AFull-Time RV Living Costs: Complete 2024 Guide to RV Life Expenses
Want to know the real full-time RV living costs in 2024? After two and a half years of tracking our RV expenses and making significant lifestyle changes, we’re sharing exactly what full-time RVing costs today.
2024 brought significant changes to our full-time RV living costs. After Darlene’s job loss in February, we had to completely reimagine our spending. Our monthly RV budget dropped nearly $18K over a year – proving that RV life can adapt to your circumstances while still maintaining the freedom to travel.
Real Monthly RV Living Expenses for 2024
Food and Living Expenses ($1000-1200 Monthly) This category covers more than just groceries – it includes all household items, personal care products, dog food, alcohol and general living expenses. While we enjoy specialty foods and specific dietary choices, we’ve optimized our spending through:
- Strategic grocery shopping
- Bulk purchases when possible
- Local rewards programs
- Household inventory management
Eating Out ($200-400 Monthly) This is a dramatic decrease from our 2023 spending of over $9,000 annually on dining out. While we still enjoy experiencing local restaurants and breweries, we’ve become more selective about when and where we dine out.
Total Fuel Expenses ($400-900 Monthly)
Diesel ($300-900)
- Using fuel discount programs (TSD, TechnoRV)
- Strategic route planning
- Longer stays reduce monthly costs
Propane ($25-100) Our propane costs vary dramatically based on:
- Weather conditions (higher in cold months)
- Boondocking frequency (more usage off-grid)
- Location (price variations by region)
- Usage: heating, cooking, hot water, generator, grill
In summer months while connected to shore power, we might only spend $25 on propane. However, winter boondocking in cold locations can push costs to $100+ monthly due to heating needs.
RV Camping Fees ($400-1200 Monthly) Living in an RV full-time requires careful planning for overnight stays. Our camping budget includes:
- Free boondocking locations
- State park camping
- Private RV parks
- Membership discounts
Be sure to watch the video on this part. We detail how this fluctuates for us based on the type of camping we do. We went from $20K in 2023 to $9927 in 2024 by changing where we camp!
Essential Monthly RV Living Expenses
RV Insurance and Coverage ($363) Comprehensive insurance is vital for full-time RV living. Our domicile state is Florida. Prices very A LOT from state to state.
Internet and Connectivity ($215 Monthly)
Our triple-redundant internet setup for full-time work:
- Starlink ($145): Primary, video calls, high bandwidth
- T-Mobile Home Internet ($50): Urban coverage, backup
- Mobile Hotspot ($20): Emergency backup, gap coverage
This layered approach maintains connectivity everywhere, from remote boondocking to cities, ensuring zero work disruptions.
Laundry ($33 Monthly / $391 Yearly)
We got rid of the washer/dryer since we boondock so much. Our expenses cover:
- Weekly laundry loads
- Costs vary by location ($1-3.50 per wash/dry)
- Some campgrounds include free laundry
- Monthly costs stable unless boondocking longer periods
Entertainment Budget ($80-400) Balancing RV travel experiences:
- Local attractions
- State/National park passes
- Tours
Memberships ($870 Yearly / $72.50 Monthly)
Essential RV Memberships:
- Harvest Hosts ($99/yr): Unique boondocking at wineries, farms, attractions (7 day trial usning the link)
- RV Life Pro with Trip Wizard ($65/yr): Go-to trip planning software for routes and tools
- Escapees RV Club ($130/yr): Domicile address, mail and scanning service
- Amazon Prime ($139/yr): Getting supplies on the road
- National Parks Pass ($80/yr): Access to national parks and monuments
- AllTrails Pro ($35.99/yr): Downloadable hiking trail maps
How We Cut Our Full-Time RV Living Costs by 63%
Living in an RV full-time taught us valuable money-saving strategies:
- Extensive boondocking
- Solar power investment – watch this for more info.
- Membership optimization
- Reduced travel frequency
- DIY maintenance
- More nature – less paid entertainment
The cost of living in an RV varies based on your travel style and preferences. While these are our real 2024 RV living expenses, your full-time RV budget might differ. The key to successful RV living is understanding your priorities and being willing to adapt your spending as needed.
Ready to Start Your Own RV Journey?
After two years on the road, we can honestly say that despite the challenges, this lifestyle has been worth every moment. Yes, there are trade-offs, but the freedom to explore, connect, and live life on our own terms far outweighs the occasional stress of travel days or RV repairs.
That’s exactly why we created “Your Path to Full-Time Freedom.”
Think back to when we started – we spent countless hours researching, watching videos, and making expensive mistakes along the way. We built this comprehensive course to be everything we wish we had when we began our journey. From handling your mail and choosing a domicile to managing your finances and maintaining your rig, we cover every aspect of transitioning to full-time RV life.
But it’s more than just a course. You’ll also join our private Facebook community where you’re surrounded by others who are either planning their transition or already living the life. No judgment, no silly questions – just real support from people who understand exactly what you’re going through. We’re there too, actively answering questions and sharing insights from our ongoing journey.
Whether you’re planning to hit the road this year or five years from now, this course will help you avoid costly mistakes and build a solid foundation for your full-time RV life. We’ve packaged everything we’ve learned – both the victories and the hard lessons – into a resource that will save you time, money, and stress.
🔥 Special Offer:
We’re currently offering a discount plus 2 months free access to our Private Facebook Group for the next 5 people who join! Learn more about Your Path to Full-Time Freedom
