Fuel in the USA | Gasoline/Petrol Prices for RV Travelers

Fuel in the USA – Gasoline/Petrol & Service Stations for Motorhome Travelers

Traveling the United States by motorhome or RV means covering long distances, so understanding how fuel works is essential. Most rental RVs in the U.S. run on unleaded gasoline, knowing prices, units, and station availability will help you plan your trip with confidence.

Fuel in the USA is cheaper than in Europe, but prices vary widely by region and can change.

Fuel and Service Stations in the USA

Fuel is sold by the gallon (1 U.S. gallon = 3.785 liters).
Unleaded gasoline is the most common fuel type; diesel is available but less common at smaller stations.
Rural stations are often cheaper than city stations, but they may be farther apart. Always check your vehicle’s tank capacity before long drives.
Payment: Most stations accept credit cards, but some rural pumps may require pre‑payment inside.

Plan ahead in remote areas like national parks, deserts, or mountain regions where stations are sparse.

Fuel Prices in the USA Compared to Europe

Here’s how U.S. regional average gasoline prices compare to Europe’s average and the 10‑year European average ($1.45/l).

Region	States (Tourism Highlights)	U.S. Price (per liter)	% vs Europe 2025 (avg $1.30/l)	% vs Europe 10‑yr avg (avg $1.45/l)
Gulf Coast	Texas, Louisiana, Alabama	$0.72	44.6% lower	50.3% lower
Lower Atlantic	Florida, Georgia, North Carolina	$0.77	40.8% lower	46.9% lower
Midwest	Illinois, Michigan, Ohio	$0.79	39.2% lower	45.5% lower
New England	Massachusetts, Maine, Vermont	$0.81	37.7% lower	44.1% lower
Central Atlantic	New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania	$0.84	35.4% lower	42.1% lower
Rocky Mountain	Colorado, Utah, Montana	$0.84	35.4% lower	42.1% lower
West Coast	California, Oregon, Washington	$1.12	13.8% lower	22.8% lower

Even in the West Coast, the most expensive U.S. region, fuel is still ~14% cheaper than Europe today and ~23% cheaper than Europe’s 10‑year average.

For RV and motorhome travelers, this means long‑distance road trips are consistently more affordable in the U.S. than in Europe.

Fuel costs can add up on long RV trips, so factor regional price differences into your budget.

Average Fuel Efficiency in the USA

Vehicle Type	Typical Size	Average Fuel Efficiency (mpg US)	Liters per 100 km (approx.)
Class B Campervan (with shower & toilet)	Van‑based, compact	14–16 mpg	15–17 L/100 km
Small Motorhome (~20 ft, Class C)	Sleeps 2–4	10–14 mpg	17–24 L/100 km
Large Motorhome (~30 ft, Class C)	Sleeps 4–6	8–12 mpg	20–29 L/100 km
Class A Motorhome	30–40+ ft, bus‑style	6–10 mpg (gas) / 7–12 mpg (diesel)	20–35 L/100 km

USA trips are ~35–40% cheaper per mile/km than Europe, purely on fuel costs.
For long‑distance RV road trips (e.g., 3,000 miles/4,800 km), fuel savings in the U.S. can easily exceed $600–$800 compared to Europe.
Campervans (Class B) are the most fuel‑efficient option, but even they cost significantly less to run vs. Europe due to higher fuel prices.

Cost per Mile/Kilometer: USA vs Europe

Vehicle Type	Fuel Efficiency	Cost per mile (USA)	Cost per km (USA)	Cost per mile (Europe)	Cost per km (Europe)
Class B Campervan (with shower & toilet)	15 mpg (6.4 km/l)	$0.35	$0.22	$0.54	$0.34
Small 20 ft Motorhome (Class C)	12 mpg (5.1 km/l)	$0.42	$0.26	$0.65	$0.40
Large 30 ft Motorhome (Class C)	9 mpg (3.8 km/l)	$0.56	$0.35	$0.87	$0.54
Class A Motorhome	8 mpg (3.4 km/l)	$0.63	$0.39	$0.98	$0.61

Assumptions:

USA fuel price (Sept 2025): $0.84/liter (~$3.17/gal)
Europe fuel price (Sept 2025): $1.30/liter (~$4.92/gal)
Conversion: 1 mpg (US) ≈ 0.425 km/l

Tips for Motorhome Travelers

Know your fuel type: Most rental RVs in the U.S. run on unleaded gasoline, but confirm before departure.
Use apps and maps: Tools like GasBuddy or AAA Gas Prices help locate the cheapest stations nearby.
Check distances: In the West (Nevada, Utah, Arizona), stations may be 100+ miles apart.
Fill up before national parks: Inside Yosemite, Yellowstone, or Grand Canyon, fuel is limited and more expensive.
Burning Man travelers: Stock up in Reno before heading to Black Rock Desert — fuel is scarce on the Playa.

Smart planning ensures you never run low on fuel during your U.S. road trip.

External Resources

Bureau of Transportation Statistics – Motor Fuel Prices

U.S. Energy Information Administration – Gasoline & Diesel Fuel Update – monthly national and regional trends
Global Petrol Prices - International comparison of U.S. fuel prices

Download PDF version

Vehicles Available

General Info

The motorhome is an ideal way to travel along the open US roads. You will find your motorhome easy to drive and maneuver, and there are ample stations for refueling and refilling water tanks.

In the national parks, there are many low cost campgrounds that don't require booking in advance. Arrive early in the day for the best availability, travel as you please!

Road trips from the east-coast to west-coast and vice-versa are very popular so be sure to book your motorhome well in advance.

Dine like at home - all our motorhomes are equipped with large fridges!

The new generation motorhomes have improved fuel efficiency, and gas prices are much lower than many other destinations.

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