Fuel-Saving Driving Tips for Your Motorhome or Campervan Road Trip

Simple ways to cut fuel use before you set off, from packing light to reducing drag.

Smarter driving techniques that can lower consumption by around 15%.
Easy comfort tips that save fuel and reduce CO₂ on every journey.

With the increasing fuel prices at the forecourt, we’re all now seeing a rising cost in filling the tank. Being a larger vehicle compared to an everyday drive, motorhomes naturally do less miles to the gallon. Motorhoming holidays pitched up and UK road tripping are still one of the most cost-effective ways to enjoy a holiday compared to their overseas counterpart. With a bit more strategic planning and applying practical advice beforehand, plus swatting up on fuel-efficient driving tips before you travel, will help keep a tighter control of the budget this Easter.

It’s not just your pocket that will benefit. CO2 emissions are proportional to fuel consumption, meaning a reduction in fuel consumption will give the same percentage reduction in CO2.

These tips have been compiled with motorhomes and campervans in mind; however, these core tips apply to most drivers most of time and when used together, will have a significant effect on fuel consumption.

As a rule of thumb, fuel-efficient driving techniques, if applied thoroughly and consistently, might save an average of around 15%, according to the Energy Savings Trust.

Check out our hints and tips below, including:

Before You Set Off: Preparing Your Motorhome for Fuel-Efficient Travel

1. Pack Light to Reduce Weight

When you’re heading off on a motorhome or campervan adventure, it’s tempting to bring everything “just in case”. But excess weight is one of the biggest — and easiest — contributors to fuel waste. Anything you load into your vehicle has to be moved, accelerated and slowed down, all of which requires extra fuel.
Think carefully about what you’ll actually use, and leave the rest behind. Don’t travel with full fresh-water tanks or a filled chemical loo unless necessary — you can top up when you arrive. The same goes for food: pick up supplies locally instead of hauling heavy tins and bottles with you. Packing light may feel small, but it has a noticeable impact on efficiency over a long tour.

2. Reduce Drag by Removing External Accessories

Racks, roof boxes, bike carriers and ladders look harmless, but at higher speeds they create a huge amount of drag. This extra air resistance forces the engine to work harder than it needs to — increasing fuel consumption without offering any benefit unless you genuinely need the equipment on your trip.
If you’re not planning to cycle, paddleboard or carry bulky items at your destination, leave the add-ons at home. And if you do take them, remove them once they’re no longer needed. A streamlined vehicle slices through the air far more efficiently, helping your fuel last longer.

3. Complete Pre-Season Maintenance

If your motorhome has been resting over winter, a quick “season-ready” check can make all the difference to fuel economy, reliability and safety.

i. Service the vehicle

Regular servicing keeps the engine running at its most efficient and helps prevent niggles becoming pricey problems later.

ii. Check tyre pressure

Underinflated tyres increase rolling resistance, meaning the engine needs more effort — and more fuel — to keep the vehicle moving. Michelin research found that a majority of vehicles on UK roads run with underinflated tyres, costing drivers millions in wasted fuel every year. A five-minute pressure check is a simple way to avoid unnecessary expense.

iii. Use the correct engine oil

Manufacturers specify oils for a reason. The right viscosity reduces internal friction, helping your engine run smoother and burn fuel more efficiently.

iv. Check wheel alignment

Uneven tyre wear is a giveaway that your wheels are misaligned. Poor tracking causes tyres to drag slightly rather than roll freely, increasing fuel consumption and shortening tyre life.

4. Plan Where to Re-Fuel

Fuel prices vary far more than many drivers realise, and a few pence per litre soon adds up when you’re filling a 70–90 litre tank. With a bit of planning, you can avoid the pricey forecourts.
Apps such as PetrolPrices.com, WhatGas Petrol Prices, Waze and the AA’s tool for members make comparing fuel prices quick and simple. Check prices along your planned route or near your destination, and use Uncover Britain’s road trip guides to line up economical, convenient stops. A little prep can save a surprising amount over the course of a long journey.

On the Road: Fuel-Efficient Driving Techniques

5. Drive Smoothly

Smooth driving is one of the biggest contributors to lower fuel use. The more you anticipate the road ahead — traffic lights, junctions, slow-moving traffic — the less you’ll rely on heavy braking and rapid acceleration, both of which are fuel-hungry.
Leaving extra space between you and the vehicle ahead also helps you adjust your speed gradually rather than reacting suddenly. In town driving especially, where repeated acceleration is unavoidable, these small adjustments can make a noticeable difference.

6. Use Engine Braking on Hills

Motorhome touring isn’t a race — it’s about enjoying the journey as much as the destination. When you’re approaching a downhill or slowing for a junction, take your foot off the accelerator early and let the engine do some of the work.
Staying in gear rather than coasting helps engage the vehicle’s built-in fuel cut-off system, which can reduce fuel flow to almost nothing in certain conditions. It also gives you better control, making this technique both efficient and safe.

7. Change Up Through the Gears Early

Motorhomes are heavy vehicles, so keeping revs lower is key to efficient driving. Shift into higher gears earlier than you might instinctively do — generally around 2,000–2,500 RPM.
Don’t be afraid to skip gears when appropriate, such as moving from 3rd to 5th. Research shows both petrol and diesel engines use the least fuel when gears are changed at low RPM with gentle accelerator pressure.

8. Keep Your Speed Down

Even a modest increase in speed can dramatically increase fuel consumption because air resistance rises exponentially as speed increases.
Transport Research Laboratory studies show that for large vehicles, fuel consumption jumps by 27% between 60 mph and 75 mph. Slowing slightly not only improves fuel efficiency but also gives you more time to enjoy the scenery.

9. Don’t Idle Unnecessarily

If you’re likely to be stationary for a minute or more, for example, waiting in a long queue or parked outside a shop , turn off the engine.
Research suggests that restarting the engine after 10–20 seconds uses less fuel and produces fewer emissions than leaving it idling, making this a simple habit with a big impact.

On the Road: Fuel-Efficient Driving Techniques

5. Drive Smoothly

6. Use Engine Braking on Hills

7. Change Up Through the Gears Early

8. Keep Your Speed Down

9. Don’t Idle Unnecessarily

Comfort Without the Cost: Smarter Climate Control

10. Use Windows, Air Con and Deflectors Wisely

At motorway speeds:

Open windows can severely disrupt airflow, increasing drag and raising fuel consumption significantly. Keeping them closed is the more economical choice.

In town or at low speeds:

You can often open windows instead of relying on air conditioning without affecting efficiency.

Wind deflectors

Wind deflectors are a popular option for motorhome owners. They help manage airflow so you can crack the window without creating excessive drag. They also:

reduce misting in wet weather
minimise glare
improve comfort without relying heavily on air con

Using air conditioning sparingly

Air con is powered by the engine’s compressor, so it inevitably increases fuel use.
Research shows:

Up to 25% more fuel used when air con is on full blast in hot conditions
Around 5% more fuel used annually in vehicles equipped with air con

As with home heating, adjusting the temperature by just a degree or two can keep you comfortable while saving fuel.

Quite a bit. Most people can cut their fuel use by around 10–15% just by driving more smoothly, changing up earlier and keeping speeds steady. With heavier vehicles like motorhomes and campervans, those savings can be even bigger on long trips.
It does. Every extra item you load in has to be moved by the engine, so the lighter you travel, the less fuel you’ll use. Simple things like travelling with less water, ditching heavy “just in case” items or leaving unused gear at home can add up to noticeable savings over a long journey.
Two things stand out: soft tyres and stop-start driving. Underinflated tyres make your motorhome harder to move, and harsh acceleration or late braking burns through fuel quickly. Keeping on top of tyre pressure and driving more gently will make a big difference.
If you’re going to be stationary for more than a minute, yes. Modern engines use far less fuel restarting than they do sitting there idling. It also cuts emissions, so it’s a win all round.
Sadly, yes. Air con takes power from the engine, especially when it’s working hard. In very hot conditions, running it on full blast can increase fuel use by around 25%. Using it sparingly — or relying on open windows at low speeds — can help keep costs down.
It depends on your speed. On motorways, open windows create drag and can actually cost more fuel than using the air con. Around towns or at lower speeds, open windows are usually the more efficient option. Wind deflectors can help you keep air flowing without affecting the aerodynamics too much.
They do. Motorhomes have a big, boxy shape, so they push a lot of air. Even small increases in speed can make fuel use jump. For example, a typical large vehicle can use around a quarter more fuel at 75mph than at 60mph.
Ideally before any long journey — and especially if your motorhome has been parked up for a while. Properly inflated tyres help your fuel go further, improve handling and reduce wear, so it’s worth keeping an eye on them.
Yes - very. Fuel prices vary a lot between stations, so using apps like PetrolPrices.com or Waze can save you a surprising amount, especially with a big tank to fill. Planning a few cheaper stops along your route can really help the budget.
Absolutely. The details might vary between models, but the core ideas, smooth driving, keeping on top of maintenance, reducing drag and managing weight, benefit motorhomes, campervans and even everyday cars.