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 2025. I’ll go into detail on why each was what it was and any fluctuations we found.
| Category | Spent in August 2025 |
| RV and vehicle costs | $1,779.23 |
| Repairs, maintenance & registration | $888.12 |
| Camping costs | $152.92 |
| Groceries | $628.81 |
| Phone and internet | $465.72 |
| Fuel & DEF | $435.19 |
| RV miles driven | 195.4 miles |
| Tolls | $46.30 |
| Memberships | $0 |
| Entertainment/fun/eating out | $374.51 |
| Travel | $0 |
| Life insurance | $46.62 |
| Vehicle insurance | $0 |
| Health insurance | $516.37 |
| Various normal expenses | $495.83 |
| Total spent | $5,829.62 |
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 moochdocking with family near Fresno, CA moved to Thousand Trails Yosemite Lakes in Groveland, CA for the rest of the month.
What did we do:
We only moved once this month, which was not the original plan. We were going to only stay in Yosemite for 2 weeks, but we had to do some work on the truck, so we ended up staying a few weeks longer. While not the plan, we had an amazing time in Yosemite. Despite traveling to touristy areas, we tend to not do a lot of touristy things. It was nice to hike every weekend and explore the park.
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RV and vehicle costs
We spent $1,779.23. This includes the payment for our truck, which is $979.35 each month, and our rig, which is $399.88 per month. We’ve started to make an additional payment of $400 towards paying down our rig. We have a seven-year loan on the truck and a twenty-year loan on the RV.
Repairs, maintenance & registration
We spent $888.12 this month. This was for a number of things that needed doing on our truck.
Camping costs
This was $152.92 for the month. We stayed in Thousand Trails campgrounds almost the entire month. $97.14 was our monthly annual dues. $55.78 was for a Love’s RV hook up we have planned in the future.
Groceries
Our groceries were $628.81. This has been our normal for the last few months, I think it would be higher for the time we spent in Yosemite but we really stocked up beforehand. This does include shopping at Walmart, which sometimes includes purchasing things for the RV such as toilet paper.
Phone and internet/hotspots
We spent $465.72 on our phones and internet. We have an unlimited plan through Verizon for our phones which is $190.72. 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. We finally got Starlink, and the monthly plan is $165. Note – we bought the mini dish, for $433.99, but that amount is not included here since it’s a business expense for Hot Mess Fix Chick.
Fuel & DEF
We paid $435.19 for fuel this month. This was about the same as last month, but we had to worry about filling up the rental car (though holy smokes did I miss 30-40 mpg!) and the truck.
Tolls
We spent $46.30 on tolls. This was a toll from driving through Texas in June.
Memberships
We spent $0 on memberships.
Entertainment/fun/eating out
We spent $374.51 on fun this month. This was a bit less than last month, but we didn’t go out as much.
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 $516.37 for the month.
Auto insurance
We spent $0 on auto insurance.
Various normal expenses
The total spent on random other expenses was $495.83. This was a pretty high month for shopping, but Bret did a few runs on the John Muir trail with a friend and he needed quite a bit of gear and food. Thankfully, a lot of that gear will be used again. 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.
Nomad Nesters – couple in a fifth wheel.
Road Rabers – 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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