So far in 2024, my husband and I have spent a mere two weeks in our stix-n-brix Missouri home. Those two weeks were sandwiched between two extended RV stays: one pleasure trip to Florida and the other a working RV trip in Colorado. Both trips were very different in nature, but both were delightfully satisfying!
Meticulously planned
We planned our Florida trip down to the last quarter mile. For months prior to the start of the trip, we planned fuel stops, made campground reservations, and noted points of interest along our chosen route.
Next, we systemically mapped out Florida day trips. Museums, hiking trails, and festivals were carefully researched and then put on a prioritized list. We made two copies of our Florida itinerary and activities, then put the duplicate plans inside the truck’s glove box—just in case!
We even designed contingency plans for our extended Florida stay. Rainy day? There’s a movie theater 12.4 miles from the campground and a shopping mall 27.8 miles away. It seems insane now, but we really enjoyed planning every detail of our trip.
Seat-of-pants travel
Within a few days after returning from Florida, we received word about a project in Colorado. There, a church needed workers to help make a new school building. They planned to construct six large classrooms, offices, and other spaces for school activities. My husband and I knew immediately that we wanted to help.
Suddenly, all of the unpacking and storing of the RV reversed. The truck got a last-minute oil change. I quickly unpacked boxes of Florida clothes and replaced them with work boots and clothes for three seasons. Road maps were located and tossed into the glove box for future reference. Services were canceled (after just turning the water back on!). We arranged lawn care and mail forwarding. I haphazardly constructed “make ahead” meals and we told our friends and family we were “off” again!
Which is best?
Planning your RV trips can be an exciting part of the journey, but the way you approach it can significantly shape your experience. Some travelers swear by meticulous planning, while others love the thrill of spontaneous exploration. Let’s break down the pros and cons of both methods so you can decide which suits your travel style best.
Careful, systematic planning
Do you have a detailed checklist, reservations made months in advance, and every mile mapped out? If so, you’re a meticulous planner.
Pros
- Peace of mind. No scrambling to find a campground or boondocking spot; you know where you’re going to sleep.
- Maximized experiences. With research, you can pinpoint must-see attractions, optimal routes, and the best times to visit.
- Budget control. Booking early often secures the best rates, saving money on accommodations and activities.
- Safety. Planning minimizes risks by ensuring you’re aware of road conditions, weather, and available amenities.
Cons
- Less flexibility. A tight schedule can make spontaneous detours or extra time at a favorite spot tricky.
- Overplanning stress. Too much structure can sometimes feel overwhelming or restrictive.
- Cancellation woes. Plans falling through (like campground closures or bad weather) can throw a wrench in the works.
Last-minute, seat-of-the-pants travel
For those who relish in the unknown, hopping in the RV and going wherever the road takes you might sound like the perfect adventure.
Pros
- Freedom to explore. You’re free to follow whims, like staying longer in a scenic area or chasing a festival you didn’t know existed.
- Thrill of discovery. The unexpected often leads to incredible memories—like stumbling upon a hidden gem of a diner or an unplanned hiking trail.
- Minimal prep work. You don’t have to spend hours researching and booking; just pack up and go.
Cons
- Uncertainty. Campgrounds might be full, leaving you scrambling for a spot (or a Walmart parking lot).
- Higher costs. Last-minute bookings for campsites or activities can be more expensive.
- Logistical challenges. You might miss out on highly rated attractions or experiences simply because you didn’t know about them.
Which way should you plan?
Ultimately, how you plan your RV adventures depends on your personality, travel goals, and flexibility. To help you decide, ask yourself:
- Do I thrive on structure or spontaneity?
- How much time and energy do I want to spend planning?
- Am I okay with the unknown or do I prefer certainty?
Your Turn
Now that you know the pros and cons of each approach, it’s time to reflect. Are you a meticulous planner, mapping out every detail for maximum efficiency? Or do you prefer flying by the seat of your pants, embracing the thrill of whatever comes your way?
Wherever you land on the planning spectrum, one thing’s for sure: Every RV trip brings its own kind of adventure!
What’s your RV planning style?
##RVT1185b
Thought a lot about this on this snowbird trip. It’s getting harder and harder to plan and execute the tasks needed for the trip South. What am I going to forget? Alternative route planning. But I enjoy once I’m here, the warmth, the people, the activities, the new adventures. But am I over-stressing prepping for the trip?
Formerly spontaneous to meticulous planner My time in Boy Scouts taught me well about trip planning including daily maximum travel time limits & ALWAYS have Plan B My trip to Newfoundland was planned over 7 months. It was to last for a little over a month including driving from S Florida to Nova Scotia to Lost almost 2 weeks when DH’s passport disappeared from our glove box(Returned to the glove a little over 2 years later)& a cat escaping from our rig for 72 hours. Trip to Montreal took much less planning as mentation was affected by infection& I was in and out of hospital& trip turned into a 6 days worth instead of 1 month DH drove us back home and took me back to hospital
We tried the meticulous planning method and it felt like we were living the trip in a subway. Seeing only what the tunnel provided with zero detours, no between-station stops and endeared to a fixed schedule. You know, like work.
Instead, travel direction and the 5-5-5 rule is all we use. That prevents “destinationitous” and the stress from creating schedule compression.
The 5-5-5 rule is no more than 5 hours traveling per day, levelers down and slides out before 5:00 p.m. and try to spend at least 5 days wherever we set up.
Not all places are worth 5 days and not everything is in range at 5:00 p.m. so our 5-5-5 rule has a +-1 buffer.
Gail’s meticulously planned trip sounds like one of my mother’s bus trips. Every minute of her day was planned. Things to see and do every day. I can’t do it. Sounds like you can’t either, Vince.
Except for our first trip from NV to Houston (which Wifey planned meticulously), all subsequent trips were un-reserved. We knew where we would stay every night of the five day trips (and there were many of them!). As Anthony Bourdaine’s show prescribed, “No Reservations”. We stayed at the same places on all these subsequent trips but never had to make reservations at any of them. I guess you can tell there were no KOAs or other fancy places. Just clean, well maintained RV parks well off the freeways. Otherwise, we are boondockers through and through.
Your years of trucking no doubt gave you plenty of knowledge about where to avoid also.
We leave some room for spontaneity, but as we hate using Interstates, usually carefully plan our stops and routes.
Most of our trips are spontaneous which works well since we pretty much travel the states west of the Rockies. There are lots of BLM and USFS campgrounds in beautiful settings that are fcfs. We usually travel on weekdays which makes spontaneity easier. We do like the Oregon and CA beaches occasionally and when camping at those state parks, we definitely make reservations ahead of time as it’s pretty much a necessity. Other than that, we go with the flow of whatever comes our way.
Necessity…because most of the herd is from Kornyfornia.
I am OCD about planning, even to the point of planning where to stop for fuel. This paid off when the pandemic hit and RVers were struggling to find places to stay. I did need to reroute a little but never had trouble finding a place to stay.
“Those who fail to plan, plan to fail.”
Not necessarily. Lots of folks avoid planning more than is necessary to experience spontaneity and serendipitous events, especially with boondocking 🙂🙏
Exactly. Spontaneity can be way more fun than having to be at a certain place at a certain time each day!
I did mention I was OCD. 😁 I had to learn to let go when things don’t go as planned but I still like having things planned. Now, when things happen, I immediately start formulating a new plan. It’s just who I am.
I understand. If that works for you then that is a good thing.
I answered “careful planner” however that only applies to the routes of travel and the reservations for 1 to 3 days as available. Our trips were to state parks and corp. camp-grounds. We did not pull a towed vehicle with our class A so daily side trips did not occur. We enjoyed and now I still enjoy tall pine trees and woods with wildlife, peace and quiet and hope to be able to continue that pursuit another year or two. (?).
1st create an Itinerary, after talking to old family and friends, where they will be and when!
2nd with more than a doesn RV parks between TX and MN and traveling 300 to 600 miles a day with two layovers at relatives along the way, there is no need to make reservations.
3rd on the south side of MPLS MN there are than 10 RV parks within 30 minutes of town.
4th From July to mid August I spend in WI at a city RV park that doesn’t take reservations.
5th from mid Aug, wonder around northern parts of WI & MN until Sep, then head back to TX.
6th The trip back is the reverse of 2nd.
Every morning, while on the road, I plan out my travel day, routes, mileage, where I’m going to stop for the night. By noon, that plan has gone to hell and I’m winging it. I tried reservations in the past, but road conditions, change of plans etc, almost killed me trying to get to the park before dark. So winging it is my happiest place. Being set up for boondocking is a great benefit.
We feel the same way.
Plan for the worst, hope for the best, and be happy with anything in between.
Semper Gumby!
WE decide on an end point, go with the flow till we get there. We are not fans of interstates. When we came home from the UP of Michigan, we traveled U.S. 31 to the Gulf Coast…LOVED IT. We are planning to go to Oregon this year, going along the Oregon Trail once we arrive in Independence.
Thank you, Gail! It is a mixture of both. The longer the trip, the more planning that we do (“we” as in overwhelmingly DW with me every so often). Generally, our mixture is biased toward more planning rather than less planning. Happy new year!