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. See some links below for other RVers actual spends!
This is what we actually spent in October 2023. I’ll go into detail on why each was what it was and any fluctuations we found.
| Category | Spent in October 2023 |
| RV and vehicle costs | $1379 |
| Repairs, maintenance & registration | $0 |
| Camping costs | $80.40 |
| Groceries | $619 |
| Phone and internet | $291 |
| Fuel & DEF | $290 |
| RV miles driven | 577.7 miles |
| Memberships & Tolls | $153.5 |
| Entertainment/fun/eating out | $121 |
| Travel | $7 |
| Life insurance | $46 |
| Vehicle insurance | $0 |
| Health insurance | $437 |
| Various normal expenses | $0 |
| Total spent | $3,624.90 |
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 out the month at Thousand Trails Wilmington in Wilmington, OH then moved over to Thousand Trails Indian Lakes in Batesville, IN. Then we hopped down to Diamond Caverns in Park City, Kentucky and finished the month at Thousand Trails Hidden Cove in Arley, AL.
What did we do:
October was a very chill month for us, staying 1-2 weeks at each campground and working a lot. We really didn’t do anything interesting besides moving sites. It’s been nice being able to just get some work done!
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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
None this month.
Camping costs
This was $80.40 for the month. We stayed in Thousand Trails campgrounds the entire month. This was our monthly cost for our annual dues.
Groceries
Our groceries were $619. This is a little higher than our previous month, but we’re finishing up our stockpile from Sacks Grocery Outlet. But we’ve thankfully been close to Aldi and Walmart at all of our stays where we needed to get groceries. This does include shopping at Walmart, which sometimes includes purchasing things for the RV such as toilet paper.
Phone and internet/hotspots
We spent $291 on our phones and internet. We have an unlimited plan through Verizon for our phones which is $181. We have a 100 gig hotspot plan with T-Mobile which is $55 a month and a 100 gig hotspot plan with Cricket which is $55 a month.
Fuel & DEF
We paid $290 for fuel this month. We moved a lot less and some of the drives weren’t too far (less than 2 hours). We use Open Roads for discounted fuel.
Memberships & Tolls
We spent $153.4 on memberships and tolls. $30 for adding on to our Escapees mail scanning. And $123.40 to renew Escapees.
Entertainment/fun/eating out
We spent $121 on fun this month. This was half of what we spent last month and that makes sense, because we really didn’t do much.
Travel
We spent $7 on travel this month. This was for firewood at the campground. We celebrated my nine years of sobriety with hotdogs and smores.
Health insurance
My health insurance was $437 for the month.
Various normal expenses
The total spent on random other expenses was $0
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!
Other RVers expenses
There are so many ways to travel and so many family make ups, rig type and ways to live on the road, here are other RVers who share what they spent.
The Adventure Detour – family of three with pets in a fifth wheel. Lots of great info here too!
Open Roading – couple with pets in a fifth wheel. Kalyn’s spending posts are some of the cleanest and prettiest looking costs I’ve seen!
Wild RV Life – couple with pets in a fifth wheel. They do a LOT of boondocking as well.
The Traveling Tiongsons – couple with pets in a travel trailer toy hauler. These guys have done all of the lower 48!
Herrins on the Roam – family of five in a fifth wheel.
Blogs
Living in Beauty – retired couple with pets in an Airstream. This is one THE best summary spending posts I’ve seen. They’ve been on the road since July 18, 2016 and have all of their stats on this link. Very helpful!
The Home That Roams – couple with pets in a travel trailer. They also share about boats as well!
Reset Your Journey – family of four in a travel trailer. Very detailed post!
Live Work Dream – couple with pets in a fifth wheel. Another one with detailed posts about budgeting and costs.
YouTube Channels
Our Road Less Traveled – Couple with pets in a fifth Wheel.
Class C Broads – Couple with FIVE dogs! in a Super C.
Happy Travels Life – Family of three with pets. – Travel trailer.
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