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 March 2024. I’ll go into detail on why each was what it was and any fluctuations we found.
| Category | Spent in March 2024 |
| RV and vehicle costs | $1379.23 |
| Repairs, maintenance & registration | $1,553.95 |
| Camping costs | $95.40 |
| Groceries | $921.13 |
| Phone and internet | $290.95 |
| Fuel & DEF | $650.23 |
| RV miles driven | 1,389.6 miles |
| Tolls | $50 |
| Memberships | $170 |
| Propane | $54.04 |
| Entertainment/fun/eating out | $551.67 |
| Travel | $11.20 |
| Life insurance | $46.62 |
| Vehicle insurance | $0 |
| Health insurance | $488.82 |
| Various normal expenses | $196.80 |
| Total spent | $6,459.03 |
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 out the month at Sherwood Forest in Kissimmee, FL moved to Thousand Trails Orlando in Clermont, FL, stayed the night at a truck stop in Madison, FL. Then we stayed a night at TLC Wolf River Resort in Pass Christian, MS. We stayed a week at Lake Conroe in Conroe, TX and finished the month at Lake Whitney in Whitney, TX.
What did we do:
March was about getting ready to hit the road again and actually traveling. We got new tires for the RV and had an RV tech check a few things. Our main reason for leaving Florida a little earlier than normal was getting to Texas for the total solar eclipse, which we planned to watch at Lake Whitney. We also did a big stock up at Sacks Grocery Liquidators in Florida before we left. While still a busy working month, this month we were in the red with the income versus expenses.
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RV and vehicle costs
We spent $1379.23. 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
We spent $1,553.95 this month. We spent $1,152.70 on new tires for the RV, we purchased these from Goodyear Commercial Tire and Service in Orlando. These guys were AWESOME! We spent $200 for our friend Mike, an RV tech to look at getting grease in our wetbolts. We also purchased bread from his wife, our friend Kate (which is some of THE best bread I’ve ever had!) We spent $166.14 on getting our rim fixed on the RV. We discovered a leak after we changed the RV tires on one tire that has been giving us trouble for a while now. Come to find out there was a hole in the rim! We spent $13.50 on ice for our fridge because of an issue with our propane. Leaving Florida was nuts!
Camping costs
This was $95.40 for the month. We stayed in Thousand Trails campgrounds the entire month. This was our monthly cost for our annual dues. We also spent $15 to stay a night at an RPI campground, which are typically $10 but we spent $5 extra for 50 amp.
Groceries
Our groceries were $921.13. This was our highest on groceries since hitting the road – crazy because we were our lowest last month. This included stocking up at a discount grocery store, purchasing new tools and things that we needed, like a new grease gun, more grease and a infrared temperature gun. This does include shopping at Walmart, which sometimes includes purchasing things for the RV such as toilet paper.
Phone and internet/hotspots
We spent $290.95 on our phones and internet. We have an unlimited plan through Verizon for our phones which is $180.95. 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 $650.23 for fuel this month. Getting from Florida to Texas meant a TON of driving!
Tolls
We spent $50 on tolls.
Memberships
We spent $170 on memberships. We spent $165 to renew our RPI membership. This was one that we got for free with our Thousand Trails membership and they have a number of $10/night campgrounds across the country. This really helps to supplement the areas that don’t have Thousand Trails campgrounds. Little FYI – we let our membership lapse last year but I had no trouble restarting AND my online booking credits were still there in my account. We also spent $5 to pick up mail at a campground.
Propane
We spent $54.04 to fill up both of our propane tanks. It had been over a year since we purchased propane. We tend to use a space heater and don’t use the propane stove too often, so this isn’t surprising. We also spent a TON of time in Florida last year, so the temps were typically high.
Entertainment/fun/eating out
We spent $551.67 on fun this month. This was about the same as last month but I traveled to Maryland for a wedding and a whirlwind visit to see people (including completely surprising my parents who had NO idea I would be in town!)
Travel
We spent $11.20 on travel this month. This was for flights.
Life insurance
Our life insurance was $46.62 for the month.
Health insurance
My health insurance was $488.82 for the month.
Auto insurance
We spent $0 on auto insurance for our truck, we pay bi-annually.
Various normal expenses
The total spent on random other expenses was $195.79.
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!
Herrins on the Roam – family of five in a fifth wheel.
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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