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 May 2022. I’ll go into detail on why each was what it was and any fluctuations we found.
| Category | Spent in May 2022 |
| RV and vehicle costs | $1,380 |
| Camping costs | $76 |
| Groceries | $642 |
| Phone and internet | $226 |
| Fuel | $575 |
| RV miles driven | 477.8 miles |
| Memberships & Tolls | $76 |
| Entertainment/fun/eating out | $670 |
| Health insurance | $419 |
| Various normal expenses | $46 |
| Total spent | $4,110 |
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 moving from Chesapeake Bay RV Park in Gloucester, VA to Gettysburg Farm RV park in Dover, PA. We spent three weeks in Gettysburg and then moved to Lake & Shore RV Resort in Ocean View, NJ.
What did we do:
May was super packed! Since we were in Gettysburg, we were close to lots of friends and family. We got to see a ton of folks and do some really fun things – which is reflected in our spending. Bret even got to work out with one of his clients! He runs a virtual fitness coaching business and it was a neat experience for him to get to work out in person a few times with his client. We visited my family, a number of our friends and did some business networking. Bret also traveled to Georgia to run with our friend again, which meant 2 long drives to the airport. I even got to hang out with my old book club in person! I still participate when I can via phone, but it was great to see reading buddies in person. Reading is a big deal to me. 🙂 Our time in New Jersey has been a lot more stationary, Lake & Shore is a really fun park so not a big need to leave the park!
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RV and vehicle costs
We spent $1380. 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 $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 $642, which was a bit higher than normal for us. We were pretty bare bones at the beginning of the month, so it was a big stock up. I think the 2 big charges at the beginning of the month were actually supposed to be in April, which made it even higher. This does include shopping at Walmart, which sometimes includes purchasing things for the RV such as toilet paper.
Phone and internet/hotspots
We spent $225 on our phones and internet. We have an unlimited plan through Verizon for our phones which is $113.35. 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
We paid $575 for fuel this month. We moved twice and I took Bret to the airport twice. As I mentioned above, we were near friends and family and did a LOT of driving. This was definitely when we really felt the increase in fuel prices too.
Memberships & Tolls
We spent $76 in tolls this month, some of that was just the fees of missing the tolls. Tip here – if you aren’t sure if EZ Pass works in the toll plaza, go through the lane where you talk to an attendant to confirm.
Entertainment/fun/eating out
We spent $676 on fun this month. Bret went to Georgia and we went out a number of times with friends. One of the more fun things we did was go out with a friend who shares the same birthday as Bret, ON their birthday! We did use points for the Southwest flight. We’ve used Southwest credit cards for years to earn free flights. It’s so hard to actually spend money on flights when we’re out of points!
Health insurance
My health insurance was $419 for the month.
Various normal expenses
Total spent was $46.
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!