How Many Miles a Day Should You Drive in Your RV?

The answer is: It depends. For some RVers, driving more than 100 miles a day or so is out of the question, while other road warriors like to cover up to 500 mile or more a day. Still others prefer a sweet spot of somewhere between 200 and 400 miles a day. 

But the number of miles you might drive in one day is likely to be different from another RVer, and a number of factors will be involved in the decision making process. 

Consider these questions:

1. Are you the sole driver or can you take turns with another driver?

If you’re the only driver, it wouldn’t be wise to push your physical and mental limits with a super long travel day. You’d run the risk of falling asleep at the wheel and causing an accident. Longer distances are better achieved—and are safer for everyone on the road—if drivers can take turns. 

2. Are you traveling with or without children?

If you’re traveling solo, with a partner, or a group of adult friends, you can likely handle longer periods of travel. But little ones thrive on and come to expect daily routines, and any disruption to those routines can trigger meltdowns. Therefore, when you’re traveling with kids you have to consider their needs and ensure that you’re settled in a campsite ideally by late afternoon so dinner can be on the table at a reasonable time. 

3. Are you an early bird?

To really get in major miles for a day, it’s best to get an early morning start. If you’re a morning person, this could be a more achievable feat for you. At the very least, starting travel early means you can drive for a portion of the day and set up camp early enough to enjoy the evening.

4. Do you have to beat a weather pattern?

If you RV full-time or are a snow bird, you may want to avoid a snowstorm or hurricane at some point in your travels. Sometimes this means you may have to hit a certain number of miles in one day to skedaddle before the weather turns.

Of course, you’ll have to consider that for most RVs—whether towed or motorized—the typical top recommended speed is between 55 and 65 miles per hour, but this will vary by RV type, tire ratings, weather and road conditions, and more. And, you’ll always need to consider time spent for gassing up, stopping for meals, and general breaks in your overall daily travel time.

Ultimately, you’ll need to find the rate and number of miles that works best for you and your situation while traveling. 

How many miles a day do you typically drive in your RV? What’s your sweet spot? Let us know in the comments or contact us today!