How to Maximize Summer Weekend RV Trips

Summer weekend RV trips are a great approach to travel. They're more budget-friendly. Less time on vacation means less time is taken off from work, fewer meals to pay for, fewer campsite fees, and so on. They're also easier to fit into your family's schedule. You may not be able to take multiple week-long vacations this summer, but you can do multiple quick weekends. They're great for those new to the RV lifestyle or who are getting used to a new RV. They let you test the waters in a more manageable trip setting. There's plenty of reasons to travel more on the weekend!

But with the limited vacation time, you'll want to make the most of it. That’s why Chesapeake RV Solutions has provided the following guide to maximizing weekend RV trips below. If you want more information or want to explore RVs for sale, visit our dealership. We are located in Chesapeake, Virginia, and also proudly serve those in Virginia Beach and Suffolk.

Use a Little Vacation Time

If you can, try taking off a few hours early on Friday. This allows you to get home, get the RV loaded up, and get the whole family ready to hit the road sooner. It can also help you beat rush-hour traffic so that you'll arrive at your destination earlier and enjoy more time at the site.

Be Strategic About Your Destination

Since you're short on time, try to find somewhere close to home. You don't want to spend six hours driving to your destination when you only have a weekend off. The shorter the drive, the more time you'll enjoy traveling. If you can, avoid places that will have a congested travel route on the weekend. If everyone is traveling in that direction, the inevitable traffic jam will eat away at your summer vacation time.

Keep Food Low-Maintenance

A common time suck of RV travel is spending time in the kitchen making meals. When you've only got a few days, you don't want to spend an hour or so each meal stuck inside. One easy solution is to meal prep ahead of time with freezer meals. You can cook entire meals before you leave and freeze them. All you'll need to do is reheat them in your RV. Common freezer meals include enchiladas, fried rice, pulled pork sliders, and chili.

Another strategy is to utilize the power of leftovers. Double the recipe and you'll enjoy dinner tonight and lunch the next day. You can also try meals where everyone builds it themselves, such as a taco bar. All you'll need to do is prep the ingredients then everyone else can build the meal for themselves.

If you're going grocery shopping before your RV trip, think ahead to the following week. You won't want to come home Sunday night and then head to the store to get food for Monday. Plan ahead to ensure you have enough food until you'll be able to go grocery shopping again.

Prepare Throughout the Week

Trying to get everything ready on the same day you leave for a weekend trip can be stressful. Break up the preparation process into smaller steps. Set aside one day that week for the following tasks: packing everyone's clothes, stocking the pantry, preparing the bedding and towels, and planning the itinerary. Doing a little bit each day will make Friday much smoother!

Look Into a Later Check-Out

Some campsites allow you to pay a small fee and check out later in the day. This gives you more time to enjoy the campsite on Sunday and can make the process feel less rushed. It'll still get you on the road in time to be home by dinner and allow you to squeeze in a few extra hours of vacation time!

Be Realistic with Trip Planning

When you only get a few days to travel, you'll need to be more selective about your travel plans. Trying to pack too much into your trip will leave you all exhausted and stressed, which is the opposite of where you want to be when Sunday night arrives! Prioritize what you want out of the trip. Maybe you're looking to explore new hiking trails or read a book on the beach. Whatever it is, focus on a few select experiences rather than trying to cram as much into your trip as you can.

We hope you found this guide helpful! If you want more summer RV travel tips or to explore RVs for sale, visit Chesapeake RV Solutions. Our friendly staff is happy to assist you with whatever you need, so stop by and visit us today. We are located in Chesapeake, Virginia, and also proudly serve those in Virginia Beach and Suffolk.