The Complete Guide To Working From An RV: Exactly What You Need To Work Remotely From The Road

We have been working from our RV and traveling full-time since 2021, a dream come true!

When we meet people while traveling and they learn we are living and working remotely in our RV, the typical responses are:

“Wow, that is amazing!” or “That is my dream!”

Followed by… “How do you do it!?” and more specifically “How do you get quality internet?”

In the past few years, we have traveled to 30 U.S. states, 25 National Parks, and 4 Canadian Provinces, working from our RV in each new place we visit.

And now we want to help you fulfill your RV travel dreams while taking advantage of the new remote work world.

Whether you want to extend your vacation time and work in an RV part-time or are looking to take the leap into full-time RV travel, we’ve got you covered.

From getting reliable internet in your RV to choosing the best campsites for working and all of the nitty-gritty details in between – we break it all down below!

How to get internet while working remotely From an RV

One of the biggest stressors you can experience as an RVer working remotely is opening up your computer for the workday and realizing you have no internet, just minutes before an important meeting.

Yikes!

Thanks to modern technology, there are several ways to set up reliable internet in your RV.

Below we discuss the different types of RV internet options while comparing costs and capabilities to help you find the right fit for your work needs.

Keep in mind that if you rely on solid internet for your work and income, we highly recommend having backups and redundancy in your setup.

As you will see below, we have 2 cellular internet plans, a satellite internet option, a cellular booster, and a router with capabilities to bring in campground wifi and fuse multiple networks for increased strength and speed.

Internet is one of our biggest monthly expenses, but it is worth it to be able to travel full-time and work from anywhere without stress!

We dive into the various mobile internet options for RVing below:

Cellular Internet

One major way to stay connected even while traveling in your RV, is by tapping into cell towers.

There are generally three ways to do this:

• Data-only plans using SIM cards in a wireless router
• A Wi-Fi hotspot device
• Using your cell phone as a personal hotspot

Data Only Cellular Internet Plans For Wireless Routers

Mobile routers create the opportunity to bring together multiple internet sources (i.e. Verizon and AT&T) and provide strong internet to multiple devices, which can quickly connect to a singular network that you set up.

These routers can connect to various cell-based internet options, as well as pull in internet sources such as Satellite or campground Wi-Fi. They also have powerful ranges, making it easy to get a strong connection anywhere in your RV, and even outside while enjoying your beautiful campsite.

You want to enjoy the perks of working while RVing after all!

With modems that accept any carrier SIM cards, you can utilize data-only plans from multiple carriers, providing backups should you require them. At one point we had an AT&T plan, a T-mobile plan, and a Verizon plan sitting in our Pepwave router.

Be sure to select a plan that allows for the amount of data you typically will require each month to avoid hitting data caps or experiencing throttled service.

Average Cost:

Reliable, high-capacity plans typically range between $100 and $200 dollars a month.

Here are a few examples:

• Verizon
  • 100Gb per month, 25 Mbps speeds ($90 per month)
    • *we currently use this plan as our backup internet source!
  • 300Gb per month, 25 Mbps speeds ($129 per month)
  • 300Gb per month, 50 Mbps speeds ($175 per month)
• T-Mobile
  • 1,000Gb per month of high-speed 5G data ($175 per month)

Potential drawbacks to consider:

• Of all of the cellular data-based RV internet options, an advanced mobile router is the most expensive option
• These are powerful routers and can be a bit more complex to set up and configure due to their advanced features and customizability. Being a bit more tech-savvy will help here!

WiFi Hotspot

Wi-Fi hotspots (also called MiFi or Jetpacks) are another way in which you can utilize cell-based internet while working from an RV.

In this case, you purchase a separate hotspot device that provides internet service to your connected devices. These can typically be purchased as stand-alone options or as add-ons to your existing cell plan.

Major Carriers offering hotspot device options:

• Verizon
• AT&T
• T-Mobile

This can be an affordable and easy-to-use option if you do not require the increased features and functionality of more high-tech routers and do not plan on needing multiple back-ups through different carriers.

A hotspot may also be a good option if you do not need high amounts of data and want to be able to connect multiple devices while relying on one cell provider.

Average cost:

Device costs will typically be wrapped up in the monthly payment. Your monthly bill can vary depending on data limits and speeds, but $30 to $100 per month is a rough estimate for 5Gb to 100Gb of data per month.

As you can see, hotspot data limits are much lower and may not be adequate for full-time remote work.

There are several limitations to this method to keep in mind, including:

• Limited range
• Require specific data plans that often have data caps
• If you want the option to have plans from multiple carriers, you will need multiple hotspot devices

Personal Hotspot

Personal hotspots require you to turn your cell phone into a hotspot with which you can then connect your devices.

This can be a great option if you do not require much data usage each month, and can be very cost-effective if you already have a cell plan you are happy with. Many cell plans include a certain amount of personal hotspot data usage each month.

There are several limitations to this method to keep in mind, including:

• It is not always easy or possible to connect devices to your personal hotspot (such as TV’s)
• Personal hotspot data is typically capped, usually throttled at a certain amount of data, or can be very expensive for increased use
• Internet signal can be weaker (signal won’t reach as far as a router) and less reliable, making it a poor option for long-term use if you do video calls
• Using your phone as a hotspot drains the battery quickly
• If you need to go somewhere, others relying on your hotspot are out of luck

We use our personal hotspots as a last resort option in our RV internet setup. It isn’t reliable enough to invest in further or rely on long-term.

Home Internet Plans

A newer option for working from your RV is “home internet” plans. We put that in quotes as they are typically meant to be used in one location, but it isn’t always enforced.

A great example of a home internet plan that we use in our RV is T-Mobile Home Internet.

This costs us $50/month and provides us with unlimited high-speed internet (with download and upload speeds varying depending on signal strength). This can be used in combination with a signal booster (we personally have a WeBoost) to improve speeds in places with poorer T-Mobile signal.

You can even try T-Mobile home internet worry-free for 15 days to see if it might be a good fit for you!

While this is a great option in the U.S., this will not work outside of the country. Even though we had cell service on our phones at times when RVing through Canada, our T-Mobile home internet did not work at all. For our out-of-country RVing, we rely on Starlink (more on that below).

IMPORTANT REMINDER: Any cellular-based internet option relies on there being strong cell service in the location you are RVing. No cell service = No internet. In addition, cell-based internet can get bogged down during high-traffic times (like a concert in a nearby city or when everyone is trying to stream to the Super Bowl). This is why we recommend having alternate internet options if you plan to work from your RV!

How much data do you need?

If you are new to mobile internet solutions, you may not have a good idea of how much data you’ll need. Most internet solutions in a sticks and bricks home are unlimited, so you never have to think about it.

We live and work full-time in our RV, so keep this in mind when calculating how much data you’ll need.

We typically use between 350 and 500 GB of data per month. This includes working, video calls, streaming shows, uploading photos and videos to the cloud, etc. This works out to about 90-125 GB of data per week.

Finding Campsites with Adequate cell service

If you will be using cellular internet to work while RVing, it is a good idea to check service for the areas you plan to visit.

You can use a coverage map to check cellular service in the area you plan to camp to see if your cell-based internet plan will likely work well or not.

A few great options for checking carrier coverage are:

• Campground reviews including speed tests and carrier coverage through RV Life
• You can use cell coverage overlay maps on Campendium (moving to Roadpass Pro) ($59.99/year)
• Coverage? ($4.99)

READ MORE: Best Apps For RVing: 20+ Reliable Resources

Satellite Internet

Starlink is a high-speed, low latency, broadband internet service that relies on over 3,000 (and counting) Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites communicating with transceivers on the ground. It provides an innovative way to deliver internet in rural and remote places that either previously had no internet or had poor service.

Through their service, Starlink offers internet without contracts that can be tried without risk as part of a 30-day trial period.

Starlink Roam (previously Starlink for RVs) has opened up a whole new world of places to live and work for people pursuing a full or part-time travel lifestyle!

Starlink Roam (Previously Starlink for RV)

A great option for those who spend time on the road traveling and want the ability to pause service at any given time:

• One-time hardware fee of $599
• A monthly service fee of $150 for regional use within your continent; $200/month for global
• Pause at any time in the app (billed in monthly increments)
• Speeds are throttled at 1TB of data each month, which we do not come anywhere close to using (we use about 500GB data/ month)

Starlink has been a complete game-changer for being able to work while RVing as it has allowed us to work seamlessly and stay connected, even when we are camping in remote places far outside the range of cell service.

It is fast, reliable, and easy to use. It’s great that it can also be used throughout North America (or the continent you are registered in) without additional fees or hoops to jump through. This was our lifeline while spending 3 months RVing in Atlantic Canada where our data-only cellular internet plans would not work.

Our phones worked in conjunction with Canadian cell towers and we did have some data to use our phones as hotspots, but it was not enough to sustain full-time work.

READ MORE: Starlink Roam RV Internet Guide & Review

Finding campsites where Starlink will work

Starlink relies on an open north sky for connection. Be sure to check for obstructions (like trees or other RVs) and expect outages with severe weather if relying on satellite internet like Starlink.

We found that installing a Starlink dishy flagpole has really helped us to avoid obstructions by increasing the dish height above our RV.

Using the satellite view on Google Maps has been the best way we have found to scout out specific campsites to see if they would have an open view of the north sky and work well for Starlink.

It is what we did to scout campsites in Atlantic Canada and for our RV travels through the Canadian Rockies as well! See how we scouted spots at Whistlers Campground in Jasper National Park below:

With careful research and planning, we have never arrived at a campsite only to have to leave due to poor internet service! The process of checking cell coverage and looking for trees and obstructions can be a bit tedious but is totally worth it in our experience.

Campground Wi-Fi

As most RVers will tell you, campground Wi-Fi is not the best.

Most campgrounds and RV parks will tell you upfront that the Wi-Fi is not meant for streaming or video calls and speeds are often slow and reliability inconsistent at best.

If you plan to work from your RV we urge you not to rely on campground Wi-Fi for your RV internet.

Some more expensive RV resorts may have stronger internet inside clubhouse facilities, or you may be able to pull in and boost campground Wi-Fi with a router and antenna (like our Pepwave and Poynting setup), but as a whole, this will be your least reliable option.

Public Wi-Fi

This is the option that might most readily come to mind when you think about digital nomads.

As a remote worker, you can use public libraries, cafes, or local coffee shops to grab a bite to eat and enjoy free Wi-Fi.

This option comes down to your preferred working style. We enjoy our home office setup and the consistency that it brings, often finding the environment in public places to be a bit too distracting.

This said it can be a viable option for working while traveling! Here are a few things to keep in mind:

• Internet strength will vary, so you will want to check it before hopping on your video meeting.
• If you are boondocking, you are most likely in a more remote area where public places offering free Wi-Fi are few and far between.
• Public Wi-Fi typically is not secure and creates vulnerabilities. Certain jobs may not allow working off public internet sources
• You are at the whim of the business (their operating hours, policies, etc.)

How to Power Your Internet while working from your RV

If you plan to work from your RV it is important to think through different RV power sources to ensure that you can keep your internet online and your laptops and work devices charged up!

There are a few main ways to power your RV internet setup while working from the road:

• Electric hookups at RV parks or campgrounds (typically 30amp or 50amp)
• Solar power or generator while camping off-grid and boondocking

To limit the stress that can come from finding last-minute campsites, we prefer to book competitive State and National Park sites as well as most of our private campground stays in advance. This provides us with reliable electricity to power our RV and internet.

Outside of campground stays, we spend about 50% of our time off-grid boondocking and camping for free on public lands. We installed 1800 watts of solar panels and 600 amp hours of lithium batteries to power our RV without campground electrical power.

There is no better feeling than powering your home on wheels from the sun and living and working from your RV out in nature for FREE!

As a backup, we also carry a 3300-watt Generac portable generator just in case we run into multiple days of bad weather that prevent us from being able to charge up (no sunshine = batteries not charging).

Unfortunately, we can’t just miss work because of some storms!

If you do plan to boondock during your RV adventures, note that Starlink can be a bit of a power hog. It typically draws about 960 watt-hours a day, but Starlink did release a feature that allows you to put it into sleep mode when you are not using it, which has been a great energy saver!

We recommend doing a test run of your RV power setup off-grid while working to make sure you have enough charging power to keep everything running! You can always rely on running your generator throughout the day, but this can be a bit of a nuisance.

READ MORE: Complete Guide To RV Boondocking

Our current RV internet setup

This is the exact internet setup we use daily while working from our RV. You will notice redundancies and that is to give us peace of mind that we can get reliable internet no matter where we travel! Our setup has also grown and changed as different technologies have emerged.

• T-mobile Home Internet: A small tower router is provided with the purchase of a plan. We pay $50/month for unlimited data. While this is not intended to be used as mobile internet, we let T-Mobile know how we intended to use it and have had amazing service and blazing fast speeds in areas with T-Mobile coverage. This only works in the United States.

• Starlink Internet: We pay $150/month for Starlink Roam. If we will be in areas with good cell coverage for a couple of months, we typically pause our Starlink service to avoid the additional $150 each month. We unpause the service when we explore remote areas. Starlink is something we would not work remotely and RV without, but cannot be used reliably in heavily wooded areas.

• Verizon Data Only Plan & Mobile Router: A hardwired cellular internet solution was our first big RV internet purchase. Although our $90/month 100Gb Verizon plan serves as a backup right now, it would become our main internet solution if we were in a wooded area where Starlink wouldn’t work and we didn’t have T-Mobile service. It is extremely reliable because we have it wired into our RV’s 12-volt system. We also have a hardwired antenna to help boost the signal for our data-only cell plans that work in conjunction with our router.

• WeBoost Cellular Booster: Our WeBoost works to boost local signals to help increase cellular internet speed and strength. If we arrive somewhere with a lower T-Mobile home internet signal this can take our internet from unusable to strong and reliable! This would also work well for boosting signals through hotspots or jetpacks!

In case you are confused, we basically have 2 cell signal-based internet options operating in parallel (mainly because T-Mobile home internet is a newer cheaper option that must be used with its own tower, rather than being offered as a SIM card we could easily use in our mobile router):

• T-Mobile Home Internet + WeBoost
• Verizon SIM card + Peplink Mobile Router & Poynting Antenna

Either one of these options + Starlink could serve as a fairly robust internet setup for working from your RV!

Just keep in mind that if you want the option to have a variety of cell carrier plans (AT&T, Verizon, & T-Mobile for example) you will want a more advanced mobile router like the Peplink. Some carriers have better service in some areas of the country than others.

Below you will find the antenna, WeBoost, and wireless modem we use in our RV internet setup:

Setting Up Your RV Office

When it comes to having success working in an RV, there is more to it than just having power and strong internet.

In our experience, your RV office setup is just as important as the technical components!

This is what we have found most helpful for working remotely in our fifth wheel:

• Ergonomic laptop stands
• A good set of headphones (noise canceling can be helpful)
• Ergonomic mouse and wireless keyboard
• High-quality office chair

Items we have done away with that you might find helpful:

• Additional monitors

Another part of setting up an efficient and comfortable space to work in your RV is choosing the RV conducive to that optimal setup!

With two of us working remotely from the RV full-time, we knew we needed enough space to have comfortable workstations as well as private spaces if we were on separate video/ Zoom calls at the same time.

The fifth wheel works perfectly for us as it gives us a homey feel with a dedicated workspace, as well as additional private space upstairs in the bedroom for privacy and quiet during important calls. We have met people working from all kinds of RVs, with popular options including toy haulers with the garage turned into an office.

We recommend exploring different RVs and seeing what layout feels best for you!

READ MORE: The Best Luxury Fifth Wheels For Full-Time Living

Our Best Tips For Working In An RV

• Always check internet strength using Speedtest by Ookla when you arrive at your campsite before setting up
• Build a consistent routine (just like you would in the office or in a home)
• Create a dedicated workspace (great for keeping work-life boundaries)
• Take breaks (camping in beautiful places helps encourage this!)
• Stay connected to colleagues (remote work doesn’t have to feel like you are on an island)
• Monitor travel fatigue and travel on non-work days (we always travel on weekends to avoid stressing about work if there is a hiccup on travel day)
• Find community on the road (The RVing community is wonderful! Escapees is a great resource for RV meetups)
• Have backups for internet and power and be prepared for possible interruptions
• Keep everything charged (just in case)
• Know the limitations of your specific internet service plan (throttling and data caps are big ones to look out for)

Working From Your RV FAQs

A great RV internet resource: The Mobile Internet Resource Center is a great place to get education on different RV internet options and get additional resources about the pros, cons, and costs of different types of equipment and plans! They also have great customer service and can lend a helping hand as you work to select the best RV internet setup for you!

Ready to make your RV dreams a reality? Check out these other RV resources:

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