Traveling full-time requires some strategic planning and budgeting to maximize your dollars. Here are some of the ways we have found to save money on the road.
Lot-docking
Not to be confused with boondocking, lot-docking is simply pavement surfing for a night. When we travel from place to place, we typically like to keep our mileage down to around 250-300 miles a day. We have found this allows us to take our time, make plenty of stops, and sight-see along the way. There are a number of corporations that welcome RVers to stay the night in their parking lot, and in return, a number of RVers return the kind gesture by making a purchase at their store. Likewise, there are a number of publicly owned spaces that permit overnighting. Here are some of the places we have lot-docked (please check with each business before stopping for the night as well as any city/county ordinance prohibiting overnight camping)
- WalMart
- Sams Club
- CostCo
- Cracker Barrel
- Casino Parking Lots
- Cabela’s
- Bass Pro
- Lowes
- Home Depot
- Menards
- Truck Stops
- Rest Areas
- City Parks
- County Fairgrounds
Pros
- Saves money. A typical night at a private campground will range from $20-$60 a night. Each night you dry-dock, you put money back in your pocket.
- Some stores have night time security patrolling their parking lot. Along the same lines, most parking lots are lit up at nighttime.
- One stop shop…Most of the listed corporations are located near other amenities such as restaurants, gas stations, grocery stores, etc.
Cons
- Noise!! This is location dependent but many of the stores are open 24-hours. Cars coming and going at all hours can definitely disrupt your sleep pattern.
- As noted above, although some stores have security at night which can be a pro, crime is still an issue to be concerned about. As with any place on the road, you will be more susceptible to crime in these locations rather than at a private campground. Be vigilant and remove any opportunity of being a victim.
Our favorite locations have been at Cracker Barrel, CostCo, Sams Club, Cabelas, and Bass Pro. These businesses are very RV friendly, and best of all, most close around 9pm so you avoid all of the parking lot noise.
BLM ground
Boondocking
Boondocking is a term used by RVers to describe off the grid or dispersed camping. These sites are without any hookups and can usually be found on public land such as National Forests and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) sites. We use several websites and apps to find good boondocking spots: Campendium, Allstays, Ultimate Campgrounds, and the Public Lands app.
Pros
- Free – All public land is free.
- Safe – Think of it as living in the country but 10x better.
- Solitude – Usually it is just you and the stars.
Tracy, the expert behind OurNextRVAdventure.com, brings over 9 years of experience in travel writing and RV living. With a Master’s degree in Travel and Tourism Management, she offers in-depth knowledge on RV maintenance, scenic routes, and campground recommendations. Connect with her adventures on Pinterest, Facebook, and Instagram.
