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 2026. I’ll go into detail on why each was what it was and any fluctuations we found.
| Category | Spent in August 2026 |
| RV and vehicle costs | $1,379.23 |
| Repairs, maintenance & registration | $1,401.99 |
| Camping costs | $526.69 |
| Groceries | $427.81 |
| Phone and internet | $389.62 |
| Fuel & DEF | $858.68 |
| RV miles driven | 1,263.40 miles |
| Tolls | $0 |
| Memberships | $0 |
| Entertainment/fun/eating out | $774.20 |
| Travel | $22.40 |
| Life insurance | $46.62 |
| Vehicle insurance | $579.00 |
| Health insurance | $635.77 |
| Various normal expenses | $309.56 |
| Total spent | $7,351.69 |
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 Wind River View Campground in Boulder, WY and moved to City of Blackfoot RV Park in Blackfoot, ID and moved to Conestoga Campground in White Sulphur Springs, MT to a Love’s RV Stop in Hardin MT to Boots Campground in Medora, ND to Heartland RV Park in Hermosa, SD for the rest of the month.
What did we do:
Since we left California, we’ve been moving around the west and knocking out three more states during this month. We absolutely loved North Dakota and after years of folks telling us that Theodore Roosevelt National Park was a can’t miss, we finally got to see it…and it did NOT disappoint! We also lucked out and got to visit the brand new Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library, which was probably THE coolest museum we’ve ever been to. You could interact with the displays and get put into period photos. We also were very much tourists this month, from Medora to Custer/Mount Rushmore area, so our entertainment was a little high. Unfortunately, we’ve also had a few things break on the RV, which lead to higher repairs & maintenance.
Again, I know I’ve been MIA here on the blog, but I wanted to post this to at least add the new states to the website map! I also updated all of our costs in this post.
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RV and vehicle costs
We spent $1,379.35. This includes the payment for our truck, which is $979.35 each month, and our rig, which is $400 per month. We have a seven-year loan on the truck and a twenty-year loan on the RV.
Repairs, maintenance & registration
We spent $1,401.99 this month. This was for two new RV tires and a new jack & motor.
Camping costs
This was $526.69 for the month. We did not stay in any Thousand Trails campgrounds this month. $102.22 was our monthly annual dues. $60.59 was for a Love’s RV Hookup in Montana….and $54.48 for a Love’s RV Hookup in Oklahoma….for the wrong date. $309.40 was to extend our stay at Heartland RV Park so we could get our new jack ordered.
Groceries
Our groceries were $427.81. This was almost half than the previous month due to a stock up. As we head to places in the west, we won’t be near Aldi’s. This does include shopping at Walmart, which sometimes includes purchasing things for the RV such as toilet paper.
Phone and internet/hotspots
We spent $389.62 on our phones and internet. We have an unlimited plan through Verizon for our phones which is $159.62. We have a 100 gig hotspot plan with Cricket which is $55 a month, and our unlimited Starlink monthly plan is $175.
Fuel & DEF
We paid $858.68 for fuel this month. This was a bit more than last month since we drove a bit more.
Tolls
We spent $0 on tolls.
Memberships
We spent $0 on memberships.
Entertainment/fun/eating out
We spent $774.20 on fun this month. This was almost the same amount as last month, but we’ve been in touristy areas and have been going out a bit more.
Travel
We spent $22.40 on travel this month. This is a fee for flights using credit card points.
Life insurance
Our life insurance was $46.62 for the month.
Health insurance
My health insurance was $635.77 for the month.
Auto insurance
We spent $579.00 on auto insurance. This was the annual premium for the RV.
Various normal expenses
The total spent on random other expenses was $309.56. 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.
Happy Travels Life – Family of three with pets. – Travel trailer.
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