Did you know that 11.2M households in the United States own RVs? In other words - you’re in good company! Millions of Americans are doing what they can to enjoy the great outdoors and go on more adventures by owning RVs.
If you’re a new RV owner planning your first RV road trip, we’re excited for you! Here are a few things to keep in mind as you plan your trip.
Decide What Kind of Trip You Want
The first - and most important - thing you should do is decide what kind of RV road trip you want to have.
Are you heading to the city, beach, mountains, or somewhere else?
Do you want to relax all day or wear yourself out from exploring?
Who do you want to go with? Is this a family trip with kids, adults-only, or just you and your dog?
Are you trying to be frugal on this trip by cooking your own meals, or will you eat primarily at restaurants?
All of these types of things play into the planning. At a high level, you need to understand what kind of trip you want to have.
Once you do that, you can start planning everything else.
Find RV Campsites You Can be Excited About
The next step is to figure out where you will hang your hat. While RVs let you be flexible with where you stay - you can even stay someplace like a Walmart parking lot if you want to - it’s generally better to find a good campsite.
One of the best websites to find RV campsites is KOA.com. They have many options, so you can probably find someplace you like.
Note that we’ve also provided recommendations on previous postings. For example, this post discusses Insta-worthy RV trips you can take this summer. Or you can check out this article on state parks to visit in your RV.
We always recommend planning this out ahead of time. While “the journey is the destination,” having an actual destination - one where your spot is reserved, so you know you have a place to stay - will help prevent hiccups once you arrive!
Set Limits for Yourself - Consider the “300 Rule
Some RVs go by what can be called the “300 Rule.” This essentially means two things:
You should not plan on traveling more than 300 miles in a day
You should be finished driving by 3 pm
This is important for a few reasons.
First, it prevents you from wearing yourself out from too much traveling. RV travel is slower than just being in a car. 300 miles - assuming you’re driving at about 60 MPH - means about 5 hours of driving. That’s enough for most people to feel like they’ve made some headway on their trip without wearing themselves too thin.
The 3 pm rule also helps you avoid getting too tired. The other benefit is that it gives you time to set up camp before the sun goes down. While this is less of a concern during summer, in the winter, it often gets dark around 5 pm, depending on where you’re traveling.
What to Bring on an RV Road Trip
Everyone has their own list of “essentials,” but there are a few things that arguably everyone needs to bring with them.
Food - especially snacks
Drinks - especially water
First aid kit
RV Emergency kit (ex. Jumper cables)
Toiletries
Extra clothes
Besides that, it’s fair game!
Conclusion
Planning an RV road trip can be a little stressful, but it’s also exciting. It’s an excellent opportunity for you to “get away from it all,” see some sights, spend time with your loved ones, and make new memories.
Have a great trip!
