Village Welcome, friends! We filmed this one on the long drive up to the Hershey RV Show, six or seven hours of open road with nothing to do but talk. Somewhere around hour three, Jimmy asked Lisa the big question: if we were starting over today, would we still choose full-time RV living?

After 18+ years of RVing and 6 years living on the road, here’s our honest answer, plus everything that has changed since we first pulled out of the driveway.

The RV World Has Changed Since We Started

We hit the road full-time right around 2020. Back then the highways were empty. Nobody was commuting and nobody was driving to school, so we never hit traffic. Campgrounds, on the other hand, filled up fast because suddenly everybody wanted to camp.

A lot has shifted since then:

• Booking windows got tighter. We used to call a Thousand Trails park on a Friday and roll in that weekend. Now, if you don’t book out near the edge of your booking window, you may not get in at all.
• Campground fees multiplied. Resort fees, processing fees, “lock in your site” fees, and even extra charges for electricity if you go over a set amount.
• More people went back to the office. Many folks who worked remotely from their RVs had to head home, so campgrounds are working harder to fill sites and make up the money.
• Fuel got expensive. On this very drive we paid around $6 a gallon for diesel and passed a station charging $6.77.

Is Full-Time RV Living Still Cheaper Than a House?

Our honest take: it can be, if you do it the right way. A lot of people tell themselves, “We used to pay a $1,500 or $2,000 mortgage, so as long as we stay under that, we’re fine.” But if you stay at fancy resorts every week, you will blow right past that number.

Here’s what keeps the costs down:

• Stay longer in one spot. Moving 400 to 500 miles every week eats fuel fast. Staying 14, 21 or 28 days makes a huge difference, and many campgrounds give a better rate for weekly or monthly stays.
• Use memberships that fit how you camp. Our Thousand Trails membership was paid off years ago, so most of those nights cost us very little. More on that below.
• Don’t forget the hidden costs. Oil changes on a big diesel truck can run $250 to $275. Add tires, wear and tear, and RV shops charging $200 to $300 an hour, and the little things add up quickly.

Full-Time RV Living Costs Nobody Warns You About

In a house, when the dishwasher dies, you call a repair company and they come to you. On the road, it’s a whole different game:

• You have to find a dealership or RV tech that can work on your rig.
• You have to get an appointment, and warranty work often needs a few extra days for approval.
• Meanwhile, you might be scheduled to move in two weeks, so you have to decide: fix it here, or limp it to the next stop?
• If the RV or truck has to stay in the shop, you may need a hotel, and you may need to push back or cancel reservations. Some campgrounds won’t refund you if you cancel too close to arrival.

None of this is meant to scare you off. It’s just about going in with your eyes open.

Are RV Memberships Still Worth It?

We still believe in memberships, but only the ones that fit the way you RV. We use Thousand Trails, Passport America and Harvest Hosts, plus a free fuel card called Open Roads that saved us 40 to 50 cents a gallon on this trip.

• Buy paid memberships while you’re still working, especially if a lifetime option exists. It’s easier than paying for them later on a fixed income.
• Do the math. If a membership saves you $50 a night and you stay a week, it can pay for itself on one trip.
• Sign up for every free one. Free fuel savings is a no-brainer.
• Check your rig. Harvest Hosts stays are amazing, but without solar or a generator, some spots won’t work for you.

One time we were about to pay roughly $20 just to dump our tanks at a truck stop, and we found a Passport America campground two minutes away with full hookups for about $5 more. Research pays off. We dig deeper into this in RV Memberships That Actually Save You Money.

Research, Research, Research

You wouldn’t buy the first house you walked into, so don’t jump into full-time RVing without doing your homework. Research your trip planning, your memberships and the gear you truly need. Cheaper isn’t always better, and neither is more expensive.

If you’re still shopping for the right rig, start with our 10 questions to ask before you buy an RV.

So, Would We Choose Full-Time RV Living Again?

Jimmy: “110%. Even with the prices the way they are and as crowded as it is, I’d do it again tomorrow.” The difference? He’s learned to slow down. Instead of moving every few days, he’s ready to stay two or three weeks in a spot, then roll on.

Lisa: Staying longer has a bonus nobody talks about. You don’t have to cram every museum, park and attraction into one expensive week. Spread them out, take a rest day, and if it rains, just go tomorrow.

Want the longer version of our story? Read 6 Years Full-Time RVing: What We Got Wrong.

Tell Us What You Think

Are you full-time, part-time or still dreaming about it? Is RV life still worth it for you in 2026? Drop a comment on the video and let us know. We read every one.

Safe travels, Villagers.
— Jimmy & Lisa, FindUsCamping