What We’ve Learned From Four Years in an RV

Travel has always been something we were passionate about. We both grew up traveling to see family or exploring places, as well as trips we took through school groups. As new adults, our military time also took us to places to explore.

When we first started traveling and exploring independently as twenty-somethings, we had no money and very little time, so we did day trips whenever possible, with an overnight stay when we could find something budget friendly. Eventually, we graduated into long weekends or a week when we could make it work with our budget at time off. And when we were both in education, we really took advantage of summer around trainings and camps for our kids.

When we got into full-time RV life in 2022, our hunger for travel still guided us and we went at the same fast pace to try and check off as many places as we could to fill in that sticker map, while working around full-time jobs and limitations those created.

Then, in 2024, we were able to turn the tables. I left full-time teaching and BJ took on contracts that we could travel around and control how much we worked or played–a great reward for our frugality, to say the least!

But with the world opened up to us, something changed in us. We stopped racing everywhere and slowed down. While we still have a laundry list of places we want to see, we find ourselves staying places longer, doing less touristy things and spending more time just being in locations and enjoying the ever-changing nuances of life in each location. Now, if we are spending a week or less someplace, it feels too rushed.

As we prepare to set off for our 2026 travels, we want to go slow and enjoy even more. We also want to revisit places we’ve previously been. In fact, we are learning there are some places, and people, we want to visit on repeat, and go through great efforts to make it happen.

Our ideal time to spend somewhere is 10-14 days in this current season of life, and no more than 3 300ish mile travel days back to back for long hauls. Sometimes a 350 mile day and stopping for 2-3 nights before continuing on is a better option for us, depending on what life looks like, and what kind of flexibility we may need to have.

This allows us to evaluate locations for weather or peak travel, time for family needs, personal goals, and exploring. More importantly, it keeps us from increasing our pace and overfilling our plates. Learning to treat life like a marathon instead of a sprint is new for us, but we are finding the rewards are great. We also find that we relapse often, so try to check in and plan downtime often, too.

So what is your ideal travel pace for the season of life you are in?

Check out our RESOURCES
Our Travel Planner an easy to carry resource for all your RV needs
Free Printables Page helpful tools and resources for travel and organization
Our Savings Page referral links to savings with brands we love (our links get us referral credit)
Our Travel Map links to blogs for places to see and stay
The Essential Guide to RV Life to prepare, live and transition through RV life (digital and print options)
About Us Our Story, our WHY, and where to find us

Thanks for being here, we’ll see you out there!