Lets talk about gas prices.

We have found that many first time RV buyers are hesitant to buy an RV because the price of gas is $4.00 a gallon.  There have been many studies done on this subject and the end result of these studies is that gas would have to reach $9.00 per gallon before the seasoned RV'er would give it up.  Here's why:  The average RV is driven 4000 miles per year according to national statistics.  At 8 miles per gallon you would use 500 gallons of fuel.  At $4.00 per gallon your annual fuel cost would be $2000.  I have a family of 4.  This year we will take two, 1 week long trips to San Diego for a total of 1400 miles,  two weekend trips to Rocky Point Mexico for a total of 1000 miles,  two weekend trips to Flagstaff Arizona for a total of 500 miles, two weekend trips to the White Mountains for a total of 1000 miles, and several overnight and weekend trips within an hour of Phoenix for a total of 800 miles.  That's a total of 4700 miles with a total fuel cost of $2350.  If we were to fly to San Diego it would cost $250 round trip per person, so our 2 trips would cost $2000 for airfare, $850 for a rental car, $1500-$2000 for a motel room, plus all of our meals would be out at restaurants.  So the two weeks in San Diego would cost about $5000.  The other trips that we take don't have the option of flying being that they are in the remote mountain areas or Mexico.  So we would have to drive the SUV which gets about 18 mpg.  We would use 183 gallons of gas to drive the SUV to these places  versus 412 gallons in the motor home.  However there are no hotels in the remote areas and there are no restaurants.  I am sure you are starting to see my point.  If you like to have flexibility, and you enjoy being in the outdoors there is no better way to spend time with your family then doing it in an RV!