75 MPH when it comes to getting better gas mileage. Plan your itinerary to accommodate a slower speed and enjoy the scenery around you. In addition, use your cruise control to maintain a steady speed.

5. Regular maintenance

If you stick to a regular maintenance schedule for the engine and tires, it will help improve your gas mileage. Make sure that all the fluids and filters are cleaned or replaced on a regular basis. Rotate tires at the appropriate intervals and keep them inflated to the proper psi (check your tires for that info).

6. Watch the weather

Did you know weather can influence your gas mileage? Storms can be an issue, but wind can be an even bigger problem. Back in the day, I used to drive I-80 across Wyoming several times a year, and it was always a toss-up as to when I’d need to get gas. If there was no wind, I could go much further than when I was driving into the wind or a crosswind was blowing. And that was just driving a passenger vehicle, not a much larger RV or trailer.

7. Plan your trip around the terrain

If you can avoid driving over a mountain range, do it. You’ll get better mileage on flat land than climbing a mountain pass. If you can’t avoid going over a pass and you’re towing a car, pull over before you get too far up the mountain. Disconnect your tow vehicle and drive it separately up the mountain. This will take a load off your RV engine (you don’t want to overheat!) as well as slightly improve your mileage. We learned this lesson the hard way when we drove over Teton Pass two years ago.

8. Use an app to find the best gas prices

Buying gas on a road trip is inevitable, but you can at least search for lower prices on that gas. Apps like GasBuddy and iExit show you the nearest gas stations and their prices and AllStays will show you the nearest truck stops and their prices.

9. If you haven’t bought your RV yet

If you haven’t bought your RV or trailer yet, and want to get the best mileage possible, you can keep the following in mind as you search for the right RV for you. The size of the rig will affect your mileage. Smaller RVs and trailers will generally get better mileage. Also look for curvier, more aerodynamic styles that aren’t as boxy as some of the bigger fifth wheels, Class Cs and Class As.

Do you have any other tips to add to this list? We’re always looking for ways to improve our mileage, so I’d love to hear them!