Full-time RV costs can range so much, it can be hard to give an accurate number, but you can have a framework to start calculating your numbers. We are a full-time working couple with no kids or pets. See some links below for other RVers actual spends!
This is what we actually spent in August 2023. I’ll go into detail on why each was what it was and any fluctuations we found.
| Category | Spent in August 2023 |
| RV and vehicle costs | $1,379 |
| Repairs, maintenance & registration | $0 |
| Camping costs | $358 |
| Groceries | $607 |
| Phone and internet | $284 |
| Fuel & DEF | $680 |
| RV miles driven | 1031.7 miles |
| Memberships & Tolls | $25 |
| Entertainment/fun/eating out | $665 |
| Health insurance | $437 |
| Various normal expenses | $69 |
| Total spent | $4,504 |
A few notes – I’m not including the costs of our businesses (because that can vary greatly and you may not be running a business out of your RV) or our rental (previously our home). These are just our full-time RV costs for the month.
Where were we:
We started the month at Diamond Caverns in Park City, KY, then we hopped over to Thousand Trails Indian Lakes in Batesville, IN. We then went to O’Connell’s RV Campground in Amboy, IL, spent an overnight at Pivo Brewery, a Harvest Host in Calmar, IA and finished out the month at Dakota Meadows in Prior Lake, MN.
What did we do:
August was an INCREDIBLE month of exploring and hanging out with awesome people but definitely very draining. Staying in relatively one spot for nine months and then jumping into five different states and towing over 1000 miles is a lot. The constant moving has made it harder to work and the plethora of fun things to do has made us want to play. We have absolutely fallen in love with this area of the country and wish we had so much more time to explore. Bret did some additional traveling this month to Florida for jury duty and California to visit his family.
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RV and vehicle costs
We spent $1379. This includes the payment for our truck, which is $979.35 each month, and our rig, which is $399.88 per month. We have a seven-year loan on the truck and a twenty-year loan on the RV.
Repairs, maintenance & registration
None this month. But the AC has been keeping us cool and the brakes are working great.
Camping costs
This was $358.00 for the month. We stayed in Thousand Trails campgrounds most of the month. $76.79 was our monthly cost for our annual dues. This also includes our stay in Minnesota and renewing our KOA membership.
Groceries
Our groceries were $607. This was a little more in line with what we normally spend. Still a little higher, but since we’re in different places in the country, the costs vary. Bret did some additional traveling this month to Florida for jury duty and California to visit his family. So he had to grab some groceries at each spot. This does include shopping at Walmart, which sometimes includes purchasing things for the RV such as toilet paper.
Phone and internet/hotspots
We spent $284 on our phones and internet. We have an unlimited plan through Verizon for our phones which is $174.47. We have a 100 gig hotspot plan with T-Mobile which is $55 a month and a 100 gig hotspot plan with Cricket which is $55 a month.
Fuel & DEF
We paid $680 for fuel this month. We moved three times (even though we spent the night at two Harvest Hosts, I’m counting them in the other moves). Fuel was quite a bit higher, starting to feel that “we’re on the road again” in the costs. We use Open Roads for discounted fuel.
Memberships & Tolls
We spent $25 on memberships and tolls. $25 for refilling our EZPass account for tolls.
Entertainment/fun/eating out
We spent $665 on fun this month. This was almost double what we spent last month and I’m not surprised. We visited a lot of places to try new foods, met up with some friends and went to the Minnesota State Fair, so of course, we HAD to get all the fried everything.
Health insurance
My health insurance was $437 for the month. And Bret’s was $26.
Various normal expenses
The total spent on random other expenses was $69
I tend to toss everything that doesn’t fit into a category here. So a trip to Target may be groceries, clothes, and fun, but it ends up here.
I want these posts to help guide you as you plan to hit the road full-time, see other budgets when you’re already full time, or show you that this isn’t the life for you. Did I answer all your questions? Do you have any more? Let me know in the comments below!
Other RVers expenses
There are so many ways to travel and so many family make ups, rig type and ways to live on the road, here are other RVers who share what they spent.
The Adventure Detour – family of three with pets in a fifth wheel. Lots of great info here too!
Open Roading – couple with pets in a fifth wheel. Kalyn’s spending posts are some of the cleanest and prettiest looking costs I’ve seen!
Wild RV Life – couple with pets in a fifth wheel. They do a LOT of boondocking as well.
The Traveling Tiongsons – couple with pets in a travel trailer toy hauler. These guys have done all of the lower 48!
Blogs
Living in Beauty – retired couple with pets in an Airstream. This is one THE best summary spending posts I’ve seen. They’ve been on the road since July 18, 2016 and have all of their stats on this link. Very helpful!
The Home That Roams – couple with pets in a travel trailer. They also share about boats as well!
Reset Your Journey – family of four in a travel trailer. Very detailed post!
Live Work Dream – couple with pets in a fifth wheel. Another one with detailed posts about budgeting and costs.
YouTube Channels
Our Road Less Traveled – Couple with pets in a fifth Wheel.
Class C Broads – Couple with FIVE dogs! in a Super C.
Happy Travels Life – Family of three with pets. – Travel trailer.
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