Road Trips and RVs (and a Little About Insurance, Too)
Road trips are the quintessential family vacation. From the earliest days of automobiles to well after the invention of air travel, families have been enjoying the close confines of long-distance road trips. Families load up their cars, set a destination, and map out the fastest or most adventurous route.
Rather than hopping in the family car, however, some families opt for a slightly different type of vehicle. Some choose to travel the country in an RV. RV trips are similar to car road trips but offer a whole new experience.
Preparing for an RV trip can be a bit more involved. There are a number of different elements to consider before embarking on that maiden voyage. Everything from packing to where to park and even RV insurance has to be considered before renting or purchasing an RV for the family.
It may seem like more of a hassle to step outside the normal road trip rules, but road tripping with an RV offers a lot of benefits that other types of road trip experiences don’t.
A History of Road Trips
Road trips date back to the turn of the 20th century. The invention of the steam locomotive allowed more people to travel longer distances with relative ease. People who found themselves deep in the urban cityscape sought to retreat, which sparked the desire to explore other areas.
Some of the very first road trips were more arduous in nature. People drove in their cars all day and then camped near the side of the road. These early road trips continued to grow in popularity as cars became more affordable and hourly wages rose.
By the 1920s, the idea of modern-day road trips had started to take shape. The idea and practice continued to grow as more roads were paved across the United States. Route 66 cemented the American road trip as it crawled westward, encouraging travel and tourism.
Today, road trips are a great way to see the country and spend time with the family. Road trips offer so many benefits, including many perks for kids.
Road Trips in a Car
Road trips tend to be more accessible for more families. Other forms of travel like air travel can be much more expensive and even limiting in some cases. Personal needs or health concerns can make it more difficult to travel by airplane.
Still, other destinations aren’t close to any airport, so driving just makes more sense. Road trips are a way for more families to vacation, whether it’s just outside of town or across the country.
Road trips also allow for almost endless family time. Families who road trip spend the majority of the trip in a confined space together. The car space is different from an airplane space.
On a plane, every member of the family can focus on their own desires — electronics, books, napping. In a car, however, there is less to distract each member of the family separately. This means there is more time to talk, sing, and simply spend time together.
Car road trips offer more choices. There are few limits to where a car can travel, so almost any destination is an option for road trips. The length of time inside the car is more flexible as well. Families can choose to make extra stops to eat, rest, or see the sights.
Other families may choose to tough it out and drive for longer periods of time. Road trips offer more flexibility and freedom.
There are some limitations to road trips in a car, however. Taking a car from one place to another means lodging is still a concern. Hotel rooms or other overnight accommodations will still need to be planned and reserved.
Cars also offer very little space to stretch or move around. Even in the largest SUV, there is still only a certain amount of space for each person. This may be of little consequence if the road trip is shorter or there are plenty of opportunities to get out and move around, but it is the truth of car road trips.
Road Trips in an RV
Traditionally, people think of RVs as an upscale camping experience. Many families load up an RV for a long, comfortable weekend at the lake. While these lake weekends are a great use for an RV, there is so much more offered by these vacation homes on wheels.
The biggest benefit to RV traveling is the sheer amount of freedom offered. RVs allow you to do what you want when you want, and for how long you want. There are almost no limits to what you can do on an RV road trip. The biggest limit might just be your imagination.
RV travel is also one of the cheapest travel options available. It is, in fact, cheaper to rent an RV than it is to pay for a hotel and multiple fast-food or restaurant meals. RVs allow you to pack food for meal preparation, so there is less food expense. And RVs open the lodging options because RV parks are widely available for just a small fee.
Some RV parks can be more expensive than others, and some are highly desirable, making them harder to get into. This just means there should be some planning before setting out in an RV. Plan overnight stops ahead of time to make sure you have a nice place to hook up your vehicle and rest.
RVs really do become a home away from home. These large recreational vehicles allow families to bring almost anything from home, including their pets. You can pack a small portion of each room in your house and create an all-inclusive vacation home that travels everywhere.
RVs also offer the opportunity to travel even in a pandemic-focused world. Because people are concerned about exposure to germs and large gatherings, RVs allow people to travel around and still maintain a safe distance. They might just be the answer to everything travel-related.Â
Some people may find RVs too big or too intimidating. There are small options available. Vehicles like campervans are a great starting point for people looking to road trip on a slightly larger scale. The benefits of a campervan are almost identical to those of an RV with just a few adjustments.
RVs and Insurance
RVs are a lot like other vehicles. The size and frequency of use may be different, but they still get you from point A to point B. Just like every driver, RV owners need insurance coverage. The specific coverage, policies, and premiums all depend on the vehicle and its usage. You probably will have the best coverage with a specific RV insurance policy.
Most RV insurance policies function the way traditional auto insurance does. These policies offer coverage of the loss, damage, towing, and roadside, as well as uninsured motorist coverage. Anything more specific will depend on the size and type of the recreational vehicle being insured.
The size and type of RV will also determine the cost of the insurance coverage. The total cost is, once again, similar to the more traditional auto insurance policies. RV insurance coverage can range anywhere from $500 to $2,000. The exact cost will be determined by the type of RV, how it’s being used, and driving history.
If you are renting your RV, there is no need to worry. Most rental agencies offer RV insurance, much like car rental agencies offer auto insurance for the duration of the rental period.
It’s important to make sure your RV is covered before hitting the road. Take advantage of everything the RV has to offer. See the country in the luxury and comfort of your over vacation home on wheels.
Laura Gunn researches and writes for the auto insurance comparison site, 4AutoInsuranceQuote.com. She and her family are avid Roadtrippers who enjoy the many benefits of RVs.
