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 July 2022. I’ll go into detail on why each was what it was and any fluctuations we found.
| Category | Spent in July 2022 |
| RV and vehicle costs | $1,379 |
| Camping costs | $134 |
| Groceries | $465 |
| Phone and internet | $229 |
| Fuel & DEF | $158 |
| RV miles driven | 422.1 miles |
| Memberships & Tolls | $30 |
| Entertainment/fun/eating out | $202 |
| Health insurance | $412 |
| Various normal expenses | $5 |
| Total spent | $3014 |
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 Campground in Wells, ME and moved up to Patten Pond Camping Resort in Ellsworth, Maine to finish the month.
What did we do:
July was the quietest and chillest month on the road, because we got pretty sick. So about half of the month was spent in our RV. Thankfully, we had friends at the campground that could grab us groceries and anything else we needed. We did a hike in Acadia and watched the sunrise from Cadillac Mountain. But for the most part, we rested and worked at the campgrounds.
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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.
Camping costs
This was $134 for the month. We stayed in Thousand Trails campgrounds the entire month. The $76 is our monthly cost for our annual dues. I also booked a KOA for $58.40.
Groceries
Our groceries were $465, which was a bit lower than normal for us. We were pretty bare bones at the end of June, so I had done a big stock up. 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 $158 for fuel this month. We moved twice. At the end of last month, during my grocery stock up, I filled up so I didn’t need as much fuel in July.
Memberships & Tolls
We spent $30 in memberships, I added funds to my mail scanning service with Escapees.
Entertainment/fun/eating out
We spent $202 on fun this month. We REALLY didn’t get out much at all in July. We did get a meal on our anniversary and a few times seeing our friends later in the month but that was about it.
Health insurance
My health insurance was $412 for the month.
Various normal expenses
Total spent was $5.
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!