One thing I see new RVers do over and over again is to plan an overly ambitious trip. RV driving is more mentally exhausting than a car trip and getting wherever you’re going takes longer. We did it too. We all just want to get out there and see it all. Trust me when I tell you to slow down. If you wear yourself out moving too far, too fast, you won’t enjoy the trip, or worse, you’ll end it.
I’ve had days or even weeks when I really had to get somewhere and had no choice but to travel four to six hundred miles a day. I had to race home from New Orleans when COVID19 really started to become an issue and RV parks were being closed.
Towing a trailer or driving a motorhome is much more intense than just driving a car or pick-up. It takes focus and you have to remain alert all the time. You should never tow at more than 65 MPH regardless of the posted speed limit. Most navigation apps base drive times on the speed limit for your route. It’s going to take you longer to reach your destination than Google Maps says it will.
Consider attending RV driving school. This falls into the category of you don’t know what you don’t know. Learn from a professional and skip the school of hard knocks.
RV Driving Tips
When you are planning your trip, consider these tips.
- When you estimate your daily driving time add no less than an hour for traffic, road construction, meals, and potty breaks.
- Arrive at your destination mid-afternoon. You’ll have plenty of time to set-up camp during daylight hours, prepare or go out for dinner and get a good night’s sleep before you do it all again the following day.
- Limit the number of miles driven each day. My sweet spot is about 250 miles.
- If you have an especially long driving day, consider staying two nights.
- Overnight in places where you can keep your tow vehicle and trailer hooked up.
- If you don’t need to, don’t hook up all your utilities or a quick overnight.
My record for the longest driving day was 620 miles when I was crossing Texas. That’s just way too far. Don’t be like Juley.
My full timing brothers gave me the “Full Time RVers 2-2-2 Creed”: Drive only 200 miles in a day. Stop by 2:00. Stay 2 days.
Thanks Donna, I’ve see that in several versions but it seems the most popular is the rule of threes. Basically the same as your brother’s advice but 300 miles, stop by 3:00, and stay 3 nights. Everyone is so different I think it’s about finding what works for you. Thanks for the comment!
Juley