May 13, 2026
Editor’s note: An earlier version of this story suggested Romano and Linda Sims were reworking their retirement plan amid soaring fuel costs brought on by the Iran war, which is not the case. The story has been updated accordingly.
Romano and Linda Sims, a couple hailing from the Volunteer State of Tennessee, sold all their belongings and drove off into the sunset. Literally. They traded their $2.1 million lakeside home for a life of the road in a dolled-up $700,000 RV they've named 'BoomerBus.' With dog Izzy in tow, it was the perfect picture.
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It still is that idyllic retirement scenario, but fuel prices have certainly changed the couple’s math a bit. The Sims set out for their endless adventure in 2023, when a gallon of gas was $3.52 (2). In mid-March, when the Sims were interviewed by Business Insider (3), they paid $5 a gallon.
"150 gallons at $5 gallons, you do the math," Romano said in the interview (4).
That math is $750 to fill the tank, compared to about $528 when they started their journey three years ago — a whopping $222 difference. While Romano said they don't drive every day, let's say a 150-gallon gas tank gets them 900 – 1,200 miles and they're driving 300 miles every other day, they're probably still going through a tank a week.
At $5-per-gallon, that's $3,000 a month, versus $2,112 at 2023 prices. That's an extra $10,656 per year. For the Sims, gas prices won’t deter the happy couple from living the lifestyle they’ve chosen to pursue. But for other retirees hoping to live a similar lifestyle, changing gas prices can throw your budget right off.
Driving up the budget
No couple wants to be nickel and diming in their golden years. The Sims are in their seventies, in good health and still have decades ahead of them. If they choose to spend the next five years on the road, that would cost them an additional $50,000 for gas based on current prices.
Now, yes, the war will end and fuel prices will cool off, but no one knows when. The bigger problem isn't necessarily current fuel prices. It's that ongoing monthly living expenses flowing from world events are out of anyone’s control. Sure, if you want to live like Romano and Linda Sims, you could make allowances by planning more no-driving days, stay longer in certain locations, or try to cut costs or other road-related expenses, but the RV lifestyle is unpredictable by nature. That's the rub.
There's also the unknown and unexpected costs of vehicle repairs, which could be more frequent if travelers opt for the cheaper gas that could speed up the need for a service. Travelers might also not have access to multiple gas stations to compare prices and therefore can't make the most economical decision.
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More NOmads
While for many retirees, the sights, adventures and new lease on life are worth the extra cost. Romano said they never got to travel the country at their own pace and are seeing things they didn't know existed or were too far out of reach during their professional lives.
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For others though, high fuel prices and economic constraints are a big deterrent — a far cry from the van life boom during the pandemic years. New RV sales dropped 14.51% in January 2026 (4) compared to January 2025.
If you're planning a more nomadic lifestyle, in your golden years or as a young family who wants to be more mobile, it might require a little more planning and ingenuity right now. Do not drive blindly to a new location without researching gas stations on Google Maps — or you could use the Open Roads app the Sims use to find the cheapest fuel along your route. Planning ahead always pays off.
Look into a rewards program for per-gallon discounts, try to reduce the weight inside your motorhome (you need more power to move a heavier object), invest in regular RV maintenance, do short trips with your car only or even a bike and travel at a slower pace spending more time in fewer places. You can also save cash by earning your keep at holiday parks, cleaning cabins, facilities and so on. If you're starting out, consider electric options.
And remember retirees, or anyone of any age, time is the most valuable currency.
Article Sources
We rely only on vetted sources and credible third-party reporting. For details, see our ethics and guidelines.
The BoomerBus Chronicles (1); U.S. Energy Information Administration (2); Business Insider (3); YouTube (4)
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Amanda Smith is an Australian freelance journalist and writer based in the New York City area who reports on culture/society, technology, and health.
