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.
This is what we actually spent in April 2023. I’ll go into detail on why each was what it was and any fluctuations we found.
| Category | Spent in April 2023 |
| RV and vehicle costs | $1,379 |
| Repairs, maintenance & registration | $263 |
| Camping costs | $76.69 |
| Groceries | $465 |
| Phone and internet | $647 |
| Fuel & DEF | $262 |
| RV miles driven | 31.0 miles |
| Memberships & Tolls | $40 |
| Entertainment/fun/eating out | $365 |
| Health insurance | $437 |
| Various normal expenses | $79 |
| Total spent | $4,013.69 |
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 spent the month hopping between Orlando RV Resort in Clermont, FL and Sherwood RV Resort in Kissimmee, FL.
What did we do:
April was a little quieter with hanging out with friends. But still very much a repeat of our life in Florida since November, we move the RV every 2-3 weeks, we work, and I go to Disney. I like to work at the resorts and did get to bring Bret a few times, since you don’t need an annual pass or ticket to go.
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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. We also spent $263 on an oil change for our truck.
Camping costs
This was $76.69 for the month. We stayed in Thousand Trails campgrounds the entire month. $76.79 was our monthly cost for our annual dues.
Groceries
Our groceries were $465. This was a little lower than last month, which was nice. I’ve been using things we stocked up on at the grocery liquidators. We’ve only been purchasing produce, dairy and any odds and ends that we need. This does include shopping at Walmart, which sometimes includes purchasing things for the RV such as toilet paper.
Phone and internet/hotspots
We spent $647 on our phones and internet. We have an unlimited plan through Verizon for our phones which is $116.85. We have a 100 gig hotspot plan with T-Mobile which is $57 a month and a 100 gig hotspot plan with Cricket which is $55 a month. This month we had to upgrade BOTH of our phones and get new cases and screen protectors, which was $419. But it’s been nearly four years since I upgraded my phone and about three and a half for Bret. We got a good amount on trade-ins for both, so that was helpful. The cameras are AMAZING on the iPhone 14, so keep an eye out for nicer photos and videos in our content!
Fuel & DEF
We paid $262 for fuel this month. We moved twice. Fuel was still lower since Bret has a local job which he can bike to from Sherwood, which really lowers the fuel costs. Even with me going to Disney more often when we’re at Sherwood, it’s close enough that it doesn’t use a whole lot of fuel. When we stay at Orlando RV resort though, it does require a decent drive.
Memberships & Tolls
We spent $40 on memberships and tolls. This included $30 added to our Escapees mail service, which covers scanning and shipping our mail.
Entertainment/fun/eating out
We spent $365 on fun this month. This was a bit lower than last month, which was nice since we spent more on our phones.
Health insurance
My health insurance was $437 for the month.
Various normal expenses
The total spent on random other expenses was $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!