Community Forums

docf150 · 05-29-2019, 06:58 PM

We recently purchased a Verona MH and have taken a few short trips to make sure everything worked, we can drive and maneuver the unit OK, etc. Now we are aching to take longer trips to places we haven't been, but I am unsure what daily distance to use as a ballpark trip planning tool. I know it will depend on the type of roads (expressway, two-lane highway, or cowpath), but I'd be interested in how far others typically plan to travel in a day when RVing? Your experience would be very helpful in setting our own plans. Thanks for any help you can provide!!
Richard

Oldmso54 · 05-29-2019, 07:05 PM

Our distance parameters are between 200 to 300 miles per day with 250ish being the target.

On the road by 9:30ish - into the RV park by 3:00ish.

Also like to not drive more than 2 days in a row without at least a 2 night stay.

Many variable to that but it's the starting point.

Mike8253 · 05-29-2019, 07:15 PM

You're going to get a lot of different answers based upon multiple factors. In my situation, we are not full time, so when we travel, we do so typically to go to multiple destinations and return. Therefore I will sometimes travel as many as 500 miles in a day to as few as 100. We probably average 275-325 miles depending on the trip. I prefer shorter days but can handle the longer days so long I don't do a number of them in succession. Ultimately it will be about what you decide is far enough for you based on fatigue and what your trip duration and miles require. You just enjoy the journey and figure it out as you go. Safe travels.

larrymo · 05-29-2019, 07:15 PM

Common responses will be along the lines of 2/2/2, 3/3/3, or similar. If you are a FT'er, then these rules of thumb will easily apply for an unplanned flexible schedule. Generally this is travel no more than 200 miles, arrive by 2 pm, and stay for 2 nights. Note, if you are still on a working schedule / vacation, then all bets are off, as it's "as many miles you can cover to get from point A to point B and return". Regardless of posted speed limit, most will average 50 mph, so with the 2/2/2 rule, 200 miles will take 4 hours driving time.

ragoodspeed · 05-29-2019, 08:02 PM

I usually have destinations and timelines that are critical so I often do 600 per day. I always say never again and now that I am retired I think I can slow things down some. Two years ago I made it home from Cape Canaveral, FL to seacoast NH in two days!

Dick & Pat · 05-29-2019, 10:19 PM

We use the 330 Rule:

330 Miles or 3:30 PM, Whichever Comes First

AZ RV'r · 05-29-2019, 10:33 PM

Im in my 40's, not retired, but run a 6-7 week trip every summer. We have done as short as 45 min and the longest was over 800 and 14 hrs from Osseo WI to OKC. Normals for me are in the 3-6 hour a day range. I dont mind a longer day if it gets me an extra rest day at the next stop.

Old-Biscuit · 05-29-2019, 10:34 PM

Are you retired and time not a factor OR still chained to that job?

We are retired so it was hit the road by 10AM...off the road by 3PM and stay minimum of 2 nights before moving along

When we were chained to the job....
hit the road as soon as possible on Friday night after getting off work.
Drive until midnight.....find spot to catch some ZZZZZZZzzz then back at it agin by sun break.
Drive all day then party hard for 2-3 days then head back home

Vacations......hard driving to destination/party until last moment then hard drive back home

God I'm so thankful for retirement!!!!

Prontix · 05-29-2019, 11:29 PM

I travel from Colorado back to my old stomping grounds in East Tennessee every year or so. I do it in two days. First day about 18 hours and then 14 hours the next day. I’m old but not retired and still have two little ones that enjoy the ride but probably wouldn’t enjoy 3 straight days on the road.

vsheetz · 05-30-2019, 05:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oldmso54

Our distance parameters are between 200 to 300 miles per day with 250ish being the target.

On the road by 9:30ish - into the RV park by 3:00ish.

Also like to not drive more than 2 days in a row without at least a 2 night stay.

Many variable to that but it's the starting point.

Pretty much our travel candance as well.

I look at the calendar and total miles from point to point. Use 200-250 a day to determine the number of travel days and layover days.

**Spdracr39** · 05-30-2019, 05:07 AM

We can and have driven 9 hours a day for consecutive days but it wasn't pleasant. Everytime it stopped being enjoyable after around 5 hours. All future trips will be based on 4-5 hours max and distance will be determined by the type of roads being traveled upon.

RunningHard · 05-30-2019, 11:34 AM

A long day for me is 450-500 miles, but I prefer to do 250-300. If I am traveling with just the wife and dogs, we just do what we want. Many times we travel with friends that are not retired, and they have to put miles on so they can have some decent vacation time....so more miles. Last year on way to Moab to ride RZR's I told the other 4 travelers to "hit the road" and we would meet them there. They got there a day before we did, and all was good.

docf150 · 05-31-2019, 08:02 AM

Thanks for all your thoughtful replies!! We were thinking a reasonable target would be 300-350 miles/day and that seems relatively consistent with your targets. We'll see how it goes and adjust from there. Thanks again!

richard5933 · 05-31-2019, 08:06 AM

We do the calculation based on seat hours, not miles. To me I get just as worn out from sitting in traffic as I do rolling down an empty highway, maybe more so. We try to stay at less than 4-5 hours of driving in a day. When there is need to go further, we try and do it in two shifts - we'll do a few hours first thing in the morning, and then plan a long lunch break somewhere we can get out for a few hours and walk around. Then we'll do another few hours driving later in the day and stop before dark.