Years ago, I would have strongly agreed with this statement: “With an RV you can go where you want, when you want.” Twenty years ago, an RV was, indeed, the best way to travel where you wanted, at your own pace. But today, I personally don’t believe it.
The fact is, and we’ve discussed this often at RVtravel.com, spontaneous travel with an RV, with the lifestyle’s rapid increase in popularity, is a struggle. Yes, it’s possible in some cases to go at your own pace, but that usually involves spending nights at big box stores like Walmart, or at truck stops or in rest areas, or traveling in unpopular tourist areas or in the shoulder season.
On the other hand, some RVers find joy in this flexibility, viewing these unconventional overnight stops as part of the adventure. For them, the ability to adapt on the fly—whether it’s pulling into a quiet rest area or discovering a lesser-known gem off the beaten path—still epitomizes the spirit of RVing. It’s not the same as effortlessly securing a prime campsite in a national park, but it’s a different kind of freedom that resonates with many.
In peak travel season, parks are full, at least in popular tourist areas.
But some people still swear by an RV as the best way to travel at one’s own pace, and will likely agree here that you truly can “go where you want, when you want.”
How do you feel about this? Do you agree? After voting, please leave a comment with your thoughts.
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##RVDT2606
No, now days you have to get reservations at the State and National Parks six months in advance. When I was growing up, dad would come home Thursday night and decide where we were going and my Mother and us Kids would pack the TT the next day and hook it up. Dad would come home from work Friday night, mom would toss him a sandwich and thermos of coffee and away we would go, normally about 90-120 minutes from home. Never had any reservations. For the long two week vacations, we had an area our parents wanted to go to and away we went. Canada, DC or other areas a long ways from Michigan. Never had any issues finding a campsite on the way.
Ah, the good ole days. Sure miss on-the-spur-of-the-moment camping.
The bigger the rig, the bigger the planning. Bigger is not better.
Sure take that huge 5th wheel or motorhome down that deadend dirt road into a state forest or out into the BLM. Better yet across that wood covered bridge. Or haul that big rig up over that snowy, ice covered pass. Or maybe out on that sandy beach. How about that 30 ft campsite that has just enough length for a Class B, B+ or short Class C. Then there’s refueling that big rig at stations designed for smaller vehicles. My favorite are the big rigs who took their AC off on low clearance bridges.
It amazes me how many people don’t know the height and width of their RV.
If one “camps” like they did 20 or 30 years ago with much smaller units and fewer amenities, it’s still possible, within reason. No, you are probably not going to pull in to the most popular park around with no reservation and a large RV wanting a FHU site and get it. But, with some reasonable flexibility, you’ll find a decent usable spot and have a good time.
The comments on size are what we found to be true. It aggravates the issue. After 6 years, we just traded our beloved 43′ Mountain Aire for a 36′ New Aire. That 7′ less length opened many options we didn’t have before.
I would say that our RV enables us to have more control over where we stay and when and what we eat. There are many roads where we would take our car, but not the RV. That’s why we sometimes do road trips. However, that means we have to use hotels and restaurants. It’s a trade-off.
To a degree, you still can, but many things have changed. The “unhoused” problem, the proliferation of “necessary” electric/electronic amenities in RVs and public opinion all work to reduce places friendly to just pulling over for an overnight sleep
LOL The closest fit to that statement might be an equipped frame pack and sturdy hiking footwear! Even then, there will be limitations.
I voted “yes” because if “where you want” is primarily off the beaten path like we seek out, it’s an easy yes and often mutes the “when you want”.
If popular/high demand resorts and parks are one’s preference, I’m guessing one’s opinion might differ.
I find this whole idea absurd because nobody can go where they want whenever they want. You can’t drive an RV and camp in the middle of Central Park in NYC nor drive and camp at the height of the Rocky Mountains in January no matter how much you want to. However, if you have a neighbor you can’t get along with, you can pack up and move quickly.
Well it depends on Who ya are and how many trillions ya got keeping it 💯
There are many places that do not allow any type of RV. For those that do not make advanced reservations for a campground, you will be turned away. I have been to some of these places that do not allocate sites for overnight visitors.
Thank you for the question, Chuck. No, not without moderating those wants can one go where one wishes and when one wishes. Have a great week and safe travels!
You CAN go where you want when you want, as long as there are no low bridges or narrow streets. But, you might not be able to stay there.