How to Plan a Summer Vacation

Vacationing is serious business, and if you want to make the most of your time, it’s best to do some planning ahead. There are many moving parts during an RV trip, from buying supplies to figuring out places to stay, and the more planning you get done ahead of time, the more time you’ll have to kick back and relax. Our team here at Four Seasons RV created this brief outline to help you plan your next RV trip. We’ve covered all the basics, as well as a few tricks for more advanced travelers to make sure you’re all set for your vacation! And if you need parts, safety equipment, or service on your RV before heading out, don’t hesitate to stop by our dealership in Virden, Manitoba near Regina, Saskatchewan!

Plan Your Destination

Most considerations for your vacation will start with your destination. If you’re taking kids along, try to remember the places that they might want to see, as early summer vacations can define a child’s life. If you’re just heading out by yourself or with your spouse, maybe you want to revisit a place you’ve been dreaming about for yours. The choice is yours! But remember that once you choose a general spot like a city or national park, it’s time to start getting specific. Pick the actual RV park or campground you plan on staying at and then call to make a reservation for your stay. These can often fill up months in advance and you’ll want to make sure you have a spot when your trip finally happens!

Plan Your Route

Once you’ve reserved your destination or destinations, you’ll want to start planning your route. There are many considerations to take into account. For example, if you’re on a tour of a region, you might want to plan a very scenic route to give you the best sampling of what the area has to offer. Big multi-lane interstates rarely offer the best look at how a landscape unfolds. On the other hand, if you’re trying to get to Banff as soon as possible, the Highway 1 from Calgary will get you to your destination fast. Remember that taking your motorhome around the Grand Canyon might sound ideal, but a Class A motorhome might not be ideal for the windy turns of some of Arizona’s backroads.

Create Your Itinerary

An itinerary certainly isn’t necessary for every trip, but it’s very helpful if you’ll be staying in multiple places over your time on the road. An itinerary doesn’t have to be written in stone. Sometimes, making decisions on the fly and taking spontaneous turns can give your trip a spark of life. But if you’re going to go through the work of reserving a campsite months in advance, you’ll want to make sure you actually show up in time to check in. When creating an itinerary, it’s helpful to leave yourself some extra time between stops to make allowances for potential problems you might encounter.

Make a Budget

As with making an itinerary, a budget doesn’t have to be ironclad. For most people, vacations require months of saving money in advance. Having a budget will help you cover all the basics in advance so you aren’t eating steak for the first week and eating beans for the next. You’ll want to account for gas, campsite fees, groceries and eating out, entertainment, and souvenirs. Also make sure to set aside a bigger fund for any emergencies you might face, such as repairs to your RV.