We’re about three weeks away from packing up our lives, putting most of our things in storage, and setting off for 6–18 months of slow travel. 🚐✨
It feels wild to even type that. Equal parts thrilling and overwhelming. Instead of rushing to book every stop, color-coding routes, or obsessing over how many miles we can cover in a day, we’ve been slowing down and asking better questions — the questions that actually shape what this next chapter will look like.
Because the truth is: preparing for a long stretch of life on the road isn’t just checking boxes. It’s rethinking how you live, what you own, how you work, and how you stay well while chasing the horizon. These questions have sparked long conversations at our kitchen table and on dog walks, and they’re helping us build a foundation we can actually trust once we pull out of the driveway.
Here are the five big ones guiding us right now.
1. How much will this really cost us? 💵
Money is always one of the first things people ask — and honestly, it was the first thing we asked, too.
The cost of RV life isn’t just fuel and campsites. It’s the blend of fixed costs, variable costs, and the occasional “well… that wasn’t in the plan” moment. So we started with a simple comparison:
👉 What does our current bricks-and-sticks life cost?
The average rent for a standard apartment in the U.S. is $1,950 per month as of 2024 (Zillow). In many cities, that number jumps well over $2,200. Add in utilities — which average $300–$400/month for electricity, water, internet, and gas — and most households are sitting around $2,300–$2,600/month before groceries, commuting, insurance, or entertainment.
If you’re living in or near a major city, in a affluent suburb, those prices increase rapidly. So as we stacked up the costs versus extended travel to see the places we’ve always dreamed of via RV, that next to RV life, things got interesting.
Here’s how we’re breaking it down:
Fixed expenses
- Storage unit
- RV payment
- Insurance
- Phone plan
- Starlink or hotspot data
- Streaming services & digital tools
- Online high school for our daughter
Variable expenses
- Campgrounds (anywhere from $0 for boondocking to $70+ for resort parks)
- Fuel
- Groceries
- Eating out
- Activities
The “life happens” bucket
- Repairs (statistically, 3 in 5 RVers face at least one major repair per year)
- Emergency costs
- And yes… the irresistible roadside diner pie
We’ve built a spreadsheet comparing our current monthly bills to our projected travel costs. Even though it won’t be perfect, it gives us a realistic range — and a reminder to build a buffer because surprises are guaranteed.
2. How do we keep up with doctors & wellness? 🏥
Long-term travel makes healthcare a moving target. Ignoring it isn’t an option.
According to the CDC, 6 in 10 U.S. adults live with a chronic condition, which makes staying proactive — even while traveling — essential. Even if you’re perfectly healthy, urgent care visits happen, teeth still need cleaning, and prescriptions don’t refill themselves.
Here’s what we’re setting up before we roll:
- Annual physicals, dental cleanings, and vet check-ups before leaving Texas
- Telehealth apps that allow visits nationwide
- Confirming that our insurance covers out-of-state care
- Setting recurring reminders for wellness routines — running, mobility, supplements, hydration
It’s easy to romanticize travel and forget your body in the process, but we want to feel good on the road, not just exist on it.
3. What do we do with all our stuff? 📦
This one has been emotionally heavier than expected. Downsizing sounds simple until you start sorting through closets at 10 PM wondering why you’ve kept a sweater you haven’t worn in eight years.
According to professional organizer Regina Lark, the average American household has over 300,000 items — and most of us only use about 20% of what we own. No wonder it feels overwhelming.
We’re simplifying with three categories:
- Keep in storage – Family heirlooms, seasonal clothing, things that truly matter
- Sell or donate – Non-essential furniture, décor, unwanted clothes, duplicates of household items
- Take with us – Only what fits comfortably in the RV and makes life easier or happier (intentional living at its finest)
It feels like a massive life reset — a chance to strip back to what actually serves us. And honestly, parting with things we’ve outgrown feels like creating space for this next adventure.
4. Can we really work from the road? 💻
This is where RV life either works… or doesn’t.
Millions of Americans now work remotely — in fact, about 27% of U.S. workers work from home full-time, according to McKinsey’s 2024 research. But working from an RV isn’t the same as working from a home office with a fiber connection.
We’ve been testing setups because we know slow travel only works if work works.
Our checklist:
- Starlink for reliable internet in rural areas
- A backup hotspot (AT&T or Verizon tend to perform best for travelers)
- Offline work options when connection dips
- Backup “office” options: libraries, coffee shops, co-working spaces
- A travel-friendly routine: work mornings, explore afternoons
- Within a few hours drive of a major airport (or somewhere our private pilot can fly in and out of!)
So far, we’ve tested our tech both at home and during weekend trips — and that’s already shown us what needs upgrading.
5. What about our Great Dane and cats? 🐾
Traveling with pets is one of our non-negotiables — especially a 140 lb Great Dane who thinks he’s a lap dog.
But it does mean extra planning. And safety.
Here’s the stat that really stopped us in our tracks: More than 1,7 million pets go missing every year in the U.S. (Pet911). That’s a powerful reminder that pet safety has to be intentional.
Our biggest questions have been:
- Which parks, trails, and RV resorts truly welcome dogs (not just tolerate them)?
- How do we keep them cool, safe, and comfortable while we’re out exploring?
- Where are the nearest emergency vets on our route?
- What gear do we need (GPS collars, cooling pads, pet-first-aid kit)?
Our pets are family. Their safety, happiness, and comfort are absolutely part of the plan.
Wrapping it up
These five questions aren’t the final list — but they’re the ones shaping our decisions right now. And honestly? Working through them has given us more peace and clarity than any travel booking spreadsheet ever could.
If you’re dreaming about slow travel or long-term RV life, we’d love to know: 👉 What questions would you ask before hitting the road?
Drop them in the comments — we’d love to hear your thoughts.
