How to Plan an RV Vacation: Everything You Need to Know

It turns out people love RVs. Like really love RVs.

Some people love them so much they live in them full-time. Over a million people call their RV home year-round.

And why not?

They combine the fun of a road trip with a destination vacation. They allow you to sightsee, enjoy the outdoors, and visit fun, unique places.

Okay, so maybe full-time RV living isn’t for you – not yet, at least. Maybe you’re just getting started with RVs and you’re ready to plan your first trip. It can be daunting, to decide all the factors you need to consider before starting your trip.

Don’t worry though, we’ve got you covered.

Here’s everything you need to know to plan an RV vacation.

Make Your Trip Something for Everyone

While no place is perfect, you should try to pick a destination everyone will enjoy. This is especially true if you’re traveling with multiple generations of travelers.

RV parks are common destinations for many RV travelers. It’s common throughout the U.S., and prices are reasonable.

RV parks are basically campgrounds for RVs. They may be primitive in nature or have a few amenities like electric hookups, restrooms, and laundry facilities.

There are also options for RV resorts, which are similar to RV parks but with a touch more luxury. RV resorts are usually a little nicer and less “woodsy” than traditional RV parks. They may have additional amenities like swimming pools and restaurants, and some of the nicest resorts offer private beaches, luxury restaurants, and spas.

Regardless of whether you choose an RV park or an RV resort, try to find one with nearby attractions that anyone can enjoy. Zoos, parks, and museums are often family-friendly, and there may be other unique attractions nearby.

Understand That It’s About More Than the Destination

An RV vacation isn’t about the destination. Not solely. The other half of the RV experience is making your way to and from your destination.

Really, that’s part of the whole RV vacation. Once you have your destination in mind, you can incorporate additional attractions into the trip. The U.S. alone has gorgeous road trip options.

The Pacific Coast Highway stretches the distance from San Diego to San Francisco, giving you a view of the Pacific Ocean, rugged coastlines, and redwood trees. On the opposite coast, Florida’s Overseas Highway leapfrogs from one key to another for over a hundred miles. In between the coasts, there are even more options like the historic Route 66 and the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Scenic routes don’t have to be your only choice. You could stop off at some historic sites, try out some new restaurants, or even get weird with some strange tourist destinations.

It turns out there are a lot of weird roadside attractions in the U.S. Delaware has a strange museum of oddities called the Oddporium. Florida has Monkey Island.

And in a small town called Riverside, Iowa, you can visit the future birthplace of James T. Kirk, Captain of the U.S.S. Enterprise (and visit the Star Trek museum there, The Voyage Home Riverside History Center).

Sometimes the strangest road trips are the most memorable.

Check Out the Weather

Don’t expect the weather to always be good. Check out the weather for your destination, as well as the areas you will be traveling through, in advance. It’s better to know than to be surprised.

Obviously, you want to be cautious of any inclement weather such as snowstorms, ice, and hurricanes. However, heavy rain, high winds, and extreme temperatures can also be a cause for concern.

The weather and season you are traveling in will also affect what you will be able to see and do. Many attractions are seasonal only, so don’t expect to be able to visit them year-round. Even if they are open, they may have reduced hours of operation during the off-season.

Weather can also impact your driving time. You might have an idea of how long you can drive each day, but mother nature may have other ideas. It’s also a good idea to underestimate how much time you will spend on the road.

Plus, you want to be able to enjoy your trip instead of rushing through things and speeding to your destination.

Pack Your Lunch

It’s always a good idea to pack your lunch when going on a road trip. You never know when a sudden hunger pang can strike.

Some good RV road trip snacks include:

Beef jerky – it’s protein-rich
Trail mix – a good blend of nuts and dried fruit
Fruit snacks – choose low sugar ones
Sandwiches – opt for whole wheat bread and low sugar peanut butter
Hard-boiled eggs – they are easy to store and eat
Protein bars – go for natural ones instead of bars with lots of added sugar and ingredients
Dried fruit – again, choose a no sugar added option
Tuna and crackers
Water – seriously, it’s important to stay hydrated

Aside from snacks, don’t forget to stock up on other foods, too. How much you can pack will depend on the size of your RV and its storage (and fridge size), but you should aim to pack it well. You can either do this prior to your trip or shortly after starting out.

Making your own meals is a great option if you’re a budget-conscious traveler, and depending on where you are going, grocery store prices in your area may be cheaper than elsewhere. Plus, it’s both cheaper and healthier than fast food.

Don’t forget to invest in some good cookware and silverware, too. It doesn’t have to be a lot – a few pots and pans will likely be all that you need for your trip. As long as you have the essentials to prepare some basic meals, you should be ready to go.

Finally, make sure you have adequate space in your RV to enjoy your meals. Not every RV has tons of space for seating, especially smaller RVs. While you may decide to do most of your eating at rest stops and campgrounds, sometimes they don’t always have sufficient space or picnic tables either.

Give Your RV an Annual Checkup

Every year, give your RV an annual checkup before you hit the road. In the best-case scenario, there are no issues or problems. In the worst-case scenario, you catch any problems before they become catastrophic – which is a far better option than breaking down or having a leaky roof on your vacation.

Every vehicle is different, but in general, you should check the following:

Check your RV’s batteries – they tend to last 3-5 years
Check tire pressure
Inspect the roof and seams for any leaks
Change your oil
Check your filters (air, coolant, hydraulic, and fuel) and replace them if needed

An annual RV checkup, along with regular RV maintenance, can keep your RV lasting for years.

Even if you don’t own your RV but are renting it for a few days, it never hurts to give it a checkup prior to starting your excursion.

Get Insured

Let’s face it, even if you do everything right, it’s likely that at some point something will go wrong. It’s evitable.

Even if your RV doesn’t break down, you could be involved in an accident. Even a minor incident can become a huge headache and ruin your trip.

That’s why it’s important to look at RV insurance.

The cost of RV insurance will vary, so it’s important to shop around and get quotes.

In general, an insurer will look at a few different factors when giving you a quote:

The class of your motor home
Where you are going
How far do you usually drive your RV
If your RV is used only as a recreation vehicle or as a full-time home
Where you live

Of course, no one likes to think about having an accident. But in the event one occurs – even a minor fender bender, you’ll be glad to have insurance.

Plan an RV Vacation

Ready to plan an RV vacation? By now you should have a good idea of what to plan for and what to expect.

An RV vacation can be an affordable, enjoyable vacation for anyone. You don’t have to be a die-hard outdoors enthusiast to enjoy the outdoors and the natural beauty of scenic locations. Any age group or demographic can enjoy a trip in an RV.

Not sure where to go next? Check out our site’s Travel section for more travel tips and destination ideas.