How Much Did It Cost? A Breakdown of Our Rockies Road Trip

Our road trip across the Rockies was a once-in-a-lifetime thing, and we definitely spent more than we normally do on a trip away. It was worth every penny, though, and there are things you can do to save a bit here and there. If you're thinking of putting your own trip together, this should give you a rough guide as to what things are likely to cost.

Core costs

Every price below is for two people, and I'll try to cover exactly what we got for the money.

Day-to-day costs

The first thing to remember about Canada, for us Brits, is the exchange rate. At the time of going in late 2025 — and even now in late 2026 — the exchange rate is extremely favourable, with your money essentially being doubled on arrival. That's the first big win. In addition, there are cultural differences that may mean you spend money where you wouldn't necessarily have in the UK — yes, I'm talking about tip culture. In Canada it is similar to the US, where tips are expected when dining out, with 10% being considered 'low'. Whilst these are in theory discretionary, in practice some form of tip is expected.

Fuel

£250 approx. For a Brit, fuel in North America is cheap. It was around half the price compared to the UK, through a combination of exchange-rate differences and cheaper rates per litre. That said, RVs guzzle fuel, so be prepared to burn through quite a bit.

Campsite fees

Between £25 and £40 per night, depending on facilities. Many of the bigger, more expensive sites have decent shower blocks, laundry facilities, Wi-Fi and waste management on site for grey-water dumping. The budget sites, by comparison, may have a small, less well looked-after toilet block and chemical disposal, and that's about it. I would recommend a mix if you're looking to save money. Don't go budget all the time — every couple of days you'll need electric hook-ups, laundry and a decent shower.

Ferry fees

Ferry to Vancouver Island — £100. This was for a return fare with the camper, so not too unreasonable, and depends entirely on whether you want to go or not.

Eating out or eating in?

We found prices for food, especially meat, are higher in Canada than in the UK, and the cost of a meal out is comparable, if not slightly higher, when in the bigger cities. For two people, dinner was between $40 and $70 plus tips, depending on where we went.

We deliberately limited how much we ate out to save money for experiences on the road. To give you an indication, we did a large food shop as we set off from Vancouver. This was at Walmart and cost around $130 (£65), which got us the basics for around a week. I'm talking breakfast stuff, basic lunches like sandwiches and snacks, as well as cans of drink for the road. It also got us around three to four evening meals, but regular top-up shops were necessary for fresh bits as our fridge space was limited.