Cost of active full-timing lifestyle
I realize this question has been asked many times but each case appears to be unique so it is somewhat non-trivial to figure out the likely cost to do full-timing. Here's our likely scenario: - ...
Forum Discussion
I'm sure you will be fine.
I've been fulltiming since the beginning of the year and have towed my rig about 6000 miles so far and will probably add another 700-1000 before settling in for the winter. I will end up with about 10,000 total miles driven counting side trips in the truck.
You have 2 major variables that will affect your monthly cost - fuel and CG fees. Everything else is minor.
CG Fees. If you travel every day, then you will spend a lot on CG fees. The way to minimize this is to stay at least a week. Normally, there will be a cheaper rate for staying a week. For planning, I figure a daily rate of $30-40. Most of the time if you stay 1 week, you only get charged for 6 days. State and County Parks, National Forests, and city parks are much cheaper of course.
Fuel (diesel). I think my average fuel cost is right around $3.80/gallon this year. I think I only paid $4.00 once or twice and right now in New Mexico it's less then $3.50/gallon. If I drive 200 miles in a day, then I use about 18 gallons ($68).
Interesting side note - Stayed in Albuquerque for a week and filled up at a Murphy's for $3.44/gal before I left. When leaving town I saw a Pilot/Flying J sign advertising a credit price of $3.89. Somebody's getting ripped off here.
So my hypothetical daily rate, based on the above, is $103-108. That makes it about $3090 for a month IF YOU MOVE EVERY DAY. BUT - if I only drive one day and then stay put for a week, my cost drops significantly. $68 for fuel and maybe $200 CG fees for a week, meaning a monthly cost of $1,072. That's real close to a 66% savings.
Of course, the downside is that you only travel about 800 miles in a month.
So the point is you can adjust things to fit your budget. But I really do recommend parking for a while after driving for a day vs driving so much. Way more relaxing. I've heard some people say they drive one day and then park for 3.
I am fulltiming so I don't have a schedule. It took me a little time to get out of the 'vacation' mindset. I'm not on vacation. I don't have to drive 400 miles in a day. I can stay as long as I want to.
Unsolicited Recommendations:
- Join Escapees. Very good discounts at CGs. They also have their own CGs where you stay very cheaply. And it's a great organization.
- I signed up with Passport America. Only costs $35-40/year and you can recoup that cost the first time you get their discount at a CG (1/2 price).
- I use the Gasbuddy app to find fuel.
- I bought a copy of 'The Next Exit'. It shows what's located at every exit of every interstate in every state.
Tim
I've been fulltiming since the beginning of the year and have towed my rig about 6000 miles so far and will probably add another 700-1000 before settling in for the winter. I will end up with about 10,000 total miles driven counting side trips in the truck.
You have 2 major variables that will affect your monthly cost - fuel and CG fees. Everything else is minor.
CG Fees. If you travel every day, then you will spend a lot on CG fees. The way to minimize this is to stay at least a week. Normally, there will be a cheaper rate for staying a week. For planning, I figure a daily rate of $30-40. Most of the time if you stay 1 week, you only get charged for 6 days. State and County Parks, National Forests, and city parks are much cheaper of course.
Fuel (diesel). I think my average fuel cost is right around $3.80/gallon this year. I think I only paid $4.00 once or twice and right now in New Mexico it's less then $3.50/gallon. If I drive 200 miles in a day, then I use about 18 gallons ($68).
Interesting side note - Stayed in Albuquerque for a week and filled up at a Murphy's for $3.44/gal before I left. When leaving town I saw a Pilot/Flying J sign advertising a credit price of $3.89. Somebody's getting ripped off here.
So my hypothetical daily rate, based on the above, is $103-108. That makes it about $3090 for a month IF YOU MOVE EVERY DAY. BUT - if I only drive one day and then stay put for a week, my cost drops significantly. $68 for fuel and maybe $200 CG fees for a week, meaning a monthly cost of $1,072. That's real close to a 66% savings.
Of course, the downside is that you only travel about 800 miles in a month.
So the point is you can adjust things to fit your budget. But I really do recommend parking for a while after driving for a day vs driving so much. Way more relaxing. I've heard some people say they drive one day and then park for 3.
I am fulltiming so I don't have a schedule. It took me a little time to get out of the 'vacation' mindset. I'm not on vacation. I don't have to drive 400 miles in a day. I can stay as long as I want to.
Unsolicited Recommendations:
- Join Escapees. Very good discounts at CGs. They also have their own CGs where you stay very cheaply. And it's a great organization.
- I signed up with Passport America. Only costs $35-40/year and you can recoup that cost the first time you get their discount at a CG (1/2 price).
- I use the Gasbuddy app to find fuel.
- I bought a copy of 'The Next Exit'. It shows what's located at every exit of every interstate in every state.
Tim
