Fiorella Yriberry shares her insights into Safety Tips for Road-Tripping on your own.
Road trips are one of the most popular forms of travel and surveys show that they are here to stay. And who wouldn’t love a road trip? Something about hitting the road, driving to the destination, and being in complete charge of the story is both fun and empowering. The best part is that they are not only exciting but cost-effective too! Taking on the road is such a thrilling journey.
A time of new experiences and an opportunity to step outside of our comfort zone. Yet you still have control of the situation and get to make the calls for when /why/ or how long to stop along the way which makes it personalized and effective. No planning around flights, waiting for delayed flights, or long lines for car rentals and car shares.
And why not take your road trip to the next level with an RV! Most of us don’t think of RVs when it comes to travel simply because we don’t have one in our garage. And that is why platforms like RVshare are a traveler’s best friend. RVshare is a peer-to-peer rental marketplace that makes it easy to rent an RV anywhere in the country.
Unlocking this unique, cost-effective, and unmatched way of travel for everyone, anywhere. Renting an RV is a great way to travel without compromising amenities or cost; the best of both the outdoors and modern amenities. Rental prices start at $80 a night for small camper vans and travel trailers, both of which are great models for solo travelers! If you don’t want to drive it, don’t worry – RVshare has delivery options!
As a solo female traveler, this has become my primary and preferred way of travel and I hope to inspire you to experience it today by sharing tips for one of the most frequently asked questions “How do you stay safe on the road?”. Like in any form of travel, some risks and fears come with stepping outside of our comfort zone. These tips will help prepare you for your next adventure!
RV Safety Tips
Here are the seven things to know and remember about safety on the road, and how to practice it as a solo traveler.
Get familiar with your surroundings
Whenever you chose where to stay for the night, take intentional time to get familiar with your surroundings. Just like paying attention to the closest exit near you on a plane, getting familiar with your environment is key to being prepared in case something would happen. Take particular note of exits/entrances and your position in the area. Pay attention to the people around you, is the campground busy or quiet?
Consider parking in a way that makes it possible to have an easy and quick exit. When it comes to RVs even the smallest one of them is very different from a standard car, and therefore some bigger logistics are involved. Parking ready for an exit allows you the peace of mind of being ready if you ever need it.
Look at reviews for the campground/ area where you are going to stay
RV parks, campgrounds, and even parking lots can all be places to call home for a night when RVing. And one of the most important things you can do for your safety is to do your research ahead of time. Knowing what to expect is a huge piece of safety on the road that is worth the time it takes to read reviews and pay attention to them.
Peer reviews are a great way to get a feel for the area you are going to without going there physically. You can also use google maps as a tool for your research. Knowing what’s around the area, people’s experiences and photos will help you determine if the place is safe and comfortable for you.
Keep the keys in an easy-to-access area when you go to bed
The keys to your RV are the keys to your home and vehicle so they are very important! One easy safety precaution is to make sure the RV is always locked. Whether you are inside or outside. A special trick I learned after a few trips is to keep the keys in an easy-to-access location inside the RV.
Some go-to places for me are the nightstand by the bed or the kitchen counter. In case any situation would arise and you needed to get moving, you don’t want to be looking for your keys in your purse. Chose an easy-to-access location that makes sense to you and stick to it by remembering to place the keys there each time.
Share your location with someone you trust
It never hurts to think of ‘worst case scenarios’ and being prepared for them can be key. Sharing your location with someone you trust like a friend or family member is always a good practice when adventuring solo. More so if you are planning to be outdoors where you might not have cellphone reception. In addition, consider adding a satellite phone to your setup. This is especially important if you are one to enjoy secluded destinations with poor service.
Trust your instincts
Sometimes the area can check off our safety list: it can have good lighting, cell phone reception, and your neighbors can be friendly. But you just have an uneasy feeling. Listen to it! Trust your instincts when it comes to your safety outdoors and on the road. You will never regret changing your campground or leaving a location that felt uncomfortable. Feel empowered to trust your intuition and make the choice that is best for you.
In addition to these tips remember to not push yourself past your limits. Maybe consider starting by only going to paid and secure campgrounds with cell phone reception and avoid parking lots or remote sites. Like any new travel experience, not knowing what to do and feeling scared is normal. Take your time, create your own safety rules and practices, and don’t let fear scare you away from trying new things!
RVing opens the door the endless possibilities, make the most of them according to your own personal preferences and comfort level! Remember there is opportunity in every moment of the journey. And isn’t that why we chose to travel? To adventure, to explore, to discover. If you want to give RVing a try, head on to RVshare.com and start planning your next adventure.
See you out on the open road!
Your safety tips for road-tripping?
Do you have any thoughts on these or other RV safety tips when out exploring? Please share in the comments below.
Fiorella Yriberry
Fiorella Yriberry is a Bolivian born and raised content creator. She has been calling the road home since 2020, when she traded an apartment lease for a converted school bus and a simple + slow life down the wild unpaved roads of the USA. Fiorella is a Content Marketing Associate with RVshare and creates for her own adventures @growingslowandwild
As a solo female traveler who loves road-tripping in my RV, safety is always my top priority. These tips are spot on! I always make sure to plan my route in advance, research safe campsites, and stay aware of my surroundings. It’s also important to have emergency supplies and a reliable communication device on hand. Trusting my instincts and being cautious while connecting with other travelers has helped me have incredible adventures while feeling safe and empowered. Remember ladies, with careful preparation and smart decision-making, we can hit the road and explore the world in our RVs with confidence!
I loved the idea of camping in an RV for a road trip by a solo traveler. I think these points hold valid for anyone using RV as a solo traveler.
How amazing – it was as if you read my mind – just the day before I was telling my colleagues I would love to be on road trips in an RV – I love the tips that you highlighted in the post. It is so practical and wise to keep the keys at a easily located position. Simple and yet overlooked. thanks for that!
This is awesome! I would love to go solo on an exploration trip, that would be amazing. Great tips, thank you so much.
Looking for reviews and see what others say about it can help a lot to understand more about various campgrounds.
I could not agree more with you about the popularity of road trips, and love the freedom that comes along with RV road trips. Amazing tips here, I generally follow all the rules and do not play hard while travelling solo.
Wow! I’ve been on solo road trips, but never in an RV, so this is all new to me. RVShare is indeed quite a good idea. We definitely don’t have an RV waiting in our garage, the idea of peer-to-peer share RV is excellent. $80 a night is not too expensive for an awesome road trip. Sharing the location to someone we trust is super duper important these days!
RV is such a wonderful way to travel! I widely enjoyed it some time ago and am planning to bring it again. It’s comfort and adventure at the same time. Thanks for the safety tips, it surely comes above all else
I love how confident you are travelling solo in an RV! The life I’ve always wanted to try! Keep safe!
Travelling in an RV will be my next life. I see myself packing my bags and driving off in a brand-new RV. This is will be so much fun. Thanks for the tips.
You are doing some incredible things traveling solo. Really enjoyed this post and your outlook on things when traveling in a new way.
I completely agree with the popularity of road trips, and love the freedome that comes along with them. Some great tips here, trusting my gut has helped me a lot when travelling solo.
I hope that road trips are here to stay. Even if not, I would be always in. And thanks for great tips!
Safety as a solo woman traveling is so important, especially the way our world is going now. We must be present in the moment and aware of our surroundings.
Hhhhmmm….I think you have pretty much covered all the bases. I always share the location of where I am with my loved ones.
This is one of my dreams to make my own Caravan someday and travel the world. The outside world can be dangerous and sketchy and I’m no just talking about women’s here but people in general. But still this experience is something that no one just cannot take away from you, just riding through the roads without any destination and just taking halts in between for scenery, discovery and meeting new people and places along the way.
Trusting your instincts is so important when traveling alone. We have an RV, and my daughter and I have been talking about a road trip, so these tips are great. I’ve never really thought about keeping the keys close at night — that’s such a smart idea!
I think keeping an awareness of what’s around you is always important. In this day and age, you just don’t know anything about anyone.
I just read your article on safety tips for road tripping in an RV and found it incredibly informative! Your practical advice and clear writing style made it easy to follow.
Great to provide some safety tips for road tripping in an RV on your own. But many of these tips are valid for anyone who may go off the beaten path. Sharing your location is something we practice all the time so family and friends know we are ok. If we did a lot of RV travel I think we would look at a satellite phone. Our daughter has a satellite transponder to help with getting lost or injured out in the wild. Trusting your instincts will keep you safer everywhere you travel!
These are amazing safety tips for RV road-tripping. Thank you for sharing your experience as a solo female traveler. I’m hoping to enjoy life on the road in my next life chapter!
I never thought of going on a solo RV camping trip, but the information here makes it seem like a life changing experience. The tips you give for maintaining my safety are helpful – and perhaps a trip such as this may be a reality someday!
Traveling on your own can be a challenge, and it is good to have some tips and strategies. I do get nervous when I travel on my own as a female. Safety is so important.
I love van life and RV travel. We already had several vans and traveled to both Europe and America. Admittedly, I didn’t travel alone, only with a partner, but your tips will be helpful not only for women traveling alone. I think they are valuable to all van travelers. I agree that the key is safety at night, good thinking about where we want to stay for the night, and getting to know the surrounding area. We also always have the keys from the camper by the bed. It’s a good idea that they should be within reach. And your most valuable safety tip is sharing the location where you plan to spend the night or camp for several days. Agree with that; it’s crucial.
India doesn’t have facilities for RV road tripping. But we do a lot of car drives. And knowing the highways helps if one plans to do a long trip. Many of the people I know have driven across the country in SUVs.
I really enjoyed reading your post about road trips and solo female RV travelers. I think it is great that you are sharing your experiences and tips with others. It is always helpful to hear from other travelers, especially when they are sharing safety tips.
I agree with all of the tips you mentioned in your post. I think it is important to be aware of your surroundings, trust your gut, and be prepared for anything. I also think it is a good idea to travel with a friend or family member if possible. However, I know that not everyone has the opportunity to do that. So, if you are traveling solo, I would just recommend being extra careful and taking extra precautions.
I also wanted to add a few more tips that I think could be helpful for solo female RV travelers:
Choose the right RV. When choosing an RV, consider the size and type that will be best for you. If you’re traveling alone, you may want to choose a smaller RV that’s easier to maneuver.
Make sure you know how to use your RV. Before you hit the road, take some time to learn how to use all the features of your RV. This includes everything from driving it to setting up the sleeping arrangements.
Pack wisely. When packing for your RV trip, be sure to pack everything you’ll need, including clothes, toiletries, food, and any other supplies you might need.
Be prepared for emergencies. Make sure you have a first-aid kit, a map, and a way to contact someone for help in case of an emergency.
Travel with a plan. Before you hit the road, have a plan for where you’re going and what you’re going to do. This will help you stay on track and avoid getting lost.
Be flexible. Things don’t always go according to plan when you’re traveling, so it’s important to be flexible. If you get lost, don’t worry about it. Just find a way to get back on track.
Have fun! RV travel is a great way to see the country and have some fun along the way. So relax, enjoy the journey, and make some memories that will last a lifetime.