A road trip around Scotland is a literal dream. Just picture yourself driving across the Highlands with the rolling hills surrounding you, or along the coast with views of the islands of Eigg and Rum across the west coast.
The experiences are priceless, but the actual cost of a road trip is what you make of it. If you’re going on a budget and eating in Wetherspoons or buying a meal deal from Tesco, it’s obviously going to be cheaper than if you’re eating out in pubs and restaurants for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
So this post can be pretty subjective. It’s more to give you an idea of the average costs and money people spend based on research we’ve done.
Read on to find out more.
How Much Should You Budget for a Scotland Road Trip?
For a 7 to 10-day Scotland road trip, two people should expect to spend anywhere from around £1,400 to £3,500 in total, depending on the time of year, vehicle choice, and accommodation style.
The highest costs are usually:
- Motorhome/car hire
- Fuel
- Accommodation
- Food
Summer is the most expensive, especially from June to August, when the prices of accommodation or campsites are higher. Spring and autumn are usually better for value, and the weather is still nice, although we won’t deny it does go a bit hit and miss with the rain, but that’s Scotland.
A realistic budget for a one-week road trip for two people in Scotland
- A budget road trip: Small hire car, simple accommodation and supermarket meals could cost around £1,400 to £2,000. That includes car hire, fuel, campsites or budget guesthouses, Tesco meal deals with a few nice meals sprinkled in, parking, and a few paid attractions.
- A mid-range road trip: Comfortable car, B&Bs or hotels, pub meals and extra activities could cost around £2,000 to £3,500 for two people.
- A motorhome road trip (we obviously recommend): You’re looking at around £1,600 to £3,000. The cost of renting a motorhome depends on the model you go for and how long you rent it for. It can work out so much more affordably if you are travelling as a couple or family and want the flexibility of having transport, cooking space, and accommodation in one.
The Average Cost of Fuel and Food For a Road Trip Across Scotland
Fuel depends heavily on your route. If you are driving the North Coast 500 plus detours from Edinburgh or Glasgow, you may easily cover 800 to 1,000 miles. A small car will usually be cheaper to run, while a campervan or motorhome will use more fuel, especially on hilly Highland roads. A sensible fuel budget is £150 to £250 for a car and £250 to £400 for a motorhome on a longer circular route.
And, it obviously depends on the fuel prices at the time. Not too long ago, you’d turn on the news to see people almost crying over the price of fuel, but the situation is better now.
Food is another area where costs can swing. Cooking some meals yourself can keep costs down, especially in rural areas where restaurants may be limited or pricey. Budget around £25 to £40 per person per day if mixing supermarket food with casual meals, and obviously budget more if you plan to eat in pubs and restaurants most nights.
Using a Motorhome to Avoid Paying for Accommodation
We’re not biased when we say that one of the best ways to control accommodation costs on a Scottish road trip is to hire a motorhome or campervan. Your motorhome becomes your bedroom, kitchen, and transport all in one, and the accommodation costs of a road trip across Scotland will be your highest expense and might limit you to one area. Motorhome hire is true freedom and so much fun.
And motorhome hire can be especially useful in the Highlands, on the Isle of Skye, around the NC500, and in smaller villages where accommodation sells out quickly in summer.
That said, there are a few honest considerations that we need to give you. Rental prices can be high in peak season, and motorhomes use more fuel than standard cars. You should also budget for campsite pitches, especially if you want electric hook-up, showers, toilets, and waste disposal. A good working estimate is £30 to £45 per night for a serviced pitch.
Best Roads to Drive on a Scotland Road Trip
Any road that isn’t the centre of Edinburgh or Glasgow is a good road to drive on, but there are some specific routes we want to recommend:
- The most famous Scottish road trip is the North Coast 500, a 516-mile loop around the far north of Scotland.
- The A82 through Glencoe is one of the most incredible drives in Scotland for mountain scenery.
- The Road to the Isles, the route from Fort William to Mallaig, gives you everything. You’ll drive through lochs, mountain views, beaches, and the famous Glenfinnan Viaduct.
- The Argyll Coastal Route is perfect for travellers who want lochs, seafood, castles, and coastal towns.
- The South West Coastal 300 is a calmer option. You’ll go through Dumfries and Galloway and the Ayrshire coast, seeing everything from beaches to forests without as many crowds.
Oh, to be road tripping through Scotland for the first time. It’s such a unique, wholesome, and truly beautiful experience. Hopefully, we’ve given you a rough idea of the budget, but always plan for a little bit of ‘just in case’ money.