It’s just as unbelievable to us as it is to you, but summer is already right around the corner. And for us wanderlusty types, that means one thing: time to plan some amazing road trips!
It’s always about this time of year that we start experiencing the unique signs and symptoms of road trip fever — that not-so-disabling disease that keeps us paging through our Rand McNally Road Atlases in search of our next great adventure.
Even if you consider yourself a travel aficionado, you might not be absolutely certain you’ve been bitten by the bug. But that’s why we’re here to help you self-diagnose and get the treatment you need to survive… you guessed it, some expert travel tips and destination ideas to get your wandering soul out there on the open highway.
5 Signs That You Need a Family Road Trip
So, are you officially infected with travel fever?
Here are a few surefire signs that a road trip with kids — or even just a solo venture! — is on the docket.
1. Your day-to-day life is feeling more boring than usual.
Don’t get us wrong: routine can be great. It’s comforting to know exactly what happens next and what steps are expected of you.
But doing the same thing day in and day out can get, well… boring. And one of the best ways to shake it up is to take a break by hitting the road!
2. You can’t stop watching, scrolling through, or reading about others’ adventures.
Whether it’s simple snippets on Instagram, accompanied by those classic shots of highways sprawled out endlessly through the windshield, or longer-from adventure logs on travel websites and YouTube journals, exploring vicariously through others is a surefire sign you’re in need of some globe-trotting of your own.
(Psst: looking for some RV-specific inspiration to ogle? Check out these full-timer YouTube channels, which are chock full of adventure logs, insider tips, and more.)
3. You are seriously craving some s’mores.
For RVers and campers, vacationing is synonymous with sitting outside under the stars, a roaring fire at your feet and some delicious, freshly-melted marshmallows to tide you over through the evening. If you’ve been dreaming about campfires — and more importantly, the scrumptious, chocolaty s’mores you can roast over them — it’s probably time to take your show on the road. After all, we all know what happens when you try to emulate those toasty treats in the microwave. (And if you don’t, take our word for it: it’s not worth the cleanup.)
4. The kids can’t stop talking about a getaway.
If your family is like most, the only people who are more excited for summer than you are… are your kids. After all, three glorious months without school or homework to worry about is an amazing travel opportunity, and the perfect time to get your family excited about the great outdoors and all the amazing sights and experiences our country has to offer. You might even want to get them involved in the National Park Service’s Junior Ranger program — rangers tend to be between 5 and 13 years old, but explorers of all ages can participate, mom and dad included!
5. You’ve saved up a nice chunk of change for your travel budget.
Let’s face it: travel costs money. And saving up the cash you need to get where you’re going is a huge part of making travel plans.
But if you’ve been faithfully stowing spare change away since Christmas, chances are you’re amassing a tidy sum for your next adventure… especially if you use budget-savvy travel tactics like renting through the peer-to-peer market at RVshare.
Want even more ways to save money on the road? Check out the following RVshare blog posts:
- 5 Crazy Easy Ways to Save Money on your RV Rental
- 8 Clever Ways to Save Money While Traveling in Your RV
- Entrance Fee-Free Days at the National Parks in 2019
You might also consider purchasing a Passport America membership, which will get you 50% off your campsite accommodation fees at almost 1900 campgrounds across the country for less than $50 a year. At that price, the whole thing can pay for itself in a single weekend!
Ready to Play Road Trip Planner?
So — is it safe to say you’re totally ready to hit the road?
If so, it’s time to stop speculating and get scheming — and we’ve got the best tools and tips for those of you who end up playing the role of driving route planner.
For one thing, there’s the all-important task of choosing a destination. Goodness knows there’s plenty of amazing stuff to see and do here in the U.S.A., and we’ve got some great specific ideas for you coming up in the next few sections! But when you’re road tripping, the journey is just as important as the spot it ends in, which is why we recommend using a road trip app, like Roadtrippers, to help ensure you don’t miss anything along the way.
There are other important steps you can take to ensure you don’t miss a single opportunity along your route. One great place to start: this RVshare blog post, where we list some of the best roadside attractions to swing by while you’re on the way to your long-term stop. Not only do they add flavor and texture to your trip, but they also make for amazing Instagram opportunities!
The Ultimate National Park Road Trip – and Beyond
So: now that you know you want to get on the road, let’s talk about where exactly that road might take you. When you’re traveling by RV, the world is your oyster… or at least, everything connected by the American highway system is (and that’s a whole lot!).
One of the most common projects for RVers is to tackle a National Parks tour, stringing together several of our country’s most beautiful and beloved landscapes to get acquainted with the diversity of our country and get the kids excited about the great outdoors. For instance, you might spend a few weeks in the southwest exploring the Grand Circle, or devote a longer amount of time to a single park to fully explore it. (Psst: no matter which national park’s caught your eye, be sure to check out our helpful guide to all best hiking trails, camping opportunities, restaurants and more in the area!)
The Best Road Trips to Take This Year
The national parks offer an amazing opportunity to RVers, especially since so many of them have on-site camping available for vehicles of a variety of size. But although they’re classic, the national parks are far from the only worthy adventure to take in your motorhome or travel trailer this year.
For example, maybe you’re craving a classic trans-American venture, which a Route 66 road trip could accommodate. Or maybe you’re a New Yorker or Bostonite looking to fully explore the Atlantic shoreline, and an east coast road trip is the right move for you. Whether it’s an epic cross country road trip or just a quick weekend getaway, we’ve got the content you need to help prepare you for the adventure of a lifetime. Check out the following blog posts to help you plan your next amazing RV journey:
- Our Guide to An Epic Road Trip Across the U.S. East Coast
- The Ultimate Road Trip Across the West Coast U.S.
- 3 Imperative Tips for Planning a Coast-to-Coast Road Trip
- The Ultimate Route 66 Road Trip
- Exploring the Great Smoky Mountains: Where to Stop and What to See
- 7 Iconic Highways to Put on your RV Trip Bucket List
- The 20 Most Picturesque Towns and Cities Across the U.S.
RV Trip Planners, Read This
If you’re the designated RV trip wizard in your family, you know the honor comes with a decent helping of responsibility — and expense. After all, renting an RV does save you from having to shell out for hotel rooms… but with commercial rental prices often reaching $300 per night or more, it might actually end up being more expensive than a classic road trip experience.
But RVshare vehicles are privately owned by travelers just like you and me — which means they’re often listed at a fraction of the price you’d pay at the big box stores. Plus, you’ll be interacting with a real, live human being who’s also a travel junkie, and your money will go right back into the camping community. Win win!
No matter what kind of trip is in your plans or which type of vehicle you want to use to make it happen, check out the RVshare listings near you to turn your next adventure from dream to reality. After all, we can tell you from experience, those s’mores cravings just don’t go away until you satisfy them… so what are you waiting for?
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