Pandemic RV travel is safer than flying, but it’s still got risk. Here’s how I’ll choose RV destinations during this Coronavirus pandemic.

When it became clear that the pandemic wasn’t going away anytime soon, Jim and I committed to riding out the summer months at Camp COVID. Our stay won’t last longer than that, because winter RV camping is not an option in these mountains. Our friends generously offered to help us figure out a winterizing plan to stay, but I’m much too wimpy for that kind of RVing. 

At summer’s end around September-ish, we’ll leave and start a southerly migration. Our stop? The only place we want to be in winter, the Southwest. Since my dad’s health isn’t good, Southern California is our first and probably only stop this winter. That is, unless by some miracle the pandemic ends. Unfortunately, judging by the number of Covidiots out there, this scenario seems highly unlikely.

In the meantime, I’ve been thinking about our safety as we meander south. Mainly, how can we choose RV destinations during a pandemic, while minimizing our exposure to Coronavirus? Here’s what I’ve come up with.

How to Minimize Coronavirus Travel Risk and Choose RV Destinations During This Pandemic

Step 1: Load up on groceries. 

Our trip south won’t be a quick jaunt. We’ll move slowly along California’s back roads between mid-September and November (unless someone comes through earlier with Southern California RV parking for us). During that time, we will visit grocery stores as infrequently as possible to cut back on exposure risk. Think: dry goods, lots of them.

Step 2: Use gloves and lots of hand sanitizer at fuel stops and dump stations.

Gas pump and RV dump station germs have always creeped me out, even before Coronavirus. You just never know what the driver before you was doing before they touched that handle! Now, we must be safer than ever to keep clean in these locations.

Step 3: Only camp in remote boondocking spots.

With the exception of one urban pit stop in Northern California, we’ll avoid RV parks and public campgrounds at all costs. This is pretty much our usual M.O., but now it’s imperative that we avoid people along the way. My plan is for us to travel south along the Eastern Sierras. You can’t get more remote than that in beautiful California.

Step 4: Focus on what we CAN control and remember that sometimes the situation is the boss.

 We can do many things to minimize Coronavirus risk, like wearing a mask. But there are so many aspects about this virus that are simply out of our control. From the way in which people behave–responsibly or not–to the cleanliness of surfaces we touch at dump stations, there’s only so much we can do to minimize the risk of getting sick. That doesn’t mean we’ll throw caution to the wind, we will still take measures to protect ourselves.

And in the meantime, I’ll do my best to remember that despite these herculean efforts, the situation is ALWAYS the boss. It’s not smart or effective to yell at a Covidiot for not wearing a mask. And I know that no matter how carefully we choose RV destinations, in some places we will find ourselves around people who don’t care about the virus. When that happens, I’ll try hard to breathe through my mask, smile with my eyes, and be kind to everyone around me. After all, the world needs the love now more than ever.

Are you still RVing? How are you staying safe?

I know a lot of RVers out there are still meandering along the highways of America without fear. I’d love to know how they are doing it, without increasing their risk of catching the virus. If you are one of those pandemic RV wanderers, comment below with your tips to choose RV destinations during this pandemic. Thanks!