Travelling smart: how to drive less, save money, and still enjoy the journey
Typical fuel usage
Fuel consumption varies by vehicle size and driving conditions, so is a tricky one to gauge. However, this fuel tank planning guide should help you estimate costs quickly, before travel. Because assigned vehicles can vary within a category, exact tank capacity may differ slightly from one vehicle to another. The right way to use these numbers is as a practical planning starting point rather than a guaranteed exact fill amount.
For Australia
Vehicle Type | Vehicle Length (m) | Planning Tank Capacity (L) |
|---|
Ultima | 7.05m | 71 |
Ultima Plus | 7.00m | 71 |
Cascade | 6.70m | 71 |
Beach | 7.70m - 7.90m | 100 |
Sunset | 7.55m - 7.90m | 100 |
River | 7.70m - 7.90m | 100 |
For New Zealand
Vehicle Type | Vehicle Length (m) | Planning Tank Capacity (L) |
|---|
Ultima | 7.20m | 71 |
Ultima Plus | 7.20m | 71 |
Cascade | 6.74m | 70 |
Beach | 7.55m | 70 |
River | 7.55m | 70 |
These litre figures are conservative planning values for each category.
A very basic fill-up example
You do not need a complicated calculator to get a helpful estimate.
Tank size in litres × price per litre = approximate cost per tank.
For example, if your motorhome has a 71-litre tank and diesel is AUD$3.16/NZD$3.81 per litre, a full fill-up would cost about AUD$224.36/ NZD$270.51. If the same fuel is AUD$3.30/NZD$4.00 per litre, that same fill-up would cost about AUD$234.30/NZD$270.51. If your motorhome has a 100-litre tank and diesel is AUD$3.16 per litre, a full fill-up would cost about AUD$316/NZD$284.
Guests can use this simple math at any point during their trip. Just check the fuel price at a station, multiply it by the estimated tank size for your campervan or motorhome, and you will have a quick refill estimate for budgeting purposes.
These are planning estimates; your exact vehicle may differ slightly. Your total fuel cost will depend on a number of factors from how far you travel, the terrain (mountains, highways, gravel roads), the weather and individual driving style.
To help you prepare, we’ve put together a few tips for fuel-efficient travel:
- Drive at a steady pace and avoid unnecessary idling.
- Refill water tank once you arrive at your next campsite to reduce weight as you drive to the next campsite.
- Linger for longer - Spend more time at each destination to reduce daily driving distances. Explore each destination in more detail and enjoy getting closer to the destination.
- Use our trip planning tools, itineraries and our thl Roadtrip app to find campsites and things to see and do.
- At pick-up speak with our team for route suggestions that optimise fuel access and efficiency.
- Check fuel prices regularly during your trip. We also suggest filling up before heading into remote areas.
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