How an RV connects you to your country, your companions and yourself

How many American households have bought in to the freedom of the RV lifestyle? The number approached 2.5 million at last count. Taking to the road in a recreational vehicle drives home exactly why they’re worthy of the name. They’re more fun than driving a car and offer life experiences no other type of transport can. Let’s run down some of the many benefits that are on offer.

They’re not called motor homes for nothing

Road tripping in an RV is an entirely different psychological experience. Take a moment to think of the restricted conditions on a typical car trip: zero personal space, regular food and bathroom stops, restless pets and very limited storage.

Now, imagine plenty of storage, somewhere for everyone to stretch out and enough room to keep your pet from panicking. Throw in a sofa, beds, a bathroom, a fridge full of supplies, plus on-board entertainment, and a road trip becomes something altogether better. RVs offer all the amenities and comfort of home, leaving passengers free to enjoy recreation time or stunning views, and the driver gets a welcome break to focus on the road.

A brand-new sense of community

Part of the magic of any vacation is getting involved with the people and activities available at your destination. When you own an RV, you can get these benefits from simply parking the rig! RV owners are one big community and there are regular opportunities for stimulating socialization. It’s a great way to pass the time or even make friendships that, much like your RV, will go the distance.

When people vacation at a resort or hotel, they’re likely to see the sights and keep to themselves. On the road, it’s a different story. There’s a camaraderie in RV circles that adds a truly human element to vacation. It takes a certain mindset to live however long on the road, so you can be sure that no matter where you pull over, there will be someone to trade stories and de-stress with.

Trip yourself fit

How does hitting the road burn the calories? Owning an RV opens new places and new physical habits which can give a universal boost to your health. Camping is one of the great experiences you may want to enjoy, opening the door to many activities. America has plentiful sites for RV owners to pull over and take part in hiking, fishing, hunting, swimming or plain old appreciation of nature.

Simply doing nothing in the great outdoors is as beneficial for your health as any activity. Being on the road exposes you to fresh air and the natural day/night cycle to a greater degree than suburban living or a hotel/resort. The science backs it up, but a few days in the open will tell you all you need to know about the mental, physical and spiritual gains of road life.

The savings start to stack up

It’s a given that an RV vacation can be expensive depending on how you plan it out. The typical situation in an RV will always save you money, however.

Consider hotel living. The average daily cost of a hotel room is $132.66. The average cost of an RV park is $29.12. Typical vacations can run up the bills for flights and car rentals before you even open your wallet in a hotel. Throw in with an RV and all those expenses disappear (pick the right RV and you’ll save a relative bundle on fuel costs, too).

Keeping every mouth fed on a typical vacation can mean quite a bit of expensive restaurant eating. An RV lets you stock up for the long haul with snacks and more filling fare that can be accessed day or night (and it’s already paid for).

RV eating doesn’t have to compromise on quality, either. Staples like pasta, bread, potatoes, grains and canned foods all do well on the road and provide key nutrients. Apples and oranges are inexpensive, healthy and tough fruits that handle travel a lot better than grapes, bananas and other soft options.

Freedom without frontiers

We left the best for last. The United States offers some of the most breathtaking scenery in the world from deserts and canyons to mountainous forests and tropical climates. With so many spots to choose from, we’ve put together a few you may want to prioritize:

• • Rocky Mountains – These routes offer a Top 5 of their own. Majestic in every way, The Rockies offer geographical grandeur and a wealth of wildlife. Denver, the Grand Canyon and New Mexico provide enough wow factor to stand alone, but they’re all part of the Rocky Mountain route.

• • The Great Lakes – If you want to crest the shoreline of all the Great Lakes, it will take you across 8 states and more than 3,000 miles. Spectacular is an understatement. The Lakes contain around one fifth of the world’s fresh surface water, cover over 94,000 square miles and contain more than 3,500 types of flora and fauna.

• • Historic New England – States like Vermont, Connecticut and New Hampshire offer history and natural beauty in abundance. There are plenty of routes to consider, but if you’re a leaf chaser, you may want to road trip in Fall.

Some resources for the road

Sites like Road Trippers offer a host of locations for RV owners to explore and even help plan the route with guides to campsites, lodgings, activities and more. For the hardiest holidaymakers, there’s a 50-point trip around the country with a stop off in every state. Never forget to make safety your priority. Reviewing these tips will help you prepare before the trip.