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 August 2024. I’ll go into detail on why each was what it was and any fluctuations we found.
| Category | Spent in August 2024 |
| RV and vehicle costs | $1379.23 |
| Repairs, maintenance & registration | $0 |
| Camping costs | $109.40 |
| Groceries | $711.20 |
| Phone and internet | $282.65 |
| Fuel & DEF | $120.91 |
| RV miles driven | 79.8 miles |
| Tolls | $0 |
| Memberships | $-10 |
| Entertainment/fun/eating out | $124.14 |
| Travel | $0 |
| Life insurance | $46.62 |
| Vehicle insurance | $552 |
| Health insurance | $488.82 |
| Various normal expenses | $97.06 |
| Total spent | $3,902.03 |
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 Indian Lakes in Batesville, IN and ended the month at Thousand Trails Wilmington in Wilmington, OH.
What did we do:
August was all about the work. We didn’t do much exploring or getting out of the campground, but we did get to hang out with some old friends and new! One friend actually came over to our site several days and we got to co-work together, which was just so much fun. August was another month where our income covered our bills and we paid a little bit extra on our credit card bills.
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RV and vehicle costs
We spent $1379.23. 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 $0 this month. But we did use parts that we purchased in July. Nothing like realizing the toilet isn’t flushing after you’ve done your business.
Camping costs
This was $109.40 for the month. We stayed in Thousand Trails campgrounds for the entire month. The $80.40 was our monthly annual dues. The $29 was for an extra week stay at a Thousand Trails park.
Groceries
Our groceries were $711.20. This was considerably higher than last month but we did find a local discount grocery store and stocked up on things. We love these stores because they can offer up to 50% off of groceries that help stretch our budget. There are some things we’ve purchased for half the cost that last for 3+ months. Bret got an amazing deal on protein. This does include shopping at Walmart, which sometimes includes purchasing things for the RV such as toilet paper.
Phone and internet/hotspots
We spent $282.65 on our phones and internet. We have an unlimited plan through Verizon for our phones which is $172.65. 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 $120.91 for fuel this month. We drove EVEN less than last month and the costs show it. We will see higher costs in September and October because we have to get from Indiana to Pennsylvania and down to Florida. We use Open Roads which saves us SO much at the pump!
Tolls
We spent $0 on tolls.
Memberships
We spent $-10 on memberships. This was the refund for the hold at a campground for a gate card.
Entertainment/fun/eating out
We spent $124.24 on fun this month. This was even less than last month but it makes sense because we barely went out. We have started having a fire most weekends and one weekend we got to hang out with the Dixon’s from The Dixon Detour. Brittany and I spent several days working together in our CLAM Quick-Set Escape 11.5 x 11.5 Foot Portable Pop-Up Outdoor Camping Gazebo.
Travel
We spent $0 on travel this month.
Life insurance
Our life insurance was $46.62 for the month.
Health insurance
My health insurance was $488.82 for the month.
Auto insurance
We spent $552 on insurance for our RV, we pay this annually.
Various normal expenses
The total spent on random other expenses was $97.06.
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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