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 May 2026. I’ll go into detail on why each was what it was and any fluctuations we found.
| Category | Spent in May 2026 |
| RV and vehicle costs | $1,379.23 |
| Repairs, maintenance & registration | $2,185.44 |
| Camping costs | $274.57 |
| Groceries | $850.61 |
| Phone and internet | $434.52 |
| Fuel & DEF | $542.25 |
| RV miles driven | 910.8 miles |
| Tolls | $0 |
| Memberships | $0 |
| Entertainment/fun/eating out | $792.75 |
| Travel | $0 |
| Life insurance | $46.62 |
| Vehicle insurance | $0 |
| Health insurance | $635.77 |
| Various normal expenses | $91.18 |
| Total spent | $7,232.94 |
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 Soledad Canyon in Acton, CA and moved to Thousand Trails Las Vegas in Las Vegas, NV and moved to St. George/Hurricane KOA for the rest of the month.
What did we do:
After spending quite a bit of time hopping around California for family and work, we headed to Vegas, finally crossing off another state on our map. We did a few touristy things in Vegas – checking out Fremont Street, The Neon Museum and Area 15, specifically going to Meow Wolf/Omega Mart. It was a really fun time. We also got a bit of time in the Hurricane, Utah area. There was an amazing place to do some trail runs right across the street from our campground, Red Cliffs National Conservation Area.
I know I’ve been MIA since September, but I wanted to post this to at least add the new state to the website map! I also updated all of our costs in this post.
We have used RV Trip Wizard to plan every trip since we got on the road in November 2020. We love RV Life so much that we have partnered with them. If you're looking for a planner for your RV trip, this is what we use!
RV and vehicle costs
We spent $1,379.23. 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 $2,185.44 this month. This was for a new bedroom AC unit.
Camping costs
This was $274.57 for the month. We stayed in Thousand Trails campgrounds for most of the month. $102.22 was our monthly annual dues. $61.19 was for a Love’s RV Hookup we have scheduled. $111.16 was for the St. George/Hurricane KOA using our RPI membership.
Groceries
Our groceries were $850.61. This was pretty high because we stocked up on a TON of things. 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 $397.52 on our phones and internet. We have an unlimited plan through Verizon for our phones which is $159.52. We have a 100 gig hotspot plan with Cricket which is $55 a month, and our unlimited Starlink monthly plan is $165.
Fuel & DEF
We paid $542.25 for fuel this month. This was not too much more as last month, but we left California, where fuel has been very high.
Tolls
We spent $0 on tolls.
Memberships
We spent $0 on memberships.
Entertainment/fun/eating out
We spent $792.75 on fun this month. This was a bit more than last month, but we decided to do a few fun things in Vegas and we ate out a bit more than normal.
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 $635.77 for the month.
Auto insurance
We spent $0 on auto insurance.
Various normal expenses
The total spent on random other expenses was $91.18. 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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