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 December 2022. I’ll go into detail on why each was what it was and any fluctuations we found.
| Category | Spent in December 2022 |
| RV and vehicle costs | $1,379 |
| Repairs, maintenance & registration | $287 |
| Camping costs | $242.8 |
| Groceries | $375 |
| Phone and internet | $228 |
| Fuel & DEF | $325 |
| RV miles driven | 55.9 miles |
| Memberships & Tolls | $10 |
| Laundry | $35 |
| Propane | $53.25 |
| Entertainment/fun/eating out | $181 |
| Health insurance | $397 |
| Various normal expenses | $59 |
| Total spent | $3,572.05 |
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 Lake Magic RV Resort in Clermont, FL, and Orlando RV Resort in Clermont, FL. We finished out the month at a Hipcamp, which is essentially like Airbnb for but campsites.
What did we do:
December was pretty full of work and Disney. This was another month where we were SO close to earning what we spent. This was the first month we really saw the savings on our groceries because of all the stocking up we’ve done at Sacks Grocery Liquidators and BB’s.
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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
We spent $287. This was the title renewal for the truck and we opted to do two years. This is another reason we chose Florida, the more affordable vehicle registration!
Camping costs
This was $242.80 for the month. We stayed in Thousand Trails campgrounds most of the month. $76.79 was our monthly cost for our annual dues. We spent $166.11 on a Hipcamp campsite to fill a hole in our stays at Thousand Trails. It was a really fun experience and we’re looking forward to trying out new things like that again.
Groceries
Our groceries were $375, which was THE least we’ve spent on the road. We’re still using groceries from Sacks Grocery Liquidators & BB’s. 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 $228 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 $325 for fuel this month. We moved twice, despite those short drives, our drives to other places were a bit higher. Bret has a job locally, so he’s been driving more. I, Jen, also went to Disney a few times.
Memberships & Tolls
We spent $10 on memberships and tolls. This was for tolls on roads here in Florida.
Laundry
We spent $35 on laundry this month because our dryer has been broken.
Propane
We spent $53.25 on propane. We hadn’t filled up since January of 2022. Typically, we only use propane for the fridge if we’re boondocking and the stove to cook. We don’t use it for heat very often at all.
Entertainment/fun/eating out
We spent $181 on fun this month. This was a lot less than last month, even including a few visits to Disney AND Bret and I resort hopping on Christmas.
Health insurance
My health insurance was $397 for the month.
Various normal expenses
The total spent on random other expenses was $59.
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. This month it was a Mickey Balloon and an Amazon order.
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!