We had made a post after 6 months on the road, providing data on what it costs us and the kinds of sites we’ve been staying at. Well, we’re now past the one year mark (hard to believe!) and we figured we would give a full year report.
To make it easier to compare with the first 6 month post, we will use the same list with updated data. The map we created for that post is now a featured page of our site and can be viewed by clicking on the places tab in the menu bar.
- Number of locations we’ve stayed at: 74 locations (some dupes)
- Total cost for campsites: $9750.91
- Average daily cost for campsites: $26.71 / day
- Total cost for gas: $5,866.16
- Miles traveled with the truck: 21,159 miles
- Miles traveled towing the 5th wheel: 11,121 miles
- Average distance traveled between campsites: 150 miles
- Longest distance traveled between sites: 613 miles (not normal)
- Shortest distance traveled between sites: 1 mile
- Total days boondocking (dry camping): 91 days (need to do more)
- Energy generated with solar power: 432 kWh
In addition to site costs and fuel costs, the other expenses one has to account for on the road are not that different from traditional living. We have insurance for the RV and truck ($2,810), maintenance on RV and truck ($2,803), and annual SD registration fees for the two ($472). We have cell phones with both AT&T and Verizon to make sure we have coverage so we don’t get a break on a second line. Total mobile phone costs @ $250/mo = $3000. We also added a Verizon wifi hotspot unlimited data plan for our internet at $68/mo = $816. If you add in health insurance, groceries and other dining, you will get an idea of the cost for full timing.
We will try to reduce our site expenses a little more this year by staying in more state parks, COE locations and other public lands (hopefully for free). We tend to enjoy these types of locations more than a traditional private campground anyway. Here is a breakdown of days spent at each type of campground site.
- Private Campground – 223 days
- State Parks, Paid BLM, COE – 64 days
- Free BLM Camping – 43 days
- Family Members Driveway – 10 days
- Elks Lodge – 7 days
- Harvest Hosts – 4 days
- Fairgrounds for Rally or Event – 12 days
- RV service – 2 days
If you’re interested in more information on what it’s been like living a year on the road and spending time in opposite corners of the country (we did both California and Maine), leave a comment and we’ll try to answer.
We have enjoyed your travels, so sorry we didn’t see you when you were in Maine
You probably heard we were setup in Lenny Arsenault’s driveway for a couple days. Saw Jamie and Judy. Jamie told us about your accident. Hope you’re recovering nicely. I tried to remember your place and whether or not our rig could get in there. One issue is the low bridge on that side of Millinocket. We wouldn’t fit under it. My last recollection of the golden road was it was pretty rough and not an ideal alternate route. I’m sure we’ll be back in the area and will continue to use Lenny’s place as a site. I think we can get into it easier next time – live and learn.
I like your “Places” tab. Nice job. You average cost of campsites per day seems about right. But yeah, we all wish it was lower!
1. What do like most about this lifestyle (compared to living in a house)?
2. What do like the least?
3. What surprised you the most about living like this?
4. How fast is the Verizon hotspot? Is it reasonably consistent?
1. The ability to travel and explore and yet always be “home”.
2. Amy misses her spacious well stocked sewing room and the ability to do laundry whenever. Moving days and getting re-setup can be stressful.
3. The ease by which we adapted to the lifestyle was surprising.
4. The hotspot’s performance varies greatly from place to place. You cannot rely on the fact that you have 4 or 5 bars meaning good data bandwidth. The strength of the signal and data speed are not necessarily related. We’ve had speeds in the 40’s and 50’s and then some so low you couldn’t even do email. We then goto my AT&T phone for internet. When that fails you go without.