3 Best Internet Options for RVing in 2024: A Complete Guide to Staying Connected on the Road

If you work remotely from your RV, you need dependable internet.

Even if you don’t, reliable internet is just nice to have if you’re trying to kick back and relax. 

The only issue: it can be hard to get fast, reliable internet on the road. Fortunately, there are some great options as well as some tools you can use to improve your overall setup and connectivity. 

So, what is the best internet for RVing?

Below, we’ve put together a list of our top picks for the absolute best internet for RVing. 

We’ve also included a few extra tools to help you stay connected, either when your internet goes down or when you need to go off-grid beyond your usual service range. 

3 Best Internet Options for RVing

First, let’s talk about some of the best internet options for RVers.

These are by no means the only options, but rather our recommendations for good primary internet service. 

Some form of satellite or home internet along with a mobile hotspot and hotspot router would be a pretty ironclad setup that should keep you connected in virtually every scenario. 

If you want to add to that, grab a cell antenna or booster for more stable upload speeds if you work from your RV. 

We’ll talk about some of these additional connection tools later. For now, let’s talk about the best internet options for RVing. 

1. RV IT Guy

RV IT Guy may be the most well known internet solution made specifically for RVers.

It’s actually made by full-time RVers too, in fact, so they understand what we need. 

Some of the major benefits of RV IT Guy include:

• Unlimited data
• Great customer service (with real human beings)
• Dual network (one fully encrypted for security while the other is for uploading, i.e. most notably zoom calls and the like)

Pricing

RV IT Guy has a one-time startup cost of $195 and their beacons start at $99/mo.

Their beacons come with an assortment of services and features including full IT support.

They also have a support beacon that strengthens your existing connection, which starts at $59.99 with a $75 startup fee.

2. Starlink

Starlink is a satellite internet service provider. Why is that special? 

Due to the way satellite internet works, it has the ability to provide service in lots of areas that other internet providers could never reach.

The cool thing about Starlink is that you can technically take the mount anywhere. They even have smaller and more mobile ones for purchase now that you can strap to your backpack to stay connected on a hike. 

The main drawback is that it’s not cheap, coming in with a higher price tag than the other two options on this list. 

Some of the major benefits of Starlink include:

• Amazing coverage range
• Fast internet speeds
• Highly portable
• Unlimited data
• Easy to install

Pricing

Starlink has a large startup cost at $599 along with a $150 monthly cost, making it quite pricey in exchange for great all-around service. 

3. T-Mobile Away

T-Mobile home internet service has become a highly popular option for RVers in recent years.

We’ll talk more about this in the next section (ways to stay connected) but the basic idea is that mobile companies offering home internet services typically don’t require address verification.

That means you can now sign up and get home internet service without having a physical address (though you might need to put an address down to sign up). 

However, T-Mobile has been listening and took this a step further by bringing out their T-Mobile Away plan. 

Away gives you access to the benefits of T-Mobile’s home internet service built for life on the road, including 5G Wi-Fi, connectivity for up to 64 devices, and no startup fees or annual contracts.

Some of the specific benefits of T-Mobile home internet include:

• Easy setup
• No startup cost
• Unlimited data (depending on the plan)
• Fast internet speeds

Pricing

T-Mobile home internet comes in at just $40 per month (with an offer currently to get the plus version with wider Wi-Fi coverage for $50). 

Plus, they have no startup fee or initial costs.

T-Mobile Away provides some extra perks including what is technically a 5G portable Wi-Fi gateway, but it’s more expensive than typical T-Mobile home internet coming in at $110 per month for 200GB of data. 

With that said, to help curb the cost a bit it also has the added benefit of allowing you to pause service twice per year for up to 90 days (so potentially half the year) and pay just $10 per month. 

5 Ways to Stay Connected On the Road (Have Backups!) 

Now that we’ve covered some of the best RV internet service options, let’s talk about the whole picture.

More is typically required than simply setting up an internet connection. 

Ideally, you have backups set up in case your primary connection goes down.

Ultimately, there is no 100% reliable connection no matter what you get, how much you spend, and where you’re located (though all of those help).

Because of this, it’s a good idea to have some sort of backup or alternative way you can connect. 

No matter which you’re already getting, consider setting up one or two more from the list below:

1. Mobile hotspot

A smartphone hotspot is one of the best alternative connection methods because it’s so easy to acquire and use the smartphone you already have.

Most internet service providers offer hotspot access, usually at around $10-20 per month.

Use is limited but it’s great in a pinch when your primary internet goes down and you need a few hours or a day or connectivity.

Just keep in mind that hotspot connections are typically a bit slow, so while most types of computer-based work will be fine, you’ll have a hard time staying connected on a video call.

2. Hotspot router

Similar to a smartphone-based mobile hotspot, a hotspot router or similar device gives you access to a mobile hotspot.

The main drawback of these is that they require their own data plan, but they can be well worth the price as a reliable backup connection.

3. Park or campground Wi-Fi

Worth mentioning but not entirely depending on, if you plan on staying at an RV park or campground with good Wi-Fi for an extended period then that’s a great option you can lean on.

You’ll still want your own internet service for when you hit the road or Wi-Fi goes down at the park, but knowing you have that will practically ensure you’re always able to stay connected when at camp at least. 

The only drawback? Public Wi-Fi such as that at campgrounds is typically pretty crowded which impacts connection speeds.

4. Satellite-based internet

Satellite-based internet is internet based on satellite connections, making it readily available in many areas that you wouldn’t typically be able to connect. 

Starlink, which we covered earlier, is arguably the most notable satellite option used by the RV community.

The one drawback with satellite internet is it’s expensive compared to home internet and other options. However, as one of your connection options it’s highly reliable and worthy of consideration. 

5. Home internet

We’ve covered this above with T-Mobile, and it’s the most commonly known, so we won’t talk too much about it here.

However, home internet in recent years has become more readily available.

Most mobile carriers now offer home internet and will simply ask you for a service address (and often won’t even verify if you reside at the address).

You can then set it up within your RV using the equipment provided. 

This could change in the future, making having a backup necessary, but for now they’re one of the single best and most reliable ways to get internet in your RV.

3 Tools to Improve Your Connectivity

Now let’s talk about some gear you can use to improve your connectivity. 

These aren’t required to have a reliable connection, but they can 

1. Cellular antenna

The next two options, a cell antenna and cell booster, have the ability to improve your cell signal.

The result is typically great upload speeds– i.e. live video/zoom calls and the like– which makes this a valuable tool for those working full-time from their RV. 

An antenna is more expensive and harder to use, as it requires a port for an antenna. Routers typically have one. However, if yours doesn’t you can always use a booster for similar results.

2. Cell booster

A cellular booster works similar to an antenna but it tends to be more expensive.

With that said, it can have a similar impact on your upload speeds and doesn’t require the same kind of connection as an antenna.

3. Wifi signal booster

Lastly, there’s a Wi-Fi signal booster.

A Wi-Fi signal booster, like this ASUS AX180, plugs into a standard outlet and boosts the range and even speed of your Wi-Fi signal.

Stay Connected on the Road

Staying connected while on the road isn’t an easy job.

Depending on your needs, preferences, and location you might need to experiment before finding something that works for you. 

However, we hope this guide has well-equipped you with not just a few worthy options but also the tools you’ll need to ensure you stay connected and how to improve your connectivity no matter where you are.