how to plan for a 2021 RV trip as a remote freelancer
Hey there! This post contains an affiliate link. If you click and purchase, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.
You know you want to travel this year but in the safest way possible. What better way than packing up your RV (or van/car!) and hitting the open road? Far, far away from people...
I can't think of one! And that's why my fiancé and I decided to take our freelance businesses on the road to travel slow and safely through the New England region of the U.S. Our first stop? Vermont!
I used to be a HUGE planner. But TBH, 2020 taught me so much about going with the flow, letting go, and allowing what is to be.
You too?
If that's the case, this is the guide for you as you plan your RV trip as a remote freelancer. It's part planning, part surrendering to life and the beauty of uncertainty that comes with it. Let's get into it!
Start with your budget
You have to pay to play, baby.
Even if you plan to boondock or dry camp and even if you don't plan to participate in activities that cost money. Because here's the thing...
Gas/diesel costs money. Propane costs money. It costs to dump. You have to eat. And hell, maybe you WILL want to splurge on an epic dog-dedicated campground (seriously) or a fancy one-of-a-kind experience.
The good news is, you can travel on the road full-time on a limited budget. It's possible, you just have to be strategic with your gear -- solar panels, power banks, etc. -- and your choice of sites to sleep -- BLM land, COE campgrounds, National Parks, Harvest Hosts, etc.
I also know there are some great apps to download that let you find kickass deals on gas and groceries like GasBuddy and GetUpside. More apps to consider that show you cool locations or activities (from free to $$$$) are iOverlander, Campendium, and The Outbound. These are all ones I personally have downloaded.
Come to an agreement on the type of places you'll stay
Want to stay at fancy schmancy RV resorts or are you more of the "find a random pull-off and pull in there" kind of vibe? This matters!
Remember that dog-dedicated campground I mentioned? If you're traveling FT on a limited budget with a partner or friend, you'll need to agree on when, how long, and how often you want to stay at higher-priced spots like this.
There are so many different options for campgrounds, from isolated spots in the middle of the woods to using Harvest Hosts to stay at a winery, farm, or brewery. You can even plan out your trip (loosely or rigidly) using sites like RV Trip Wizard. Harvest Hosts also has this option if you're a member!
Figure out the weather or landscape you want to be surrounded by
This may seem arbitrary, but if you're Irish as Irish comes (AKA pale and highly susceptible to sunburns every time we step outside) like my fiance and I then a summer in the scorching hot desert of Arizona sounds like our living hell.
Also, we are bringing out cat, Willow, and dog, Loti, along for the ride and want to be sure we feel confident about leaving them in the RV where they're comfortable and safe. That's why we chose to spend this summer in the North East region of the U.S. where the temperatures are more mild and temperate.
Plus... we're mountain, lake, and rolling hills people. The beach and the desert? Sounds like we're gonna get burnt.
You might see us head out West in the winter, but for now, maybe you want to choose a similar path as us and stay away from temperatures above 100℉.
Invest in passes and memberships
IMO, this is one of the best ways to plan for an upcoming RV trip.
As a remote freelancer, you want to be sure you'll have Wi-Fi and a safe place to stay at night. You're also doing this full-time, so investing in an annual pass or monthly membership is an upfront cost bound to pay off in the long run.
If you're looking for my recommendations, here they are:
National Parks Pass (gets you free admission into the parks, you just have to pay the campground fees)
Passport America (50% or more off of designated campgrounds around the country)
Harvest Hosts (free 1-2 day camping at farms, breweries, and wineries)
Thousand Trails (stay for free at campgrounds and RV parks with resort-style amenities)
Surround yourself with people like you
With the pandemic still in full swing, being on the road full-time is going to get lonely. Or, if you're traveling with a partner or friend, you're going to need someone else to vent to and talk with ABOUT them.
Let's be real. Living with someone in under 400 square feet ain't easy.
My best piece of advice to combat the loneliness and desire for friendships while navigating COVID? Link up with other remote freelancers, digital nomads, and online business owners. Online, of course.
Find your freelance friends and, when restrictions lift and we're all vaccinated, you'll have developed relationships with people who GET YOU. Come out of quarantine with a group of friends who are just like you, trailblazing their own path in life and business.
Looking for a community? Remote ID may be for you.
Have life happen and all your plans go out the window
Remember at the beginning when I said this was part planning, part surrendering? Here's where you surrender.
You may have plans to drive 8 hours one day to get from one campsite to the next. Great! We love a proactive person.
But what if the weather turns sour and you get stuck? What if a tire blows and you're forced to stop for a day or two to get it fixed?
Planning is great, but only if it's HELPING you. If it's stressing you out that you're not hitting each campground or location you booked months in advance... not very helpful.
This is all to say... Release what doesn't serve you. Your 2021 RV trip is bound to be a blast, whether you have an itinerary for every hour of the day or you're leaving things up in the air and purposefully enjoying the ride (like I'm doing!).
Want to chat about your upcoming trip or how to manage freelancing on the road? DM me on Instagram. BTW I love voice notes because I can actually hear your excitement and passion for what you do!
Want to see how Harvest Hosts works (and the actual locations you could stay)? Check out my fiancé's YouTube series: Drinking Domestic where we visit HH locations around the U.S. and share our experience with you!