There’s a specific kind of road trip nervousness that shows up when the sun starts going down, and the plan gets fuzzy. Like, sure, even though RV travel is more popular than ever, not enough people really talk about the whole preparedness aspect (because the whole point of RVs, van life, and road trips in general is all about being spontaneous). But the last thing you’d want is to risk being in Bates Motel like and end up like guests in the movie Psycho, right?
Even if you’re not in an RV, but just on a regular road trip where you didn’t do too much research prior, you still want to play it safe. So, what’s the best way to play it all safe, especially in a new area?
Choose Stops that are Designed for Overnight Parking
Well, the safest stops tend to be the ones that are meant for overnight stays. Sure, now it all sounds obvious, but it’s the difference between feeling calm and feeling like a target. So this does mean you’ll have to do some research, even if it’s last-minute research, but it can really help to look into an RV park that has good reviews (and Google Reviews will let you know), and yes, there’s usually clear overnight rules, so you shouldn’t have to deal with any surprises either. But you absolutely need to do the research first!
Don’t Think Like a Tourist when Reading Reviews
Well, when reading that, it probably doesn’t make much sense, right? Well, reviews are only helpful when they’re read with the right mindset. No, really, star ratings alone don’t tell the full story. But the details do. So, just look for mentions of lighting, noise, security, management, and the general feel of the place. Pay attention to patterns. One person complaining about a loud neighbor could be anything. But ten people saying the same thing about sketchy activity, poor lighting, or people wandering through sites, that’s information.
Plan the End of the Day Before You’re Exhausted
Yep, this one is definitely huge! So, the worst time to search for a safe stop is when everyone’s already tired and irritated. That’s when rushed decisions happen. Sure, it makes sense, but this is when you really shouldn’t be doing things at the last minute, though. So, a smarter routine is picking the intended stop earlier in the day, then having a backup option ready too. If the plan is arriving around 6 or 7, choose a place that makes that arrival time realistic (emphasis on being realistic here.
And of course, it also helps to avoid rolling in super late when possible, because even safe places feel less comfortable when arriving in the dark and setting up half asleep. Well, that, and sometimes you get a fee stacked on for showing up late at night.
Notice Any Small Signals?
Well, it’s really about trusting your gut. Remember the Psycho movie reference from earlier? Yeah, that’s why, well. It’s just about being safe, playing safe, just trying to do what you can to be careful in general. So, just trust the gut. If a stop feels off, it’s not worth forcing it just because it’s convenient. Convenience isnt the goal, comfort is. And comfort usually comes from a place that feels well-run.
*contributed post*
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