How Much Does Full-Time RV Living Cost? Our Real Monthly Budget

One of the biggest questions people have before considering full-time RV living is:

How much money do you actually need?

When we first started full-time RVing, we saw other travelers sharing their monthly budgets. Some of those numbers were considerably higher than what we were spending.

Our experience was almost the opposite.

At the time we made our original budget video, we were living quite comfortably on approximately $1,000 a month in regular living expenses, not including our truck payment and the storage unit we still had back home.

We weren’t eating ramen noodles every night.

We weren’t sitting inside the trailer doing nothing because we couldn’t afford to go anywhere.

We ate well, traveled, explored new places and enjoyed our life.

But we also made deliberate choices that kept our expenses low.

The biggest one?

We learned to boondock.

Here’s what our full-time RV budget looked like at the time, what helped us keep our costs down, and what years of RV living taught us about expenses that shouldn’t be overlooked.

Important note: The dollar amounts in this article reflect our expenses when the original video was filmed. Fuel, groceries, insurance, camping and other costs have changed considerably since then. Rather than using our old numbers as a budget for today, use them as an example of how different travel choices can dramatically affect the cost of full-time RV living.

Is Full-Time RV Living Expensive?

It certainly can be.

There’s really no single answer to the question of how much full-time RV living costs.

Someone staying primarily in RV resorts, eating in restaurants frequently and traveling hundreds of miles every few days will have a completely different budget from someone who boondocks, cooks at home and stays in each destination for a week or longer.

That’s why seeing several real RV budgets can be helpful.

Ours represented a relatively inexpensive style of full-time RV travel.

We watched what we spent.

We boondocked.

We didn’t move constantly.

And if something didn’t fit into the budget, sometimes we simply didn’t buy it.

Our Truck Payment and Storage Unit

There were two expenses I intentionally left out of our $1,000 monthly living-expense total:

• Our truck payment
• Our storage unit back home

We absolutely still had to pay those bills.

I separated them because they’re very specific to our situation and wouldn’t necessarily apply to another RVer.

Someone might already own their tow vehicle outright.

Another person might sell or give away everything and have no need for a storage unit.

Someone else might have an RV payment, truck payment and several other debts.

Our feeling then — and something that’s still worth considering — was that beginning full-time RV life with as little debt as possible makes the financial side much easier.

Fixed Monthly Expenses

Some expenses didn’t change much from month to month.

For us, those included things such as:

• Truck insurance
• Travel trailer insurance
• Cell phone service

Your numbers could be considerably higher or lower depending on your vehicles, insurance history, coverage, phone plan and other factors.

The important budgeting lesson is to separate your fixed expenses from expenses that you have more control over.

We couldn’t decide one month that we simply weren’t going to pay for insurance.

But we could decide to drive fewer miles.

That distinction matters.

Our Grocery Budget

At the time, we budgeted approximately $100 a week for groceries for the two of us.

And we ate well.

We bought fresh food, chicken, beef, salmon, tuna and other foods we enjoyed.

We weren’t trying to survive on the cheapest food we could possibly find.

What helped us was planning our shopping around affordable stores.

Walmart was one of our primary grocery stops. If our destination didn’t have one, we might stop at a Walmart along our travel route before reaching the next campsite.

We also used stores such as Dollar General and Family Dollar for staples when that made sense.

Obviously, $100 bought considerably more groceries when we filmed this video than it does today.

But the strategy hasn’t become outdated:

Plan ahead, know where you’ll be shopping and stock up before heading somewhere with limited or expensive grocery options.

Fuel Was Our Biggest Variable

Fuel was one of the expenses that could change dramatically from one month to another.

When we were settled in Arizona for the winter and weren’t traveling much, our fuel costs could be very low.

During months when we were moving regularly and exploring new destinations, they could be much higher.

At the time, we estimated anywhere from about $100 to $500 a month for fuel depending on how much we traveled.

The interesting part wasn’t really the dollar amount.

It was how we controlled it.

Staying Longer Saved Us Money

We generally tried to stay at a destination for about a week.

Travel days were expensive.

At the time, we figured an average travel day cost us around $75 in fuel.

So if we’d spent more than expected while exploring an area, we could compensate by staying there longer before moving again.

That meant fewer travel days.

Fewer travel days meant less fuel.

It’s one of the simplest ways to control an RV travel budget.

You don’t necessarily have to stop traveling.

You can travel more slowly.

And in our experience, slow travel often made the trip better anyway because we had more time to actually explore each destination.

Towing Uses Much More Fuel

Our truck’s fuel economy also changed dramatically depending on whether we were towing.

When we filmed the video, we generally got around 9 miles per gallon while towing the trailer, occasionally better under favorable conditions.

Without the trailer, the truck could get considerably better mileage.

That meant we had two different types of fuel expenses:

Travel fuel — getting the RV from one destination to another.

Exploring fuel — driving the truck around after the trailer was parked.

That distinction is worth including in your own RV budget.

A campsite may be inexpensive, but if it’s 50 miles from everything you want to see, you may spend quite a bit driving back and forth.

Our Propane Budget

Propane was another variable expense.

Even when the weather was comfortable, we still needed propane for appliances such as our refrigerator, stove and water heater.

When temperatures dropped, we needed more for heat.

And occasionally summer temperatures meant using the generator so we could run the air conditioner.

At the time, we generally budgeted approximately $40 to $80 a month for propane, depending on the season and weather.

Again, current prices will be different.

But one of our strategies was to move with the weather whenever possible.

Chasing Comfortable Weather

One advantage of living in an RV is that your house has wheels.

If it gets too cold, you can head south.

If summer becomes unbearably hot, you can move north or climb to a higher elevation.

At least that’s the theory!

Weather doesn’t always cooperate.

We’ve had unexpected snowstorms and temperature swings that caught us by surprise.

You’re never going to manage to live at exactly 75 degrees every day of the year.

But choosing destinations according to the season can reduce how much propane or electricity you need for heating and cooling.

The Expense That Changed Everything: Campgrounds

This was the big one for us.

During our first year of full-time RVing, we stayed in a lot of RV parks.

We didn’t realize just how much it was costing us until we looked back at the numbers.

We had spent more than $9,000 on RV parks during that first year.

That was simply more than our budget could handle going forward.

So during our second year, we changed how we traveled.

We started boondocking.

And that dramatically changed the economics of full-time RV life for us.

Boondocking Isn’t Completely Free

It’s tempting to say that boondocking means free camping.

Sometimes the campsite itself is free.

But there are still expenses.

When we’re camping without hookups, we still need to:

• Dump our waste tanks
• Refill fresh water
• Dispose of garbage
• Generate or conserve electricity
• Buy propane
• Drive to obtain supplies and services

Sometimes we’ve found free dump stations or free potable water.

Other times we’ve paid for them.

And occasionally free camping simply didn’t work out and we stayed in a campground instead.

So our budget included money for dumping, water and occasional campground fees.

Sometimes the Free Campsite Doesn’t Work

We learned not to assume that every planned boondocking site was going to work out.

You can research a location thoroughly and still arrive to find something different from what you expected.

Maybe the road is worse than expected.

Maybe there’s no room.

Maybe conditions have changed.

Maybe you simply don’t feel comfortable staying there.

When that happens, having room in the budget for a paid campground is important.

Free camping is wonderful.

But we don’t think it’s worth forcing yourself to stay somewhere that doesn’t feel safe or appropriate just to avoid a campground fee.

Discounted Camping Helped Too

When we did need paid camping, we looked for inexpensive options.

Ed had a senior America the Beautiful pass, which could provide discounts at eligible federal recreation sites.

We’ve also stayed at places such as Army Corps of Engineers campgrounds where applicable discounts helped make camping considerably more affordable.

There are plenty of ways to reduce campground costs without giving them up completely.

For us, the combination of boondocking and occasional inexpensive paid camping worked well.

General Had His Own Budget

Of course, there were three of us traveling.

General had expenses too.

And yes, he was spoiled.

At the time, we budgeted approximately $85 a month for his dog food, biscuits and other things he needed — or things we decided he absolutely needed, such as an occasional elk antler.

Anyone planning to RV with a pet should include pet expenses separately.

Food is only the beginning.

Depending on your animal, you’ll also want to plan for veterinary care, medications, vaccinations, grooming, boarding if necessary and unexpected medical expenses.

Pets are family.

They need a budget too.

Our Miscellaneous Budget

We allowed ourselves approximately $100 a month for miscellaneous spending.

That covered things such as:

• Haircuts
• Shoes
• Small personal purchases
• Souvenirs
• Other odds and ends

We liked buying magnets from the places we visited.

But we had a simple rule.

If there wasn’t money left in the budget, we didn’t buy the magnet.

It sounds almost ridiculously simple.

But that’s really the foundation of budgeting:

You can’t spend money you don’t have.

At least not if you want the budget to work.

Our Bottom Line at the Time: About $1,000 a Month

When we added our normal living expenses together — excluding the truck payment and storage unit — we were spending roughly $1,000 per month.

And we were comfortable.

We had a warm place to sleep.

We had a comfortable bed.

We ate good food.

We traveled.

We explored.

We were enjoying ourselves.

That was the message I wanted to share when I originally made the video.

At the time, I was seeing RV budgets that could make someone with a modest income think full-time RV travel was completely impossible.

Our experience showed that there was another way to do it.

Could We Live Full-Time in an RV for $1,000 a Month Today?

I would not use our old $1,000 figure as a realistic budget target today.

Too much has changed.

Fuel costs change.

Food costs change.

Insurance changes.

Campground fees change.

RV parts and repairs become more expensive.

And after years of full-time RVing, we’ve also learned more about expenses that don’t necessarily appear neatly in an ordinary monthly budget.

That’s why the original budget is best viewed as a snapshot of our lifestyle at that particular time.

The more valuable lesson is how we kept our expenses low.

What We’d Budget for Separately Today

If you’re building a full-time RV budget, don’t stop after adding up groceries, fuel and campground fees.

I’d also plan separately for larger irregular expenses.

Those might include:

• RV repairs and maintenance
• Tow vehicle repairs
• Tires
• Batteries
• Insurance deductibles
• Emergency campground stays
• Emergency travel
• Veterinary expenses
• Medical expenses
• Replacement appliances and equipment
• Registration and taxes
• Unexpected increases in everyday expenses

You might not spend money from these categories every month.

That’s exactly why they’re easy to forget.

But eventually, something breaks.

Why an Emergency Fund Matters

RVs are houses experiencing an earthquake every time they travel down the highway.

Things break.

Tow vehicles need repairs.

Tires wear out.

Plans change.

An emergency fund gives you the ability to deal with those problems without destroying your regular monthly budget.

So while our ordinary living expenses were very low when this video was made, I wouldn’t recommend starting full-time RV life with exactly enough money to cover your expected monthly expenses.

Give yourself a cushion.

You’ll eventually be glad it’s there.

Our Biggest Money-Saving Strategies

Looking back, several things made the biggest difference in our budget.

1. Boondock

Eliminating most campground fees was probably the single biggest change we made.

2. Travel Slowly

Staying a week or longer meant fewer expensive towing days.

3. Cook Most of Your Own Food

Restaurant meals can add up surprisingly quickly.

4. Shop Before Reaching Expensive Areas

We tried to buy groceries and supplies at reasonably priced stores before heading into remote or tourist-heavy destinations.

5. Follow Comfortable Weather

Reducing heating and cooling needs can reduce propane and generator expenses.

6. Use Available Discounts

Senior passes and other legitimate camping discounts can make occasional paid stays much more affordable.

7. Be Flexible

If we’d spent too much on fuel, we’d stay put longer.

If we couldn’t afford a souvenir, we didn’t buy it.

If the free campsite didn’t work, we changed plans.

Flexibility is one of the most useful tools you can have when you’re RVing on a budget.

Don’t Compare Your RV Budget Too Closely to Someone Else’s

This may be the most important lesson.

There isn’t a correct full-time RV budget.

Someone may spend $1,500 a month.

Someone else may spend $3,000.

Another couple may spend $7,000.

None of those numbers automatically tells you whether they’re “doing RV life right.”

They’re living differently.

Ask what kind of lifestyle the budget represents.

Are they staying in resorts?

How frequently are they traveling?

How far do they drive?

Do they have RV or vehicle payments?

Are they boondocking?

How often do they eat out?

What kinds of entertainment do they enjoy?

Are health insurance and medical expenses included?

Do they have an emergency fund?

The number at the bottom doesn’t mean much without understanding everything behind it.

Frequently Asked Questions About Full-Time RV Budgets

How much does full-time RV living cost per month?

There isn’t one standard amount. Costs vary tremendously according to campground choices, travel frequency, fuel economy, debt, food spending, insurance and lifestyle. Our regular living expenses were approximately $1,000 per month when our original video was filmed, excluding our truck payment and storage unit, but we would not use that old figure as a current budget target.

Is boondocking really cheaper than staying in RV parks?

It was dramatically cheaper for us. During our first year, we spent more than $9,000 on RV parks. Moving primarily to boondocking significantly reduced our camping expenses. However, boondocking still involves costs for things such as water, dumping, propane, power and transportation.

What’s the biggest variable in an RV budget?

Fuel was one of our biggest variables because our costs changed dramatically depending on how often we moved and how much exploring we did after reaching a destination.

Can traveling more slowly save money?

It certainly did for us. Every towing day used considerably more fuel than staying in one location. Spending a week or longer at each destination helped reduce our monthly travel costs.

Should you include RV repairs in your monthly budget?

We think you should plan for them even if you don’t spend money on repairs every month. Creating a separate maintenance and emergency fund can help cover tires, mechanical repairs, RV equipment failures and other irregular expenses.

Is full-time RVing cheaper than living in a house?

It can be, but it isn’t automatically cheaper. Full-time RV living can also become very expensive depending on your RV payment, campground choices, travel schedule, fuel consumption and lifestyle. One of the biggest advantages is that you have some control over many of those expenses.

You Don’t Have to RV Like Everyone Else

That’s really what our original budget video was about.

We weren’t trying to prove that everyone could live in an RV for exactly $1,000 a month.

We wanted to show that the expensive full-time RV budgets we’d seen weren’t the only way to live this lifestyle.

There were choices.

Boondocking gave us one choice.

Slow travel gave us another.

Cooking for ourselves, watching our fuel spending and simply saying “not this time” to things outside the budget gave us more.

And those choices allowed us to travel around the country while living within the money we had available.

Years later, I’d add one more piece of advice:

Budget for the unexpected too.

Keep your everyday expenses manageable, build a cushion for repairs and emergencies, and create the version of RV life that fits your finances.

Because the best RV budget isn’t the one somebody posts on YouTube.

It’s the one that allows you to keep enjoying the journey.

Continue the Journey

If you’d like thoughtful road wisdom, practical RV tips, and reflections from life on the road, join our email list.