Top Reasons That RV Travel Is COVID-Safe (And Where to Go When You’re Ready)

The travel and tourism industry is finally starting to pick up again after what feels like forever. As we begin to get restless in our homes and learn more about how to stay safe, venturing out becomes a much more desirable idea. But the United States is not completely out of the woods yet. It’s a long road ahead. Fortunately, when you travel in an RV during COVID, the road is your friend.

General Travel Tips

No matter how long it’s been since your last vacation, it pays to revisit a few commonsense travel tips to help you make the most out of your adventure.

• Plan your itinerary, but be open to changes. During the early stages of a pandemic, virtually every non-essential destination (i.e., museums, theme parks, restaurants) shuttered its doors. While the vast majority have reopened now with safety protocols, you will want to plan ahead to ensure the attractions you want to visit are open during your visit.

  If that seems like a lot of work, consider outsourcing the legwork to a traveling services consultant. This is an individual (often a professional travel agent) that offers their services on a freelance basis. You can find them on online job boards, which also showcase their reviews and give you an idea of the added expense and time it will take to plan your perfect itinerary. Your consultant can also help you come up with alternative activities that will satisfy your family’s needs and budget.

• Pack for the pandemic. You obviously have to pack clothing and shoes appropriate for your travel destination. But unlike life pre-pandemic, you will also need to make sure that you have extra masks or facial coverings, hand sanitizer, and plenty of tissues in your bag before you go. Many areas are lifting mask restrictions but if the virus is still a concern to you, you will need to be extra diligent in caring for yourself.
• Give yourself lots of time. In travel, time is of the essence. Even if you have your schedule planned down to the minute, know that there can be delays en route. If you have to stop for food, for example, grocery stores along the way may have limits on the number of people inside. This can push your grocery shopping back by hours. A good rule of thumb is to leave well before you have to to give yourself time to account for traffic and other unexpected delays.
• Bring along staple snacks. Speaking of the grocery store, you can limit some of your exposure to the outside world by simply thinking ahead and packing your family’s favorite snacks. You’re already traveling in what equates to a mobile home, so you will have a pantry and refrigerator where you can store your essentials. Also, don’t forget to pack plenty of water so that you aren’t having to pull over at every rest stop to rehydrate.

Top Reasons an RV Trip Is Safe Right Now

Now that you know what to bring, it’s time to look at why an RV is a safe form of travel.

• Lots of wide-open spaces to visit. By now, you already know that outdoor activities are largely considered safer than those taking place in cramped quarters. You can utilize Find RV Parks to scout for a destination that appeals to you and your family.
• Taking an RV avoids hygiene issues. One of the biggest problems with staying in hotels during the pandemic is you are never fully guaranteed that the rooms have been scrubbed of the previous occupants' germs. According to F. Read Hopkins Pediatric Associates, the coronavirus can live on some surfaces for up to five days. Doorknobs, drinking glasses, and dishes can harbor the virus, so if the hotel staff does not clean each of these items individually, there’s no way to guarantee they are uncontaminated.
• Road trips offer flexibility to avoid outbreak zones. Unlike flying, driving your own RV means that you don’t have to worry about your hotel suddenly being closed down because of an outbreak. Perhaps more importantly, having the flexibility to simply turn a different direction means that you can avoid states or cities with a high case rate. The CDC’s COVID Data Tracker can help you keep an eye on what to expect on the road to your target destination.

Best RV Vacation Destinations

Not sure where to go? Check these ideas out.

• National parks. RVshare recommends many different National Parks for RV travel aficionados and novices alike. Yellowstone, Zion, and Blue Ridge Parkway National Parks are sites that every American needs to see at least once. They offer plenty of room to socially distance. Further, national parks are about the most affordable way to see the beauty hidden right here.
• Beach. For those who desire sun and sand, the beach can’t be beaten. There are lots of RV parks along the shorelines of California, Texas, Florida, Georgia, and other coastal states.
• Desert. While the desert might not be the ideal spot to pack your bags for during the hot summer months, it’s perfect for spring and late fall. Whether you want to go to Sedona, Joshua Tree, Moab, Santa Fe, or any of the other sensational southwestern spots, your RV can get you there safely.
• Mountains. There are three major mountain ranges in the United States: Appalachian, Rocky, and Sierra Nevada. No matter where you live, there’s likely a mountain destination within a few hours’ drive. The biggest caveat here, particularly for novice RV owners, is knowing how to drive safely on the steep grade you’re likely to encounter. A few of the tips offered by RVLove blogger Juliet Bennett are to descend slowly, be patient, downshift before going up the hill, and enjoy the drive so that you can take in the scenery.

Ultimately, traveling in your RV has a plethora of benefits. While you may have to stop for gas, you won’t have to pay for a pricey hotel. And in the COVID age, you also won’t have to worry about cleanliness and being stuck in a crowded elevator with people who may or may not take the pandemic seriously. If you’re ready to get back out into the world, fuel up, pack well, and make sure that you know all there is to know about your destination before you hit the road.