Season pass break-even
See how many visits a ski, theme park, or zoo pass needs to beat day tickets. Counts parking, food discounts, guest passes, and blackout dates.
Seasonal campsite net savings
+$328
Seasonal ($4,445) vs Weekend bookings ($4,774) across 36 nightsExample calculationYes, seasonal site pays
At 12 trips (36 nights), leasing a seasonal site costs $4,445.27 all-in versus $4,773.60 for weekend bookings, towing fuel, and off-site storage, saving $328.33 per year. You break even at 11 trips (33 nights), and your effective cost drops from $132.60/night to $123.48/night.
Break-even trips & nights
11 trips (33 nights)
10.85 trips / 32.56 nights exactNet annual savings
+$328.33
Saves $286.53 per trip vs towingEffective cost per night
$123.48/nt
vs $132.60/nt booking weekendsFuel saved per trip
$25.53/trip
$21.27 solo car vs $46.80 towingAnnual cost breakdown (12 trips / 36 nights)
| Cost item | Weekend bookings | Seasonal campsite | Seasonal savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Site lease vs nightly campsite fees | $2,808.00 | $3,400.00 | -$592.00 |
| Metered electric, cart, booking & dump fees | $324.00 | $390.00 | -$66.00 |
| Winter on-site vs 12-month off-site storage | $1,080.00 | $400.00 | +$680.00 |
| Round-trip fuel (towing vs solo car) | $561.60 | $255.27 | +$306.33 |
| Total annual out-of-pocket cost | $4,773.60 | $4,445.27 | +$328.33 |
How trip count changes the winner (2 to 20 trips)
See where cumulative weekend booking and towing costs cross above the seasonal campsite lease:
| Trips (nights) | Weekend bookings total | Seasonal site total | Net seasonal savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 trips (18 nights) | $2,926.80 | $4,317.64 | -$1,390.84 |
| 10 trips (30 nights) | $4,158.00 | $4,402.73 | -$244.73 |
| 11 trips (33 nights) | $4,465.80 | $4,424.00 | +$41.80 |
| 12 trips (36 nights - planned) | $4,773.60 | $4,445.27 | +$328.33 |
| 16 trips (48 nights) | $6,004.80 | $4,530.36 | +$1,474.44 |
How this calculator works
A seasonal campsite lease looks expensive when you compare the $3,400 sticker price only against $78/night weekend rates. Once you include the three hidden costs of transient RV camping (paying $90/month for year-round off-site storage versus $400 for winter-only on-site storage, burning 10 MPG towing instead of 22 MPG driving a solo car, and paying reservation and dump station fees every weekend), the real break-even drops to about 11 three-night weekends (33 nights).
What to watch out for
If you store your RV for free in your own driveway or barn ($0 off-site storage), your seasonal overhead increases by $1,080/year and your break-even rises from 11 trips to 15 trips (45 nights). Always check whether the seasonal park charges extra for winter storage, metered air-conditioning electricity, guest passes, or a required golf cart liability permit.
Frequently asked questions
How much does RV storage affect the seasonal site break-even?
Off-site RV storage typically costs $75 to $150 per month ($900 to $1,800 per year). Because most seasonal campgrounds either include winter storage or charge a flat $300 to $500 winter storage fee, avoiding a 12-month storage lot offsets $500 to $1,200 of the seasonal site lease before you camp a single night.
Why does towing MPG vs car MPG matter so much?
Towing a travel trailer or fifth wheel cuts fuel economy roughly in half (around 10 MPG vs 22 MPG in a commuter car). On a 130-mile round trip at $3.60/gallon, leaving the camper on a seasonal site saves $25.53 in fuel on every trip, or more than $306 across 12 trips.
What extra fees do seasonal campgrounds charge beyond the base lease?
Most seasonal RV parks meter electricity separately ($150 to $350 per summer depending on air conditioner use), and many charge for winter on-site storage ($300 to $500), golf cart registration ($75 to $150), or pump-out services if the site lacks a direct sewer hookup.
Benchmark sources and dates
Starting assumptions are example benchmarks, not binding quotes. Change any input to match your own bills or offers.
| Assumption / Input | Starting value | Source | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-hookup RV nightly rate and seasonal site lease fee | $3,400 seasonal lease vs $78/night | Kampgrounds of America North American Camping and Outdoor Hospitality Report | 2026-04-01 |
| Metered seasonal electricity, winter on-site storage, and booking fees | $240 electric; $400 winter storage | RV Industry Association Campground and Storage Benchmarks | 2026-02-15 |
| Tow vehicle vs solo car fuel economy | 10 MPG towing vs 22 MPG car | U.S. Department of Energy FuelEconomy.gov | 2026-01-15 |
| Off-site year-round RV storage | $1,080/year ($90/month) | National Self-Storage and RV Storage Rate Benchmark | 2026-03-01 |