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.
This is what we actually spent in August 2022. I’ll go into detail on why each was what it was and any fluctuations we found.
| Category | Spent in August 2022 |
| RV and vehicle costs | $2,211 |
| Camping costs | $76 |
| Groceries | $672 |
| Phone and internet | $229 |
| Fuel & DEF | $421 |
| RV miles driven | 626.9 miles |
| Memberships & Tolls | $58.76 |
| Entertainment/fun/eating out | $464 |
| Health insurance | $409 |
| Various normal expenses | $313 |
| Total spent | $4,853.76 |
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 Moody Beach RV in Wells, ME. We were only there a few days and hit two Harvest Hosts on the way to Rondout Valley RV Campground in Accord, NY. We finished out the month Appalachian RV Campground in Shartlesville, PA.
What did we do:
August was all about activities and hanging out with friends. Rondout had SO many activities, we had close friends passing through only 40 minutes away and we hung out with new friends a few times. We did spend a little bit more in all areas but we did go out to eat more and found a store with an amazing selection of non-alcoholic beers, so I stocked up!
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RV and vehicle costs
We spent $2211. 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. This also included our insurance costs of $463 for the RV and a $129.33 oil change for the truck.
Camping costs
This was $76 for the month. We stayed in Thousand Trails campgrounds the entire month. The $76 is our monthly cost for our annual dues.
Groceries
Our groceries were $672, which was a bit closer to normal for us. This does include shopping at Walmart, which sometimes includes purchasing things for the RV such as toilet paper.
Phone and internet/hotspots
We spent $229 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.
Fuel & DEF
We paid $421 for fuel this month. We moved twice (I’m counting the Harvest Hosts stays as one move). We also filled our DEF at a truck shop, which was $22.69.
Entertainment/fun/eating out
We spent $464 on fun this month. Lots more fun this month! We ate out several times and I stocked up on some fun stuff.
Health insurance
My health insurance was $409 for the month.
Various normal expenses
Total spent was $313.
I tend to just toss everything that doesn’t fit into a category in 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, to see other budgets when you’re already full time or show you that maybe 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!
Hey Mr and Mrs. G,
Look at Cellular One for your cellphone carrier. They operate on ATT towers and are a significant (HUGE) savings over Verizon with similar plans. The switch has may save juggling various carriers too.
Brain fart… not Cellular One… Consumer Cellular.🤪
(Is my age showing??)