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campgrounds (particularly in peak season) do not allow last-minute stays, and other campgrounds that do allow last-minute stays may be at full capacity when you ar- rive without a reservation. One of the most frustrating aspects of an RV road trip is finding yourself without an option to set up camp and stay overnight, especially after an exhausting day. Plan ahead! 2. Join an RV Members' Club for Discounts Overnight campground/parking costs can add up over the course of a long trip, and may, in fact, be the most significant con- tributor to trip costs. Most campgrounds are paid—not free—so if you do not account for these costs beforehand, you may be forced to spend past your budget. To save money on campground rates, con- sider joining an RV members' club. Each club offers members different perks, though most offer (at minimum) discounted rates on certain qualifying campgrounds and parking areas. These discounts can be significant—and tend to be even more sig- nificant during RVing off-season—so with careful planning, you can save a great deal on expected campground costs. 3. Plan Your Route to Minimize Mileage Depending on your RV rental terms, you may have to pay fees for excess mileage. Though some owners will list their RVs with no excess mileage fees, many others limit how much a renter may drive for "free." These owners prefer that you drive a limited amount of mileage, as pushing the RV long distances over the course of a trip can dam- age the engine. For example, suppose that you rent an RV where the owner gives you 1000 "free" miles. If you travel more than 1000 miles, the owner will charge you a fee per excess mile. This can add up to significant and unexpected costs if you reach your "free" allocation early on in your trip. Fees for excess mileage tend to range from $0.20-$0.50+ per mile. To avoid excess mile- age fees, either rent an RV from an owner who does not charge such fees (which will give you peace of mind!) or plan your route ahead of time to limit the risk of long detours. 4. Consider a Compact RV for Maneuverability Renting a compact RV – such as a Class C mo- torhome, or a pop-up trailer – can provide ad- ditional maneuverability that makes your road trip easier to plan and execute. Though it can be enticing to rent a more spacious RV, rent- ing an RV with a smaller size profile may al- low you to drive through urban areas without issue, drive along narrow country roads that you would not otherwise have been capable of, and park in a wider variety of campgrounds (many campgrounds impose size limits).