Long Distance RVing - How to Plan and Prepare for the Long Haul

A long distance RV trip can be the adventure of a lifetime. While a few hours behind the wheel can seem like an eternity for those not accustomed to the rigors of road, a real long distance trip involves days, weeks, even months of cruising from coast to coast or anywhere and everywhere in between. This may seem like a grand endeavor but for many of us who pursue RVing with zest it is the ultimate experience. To be out on the open road rolling and rambling from town to town through different landscapes and regions while at the helm of an RV is a feeling like no other. How do you plan for such a long distance and time consuming undertaking? Let’s take a look at some important things to consider for your next long distance RV trip.

Dream & Scheme

Any great trip starts with the initial dreaming and scheming phase. You should spend some time with a map or online and make a list of destinations that are calling and places of interest that you’ve always wanted to visit. More likely than not, your long distance RV trip is going to be multiple locations scattered across the map and you need to start planning a route and a skeleton itinerary for how long it will take to get to each desired destination and the distances involved. A good trip planner such as this one is a valuable tool that can help you narrow down your list and figure out potential stops and sleeping points along the way. For the dream phase, you should write down and research all of your potential destinations with a checklist of why you want to go there, nearby attractions and amenities, and an order of importance. The scheming phase is a bit more practical. Once you’ve narrowed down your list, you can start to make an itinerary with distances, travel times, RV campgrounds, and any other stops along the way. This will give you a realistic outlook on how many places you can visit in the time you have available to travel.

Inspect and Repair

After you have your trip planned out, it’s time to make sure your RV is in great working order and ready to roll for an extended amount of time. If your rig has been sitting for a while, make sure that the engine and all mechanical aspects are in prime operating condition. Get a checkup from your mechanic if you are not sure of what to look for before a long trip. A few things you can checkup yourself include: all fluid levels (oil, transmission, coolant, etc.), condition of tires, check under the RV for any leaks or anything that looks out of order. A mechanics diagnosis will allow you to find any major issues and repair them before you are out on the road. This is a crucial part of any long distance trip, not only for peace of mind but also to avoid any expensive tow bills or breakdowns in the middle of nowhere. You cannot always prevent breakdowns from happening but learning the basics of RV maintenance and having a good mechanic you know and trust are a few easy steps to preventing stresses before hitting the highways.

Pack the Cupboards and Stock the Fridge

Long distance RV trips can range from a week to months or even years. Your RV will be your home during the course of this trip so pack it with all the niceties you would want at home. Fill the cupboards with all of the staples: pots, pans, cutlery, cleaning supplies, toiletries, first aid equipment, food storage, etc. Pack tools for repairs of small mechanical issues as well as anything that falls apart on the interior through many hours of constant vibration. Keep a junk drawer full of handy knickknacks like duct tape, rubber bands, zip ties, fuses, phone chargers, super glue or anything else you seem to use at home for random repairs. You can stop at any grocery store along the way but leaving home with some of your favorite goodies is a recommended tip if you get homesick or just want whatever it is you really like. This could be treats from your favorite bakery, your favorite beer or wine, or just a stockpile of some sort of anything you really like. Make sure you have the basic kitchen and toiletry supplies so you are covered if you end up somewhere remote that doesn’t have access to these things. It pays to be over prepared, and if you have the space on your RV, pack the things you think you’ll want and need.

Stick to your Plans but Sometimes, Don’t…

It is good to have a plan and to let friends and family know where you are headed in case of a breakdown or any other sort of emergency. Some of us like to have each day mapped out to the T with departure times and every stop along the way planned out ahead of time. This is great for those that feel the need to be hyper-organized and such but a highly recommended tip is to leave time for magic to happen. The amazing beauty of a long distance RV trip is that you are on no one else’s agenda but your own and you are free to do as you please. Take advantage of this!

Go with the flow and stoke your sense of adventure and wanderlust. Wake up one morning and head wherever the winds may take you or ask locals or other RVers about a nearby hidden or secret destination. You will be surprised at how easy things can unfold when you allow a bit of wild, vagabond-like spirit to exist within your daily plans. Travel is fueled by a sense of the unknown and while making plans is a great start to a long distance RV trip, allowing space for something random to happen is a surefire way to make lasting memories and really spice up the adventure.