Peter Greenberg: Low-Cost Cross-Country Trips

Q: Peter, my husband and I have finally retired, and we've been dreaming about a cross-country road trip since we met in 1967. However, we are among the millions who have very little to retire on. We want to travel now but need ideas of places to stay that are cheap. We could never afford a motel room every night. HELP!!!

–Joan, Stone Ridge, N.Y.

A: A popular low-cost way for retirees to see the country is by touring in an RV. You’ll only need to pay the nightly hookup fee in each RV park. You can also cook your own meals, which means you’ll save a bundle on food and lodging during long treks.

If you plan to take many road trips over the next few years, you’d be wise to buy an RV. There are deals to be had on both on used and new ones. The end of summer is a good time to think about buying a used RV, when rates are down. Prices can start from $4,000 to $13,000 for a towable, folding camping trailer, and go as high as $500,000 for a completely posh, luxury motor home. Though it may seem like a stretch to splash out thousands of dollars on a vehicle, the investment will pay for itself many times over.

If you think you’ll only make a one-time or infrequent trips, you could always rent an RV. CruiseAmerica and El Monte RV are two companies that frequently have deals, particularly in the shoulder and off seasons. Both companies also offer super-low cost, one-way rentals during repositioning season, when they need fleet vehicles moved from one part of the country to another.

If RV-ing really isn’t your thing, you can try camping, or for more comfort, try staying in hostels. They aren’t just for 20-somethings anymore, and hostels almost always offer private rooms (for as little as $30 per night) for couples or those who are not into the dorm-share experience. Communal kitchens allow you to cook your own meals, and the wide range of people you’ll meet could make your trip that much more enjoyable.