Here’s What You Need to Remember Before Your Extended RV Road Trip in Alberta
Are you planning an extended RV road trip in Alberta? A trip that could put you out for weeks, or even a full month, is no event to just “wing.” You’ll need to be meticulous in your planning – especially if you aren’t doing this solo – and you’ll want to plan out as much as possible. Obviously, leave room for some error and freedom, but it’s a good idea to have a rough estimate of time spent on the road and time spent checking out each stop along your journey,
RV trips can be great fun for the whole family! They can also be stressful if we aren’t careful about how we plan them. Here are some things to remember before you head out on your extended RV road trip.
Consider the “what ifs.”
This is probably the least “fun” part about planning for an extended RV road trip. You’ll need to consider the possibility that something goes wrong, whether that’s a malfunction or an injury. Make an emergency preparedness kit, including first-aid supplies, fresh bottled water, dried food, etc.
Prepare for potentially poor weather, even if it’s the summer. Have an added coat, some rain gear, umbrellas, boots, etc.
Parents of young children or multiple children may find it especially difficult to stop their minds from racing. What if the RV broke down unexpectedly? What if there was a collision? Raccoons hiding out in the engine? Would you have to pack it up and go home? Not necessarily.
The solution? RV insurance Alberta recreational vehicle owners should always carry insurance, even if it isn’t mandatory where they’re going. Health or travel insurance should also be a consideration if you’re planning to cross the border.
Plan where you’re going and set a budget.
What’s the route you’re going to take? If you’re going out of Alberta, familiarize yourself with where you’re planning to go, where you want to stop, the campsites you’ll hit, etc. It’s not a good idea to go in blind, or you’ll find yourself in somewhere unfamiliar without any idea of where the nearest gas station or rest stop is. Plainly, it’s a recipe for disaster. Be meticulous and include a rough timeline of time you’ll spend on the road and time you’ll spend at each stop so that you can stay on schedule.
You’ll also need to plan out your budget too, like you would with any vacation. Without even considering the upfront cost, RVs can be expensive. Determine your budget, including gas, food, campsite fees, amenities, etc. Leave some wiggle room if you find any fun souvenirs!
Hire someone to look after the house and pets.
It’s always tough to leave Fido and Fluffy behind, but sometimes you must make a tough decision in order to enjoy your vacation. While you can certainly bring your pets with you, depending on the make of your RV, it can be an added stressor, and you’ll have to pack their things as well, like food, leashes, collars, enrichment toys, beds, etc. Also, these animals can easily get hurt or lost!
Even if you don’t have a pet, it’s a good idea to hire someone to look after your house. Your neighborhood may have regulations about how long your grass can get, a duration for mail left out on the door, etc. Also? Unoccupied homes are more appealing to thieves. Have someone stop by here and there to flick on the lights, mow the lawn, clear up the unchecked mail. It can make a world of difference. They may also be able to check for any issues in your home.
Plan out meals and pick healthy options.
It’s easy to fall out of our usual routines when we’re out and about and living outside of our ordinary routine(s). While there’s certainly time to indulge, like if you want to stop by an interesting restaurant or see a fun bakery, it’s good to keep most of your food options healthy. Otherwise, you could feel sick and uncomfortable – and that’s no fun for your trip! Healthy food can help to keep both your energy and spirits high, and it certainly doesn’t have to be boring. There’s plenty of resources online you can scroll through to gain inspiration for healthy, fun meal-prep. Include plenty of healthy, non-perishable snacks too, if you can, like nuts and seeds, dried fruit, granola bars, etc.
Take your time getting to your destination.
Adults have a much easier time sitting through long hauls of driving, but kids may struggle. They may get restless. Worse, if you’re with pets, you’re going to need to take some breaks to let them out to go to the bathroom. If this is an extended RV trip, you shouldn’t have a problem minimizing your long-haul days and divvying up the driving time appropriately. Use rest stops as much as possible to stretch your legs and grab snacks and drinks, when needed.
Make sure to map out your gas station locations.
You never want to be in a situation where you aren’t sure when the next gas station will be. Having to unexpectedly halt at the side of a road when you’re out of gas can be a nightmare, and no one wants to have their vacation unexpectedly interrupted by poor planning! When you’re planning your stops, be sure to indicate where the next appropriate gas station location is to ensure you’ll have enough fuel to get from Point A to Point B with ease.
We hope that this article has given you some ideas of what to do before setting off on your extended RV road trip in Alberta! Remember – planning is integral to your good times and can help avoid any unexpected delays or even mitigate potential disasters. Enjoy your time away from home, enjoying the great outdoors with your friends, family, and your trusty recreational vehicle!
