Tips for Taking an RV Roadtrip

Road trips are a great way to travel with the entire family. They can be very affordable and provide the family with all the comforts of home. Unfortunately, road trips can be very tiring and boring for the entire family. Rainy days can leave the kids bored and whining, and long drives can make it hard to enjoy the ride. We’ve got some tips to help you safely get through long road trips.

Stay Safe

Before leaving for the road, ensure you have an emergency kit and inspect your vehicle. If you’re unsure about the various systems, you can always book an appointment at a service center. Also, keep in touch with a loved one to inform them about your route and any changes in plans. It’s common to lose your cell phone service while driving, so it’s important to make sure that someone can call in case something should happen.

Plan Ahead

One of the most important factors you should consider when planning a road trip is mapping out a route. This will allow you to focus on the road and not on your phone while driving. Some navigation apps do not consider certain factors that can affect the safety of traveling with an RV, such as low clearance bridges and weight limits.

A good atlas or GPS will help you avoid certain roads that are difficult to navigate for RV users. The Good Sam Trip Planner app will help you plan your route and automate finding your way on big-rig-friendly roads. It also allows you to set up gas stops and other travel-related details.

Sometimes, it can be hard to stop every couple hours while trying to get to your destination faster. However, it’s important to allow yourself a couple of breaks and recharge as often as possible to avoid exhaustion and burnout. One of the most important factors you should consider when planning a road trip is taking shifts. While driving doesn’t seem like a lot of work, it can wear you down quickly. You don’t want to risk losing concentration or falling asleep.

Prep Meals

Packing up some junk food to make the drive more enjoyable is tempting, but it’s also important to remember that you should bring healthy snacks along. Having various healthy options will help keep you satisfied and prevent a sugar crash.

When traveling with an RV, there are no limits when preparing meals for your family. Having a meal plan ahead of time will allow you to take a stress-free ride on your trip. You can prepare various food items at home and then dump them into the slow cooker. After hitting the trails, head back to your RV and enjoy a full bowl of soup.

Make sure to provide the kids with familiar food and a diet that they can feel good about. Also, don’t be afraid to introduce new traditions during your road trips, such as making s’mores with your family using an open fire. These quality time memories will allow the kids to ask you to hit the road again once they get home.

Move Around

Getting active is also a great way to keep you feeling fresh and healthy during your trip. Doing so will help prevent soreness and other conditions that can occur during long drives.

It’s important to make sure that you have a healthy and active body when you’re traveling. Having a well-rounded and active lifestyle can help keep you feeling great and able to fully enjoy your trip.

Keep the Gas Tank Full

We tend to drive until we run out of gas, knowing that we can always find a nearby station. Don’t let your tank go below half a tank.

When traveling long distances, you might pass through areas where gas stations are hard to come by. Also, driving at different speeds and against the wind can affect your gas mileage. Running out of gas can be a serious issue if you don’t have cell phone service.

Build in Extra Time

If you plan on traveling for several days, make sure that you add at least one more day to your trip to accommodate unforeseen circumstances. Having extra time can help keep you feeling great and able to fully enjoy your trip. It’s also better to have a break from rushing and worrying about getting behind schedule.

Don’t Forget the Entertainment

When traveling with a group of kids, make sure that you bring games that you can play at home with you. After the sun goes down, spend some time in the RV playing video games. Having a few hours of game time at night can help keep the kids entertained and help them feel more relaxed.

Don’t be ashamed to allow the kids to use their phones during long trips. The most important thing during a drive is for the driver to remain focused on the road. If the kids are screaming or crying, this can affect their concentration.

There are many ways to keep everyone occupied. Whether you choose to listen to an audiobook, play some road trip games, or sing along with your favorite tunes, you’ll want to keep everyone entertained.

This article was originally posted on David Skudder's website.