RV Roadtrip 2020-21: The Perfect Escape
Updated: Nov 22, 2020
What does family travel look like in 2020 and 2021? With COVID-19 lurking around every corner, it’s no wonder drive-only domestic travel became 2020’s surging trend, and is expected to continue to surge through 2021. The great American RV roadtrip is a very promising solution to our COVID-induced cabin fever.
But if you want to get in on this growing trend, you’re not the only one -- so now’s the time to act. RV sites are booking quickly, even for fall -- most national parks are booked through the end of 2020, and are actively booking summer 2021 now.
According to Travel Weekly, peer-to-peer RV rental marketplace RVshare “reports that it recently doubled its seven-year booking total in just the past 13 months, going from 1 million days booked since the company's 2013 launch in July 2019 to 2 million days booked by Sept. 1.”
Our family usually shoots for international travel, but this summer opted for a national park road trip in our beat-up 2009 GMC Acadia SUV, stocked with our own portable kitchen and our trusty, overstuffed Thule on the roof. The hospitality industry is bending over backwards to create safe environments for their guests, and we trust the partners with which we work, so we felt relatively comfortable with hotel and home rental stays on the road during COVID. (Find tips for your own car-based roadtrip here.)
Thinking of giving an RV roadtrip a try? We highly recommend it. But don’t expect an RV vacation to be on the cheap. Expect nightly rates to be comparable to a 2- to 5- star hotel. A good RV trip can range in price, from the relatively lower-end DIY trip, to custom planned itineraries ($5,000 to $15,000 range), to white-glove service including a chef and driver (starting around $30,000 for 10 days).
Want to do DIY?
Planning your first RV trip can be intimidating, but if you have the time, you can do it. Set aside a good chunk of time for research and booking, and prepare yourself for a very memorable family experience.
Choose the length of your vacation -- Check out weekly and monthly rates for reasonable discounts. You may even find rates as low as $50 per night.
Choose your RV -- Through sites like RVshare or Outdoorsy. Be aware of possible added costs for things like bedding, a stocked kitchen, mileage, insurance, etc.
Plan your itinerary -- Where do you want to go? Create a realistic route, with comfortable drive times each day, and lots of time for exploration outside of the RV. Check out GoRVing.com for some great inspiration. If you’re new to RVing, be aware that not all roads are RV-friendly. Consider subscribing to a site like RVtripwizard, which can help you navigate a safe route -- avoiding low clearances, steep grades, and propane restrictions.
Reserve your RV sites -- And do it SOON. Again, if you’re new to RVing, be in the know. For any RV site, you’ll want to know how long your RV is, whether you need to hook up, where you can dump, whether you’re allowed to use your generator and when, etc., etc. Expect sites inside national parks to book up first. But should they be full, don’t lose hope. Start looking just outside the perimeters of the parks for private RV spots. If you like lots of amenities and you don’t mind the bustle of other visitors nearby, KOA is always a great option. For free overnights without hookups, stop in any national forest (unless otherwise posted) -- on the side of the road, or down access roads for a more remote experience.
Want to just show up and enjoy?
Short on time, but desperately ready for a trip? Give us a call. Custom itineraries are our jam. With our network of trusted partners, we’ll help you plan your dream itinerary, book and stock your RV, book your campsites, and guide you to great activities and sights that fit your family’s interests. We do all the heavy lifting for you! You and your family just hop in the RV, and off you go! Memories await!
Looking for white glove service?
For an ultralux experience, we’ve got you covered. Reluctant to drive? We’ve got a driver for you. Want a chef? You got it. Perhaps a few overnights in a luxury resort? Consider it booked. Your modern RV with all the bells and whistles will be your home away from home.
Give us a call at (309) 416-6734. Your RV adventure awaits!
Need to stay connected on the road, either for work or remote learning? Take the wifi with you. We can help you navigate the great options available to keep you plugged in!
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