Dream Road Trip: 3000 km Across the Western USA - Car vs. Camper

Nov 11
3 min read

California, Nevada, Utah – three states that for many are the quintessence of the American dream of freedom. The ocean in Malibu, the lights of Las Vegas, the Mojave Desert and the monumental rocks of Monument Valley – a route that combines oceans, canyons and deserts into one epic, two-week circle, approximately 3,000 kilometers long.

But what's the best way to experience such a road trip? In the US, you have two main options: a classic passenger car + hotels , or complete freedom in the style of a Vanago.

Let's see what these two worlds look like in numbers and impressions.

🚗 Option 1: Passenger car + hotels

Four people fly to Los Angeles, rent a typical American sedan , a Hyundai Elantra , and hit the road through California, Nevada, and Utah.

📊 Costs (14 days / 3000 km)

Component	Estimated cost
Flight (Poland – LA – Poland)	4 × 2,500 PLN = 10,000 PLN
Car rental (Elantra, 14 days × PLN 250)	3500 PLN
Fuel (7 l / 100 km × 3.06 PLN/l)	210 l × 3.06 PLN = 642 PLN
Accommodation (14 nights × PLN 600 / 4 people)	8400 PLN
Meals (approx. PLN 120/person/day)	4 × 120 × 14 = 6720 PLN
Parking / road tolls	500 PLN
Sum	~29,800 PLN / 4 people → ~7,450 PLN/person

This is a classic, convenient travel model—a different hotel every day, a pool, breakfast, and a predictable standard. The downside? Limited flexibility and the need to book in advance.

🚐 Option 2: Campervan – pure freedom

The same foursome choose the RAM 3.6L Campervan model, fully equipped with a kitchen, bathroom, beds, air conditioning, electricity, and water supply. All they have to do is fly to Los Angeles, pick up the camper, and hit the road.

📊 Costs (14 days / 3000 km)

Component	Estimated cost
Flight (Poland – LA – Poland)	4 × 2,500 PLN = 10,000 PLN
Campervan rental (14 days × PLN 600)	8400 PLN
Travel insurance + security deposit	1500 PLN
Vanago Service Fee	1400 PLN
Fuel (15 l / 100 km × 3.06 PLN/l)	450 l × 3.06 PLN = 1,377 PLN
Campsites / RV parks (7 nights × 150 PLN)	1050 PLN
Food (cooking on board)	4 × 60 × 14 = 3360 PLN
Parking/entrance fees	500 PLN
Sum	~27,600 PLN / 4 people → ~6,900 PLN/person

🧭 Dream Route

The route for both variants may look almost identical:

Los Angeles → Malibu → Joshua Tree → Las Vegas → Zion NP → Bryce Canyon → Monument Valley → Grand Canyon → Route 66 → Mojave → back to LA.

About 3,000 kilometers of road through the most beautiful landscapes of the southwestern United States.

⚖️ Comparison: numbers and experiences

Aspect	Car + Hotels	Campervan (Vanlife)
Total cost	~29,800 PLN	~27,600 PLN
Cost per person	~7,450 PLN	~6,900 PLN
Sleep comfort	🛏️ stable, predictable	😴 depending on the parking location
Freedom of plan	❌ limited by reservations	✅ full flexibility
Impressions from the trip	"classic road trip"	"life on the road"
Access to nature	🔹 only during the day	🌄 24/7 – night under the stars
Logistics	🧾 requires hotel planning	🧭 one accommodation for the entire route
The atmosphere of adventure	🟡 moderate	🟢 maximum

✨ Summary

A journey through California, Nevada, and Utah is more than just a road trip—it's a life on the road . Both models make sense, but they offer different experiences: