Starlink RV (Starlink Roam) in depth
Starlink Roam is the portable internet option for Starlink customers who want to maintain connectivity while traveling. Although Starlink Roam uses the same equipment and coverage area as Starlink Residential, the service differs from Starlink Residential internet in a few important ways. Let’s get into the details.
Starlink RV (Starlink Roam) pricing and plans
We’ve broken down the various Starlink RV internet plans for different types of RV owners, depending on where you travel and how you use the internet. See which plan is right for you:
Starlink RV Internet Plan | Pricing | Features | Who it’s best for | View Plans |
Starlink Roam: Regional (portable equipment)
| $150.00/mo. plus $599.00 for equipment | Unlimited data
5–50Mbps
Service within the U.S. (depending on coverage map)
| Campers, weekend RVers, retirees on a budget—anyone who doesn’t mind unpacking and re-connecting their satellite internet equipment at each stop | View Plan |
---|
Starlink Roam: Regional
(in-motion equipment)
| $150.00/mo. plus $2,500.00 for equipment | Unlimited data
5–50Mbps
Service within the U.S. (depending on coverage map)
| Digital nomads who want constant connectivity; families with young children who want to watch movies/play games while the RV is in motion | View Plan |
---|
Starlink Roam: Global | $200.00/mo. plus equipment ($599.00 or $2,500.00) | Unlimited data; opt-in to Mobile Priority data for $2/GB
5–50Mbps
Service in other countries and regions outside your continent (depending on coverage map)
| International explorers—anyone who needs connectivity across multiple countries and regions. | View Plan |
---|
Starlink Mobile Priority | $250–$5,000/mo.
$2,500.00 for in-motion equipment (recommended)
| 50GB of Mobile Priority data, then unlimited standard data
220 Mbps
Service in other countries around the world (same as Starlink Roam: Global) depending on coverage map | Digital nomads, entrepreneurs and mobile businesses—anyone who needs high data bandwidth for constant productivity and connectivity while traveling. | View Plan |
---|
Starlink Roam’s Regional plan, with portable equipment for $599, is a good choice for people who don’t mind taking a break from the internet while driving in the RV. With this plan, you can set up your portable Starlink equipment and connect to the internet at each stop. But Roam Regional with in-motion equipment ($2,500) is a better fit for digital nomads and families that want to stay connected while traveling, without having to wait for a rest stop or campground.
Keep in mind that Starlink Roam’s Regional plan only covers one continent—for most people reading this, that likely means North America. But if you want to travel around the world, beyond your home region, you’ll want to upgrade to Starlink Roam Global coverage. Ths cost is higher ($200 per month), but the coverage is truly worldwide, in all countries where Starlink satellites can currently reach.
If you’re a heavy-duty internet user or if you’re an entrepreneur who wants to run your business while living in your RV, you can pay extra for Mobile Priority data, or you can upgrade to a higher-cost, higher-bandwidth Mobile Priority plan. Pricing for Mobile Priority ranges from $250–$5,000 per month, depending on how much high-speed data you want. (Example: there’s also Starlink Maritime to provide satellite internet for boats.)
Don’t assume you have to settle for slow internet while on the road. Starlink Roam and Mobile Priority plans have higher-speed options for customers who are willing to pay extra.
Flexible billing: Pay as you go
All Starlink internet plans (Roam and Residential) do not have long-term contracts and allow you to pay as you go, billed in one-month increments. You can pause and restart your service at any time, which is perfect for RVers, as it lets you adjust your monthly expenses based on how often you’re on the road. However, if you want a refund for your Starlink equipment, you must cancel within 30 days.
Choose your Starlink internet hardware
You pay a one-time fee for a Starlink satellite device when you sign up for service, and you can choose portable hardware for $599, or in-motion hardware for $2,500. You set up the portable hardware wherever you stop, then pack it up to store it between destinations. The in-motion hardware must be attached to your RV, and it provides continuous internet connectivity whether or not you’re moving.
Starlink RV unlimited data—with a catch
Starlink Roam doesn’t have a hard data cap. Once you sign up, you get unlimited data wherever you travel within the Starlink coverage area. As of June 2023, Starlink covers most of the West and Northeast in the U.S., but many places in the South and Southeast still don’t have adequate coverage for Residential or Roam service.
So depending on where you travel in your RV, Roam’s quality and speed vary widely. It can be consistent and speedy, or it could be spotty to nonexistent.
Starlink RV internet speeds
Starlink internet data is technically unlimited, but there are limits on your data speed. Roam customers can usually expect speeds of 5–50 Mbps, but you may experience data deprioritization—speed throttling—as Starlink tends to give residential customers first dibs on its satellite internet bandwidth.
Also, if you’re traveling in a part of the country where Starlink’s high-priority data does not yet reach, you may find speeds that are slower than you’d prefer.
Starlink installation process and setup
The Starlink Residential installation process is just like the process for installing the portable Starlink RV equipment. It’s self-installation with instructions in your Starlink Kit. You can also use the Starlink app for guidance. When you sign up for Starlink service, you receive a Starlink Kit that includes satellite equipment, Wi-Fi router, power supply, and more.
Starlink Roam’s portable hardware option ($599) is designed for easy setup. The typical Starlink setup process works like this:
- Find a clear, unobstructed view of the sky. (The Starlink app can help you find the best placement.)
- Plug your Starlink dish into a power source.
- Wait while your equipment establishes a connection with the satellite constellation.
- Connect to Starlink internet from your laptop, phone, or other device.
If you choose the pricier in-motion hardware for Starlink Roam ($2,500), you need to mount the equipment to your RV. Starlink Roam’s in-motion hardware is available only in certain areas, so check with Starlink to see if it’s an option where you live and travel.
Starlink Customer Support
Some customers have found it difficult to access Starlink customer service because it is a lean operation with no phone number, email, or live chat. Instead, Starlink provides customer support through your Starlink account: You have to create a support ticket online (while logged into your account) to get service. Starlink also offers a robust Support section on its website, in case you can resolve issues on your own.
Starlink’s customer support limitations can be even more impactful for Starlink RV than Starlink Residential. If you have to search for answers on a Support website or enter a support ticket online, it’s often easier to do this at home than it is on the road from an RV. Starlink Roam customers should consider getting a satellite phone to use as a communication backup so you don’t get stranded in a remote area without connectivity.
Is Starlink Roam worth it?
If you want internet service for your RV, and you want more data and faster speeds than a typical mobile hotspot, Starlink Roam may be worth the cost. But be aware of Starlink coverage. Make sure you are likely to have Starlink service in the places you travel. For example, as of June 2023, Starlink service has solid coverage throughout California, Colorado and other Western, Midwestern, and Northeastern states, but the coverage is spottier in the Southeast, from Texas to Florida.
You also should consider paying extra for Mobile Priority data. Starlink Roam offers unlimited Standard Data, but if you want the fastest speeds and the best internet experience, it could be worth paying extra for Mobile Priority data, especially if you need to work from the road.
Who is Starlink Roam good for?
Starlink Roam can be a good fit for anyone who is living the RV lifestyle: individuals, couples, or families. Whether you’re a weekend RV enthusiast who likes to go camping while staying connected, full-time RVers who need constant connectivity, digital nomads who want to work from anywhere, or families with kids who are traveling for the summer or year-round, Starlink Roam can be a good option to keep your RV connected to the online world, no matter where you go.
Different RV owners have different needs for internet connectivity. Here are a few examples:
- Weekend campers: If you only use your RV a few times a year or for short camping trips, you probably want the portable equipment ($599).
- Full-time RVers: If you use your RV for months at a time or live in your RV year-round, the pricier ($2,500) in-motion equipment may be worth paying for.
- Digital nomads: Business owners or families with kids who need to stay connected on the road should probably opt for a premium package, like Starlink Mobile Priority with extra Mobile Priority data.
Starlink Roam can be a great choice for RV internet. It depends on your budget and how much you’re willing to spend on equipment and monthly costs.