Crossing New Zealand is one thing. Going on a Road Trip in Australia is something else, but going on a trip through the United States of America is the ultimate adventure of adventures. It spans a continent, features deep canyons and tall peaks, deserts, and massive forests. Some of the world’s most famous cities, like New York City, San Francisco, LA, Las Vegas, all call the United States of America home, and the best way to enjoy all that it has to offer is on the road.
The Best Way to Get Across the Country
You have options when it comes to a road trip. Some want to feel the road as one and opt for a motorcycle. Others check out a car and drive from destination to destination. The best way, however, is with an RV rental.
RV Options
Large RVs can fit up to seven people and are perfect for big group road trips. They have air conditioning, a working bathroom, a gas-powered kitchen that includes a fridge and microwave, and can even pull additional weight behind them.
Standard RVs are perfect for an average-sized family of five or less. They feature all the great amenities of the large RV, just with a smaller design.
Compact RVs are perfect for small families or couples who want just a little bit more space than the truck camper. They are fully equipped with a working bathroom and kitchen and are great for both winter and summer road trips.
Truck Camper RVs are great for those who have never driven large RVs before or other similar trucks. They are much easier to drive and can even come with a working bathroom, though their cooking capabilities are more limited.
Packing for Long Haul Road Trips
The next important step for your RV road trip is to prepare is what you are going to pack with you.
Tips for an Efficient Road Trip Suitcase
Good road trips are a few weeks at least, meaning that it isn’t feasible to bring enough clothes to wear once per day. The clothes you bring will, therefore, need to be hard-wearing and okay to wear again without being ironed or even being washed. The RV camps you stay in should have laundry facilities, but it’s best to choose items that can go a few wears without washing, just in case.
This means choosing natural fabrics that wick away moisture. Jeans, for example, can be worn again and again without needing to be washed. Linen and wool are also great at keeping you dry, and wool is even hypoallergenic.
The point is, they can be worn more than once, and chosen correctly can be worn in different ways throughout your trip.
Tips for Stocking Up on Food
Most RVs will come with a fridge and a microwave, but not all of them will come with a gas cooker. Even then, you are still down an oven, and it is important to plan your meals around that.
If you have a cooker, stocking up on dry goods like pasta, rice, and other grains is a good idea. If you don’t, then there are options in stores, like microwavable rice. With a microwave, ready meals are, of course, always an option, though your ability to store them will be limited.
Protein snacks, oatmeal, soups (which can be microwaved instead of cooked), and cereal are all a great set of basics to have with you. Try to stock up emergency provisions to ensure you always have something during your trip, and then as you travel to towns or pass by stores you can stock up more special meals. This way you’ll have food even if the weather takes a turn and pours down rain.
Tips for Stocking Up on Toiletries
You will have a shower and toilet in your RV, but that doesn’t mean you should just use any and all toiletries. Toilet paper, for example, can clog up septic tanks very easily. You will want to invest in a brand that is designed specifically to be used with RVs so that you can keep your toilet working for longer.
Similarly, you won’t want to use toiletries that produce a lot of waste. You cannot throw it in the toilet and RVs have limited space to store garbage until you find a proper disposal unit. By using zero-waste products and reusable products you keep your RV spacious and clean.
Tips for Planning Your Trip
To help you plan a perfect trip, try implementing these top two tips:
Choose a Region to Explore
The United States of America is a big place and it would take months to explore the whole thing, even years. There is also a lot of farm space that doesn’t contain a lot of interest for a traveller. That’s why it is a good idea to explore a region. This could be the east coast, west coast, the south – whatever you pick, stick to that region and do it fully.
You’ll have an excuse to go back and make the most out of your one trip.
Stick to One or Two Big Things Per Day
In order to see all the big-ticket items you will need to plan something, however. A good way to do this is to stick to either one or two big-ticket items per day, and then to give yourself three or four days at the end. These days can be used as break days whenever you want.
As you are in an RV, you have more freedom in terms of your schedule. Unless you are travelling during the high season you should be able to find an RV camp along the way that has space for you for the night, and for a great price.
Staying Safe on Your Road Trip
Staying safe is very important. You will want to ensure that you are covered either by your own credit card or by travel insurance for emergencies and damages. You will also want to have roadside assistance and to prepare in advance, so you know safety tips when camping, on the road, and for all the activities you plan on doing.