Pack your bags and load up the RV! It's time for the ultimate RV road trip! You're ready to escape from everyday life and take on the open road.
An RV gives you and your friends or family the perfect opportunity to get away for a while and decompress. The best thing about traveling in an RV is that you have everything you need right there with you at all times. You can cook, shower, use the restroom, lay down to relax, and do plenty of other things whenever you desire.
Although you're more than ready for your next RV trip, you do need to prepare for it first, especially if you're planning a cross-country travel experience. What will you need to plan for? Where will your destination points be?
How will you get around different towns via the RV? For all the answers you need before embarking on your next RV road trip, continue reading below. Here's everything you need to know about preparing for the best RV road trip!
Find the Right RV for You
If you don't already own an RV, then you'll need to start by finding the right RV for you and your family. RVs come in all different sizes and amenities. You need to do your research and shop around until you find one that'll fit into your lifestyle.
Some important things to consider are as follows:
the number of people traveling on board
the distance you'll travel or the amount of time you'll spend in the RV
the outdoor activities you want to enjoy (biking, skiing, hiking, fishing, etc...)
the family pet you might want to bring along with you
All of these factors plus others will make a difference when deciding what RV is the right fit. know the answers to these questions before you begin shopping. You can speak to your RV dealer about these specific needs, and they'll be glad to show you RVs that'll meet your requirements.
Know Your Route
Your next step is to know your RV route. You know you need to get from point A (your home or another starting point) to point B (your final destination). Will you be making a few stops in between, however?
What roads, tolls, or highways will you take on your route? If there's something you want to avoid, then be sure to adjust your route to do so. Keep in mind that traveling by RV is much slower than traveling by car.
You'll need to calculate this into your overall route time and plan for any RV obstacles or challenges along the route. Remember, you'll need to stop for gas multiple times.
Are there gas stations that make it easy for RVs to get in and out of? Know the route you're taking and do a bit of research about possible stops along the way.
Book the RV Park in Advance
You should know what RV parks you're going to stop at during your road trip. Take your time looking into these different parks. Not all parks are the same, and you'll want to find ones that offer all the amenities you need.
Some provide public restrooms and showers, places to eat, RV hookups, and more. Know what the park provides before booking and then book in advance. These parks tend to get booked up quickly.
If you wait until the week before to book your spot at an RV park, there might not be one open for you. Give yourself a month or two to book your spots before the day you plan to arrive.
Leave Room for Flexibility
Sure, you need to know which RV parks you're going to camp at and your endpoint, but you should leave room for flexibility where you can. You don't want to plan out your entire road trip minute by minute. Give yourself the flexibility to travel at your own pace.
Stop to smell the roses and enjoy your trip as much as possible. There will most likely be a few surprise stops that you want to make along the way. Bring a travel guide or map with you.
Look on the map or travel guide for places along the way that you think you'd enjoy making a stop at. Maybe there's a homemade ice cream shop on a farm. Maybe there's a tourist attraction or monument you want to take pictures at.
Allow yourself the freedom to stop whenever you desire.
Inquire About Parking Ahead of Time
When looking on the map for places you might want to visit, be sure to give them a call before arriving as well. Not all places have available RV parking. This is something you'll want to inquire about before you go out of your way.
Some places might even be willing to work with you just to ensure they get your business. Giving them a heads up works well because they can plan for a spot for your RV and eliminate possible trouble upon arriving.
Consider RV Insurance
If you don't already have RV insurance, then now is the time to purchase some. If an accident were to happen, you'll want proper insurance to cover you. You can call your car insurance company and speak with them about including your new RV on your policy.
Do keep in mind, however, that not all car insurance companies cover RVs. You might need to do your homework and find a good company to protect you and your RV before heading out on your road trip.
What Does Your Next RV Road Trip Look Like?
With these RV road trip tips in your back pocket, your next RV trip will be smooth sailing and stress-free. Be sure to keep these tips in mind to ensure the best experience possible where you can enjoy the journey.
The last step you need to complete before hitting the road is buying your new RV!
Click here to get started on the application process and browse through our RV inventory.
