Everything You Need To Know About Long-Term RV Travel

For many, retirement symbolizes freedom. It's a time to forget rush-hour traffic and long commutes, explore passions, and soak in the beauty of life at a slower pace. While some retirees hit the golf course or move to warmer climates, a growing number are taking to the road. Traveling long-term in a recreational vehicle (RV), long seen as the domain of vacationers, has emerged as a lifestyle trend among retirees. According to a Progressive study, 18% of RV owners are 65 years old and older.

But here's the big question: Is retiring in a motorhome right for you? Let’s dive into the logistics and what it takes to make this lifestyle work.

The Appeal of Retiring in an RV

Freedom and Adventure

At the heart of RV retirement is freedom — freedom from mortgages, fixed itineraries, and the limitations of a permanent address and countless possessions. Picture this: sipping coffee by the Grand Canyon one morning and dining by a Pacific Coast sunset the next. Living in an RV allows retirees to explore new places at their own pace and to follow the seasons, whether they’re chasing hot deserts and beaches or refreshing mountains and lakes.

RVing also encourages a sense of spontaneity. Feel like skipping that cold spell in Ohio? Head to the Florida Keys instead. Tired of the coast? Take a detour to the Appalachian mountains. You get the picture. For retirees craving adventure, the nomadic lifestyle is unmatched.

Simplified Living

RV life is all about downsizing — for many, this is one of its strongest appeals. Living in an RV requires freeing oneself of clutter and focusing on what matters most. This stripped-down lifestyle helps many prioritize experiences and relationships over material possessions.

Social Connections

RV living also tends to come with a built-in social life. RV parks and campgrounds often foster close-knit communities where you can connect with others who share your passion for travel and the simple life.

Rob and Laura Kernodle, Escapade Directors who coordinate activities and recruit volunteers to help run Escapees RV Club, an RV membership organization and support network, started their full-time retirement in an RV in 2018 and haven’t looked back. Laura says she didn’t want their lifestyle to feel like they were just in vacation mode all the time and wanted to build an authentic community.

"While it was great the first six months to be 'free and easy' and just rolling along, we wanted to make that time count for something more, which led us both to think about 'Traveling to Serve' as our motto," she said. "This led us into adventures like volunteering for Habitat for Humanity and Histori Corps in multiple states."

As part of their volunteer work, Rob and Laura Kernodle have made several long-lasting friendships. "We've made friends with folks from states from Nebraska to Mississippi and Maine," said Laura. "There are always invitations via social media to meet up for impromptu builds and the build sites that we have been at always want our group to return and appreciate the work that small groups of older folks can accomplish!"

The Costs of RV Living

RV retirement can be very cost-effective, depending on your approach. The biggest savings come from not having to pay rent or a mortgage, and paying fewer utilities, however, there are both startup costs and recurring expenses to consider.

The Initial Investment:

RV Purchase: The price of an RV can range from $10,000 for a modest used model to over $500,000 for a luxury motorhome. Key factors include the type of RV (travel trailer, Class A, B, or C motorhome) and whether you purchase it new or used.

New RVs: These come with warranties and the peace of mind of being the first owner, but their value depreciates quickly.
Used RVs: Pre-owned options are significantly cheaper, though you should carefully inspect for wear and tear and budget for potential repairs or upgrades.

Upgrades and Customization: Long-term travelers often invest in upgrades like solar panels, expanded storage, or quality mattresses. These adjustments make life on the road more comfortable and sustainable.

Ongoing Expenses :

Insurance and registration: Typically, RV insurance costs vary based on the model, your driving record, and intended coverage.

Maintenance and repairs: On-the-road wear and tear is inevitable — budget for oil changes, tire replacements, and other upkeep.

Fuel and tolls: Large vehicles like RVs consume more fuel, especially over long distances. Consider gas mileage when choosing your model.

Campground fees: Depending on the duration of your stay and campground amenities, you can expect to pay anywhere from $10 to $150 per night.

Food and entertainment: As with any lifestyle, dining out, attending events, or attractions, and groceries can add up. Budget for these expenses.

"It's very easy to be on vacation mode when you travel full time, which can drive your unexpected costs way up," said the Kernodles. "Wanting to go out to eat everywhere to try the local flavors, wanting to stay at resort-style parks, etc. We have to constantly remind ourselves that this is our life and not a vacation to try to keep those costs down."

However, they say that by being Harvest Hosts members, a membership program that invites RVers to have one-of-a-kind overnights in scenic locales, they don't pay for overnight stays allowing them to justify eating out more. "Plus, we've had some cool experiences like yoga with goats in Wisconsin and staying at a drive-in theater in Virginia," Laura said.

Potential Drawbacks of RV Living During Retirement

Living on the road comes with unique logistical challenges. The first is accessing healthcare while living and traveling in an RV. Many retirees rely on nationwide health insurance plans like Medicare or add supplemental coverage for broader access. Telemedicine services can also help address routine healthcare needs without requiring in-person visits.

The next thing to consider is your mail and residency information. Without a permanent address, you'll need solutions for receiving mail. Services like Escapees RV Club or America's Mailbox forward your mail to wherever you're staying. Also worth noting is that some RV retirees use this opportunity to establish legal domicile in a state with favorable tax or residency laws (such as Texas or South Dakota).

Where to Stay

While the road is your home, you can't just park your RV anywhere, and finding safe and legal places to park is crucial for long-term enjoyment. Thankfully, the options are extensive and varied.

Start with national parks like Yellowstone, Yosemite, and Acadia, which offer jaw-dropping scenery and accommodations tailored for RVs. If you prefer beach areas, Florida's Gulf Coast and California's Big Sur have RV-friendly sites with ocean views. For city explorers, RV parks near urban centers such as Austin, Portland, or New Orleans allow you to savor a mix of natural attractions and cultural hotspots.

Key Considerations for RV Parks and Campgrounds

Not all RV parks are the same. Here's what to look for when choosing your pit stop:

Accessibility to basic utilities, such as water, electricity, sewer hookups, and dump stations
Amenities like Wi-Fi, laundry facilities, and community events
Scenic or unique elements, whether it's waterfront access, hiking trails, or historical significance
Positive ratings or reviews from fellow RV travelers

The average nightly rate at an RV campground can vary depending on the location and amenities included. Some RV resorts tend to offer more luxury features such as Wi-Fi, hot tubs, dog parks, and laundry facilities. But, on average, daily RV park fees range from $20 to $40 for budget-friendly parks, $40 to $80 for mid-range parks, and $80 to $100 or more for more top-tier RV parks.

Many RV parks will allow you to stay for as long as you'd like, and therefore often offer flat rates or packages for longer-term stays. Be sure to look into those before booking.

Here are a few websites dedicated to helping travelers find suitable RV resorts:

Campspot offers a user-friendly interface to search for campgrounds across North America, allowing users to filter options based on amenities, location, and availability.
RV LIFE Campground Reviews provides a comprehensive database of campgrounds, complete with user reviews and ratings. Their Trip Wizard tool is an optional paid add-on but factors in your RV height, weight, and other elements to create safe, customized routes.
CAMPendium is a trusted go-to for RV travelers that lists a wide selection of free camping spots as well as RV campsites alongside prices and reviews.

RV Passes and Memberships

For frequent campers, RV pass programs like Passport America ($49/year), Good Sam Club ($39/year), or KOA Rewards ($36/year) offer significant discounts and perks such as 10% to 50% off of your daily registration rate, a free nightly stay on select weekends, and fuel rewards. For $84.15 per year, Harvest Hosts provides members unlimited overnight stays for RV camping at more than 5,000 farms, wineries, breweries, and attractions.

These memberships are relatively inexpensive and allow you to stay at hundreds of campgrounds at a discounted rate, often cutting your lodging costs considerably. If you choose to travel regularly or full-time in your RV, these membership rates could pay for themselves.

Free RV Camping and Boondocking

There are also quite a few free RV camping options such as boondocking — camping on public lands or in undeveloped areas. Boondocking, also known as dry camping, involves staying in locations without hookups for water, electricity, sewage, or any of the amenities of an RV park.

These sites can range from national forest lands to Bureau of Land Management (BLM) areas and even certain retail parking lots. For example, if you're on your way to your next location and need to stop somewhere for a single night, instead of booking a hotel or a one-night stay at an RV park, you could park in a local Walmart parking lot as most of these allow RVs to stay overnight (though you should always call the store location and ask a manager for permission to confirm beforehand).

Sometimes, RV resorts and campsites or local businesses will allow you to park there for free in exchange for a few hours of work each week helping out on the grounds. This can be an excellent way to earn some extra money, build a community, and stay for free. You can search for such opportunities on Kamper Jobs.

The Bottom Line

Retiring in an RV is more than an adventure — done right, it can also be a savvy financial move. Downsizing, simplifying, and saying goodbye to property taxes might just pave the way for more freedom and flexibility without draining your bank account.

However, there are drawbacks. The RV you buy can be a significant investment that will also come with maintenance responsibilities. You'll also need to work out logistics such as health insurance and your mailing address while on the road.