How To Prevent Stress While RVing

The weeks leading up to the trek can be filled with stressful packing and planning. For most, just thinking about packing everything up can be overwhelming. However, taking some crucial steps early in the process can help to alleviate stress and allow you to relax and unwind during your trip. 

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Develop A Roadmap Before You Hit The Road

Whether you are traveling alone or with your family, having a route planned out can help you be organized. Sometimes when you set off on a trip in your RV, not having a set destination can cause unneeded stress. If you are traveling with the family, get everybody involved—even the kids. Set aside some time where everyone in your family can research their dream destinations. Once you’ve narrowed down a spot, you can begin further researching to see what you will need to bring and what type of activities you might be doing. This ensures that everyone going on the trip has a clear, written out plan. If your destination involves a campground, call as soon as you commit to ensure they have a vacancy. Last-minute planning can feel hectic which is why preparing for your next adventure early on can create a more enjoyable experience.

Pack Your Bags

Packing for your RV trip can be half of the battle. Getting this done ahead of time can relieve feelings of procrastination or reduce unnecessary stress. Start out by planning how many days you will be at your destination. From here, you can determine what types of clothing and outfits you will need. Remember, you may need to pick up some new vacation clothes. However, by starting this process well in advance of your trip, you give yourself adequate time to prepare. In addition to packing your clothes, you are going to need supplies. These will vary depending on where you are going and what time of year you will be RVing. Packing for a Fall RV trip might look different than packing for a Summer trip, so do some research on the climate where you are traveling. Items such as clothes, bedding, and outdoor essentials are just some of the things to consider when planning.

Prepare Your RV

RVing is a unique way of vacationing for most people. Instead of packing your bags and flying to your destination to stay in a fully furnished environment, you are driving your mobile home on wheels to your destination. If you are new to this type of travel, there is a lot more that goes into preparing your RV than most think so getting your RV prepped as soon as possible is a great start. You will want to make a list of things to do before you leave such as checking tire pressure, getting an oil change, and emptying your tanks before you hit the road. Creating an RV checklist ahead of time can ensure that you don’t forget anything. There is nothing worse than being stuck on the side of the road when you should be at your destination, enjoying your vacation.

Think Financially 

While RVing can be less expensive compared to other forms of vacation, there still can be other costly expenses to account for. Preparing for these costs ahead gives you adequate time to plan and budget for them so when the vacation comes, you won’t be financially strapped. Expenses such as gas, insurance, and tolls are some costs that can be overlooked very easily. Not accounting for these can add hundreds of dollars to your vacation, so try to budget for unanticipated costs ahead of time. Furthermore, RVs are not the most fuel-efficient vehicle on the road, averaging seven to ten miles per gallon. In addition, you will most likely be traveling over state borders for this trip so be prepared to pay different gas prices as they fluctuate from state to state. Researching the best areas to fill up can help you save on fuel costs while you travel. Lastly, you need to have RV insurance even if you only use it once a year. RV coverage is the best peace of mind because not only does it cover your recreational vehicle but, it also covers numerous variables such as roof protection, medical expenses, and general physical damage. Today, there are more RV insurance options on the market. Finding a plan that suits your needs is easier than ever so use this to your benefit.

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Create Peace of Mind

Additionally, it can be helpful to evaluate your personal insurance coverage before taking an RV trip. Ensuring that you have a proper life insurance policy set up is another way you can have added peace of mind before traveling. While it’s unpleasant to think about, if you are participating in riskier activities during your trip, it’s important to have appropriate protection set up for your family that may rely on your income. Additionally, if your family is making monthly payments on your RV, you want to ensure your policy covers this amount. By having this coverage in place, you are able to travel freely without the monetary worry of your family’s future. 

Hit The Road

Once you are all packed, you are ready to hit the road. The time spent on the road will vary depending on how far away you plan on traveling. On a longer trip, the drive may become exhausting or even stressful. This makes sense as you are driving a recreational vehicle that can be upwards of 45 feet long. This is not your everyday vehicle so there can be an adjustment period and a slight learning curve. You can find some facts about average RV dimensions that will provide you with some background knowledge and learning about this new type of vehicle and travel. 

It’s also recommended that you find ways to reduce your stress while driving and help you remain focused on the road. For example, you can listen to your favorite podcast while driving or even a new audiobook. Aim to fuel up with a nutritious meal ahead of time and bring some convenient road trip snacks for the travel time. Time spent on the road traveling to your destination can be a great portion of your trip. Use it in a way that you are going to enjoy and remain at ease. 

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Enjoy Your Time

You made it! Once you arrive at your destination, it’s time to get set up and prepare for the coming days. Remember to take it all in as you have likely been looking forward to this for weeks or even months. You have picked this destination for a reason, whether that be because of the great weather you are anticipating, the environment, or even the activities you can do at this location. Now it’s time to relax and enjoy your trip. Get disconnected from reality and start getting connected to your destination. For the majority, this is your vacation and escape. Here are some great ways that you can enjoy your stay:

• Pack a camera and capture the moments as they unravel
• Put your phone down and live in the moment
• Bring a new book to read or another form of non-digital entertainment
• Look up some local tourist attractions to visit
• Bring a journal and document your experiences

Remember, the time spent enjoying your destination doesn’t have to be the only time you are relaxed. You have already chosen RVing over traditional forms of vacationing for a number of reasons. Maybe that is because it gets you outside more on your trips or maybe it’s because you like the amenities that your RV comes with. Taking even a few of these tips into consideration the next time you plan on RVing can make your trip that much more enjoyable. 

Happy Planning!