RV Cost Calculator RV Mail Forwarding Cost Calculator
Compare mail forwarding services and find the perfect solution for your RV lifestyle
Why RV Mail Forwarding Matters
Full-time RVers need a reliable mail service for legal documents, bills, packages, and establishing domicile. The average RVer spends $200-600/year on mail services. Choosing the right provider based on your needs can save hundreds annually while providing peace of mind on the road.
Your RV Lifestyle
Service Needs
View mail contents online before forwarding
Deposit checks directly to your account
Forward packages to your location
For driver's license, vehicle registration, etc.
Popular RV-friendly states with no income tax
Current Provider
Top Recommendations for You
No Perfect Matches
Based on your requirements (needs domicile), no services are a perfect fit. Consider adjusting your preferences or review all options below.
Complete Service Comparison
| Service | Monthly | Annual | Setup | Domicile | Rating |
|---|
Detailed Cost Breakdown - Escapees RV Club
Base Monthly Fee
Core service charge
Mail Scanning
30 pages × $0.50/page
Mail Forwarding
Monthly shipments
Package Forwarding
4 packages/month
Total Monthly Cost
$45.83Total Annual Cost
$550First Year Total
Including setup fee: $550
Subsequent years: $550/year
Money-Saving Tips
Reduce Forwarding Frequency
Forward mail less often if you're staying in one area. Going from weekly to monthly forwarding can save $100-200/year in shipping costs.
Potential savings: $NaN/year
Go Paperless
Switch to online billing and statements for banks, credit cards, insurance, and utilities. This reduces mail volume and scanning costs significantly.
Can reduce scanning costs by 50-70%, saving up to $NaN/year
Ship Packages to Campgrounds
Many campgrounds accept packages for guests. Ship Amazon orders directly to your destination instead of through mail forwarding to save on shipping fees.
Can eliminate 50-75% of package forwarding costs
Use Scanning to Eliminate Junk Mail
Review scans and mark items as junk to have the service shred/recycle without forwarding. This reduces weight and shipping costs over time.
Typical junk mail is 30-40% of volume - potential to reduce forwarding weight significantly
Choose the Right Domicile State
South Dakota, Texas, and Florida have no state income tax. SD and FL also have lower vehicle registration fees. The right state can save thousands annually beyond mail costs.
State income tax savings: $0-5,000+/year depending on your income
RV Domicile State Comparison
| State | Income Tax | Vehicle Reg | Setup Ease | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Dakota | NONE | Low | ★★★★★ | Most popular, easy process, very RV-friendly |
| Texas | NONE | Moderate | ★★★★☆ | Need residency proof, higher reg fees |
| Florida | NONE | Low | ★★★★☆ | Popular, good insurance rates, warmer climate |
| Nevada | NONE | Moderate | ★★★☆☆ | Less RV-specific services available |
| Washington | NONE | Moderate | ★★★☆☆ | Fewer mail forwarding options |
What You Need to Establish Domicile
Required Documents:
- Driver's license from that state
- Vehicle registration
- Mail forwarding address
- Voter registration (optional but recommended)
Typical Process:
- Sign up with mail forwarding service
- Visit state DMV (or use mail service help)
- Get driver's license
- Register vehicle(s)
- Update banks, insurance, etc.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a mail forwarding service as an RVer?
If you're full-timing, yes. You need a permanent address for driver's license, vehicle registration, insurance, banking, and receiving important mail/packages. Even part-timers benefit from having a reliable address while traveling.
What's the difference between a mail forwarding service and a PO Box?
Mail forwarding services provide a physical street address (not a PO Box) that you can use as your legal domicile. They offer mail scanning, package handling, and forwarding to wherever you are. PO Boxes can't be used for legal domicile in most states and don't offer these services.
Can I use a friend or family member's address instead?
Technically yes, but it has downsides: you're imposing on them to handle your mail, they must be available to forward packages, you may have privacy concerns, and if they move you lose your domicile. Professional services are designed for RVers and typically cost less than the inconvenience to friends/family.
How does mail scanning work?
When mail arrives, the service scans the envelope and uploads it to your online account. You can then decide to: have it opened and scanned (contents), forwarded to you, shredded/recycled, or held for later. Most services charge per page scanned (typically $0.40-$1.00/page).
What happens to packages?
Services hold packages until you request forwarding. Many offer package consolidation (combining multiple packages into one shipment to save money). You can usually see photos of packages online and choose when/where to forward them. Some services have storage limits (30-90 days typically).
Can I receive mail at campgrounds?
Yes! Most campgrounds accept packages for guests if you're staying there. Use format: "Your Name, C/O [Campground Name], [Address], 'Guest Arriving [Date]'". However, you still need a permanent address for legal/financial purposes.
Which domicile state is best?
South Dakota is most popular due to: no income tax, low vehicle registration, easy process, and excellent mail forwarding services. Florida is great if you winter there. Texas works if you have existing ties. Consider: taxes, insurance costs, vehicle fees, and available services.
How often should I have mail forwarded?
Most RVers choose monthly or bi-monthly forwarding. If you're staying somewhere 2+ months, monthly is cost-effective. If moving frequently, quarterly forwarding to a friend/family member or general delivery works. Use mail scanning to handle urgent items digitally.
What is check deposit service?
The mail service opens envelopes containing checks, scans them, and deposits directly to your bank account (you provide routing/account info). Costs typically $2-5 per check. Great for occasional checks, but consider going fully digital if you receive many checks regularly.
Can I change mail forwarding services later?
Yes, but it's a hassle. You'll need to update your address with: banks, credit cards, insurance, IRS, Social Security, voter registration, subscriptions, etc. It's easier to pick the right service initially. However, if moving between domicile states, you'll have to change anyway.
Feature Comparison Matrix
| Feature | Escapees | Good Sam | MyDakota | Americas MB | Traveling MB |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mail Scanning | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Check Deposit | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Package Forwarding | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Physical Address | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ |
| Domicile Services | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ |
| Mobile App | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Package Consolidation | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Notary Services | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ |
| DMV Assistance | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ |
| International Forwarding | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
How to Get Started
Choose Your Domicile State
Research tax implications, vehicle registration costs, and insurance rates. South Dakota, Texas, and Florida are most popular for RVers. Consider where you'll spend the most time.
Select a Mail Forwarding Service
Use this calculator to compare costs based on your needs. Read reviews from other RVers. Make sure they offer services in your chosen domicile state.
Sign Up and Pay Setup Fees
Complete the application online. Pay setup fee ($0-100) and first month's service. You'll receive your new address immediately for most services.
Submit Required Documentation
Provide ID, current address, and any state-specific requirements. Some services handle everything remotely; others require an in-person visit to the state.
Get Your Driver's License
Visit the state DMV (or use service assistance). Surrender old license, take new photo, pass vision test. Some states require knowledge test for first-time residents.
Register Your Vehicles
Register RV, tow vehicle, and any other vehicles. Get new license plates. Some services can handle this by mail/proxy for an additional fee.
Update All Your Accounts
Update address with: banks, credit cards, insurance (RV, health, auto), IRS, Social Security, voter registration, professional licenses, subscriptions, etc. This takes 2-4 hours but is crucial.
Timeline & Costs
Pro Tips from Full-Time RVers
📱 Go Digital First
Before signing up, switch everything possible to paperless: bank statements, credit cards, insurance documents, utility bills. This dramatically reduces mail volume and scanning costs.
📦 Strategic Package Timing
Order packages to arrive at your mail service 1-2 weeks before a forwarding date. This allows consolidation and saves multiple shipping fees. Use package tracking to time orders perfectly.
🏕️ Campground Coordination
When staying somewhere 2+ weeks, have mail forwarded directly there instead of your current location. Call ahead to confirm they accept packages and get proper address format.
🔔 Set Up Alerts
Enable email/text notifications for new mail and packages. Review scans immediately and mark junk mail for disposal. This keeps your inbox clean and reduces forwarding weight.
💳 Virtual Mailbox Access
Keep login credentials saved and accessible. You may need to provide mail service address quickly for online purchases, job applications, or official documents.
📋 Update Calendar
Set reminders for license renewals, vehicle registration, and mail service payments. Missing deadlines while traveling can result in late fees or service interruptions.
🌍 International Options
If traveling internationally, most services forward worldwide. Costs are higher ($30-100+ depending on weight/destination) so accumulate more mail before forwarding abroad.
👥 Family Plans
Many services offer family/household plans. If traveling with others, one account with multiple names can save 30-50% compared to separate accounts.
Ready to Choose Your Mail Forwarding Service?
Based on your lifestyle and needs, Escapees RV Club offers the best value at $550/year. Start your full-time RV journey with confidence!