Cost per mile (Fuel Only)

[Tjdixon]

I'm being slightly lazy here as I could work this out myself and I am guessing every van will be different but as a fuel only element, what would it cost to run a van?

I'm just trying to work a budget for a Europe trip next year.

The van will be well loaded so I will have to take that into account too...

Or if you know what sort of MPG you get (on a run) I can work it back from there...

Thanks

Tom

ETA - Mine is a 1600cc Twin Port, it may be useful to include engine sizes...

I have been considering a bigger engine to help along the way (Especially if we end up in the Alps!)

 

[Alex VW Heritage]

performance or stock or all looking at 20 - 26MPG, some people are getting 28mpg but they are in the minority I would say as a base line guess i would go fro 24 MPG and go from there.

I get 24mpg out of a 2276cc with 48IDF's and have convoyed with stock engines which get about the same, well we have filled up at the same times etc.

 

[aspro]

Average would be around 25mpg. Stay off the motorway and you will stay cooler, conserve fuel and generally travel a shorter distance.

 

[Clem]

Base it on about 25mpg, as stated previously. And remember in mainland Europe, fuel is a bit more expensive than here, and fluctuates with the exchange rate.

If your going a long way, factor in toll costs on autoroutes also, I reckon the steady cruise of an autoroute will be better on fuel than regular roads, but the toll charges do rack up and potentially cost more ... it depends where you are going and what time you have to make a choice on this though.

Then you have the ferry/eurotunnel question, is the cheapest cross channel ferry route worth the fuel difference to get to from where you are in the UK? etc etc

My wife grumbles when I squeeze every last 'free' stopover I can out of aires and campsite holding areas :lol: it all balances the cost of the holiday!

 

[Tjdixon]

Thanks for your responses, I have based my costs on 30p/mile which equates to around 20mpg at current uk fuel rates.

We are travelling over 4-5 months with an estimated mileage of 4000 (I'm allowing 2k contingency) over that period based on my current rough route, we will have an idea of where we are going but not going to be planning to be anywhere at a certain time etc etc...

Current route is across to Holland from Harwich, then Germany, Poland, Czech Republic, Hungary, Austria, Italy, Switzerland, France, Belgium, UK...

We wont have an income through this period so as many cheap (free) overnight stops will be needed!!

Hoping the van will do it with no issues!

 

[aspro]

We did a similar trip 2 years ago. Spent 9 months on the road with wife and 2 kids. We used an organisation called help exchange to keep the costs down. Basically you can stay with hosts all across Europe and get fed in exchange for 5 hours work a day. The harder you work the more people open up and give you in return. Also it is nice to get out of the camper and sleep in a proper bed for a change. Met some of the nicest people ever and made some amazing memories. Even if you only do it for a week here and a week there. Check it out. http://www.helpx.net/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; Free to browse 20 euros to register. Bargain

Sounds very alternative I know but trust me the hosts are usually very normal people. Just check their reviews 1st, there are a few fruitloops about.

PM me if you need any more info. Best thing we've ever done.
Chris

 

[Tjdixon]

We did a similar trip 2 years ago. Spent 9 months on the road with wife and 2 kids. We used an organisation called help exchange to keep the costs down. Basically you can stay with hosts all across Europe and get fed in exchange for 5 hours work a day. The harder you work the more people open up and give you in return. Also it is nice to get out of the camper and sleep in a proper bed for a change. Met some of the nicest people ever and made some amazing memories. Even if you only do it for a week here and a week there. Check it out. http://www.helpx.net/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; Free to browse 20 euros to register. Bargain

Sounds very alternative I know but trust me the hosts are usually very normal people. Just check their reviews 1st, there are a few fruitloops about.

PM me if you need any more info. Best thing we've ever done.
Chris

Thanks, that sounds quite interesting, will give it a look when I'm back on a PC.

Any tips on spending such a long period in the van?