RVers describe diesel costs near $1 a mile and construction crews filling campgrounds
A reader column on RVtravel.com collects accounts of high fuel costs, full parks in Iowa and reserved sites left empty by no-shows.
High fuel costs are changing travel plans for some RV owners, and construction workers are taking up campground space in parts of Iowa, according to a reader comments column published by RVtravel.com. This story rests on that single column.
The columnist wrote that "with diesel prices so high, it is costing almost $1 a mile to travel!" and said they are considering traveling by car instead.
A reader identified as Norman A. wrote that "the cost of diesel is preventing us from doing so," referring to trips he had planned this year. He said he might fly to New Orleans, rent a car and drive to Destin instead, but added: "Will we do it? Not sure yet. Even the cost of flying is going up."
A reader identified as Jim J., writing from eastern Iowa, said "Short-stay campground sites are at a premium." He wrote that construction workers are filling campgrounds as far as 30 to 40 miles from their work sites. He said friends who work as year-round camp hosts at one park have had to turn away many regular customers because the park is full.
The column says RV sales have slowed and fewer people are buying RVs, and it asked readers whether that has made campsites easier to find. The replies point in different directions. Some describe full parks. Others describe empty sites that were reserved but never used.
Norman A. said his park often claimed to be full this year, yet there were empty sites every night. A reader identified as John L. said he booked a state park six months or more ahead and saw a large pull-through site sit vacant for his entire stay, with a name and the current date on its marker post. He backed an idea raised in a previous column: a $100 security deposit on all reservations. The columnist said it would cut down on no-shows but raised concerns about people who cannot afford the added upfront cost.
A reader identified as Jay S. argued that the cost of driving and fuel "vastly exceeds the cost of a night at a campground," and that boondocking is not free if it requires $20,000 in solar and lithium upgrades.
Much is still unknown. The column collects personal accounts, not data. It does not give current diesel prices, campground occupancy figures, RV sales numbers or details of the construction projects in Iowa. RVtravel.com notes that the readers' observations do not necessarily represent its views. It is not clear how widespread the conditions described are.
