How to Make New Friends on the Road

It can be hard to make new friends on the road. Depending on how long you’ve been mobile, you may feel isolated from the rest of the world. You live a different lifestyle than most when you live in an RV or travel frequently, so it can be hard to make friends when moving from place to place.

But now in this age of the Internet, you can easily make and keep friends as you continue your journey onwards. Making friends as adults can be difficult in itself, but we know it’s even more difficult when you’re on the move a lot.

Here are my tips on how to make friends for those of us who move around and call the road our home!

1. Get Connected

I hear it all the time. “I don’t want to be online,” “I don’t need a cell phone,” “I don’t know how to use it, so why try?” All of the reasons to get connected outweigh all of the cons when you’re on the road.

You need some way to communicate with the outside world. Whether you own a laptop or smartphone, you have to be able and willing to learn how to use these devices to keep in touch with friends and family. Things like Facebook, Google, Instagram, and more allow you to share your experiences and connect with others who enjoy the same things you do.

Don’t make it harder on yourself than it already is! Make a point to get connected with people and stay connected, so your friendships and relationships will always be there when you stop by next time.

Related Read: Internet on the Road

2. Join Forums, Groups, and Organizations
If you’re not super excited about getting connected, you still have other options. You can join forums, groups, and organizations that are centered around the hobbies and topics you love. From active outdoorsy groups to volunteering at your local animal shelter, you can make friends wherever you go if you are doing what you love.

MobileRVing.com’s Facebook Group, RV Bunch, has over 38,000 members that often meet up with each other. You can even buy campground signs to hang up so other members can identify you easily when you’re out and about, too!

Find an organization or group that fits you by looking through VolunteerMatch.

3. Talk to the Campground Manager
You can learn a lot about the place you are staying by asking the campground manager a few questions. Some campgrounds and RV parks host get-togethers throughout the week to bring all of its residents in one place.

4. Take a Class
You should never stop learning in life, but taking a class or two on something new can also help you meet people, too. The best thing about taking classes is that you have no idea what you’re doing and neither does anyone else! You all start on a level playing field and can laugh together at your mistakes.

You can find some great classes at REI or find other classes related to your own interests by looking at Groupon offers near you!

5. Go Out & Do
The easiest way to meet friends that love the same things that you do is to go out to those places and do those hobbies. Whether it’s hiking a trail and meeting fellow hikers along the way or hitting up a wine tasting, you’ll be able to find people of similar interests easily by actually doing the things you love.

6. Go to Conferences & Expos
Depending on what make and model of RV or trailer you have, you may find your own group of people at an expo or conference. People who share the same insights on your rig and enjoy the RV life are more likely to understand when you pick up and leave after a few weeks in one place.

You can also meet great connections that can help you when you break down or when you need assistance at a dealership, too. It’s a win-win!

Here are some great conferences to consider:

• Wally Byam Club

• The RV Entrepreneur Summit

Check out a list of all the RV Expos and Shows here from one of my favorite RV Blogging Couples: We’re The Russos

Related Read: Top RV Clubs to Join for Solidarity and Support

7. Reach Out to People Online
If you’re not interested in meeting up with large groups of people, but you still want to hang out with people you have common interests in, you can easily reach out to people on social media. Direct messages can be an easy way to connect with someone on a more private level if you are interested in learning more about them or their hobbies.

I have met several friends on social media that I have met up with that I still talk to on a daily basis. All you have to do is put yourself out there and see what happens. Not every person will be a winner, but you have more access to people just like you than ever before.

Things to Remember
Making friends that love the things you do shouldn’t be that difficult, but as we grow older we have our own lives and things get a little more complicated than we’d like. So trying a few simple things like asking questions or taking a class can be an easy way to integrate your lifestyle in with new friendships.

Also know that not every person you meet will be worthwhile, but there’s nothing wrong with continuing to try new things and meeting new people. You’ll learn a lot along the way and find a few friends to hang onto eventually.

Always approach strangers and new friends with a smile on your face, listen well, and be yourself. Without any of the above, you will find it hard to meet anyone new. It’s all about stepping out of your comfort zone and your rig.

When you make friends on the road, you will have places and people to see all over the country. You now have more options to visit the places you love and do the things you love, too.