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 September 2024. I’ll go into detail on why each was what it was and any fluctuations we found.
| Category | Spent in September 2024 |
| RV and vehicle costs | $1379.23 |
| Repairs, maintenance & registration | $0 |
| Camping costs | $145.19 |
| Groceries | $688.61 |
| Phone and internet | $295.47 |
| Fuel & DEF | $510.99 |
| RV miles driven | 641.2 miles |
| Tolls | $50 |
| Memberships | $76.45 |
| Entertainment/fun/eating out | $449.99 |
| Travel | $0 |
| Life insurance | $46.62 |
| Vehicle insurance | $0 |
| Health insurance | $488.82 |
| Various normal expenses | $11.62 |
| Total spent | $4,142.99 |
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 Thousand Trails Indian Lakes in Batesville, IN, hit a Harvest Host in Irwin, PA and ended the month at Gettysburg Farm in Dover, PA
What did we do:
September was about enjoying our last few weeks in Indiana, getting some work done and moving to PA. I (Jennilyn) also flew out to Hershey for the RV show, which increased a few of our categories. One of the reasons we stayed as long as we did in the Cincinnati area was to visit the Zinzinnati Oktoberfest – which we did and it was SO much fun.
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 $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.
Camping costs
This was $145.19 for the month. We stayed in Thousand Trails campgrounds for almost the entire month. The $80.40 was our monthly annual dues. The $65 was for our annual assessment of our Thousand Trails membership.
Groceries
Our groceries were $688.61. This was another higher month, no discount grocery store BUT we did visit the amazing Jungle Jim’s international grocery store. Seriously, look it up. We bought a number of things we don’t normally get to buy and tried out a few new things. This does include shopping at Walmart, which sometimes includes purchasing things for the RV such as toilet paper.
Phone and internet/hotspots
We spent $295.47 on our phones and internet. We have an unlimited plan through Verizon for our phones which is $185.47. 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 $510.99 for fuel this month. Definitely higher than last month because we moved from Cincinnati to the Gettysburg area. We use Open Roads which saves us SO much at the pump! On one of our fill ups, we saved $0.33/gallon off the pump price.
Tolls
We spent $50 on tolls. The East Coast has a bit more tolls, so keep that in mind when you travel here!
Memberships
We spent $76.45 on memberships. September is a big month for memberships, because we set everything up in September 2020 before we hit the road. So we spent $37.45 on Escapees and $39.00 on RV Trip Wizard/RV Life.
Entertainment/fun/eating out
We spent $449.99 on fun this month. This was way more than last month but it makes sense because we went to Jungle Jim’s and Oktoberfest we spent about $100 there, Jennilyn went to Hershey for the RV show and bought some fast food for meals, and Bret got a ticket to Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios which was $93.71.
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 $0 on auto insurance
Various normal expenses
The total spent on random other expenses was $11.62.
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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