RV Travel
RV travel sounds pretty simple.
Pack up the RV, pick a destination and hit the road.
Then you actually own an RV and discover there are holding tanks, dump stations, generators, water lines, campground reservations, packing lists and approximately 4,732 things that can rattle open while you’re driving.
Welcome to RV life. 😂
Even with all of that, traveling by RV is one of my favorite ways to see the country. You can slow down, stay closer to the places you actually want to explore, bring more of your own stuff and, best of all for us, bring the dogs along.
Whether you’re brand new to RVing or you’ve been doing this long enough to have your own collection of “you are NOT going to believe what happened” stories, you’ll find plenty of RV travel tips, trip-planning ideas and lessons learned here.
So, let’s hit the road.
New to RV Travel? Start Here
RVing definitely comes with a learning curve.
Some things you’ll figure out before your first trip. Others you’ll learn while standing outside the RV wondering why something isn’t working.
Ask me how I know.
Fortunately, a little planning goes a long way.
If you’re new to RV travel—or just want to make your next trip run a little smoother—start with these:
Essential Tips for RVers – New or Long Timers →
How to Plan the Perfect RV Trip →
And before you pull out of the driveway:
Find Places to Stay
Figuring out where you’re going is the fun part.
Figuring out where you’re parking a giant RV when you get there? That’s where things get interesting.
RV parks and campgrounds can range from a simple place to plug in for the night to full-blown resorts with pools, activities, bars and enough amenities that you barely need to leave.
Personally, I’m a fan of the second option.
Adults-Only RV Parks
Sometimes you want the campground experience without turning your vacation into summer camp.
If a quieter, more adult-focused RV getaway sounds good, start here:
Best Adults Only RV Parks for Adult Only Vacations →
Free Overnight RV Parking
Not every night needs to be spent at a campground.
Sometimes you’re simply trying to get from Point A to Point B and need a safe place to park, sleep and hit the road again in the morning.
Try RV Boondocking
Want to get even farther away from traditional campgrounds?
Boondocking lets you camp without hookups, which can open up completely different places to stay.
Of course, it also means you need to think about things like water, power and waste before you pull in and make yourself comfortable.
Guide to the Ins and Outs of RV Boondocking →
Explore National Parks by RV
RV travel and national parks just belong together.
You can stay closer to the scenery, spend more time exploring and turn several parks into one pretty incredible road trip.
However, traveling through national parks with an RV does take some planning. Roads can have size restrictions, campgrounds fill quickly and reservations at popular parks can disappear faster than you’d expect.
Before you go, check out:
Exploring National Parks by RV – Trip Guide →
And if national parks are high on your travel list, head over to my complete National Parks section for even more trip ideas and planning tips.
RVing With Dogs
One of the biggest reasons I love RV travel is being able to bring the dogs.
Of course, traveling with dogs means adding another layer to the planning.
You need pet-friendly campgrounds, safe places for walks, food, medications, leashes, beds and enough dog supplies that you’d swear THEY were the ones going on vacation.
Still, I wouldn’t have it any other way.
If you’re planning to RV with your four-legged travel buddies, start here:
RVing With Dogs – Things You Need to Know →
RV Maintenance & Those Not-So-Glamorous Jobs
Nobody puts the dump station in the RV brochure.
Funny how that works.
Yet owning an RV means learning how to handle a few things you probably never dreamed you’d become knowledgeable about.
Holding tanks?
Yep.
Winterizing water lines?
That too.
Mouse-proofing?
Unfortunately, yes.
The good news is that most of these jobs aren’t nearly as intimidating once you know what you’re doing.
RV Tanks & Dump Stations
Let’s just get the dirty stuff out of the way first.
How to Dump RV Waste at a Dump Station →
Hopefully you never need this next one, but if you do:
What to Do When Your RV Black Water Tank Is Clogged →
You can also save some money by making your own tank treatment:
Best Homemade RV Holding Tank Treatment →
And yes, the toilet paper you use in an RV actually matters.
Best RV Safe Toilet Paper to Buy →
Winterizing Your RV
If you live somewhere that winter likes to show off, protecting your RV plumbing is a must.
Start with:
Then, if you’re doing the water lines yourself:
How to Blow Out RV Water Lines →
More RV Maintenance Tips
Sometimes it’s the smaller problems that drive you crazy.
For example, keeping drawers from flying open every time you make a turn shouldn’t require an engineering degree.
Thankfully, it doesn’t.
How to Keep RV Drawers Closed While in Transit →
If unwanted furry visitors are the problem:
And for diesel motorhome owners:
Diesel Motorhome Losing Power – Here’s How to Fix It →
Make Your RV Feel More Like Home
You’re going to spend a lot of time inside your RV, especially if you travel for weeks or months at a time.
So why shouldn’t it be comfortable?
A few simple changes can make a huge difference, whether you’re improving the bed, changing the furniture or giving the inside a little makeover.
Sleep Better in Your RV
RV mattresses aren’t exactly famous for being luxurious.
Thankfully, you don’t necessarily have to replace the entire thing to make it more comfortable.
How to Make an RV Mattress More Comfortable →
For even more ways to improve your sleep:
Tips for a Great Night’s Sleep in an RV →
And don’t forget the bedding:
Must-Have Bedding and Accessories for Your RV →
Give Your RV a Mini Makeover
Sometimes the fastest way to make an RV feel like yours is simply changing something you don’t like.
For example:
Ready for a bigger project?
How to Remove an RV Sleeper Sofa →
Keep Your RV Comfortable & Clean
Small space + people + dogs + travel.
You can probably guess what happens.
Keeping an RV clean and comfortable takes a little effort, but a few tricks and the right gear can make life much easier.
For the floors:
Humidity can also become a problem in a small RV, especially in warmer or wetter climates.
Which 12V RV Dehumidifier Should You Buy? →
And if you’re wondering about keeping the RV clean automatically:
Keep Your RV Clean With a Neato Robotics Vacuum →
RV Safety & Life on the Road
There are some questions you don’t think about until you’re actually traveling.
Can you run the generator while you’re driving?
What should you pack?
Which apps make planning easier?
Those little questions can make a big difference once you’re on the road.
If you’ve ever wondered about running your generator in transit:
Is It Safe to Run an RV Generator While Driving? →
For planning routes, stops and travel days:
Best Travel Planning Apps and Websites →
Choosing the Right RV
Buying an RV is a whole different adventure.
Motorhome? Fifth wheel? Travel trailer?
Small and easy to maneuver or big enough that you basically brought your house with you?
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer because the best RV depends on how you plan to travel.
If you’re thinking about spending more time traveling as you get older—or even making RV travel a big part of retirement—start here:
Best RV for Retirement Travels →
Ready to Hit the Road?
RV travel isn’t always glamorous.
Things break.
Plans change.
Campgrounds aren’t always what the pictures made them look like.
And sometimes you find yourself discussing black tanks over breakfast like that’s a completely normal conversation.
But then you wake up somewhere beautiful, drink your coffee outside, spend the day exploring and realize you brought your own little home along for the ride.
That’s why we keep doing it.
Whether you’re planning your very first RV trip or you’re already figuring out where you’re spending next winter, I hope the tips and adventures here make the journey a little easier—and a lot more fun.
Because there’s always another road to explore.