Best Internet for RV Living in 2023

A recreational vehicle gives the freedom to travel anywhere while staying in a home-like environment. It supports your mobile lifestyle and comes equipped with all the necessities. These vehicles are becoming common with the improvement of technology, leading to more than 11% of American households having their own RV.

But what about the internet connection? Since the internet is essential for working while you are on the road, RVers usually don’t have many conventional connectivity options. Finding a reliable internet for RV can be challenging, and many RVers are not fully aware of the best internet options for RV living. Here are some of the best connectivity choices for living in an RV.

RV Internet Options

Internet access is crucial in this interconnected and modern world. Its importance cannot be overlooked even on the road as it is a vital source of information and many people need it for remote working. So here are some of the best RV internet options.

Satellite Internet for RV

Satellite internet may seem as an unconventional and expensive internet option for RVers who only travel through cities or beaches. However, it is an excellent choice for people living in RVs who travel to remote areas. Otherwise, cellular networks are a better and more cost-effective option. It is an ideal solution for folks living a nomadic lifestyle. However, this internet connection does not work while the RV is in motion.

Pros:

Availability in Remote Areas:

The best thing about satellite internet is its nationwide availability. Since it does not rely on physical network infrastructure, you can access this service even in the most remote areas as long as there is a clear view of the southern sky. Instead, it utilizes the satellites in space to send or receive data.

Cons:

Inaccessible During Motion

This internet service does not work while your RV is moving. Hence you cannot stream, play games, or even surf the web while in motion. Therefore, this internet option is only suitable for stationary RVers who are not constantly traveling.

Expensive

Satellite internet is much more expensive than other internet options for RVs. It has an average monthly cost of $110. The high price is usually due to the hardware, supply, and demand.

High Latency

Latency is a prominent issue of satellite internet. Due to the vast distance between the satellites in space and the Earth’s surface, the latency rate of this connection is excessively high compared to other internet services. However, Elon Musk’s Starlink offers much lower latency.

Satellite Internet Providers for RV

Starlink

Starlink by SpaceX is the best satellite internet for RV. Launched in 2015, it is different from other traditional satellite internet providers as it uses a constellation of Low Earth Orbit satellites. As a result, it has lower latency and high internet speed.

Recently, Starlink has introduced an internet plan for RVers in certain parts of the US, Australia, and Europe. Although not the cheapest option, Starlink’s satellite internet for RVs, enables you to pause or resume your service and provides a pay-as-you-go structure. Overall, it is an appropriate internet for RV living with active coverage, unlimited data, and low latency.

Viasat

Viasat is one of the major satellite internet providers with nationwide availability. It offers a variety of plans based on speeds ranging from 12 Mbps to 150 Mbps and data caps. Viasat internet plans come with three-month introductory prices and a 2-year contract. It is not a suitable internet for RVs that are constantly moving as satellite internet works best when an RV is parked at a specific location.

HughesNet

HughesNet satellite internet is another widely available internet for RV in the US. While it is also not suitable for moving RVs, it is appropriate for stationary ones in remote areas. HughesNet offers much simpler plans than Viasat, with a consistent speed of 25 Mbps and softer data limits. It provides a Bonus Zone and allows you to buy additional data in various data token forms. Overall, HughesNet is only a suitable option for stationary RVs.

HughesNet Satellite Internet Plans
Plans	Price	Speed	Data Cap	Shop Now
HughesNet 15	$49.99/mo.	15 Mbps	15 GB	Order Now
HughesNet 50	$49.99/mo.	25 Mbps	50 GB	Order Now
Fusion 100	$74.99/mo.	25 Mbps	100 GB	Order Now
Fusion 200	$149.99/mo.	50 Mbps	200 GB	Order Now

Mobile hotspots (Cellular Data)

Mobile hotspots are one of the best RV internet options. Mobile hotspots are affordable for people who travel frequently and require a reliable internet connection. Additionally, they provide flexibility and let you connect multiple devices.

Cellular hotspots are the best internet option for RV, but you’ll require an appropriate data plan to fulfill your connectivity requirements. Here are a few examples of reliable mobile hotspots

AT&T

AT&T offers mobile hotspots and cellular data ranging from 20 GB to 100 GB for $25 per month to $90 per month. However, the plans will only work if you are in AT&T’s service area.

AT&T also offers RV internet solutions starting at $35 per month. Its internet options for RV include monthly and annual plans based on different data caps.

Verizon

Verizon is a popular choice of internet for RV users as it offers many RV-friendly plans for hotspot users ranging from $20 to $110 per month. It offers cellular data ranging from 15 GB to 150 GB.

T-Mobile

T-Mobile is another suitable choice of internet for RV. Its mobile hotspot internet plans come with unlimited texting and data and start at $50 per month.

• Pros:
  • Portable: These Wi-Fi hotspot plans do not restrict you to a specific location.
  • Secure Connection: Mobile hotspots offer secure internet connectivity.
  • Plans with Unlimited Data: You don’t have to monitor your data usage if you have a plan with unlimited data.
• Cons:
  • Data Overcharges: Turning your mobile phone into a hotspot can lead to significant overcharges if you don’t have an unlimited data plan.

Public Wi-Fi

Public Wi-Fi is the cheapest internet for RV living. Since this connection is unreliable, it is a viable internet option for short-time travelers only and is not suitable for people living in their RVs. Although most providers have a Wi-Fi network, if your provider does not, you can use the public hotspots available in many cities and various locations like coffee shops, restaurants, and hotels. You can also find free Wifi hotspots at some RV campgrounds.

So, if an RV park is your usual destination, you’ll require a device with an appropriate cellular plan and Wi-Fi extenders. These extenders will help you up the distant signals to get the desired internet speed.

While these public Wi-Fi hotspots are free, they come at an expensive cost to your security. These networks are unreliable and often riddled with hackers and snoopers. Another major downside of these public Wi-Fi hotspots is that they require you to be in a specific location.

• Pros:
  • Availability: You can find public Wi-Fi hotspots in almost every city’s café, restaurant, library, and other locations.
  • Free: Public Wi-Fi hotspots allow you to access the internet without paying a single penny.
• Cons:
  • Insecure Connection: Since numerous people can access these networks, public Wi-Fi hotspots are incredibly vulnerable to cyber-attacks.
  • Location-specific: These Wi-Fi hots require you to access them in a specific location.

ISP Wi-Fi Hotspots

Many prominent internet providers like Spectrum, AT&T, Frontier, and more have Wi-Fi hotspot networks, which are one of the best internet options for RV. If you are already a customer of such a provider and are traveling for a short period, you don’t have to spend extra money for a separate internet service. You can use your provider’s hotspot network to access the internet. For instance, Spectrum Wifi hotspots provide secure internet for RVs, through their wide network of hotspots spread across the USA.

• Pros:
  • Secure: ISPs’ Wi-Fi hotspots are secure and allow you to conduct your online activities without the possibility of data theft.
• Cons:
  • Limited Availability: They are not available in every location.

Portable 4G Device

Recreational vehicles are home to many people. Hence they need a reliable internet connection that can give the same support as home internet. Unlike 4G plans for homes, portable 4G devices do not require a fixed address and can provide good internet speeds for RVers. Therefore portable 4G devices and LTE plans are some of the best internet options for RV living.

• Pros:
  • Portable: They do not restrict you to a specific location.
• Cons:
  • Poor Battery Life: They have a poor battery life compared to other devices.

Cable / DSL

Although cable or DSL internet options may seem impossible for people who use RVs to travel frequently, they are an excellent option for people who live in RVs. The first step is to evaluate whether your location has an infrastructure to support these services, and the next step is to search for the available internet providers.

The best thing about wired internet services is their affordability. Some providers offer unlimited data, which you cannot get with other RV internet options.

• Pros:
  • Affordable: Cable and DSL internet services are more affordable than satellite internet services.
  • Faster Internet Speeds: Wired internet services offer faster speeds than wireless internet options.
• Cons:
  • Unsuitable for Traveling: You cannot use these internet services if you are a frequent traveler.
  • Dependent on Infrastructure: You cannot access these services in remote areas.

Some examples of the best cable and DSL RV internet options are:

Spectrum

As the second largest cable internet provider in the US, you can find Spectrum Internet plans almost everywhere. It is the best internet for RV living with high internet speeds, unlimited data, and no contract policy at affordable prices.

Its three simple internet plans with speeds of 300 Mbps, 500 Mbps, and 1000 Mbps offer much higher internet speeds and reliable connectivity than other wireless RV internet options

AT&T

AT&T is the largest internet provider in the US and offers DSL internet service to areas where its fiber internet is not accessible. AT&T internet plans use a hybrid fiber/DSL approach to offer decent speeds up to 100 Mbps to most rural and suburban areas. However, this service comes with data caps of 1 TB

Frontier

Although Frontier’s DSL service is not as impressive as its fiber internet service, it is still one of the best internet options for RV users. Frontier internet plans come with unlimited data, decent internet speeds, no contracts, and fixed plan prices making it an appealing choice for many RVers.

Best Internet Options for RV

Nomadic lifestyle relies heavily on wireless internet connections, among which cellular internet connectivity provides the easiest access. These are some of the best internet options for RV living in 2022.

AT&T Prepaid 100 GB Plan with NETGEAR Nighthawk M1: Best for Weekend RVers

A flexible internet connection is suitable for people who prefer weekend trips to explore new places. Therefore mobile hotspots are best for such RVers as they are similar to your mobile phones in connecting wirelessly to your carrier’s network.

NETGEAR Nighthawk is an excellent choice of internet for RV, especially if you are an AT&T customer. It has a long battery life and allows you to connect 20 devices. It has one USB port for sharing data or personal media streaming storage with connected wireless devices.

Additionally, AT&T Prepaid 100 GB plan is an appropriate choice with this device as it gives you more data for $55 a month.

Price: AT&T plan: 55/month | NETGEAR Nighthawk M1: $384

Data: 100 GB

Contract: No

GET AT&T INTERNET FOR RV

Nomad Internet: Best for Long-Term RVers

Nomad internet is the best RV internet service for people who prefer longer trips spanning weeks or months. It is a reliable internet for RVs and a long-term portable 4G internet solution for seasonal travelers. And although it is more expensive than home 4G internet, it offers unlimited data, which allows you to stream, conduct video conferences or work from your RV.

Nomad is a wireless internet service that uses the 4G LTE technology of three major mobile carriers to provide high-speed internet to rural populations and traveling nomads. It delivers its services to more than 20,000 customers across various locations.

Nomad Internet offers an RV internet plan with various routers, depending on your requirements, and bundles all the additional charges in a one-time membership fee of $99. Hence, you don’t have to pay an activation or installation fee. It also does not bind you in any contract and allows you to bring your own device. However, there is not much information about internet speeds.

Price: $149/month

Data: Unlimited

Contract: No

Bearifi BearExtender Wi-Fi Extender Antenna: Best for RV Camps

Although public Wi-Fi hotspots are not available at every location, you can find them on large RV campgrounds. Additionally, you can access these hotspots in many other places like cafes, restaurants, libraries, and hotels.

However, they often have weak signals, making it hard to conduct most online activities. In that case, most RVers rely on Wi-Fi extenders to boost signal strength. The Bearifi BearExtender is one of the most economical Wi-Fi extenders and one of the best internet options for RV camps. But it only lets you connect one device.

Other expensive options let you stay connected all the time by working with a SIM card to use mobile data. However, this Wi-Fi extender is an appropriate alternative for people on a budget.

Price: $49.97

Use: for a single device

Wi-Fi standard: 802.11n

How to Choose the Best Internet for RV Living?

There are a few things that you should consider before choosing the best internet for RV living.

Available Budget

It is crucial to draw a budget before choosing the best internet for RV living. A defined budget can help you make a calculated decision as the cost of RV internet options can go up to thousands of dollars. The available options will depend on your budget. For example, you’ll have more choices with a high budget, but you can still find some options with a limited budget.

Internet Usage Requirements

The next step is to consider your internet activities. Evaluating your internet usage requirements will help you choose more suitable internet options for RV living with sufficient internet speeds. So, what are your internet usage requirements?

For example, lighter internet activities like surfing the internet do not require a high-speed internet connection, and you can use a less reliable connection to save money. However, remote workers with heavy internet activities like video conferencing and sharing large files will require a high-speed and reliable internet connection.

Average Data Usage

Data usage is another crucial factor in choosing the best internet for RV living. You can select an internet plan with sufficient data by monitoring your monthly data consumption. For example, an internet plan with 300 GB of data might be acceptable for light internet users. Otherwise, heavy data consumption will require unlimited internet for RV, especially for remote work and heavy streaming activities.

Frequency of Boondocking

It is also crucial to consider your RV lifestyle and destinations before contemplating your RV internet solutions. For example, you’ll have limited RV internet options in remote Boondocking locations. On the contrary, you’ll find more options near cities and towns.

Traveling Frequency

Your traveling frequency is also important in choosing the best internet for RV living. For example, wireless internet connections are more suitable for frequent travelers, while wired internet connections are excellent for people who seldom travel.

Frequency of Traveling in Areas with Cell Phone Service

You should evaluate the available RV internet options in your traveling destinations. For example, if you frequently visit areas lacking wired internet services but are abundant in cell phone services, it is better to opt for the latter so you can stay connected.

Frequency of Traveling in Remote Areas

Do you frequently travel to remote areas? If your destinations are remote, you should find the available RV internet options in those areas. Satellite internet is one service that’ll always be available in such locations.

Time Spent on Online Activities While Traveling

It is also crucial to consider the time you spend on online activities while traveling. Otherwise, you can end up with an internet option with insufficient data or speeds.

Frequency of Using the Internet for Entertainment

Are you a fan of entertainment? If you love watching your favorite Netflix shows, YouTube videos, or playing online games, you’ll need a more reliable internet option with high speed and a significant amount of data.

Remote Working in RV

You’ll need a high-speed and reliable RV internet solution if you are a remote worker. A low-speed internet with frequent outages will not be sufficient for most work-related tasks.

Conclusion

It is sometimes incomprehensible to witness how the advancement of technology has transformed our lives. It has made the internet accessible even during traveling. So, what is the best internet for RV? Our experts have compiled some of the best RV internet options so you can stay connected even in the most remote locations

FAQs