How much to fill up a caravan?

To be clear, caravans themselves don’t have engines or fuel tanks you fill up. The main cost comes from filling the tow vehicle’s petrol or diesel tank, and the amount you pay depends on your vehicle’s tank size, the type of fuel, and current fuel prices. If you rely on LPG for on-board cooking or heating, that also has its own refill costs separate from road fuel.

Fuel for the tow vehicle: what you pay to fill the tank

Prices for fuel and the size of your vehicle’s fuel tank determine how much a full fill-up costs. The figures below reflect typical ranges and can vary by region and day.

• Typical tank sizes: for petrol cars, common tanks range from about 45 to 60 liters; diesel cars often have tanks from about 50 to 90 liters. Some larger tow vehicles or SUVs can have even bigger tanks.


• Current price ranges (UK context, approximate as of late 2024 to 2025): petrol around £1.50–£1.95 per liter; diesel roughly £1.60–£1.95 per liter. Prices fluctuate daily and by supplier and location.


• How to estimate the cost: multiply the tank capacity by the price per liter. Example 1: a 60-liter petrol tank at £1.70/L ≈ £102. Example 2: a 60-liter diesel tank at £1.75/L ≈ £105.

In practice, a fill for a typical 50–60 liter tank usually lands in the broad range of about £75–£120, depending on fuel type and the day’s price. Larger tanks or premium fuels can push that higher, while smaller tanks or cheaper days can bring it down.

LPG on board (gas bottles) for cooking and heating

Many caravans use LPG bottles for cooking, heating, and water heating. Refilling or exchanging bottles is a separate cost from fuelling the tow vehicle and depends on bottle size and supplier.

• Common bottle sizes: 6 kg cylinders are typical for smaller setups; 13 kg cylinders are common for longer trips or larger caravans. Some users also have smaller 3.9 kg bottles or larger, multi-bottle setups.


• Typical refill/exchange costs in the UK: a 6 kg bottle refill is usually around £20–£30; a 13 kg bottle refill is typically around £40–£60. Prices vary by supplier, location, and whether you’re refilling or exchanging cylinders.


• How to estimate: cost ≈ bottle size (kg) × price per kg of LPG, noting that many outlets price by bottle rather than by kg and may include an exchange fee or bottle test/check charges.

Gas costs are separate from road fuel and are driven by gas prices at local suppliers or exchange services. Plan for a few tens of pounds per bottle on a typical trip, depending on how often you cook or heat with LPG and the bottle size you use.

Practical tips for budgeting fuel when caravanning

To manage costs on a caravan trip, consider these strategies that affect total fuel spend:

• Check current fuel prices before you set out and plan routes with cheaper fuel stops when possible.


• Choose a tow vehicle with a reasonable fuel economy for your caravan’s weight, and optimize driving technique (steady speeds, smooth braking, reduced wind resistance).


• Factor in reserve fuel and occasional price spikes on long trips or during peak travel times.

By understanding both road fuel and LPG costs, caravanners can plan more accurately for trip expenses and avoid surprises at the pump.

Summary

Caravans themselves do not require a separate fuel fill-up—the primary cost is filling the tow vehicle’s fuel tank, which depends on tank size, fuel type, and current prices. For LPG on-board use, budget for bottle refills or exchanges, which vary by bottle size and supplier. Expect a typical car fill for a 50–60 liter tank to fall roughly in the £75–£120 range (subject to daily price changes), and LPG bottle refills in the £20–£60 range per bottle depending on size and service type. Always check local prices and plan for contingencies on longer trips.

How far will $10 in gas get me?

How far $10 in gas will get you depends on your car's fuel efficiency (MPG) and the current local price of gas. For example, if gas costs $4$ 4$4 per gallon, $10 will buy you 2.52.52.5 gallons. At 252525 MPG, that's about 62.562.562.5 miles; at 303030 MPG, it's 757575 miles. 

• Calculate the number of gallons you can buy: Divide $10$ 10$10 by the price per gallon. For example, at $4.00$ 4.00$4.00/gallon, $10$ 10$10 buys 2.52.52.5 gallons (10÷4.00=2.510 divided by 4.00 equals 2.510÷4.00=2.5). 
• Determine your car's MPG: Check your owner's manual or the label on the driver's side doorjamb. 
• Calculate the distance: Multiply the number of gallons you bought by your car's MPG. 
  • 2.52.52.5 gallons ×cross× 252525 MPG = 62.562.562.5 miles
  • 2.52.52.5 gallons ×cross× 303030 MPG = 757575 miles

How much does it cost to fill an RV up with gas?

The cost to fill an RV gas tank ranges from about $88 to over $600, depending on the RV's size and the current price of gas. A smaller Class B motorhome might cost around $88–$116 to fill, while a larger Class A with a 150-gallon tank could cost over $582. 
Cost by RV class

• Class A: With a tank of up to 150 gallons and a fuel economy of 8–10 mpg, a fill-up can cost between $400 and $600+, depending on the price of gas. 
• Class B: This is a smaller, van-style RV with a tank of around 25 gallons. A fill-up costs approximately $77–$116. 
• Class C: These RVs typically have a tank of 25–55 gallons and get about 10 mpg. A fill-up costs around $213–$253. 

How to estimate your cost
To get a more precise estimate, you can use the following formula from Cruise America: 

1. Find your tank size: Check your RV's manual for the capacity of its fuel tank in gallons.
2. Determine the current price per gallon: Look up the current average price for the type of fuel your RV uses (gas or diesel) in your area.
3. Multiply: Multiply your tank size by the price per gallon to get the total cost to fill the tank from empty.

• Example: A Class C RV with a 55-gallon tank and gas at $3.88 per gallon would cost 55 gallons×$3.88/gallon=$213.4055 gallons cross $ 3.88 / gallon equals $ 213.4055 gallons×$3.88/gallon=$213.40 to fill. 

Is it cheaper to run a caravan on gas or electric?

Is it cheaper to heat a caravan with gas or electricity? It often depends on local fuel prices, but generally, gas can be cheaper than electricity, though electric heaters are more efficient.

How much does it take to fill up a Dodge caravan?

The 20-gallon tank in the Grand Caravan goes a long way to helping your fuel efficiency, but that's just a small detail, compared to some of the available integrated technology. The Grand Caravan features a built-in fuel economizer that was specifically designed to optimize fuel economy.