My Rules to Live By for Traveling Solo
1) Plan Ahead: I say this somewhat loosely because I like to be somewhat spontaneous at times although my spontinaity has at times backfired on me. There's nothing worse than starting a 14 hour drive thinking you can do it without stopping only to get too tired to drive but the only town near you has a convention going on and there are no hotel rooms. I was forced to sleep a few hours in a gas station parking lot which had I had a companion along on the trip would have been fine but traveling solo it left me a bit uneasy. Spontaneous or not, always plan your route. Yes, you can always just jump in your vehicle and punch your destination into Google Maps on your Iphone but there are certain things you should consider before blindly following your phone's directions on a long trip such as road construction, toll roads and especially important to me when pulling my 5th wheel is location and frequency of travel stops. It's not always necessary to book hotel rooms in advance before the drive but at least have some idea which towns to target for a night's sleep along the way. When I travel with my 5th wheel I always make reservations and plan my drive down to the last detail because I want to make sure I get a pull-through spot and I want to make sure I arrive at my night's destination before dark so I can set-up easier.
2) Give Someone Back Home Your Itinerary and Check-in Frequently: When traveling solo make sure you give a close friend or family member the details of your trip and check-in often with them throughout your travels so they have a rough estimate of where you are in your journey. Luckily, I have never needed help in my trip or become lost but if something were to happen to me locating me would be much easier given that someone had a rough estimate of where to look. I also include my license plate numbers in the information I provide my family just in case it would be needed. If renting a car, provide that information to a friend or family number as well. I typically take a picture of the license plate of every vehicle I get in and text it to my mom just in case. Confirmation numbers for booking arrangements are also good things to include in your itinerary. Yes, all this can seem overkill but I'd rather provide it to my family and be embarrased about my travel fears than wish I had provided it to them later in a time of need.
3) Pack Only What You Need: Ladies, I love my Coach purse and Michael Korrs shoes and sweaters just as much as you do and love to change my clothes multiple times a day just to show people how fashionable I am when I actually try but nothing says "rob me" me more than packing around a plethora of belongings. Pack what you need and leave the rest. Try packing neutral colors and items you can mix and match to create more outfits while packing half the clothes. Trust me, you'll still look good and since you're traveling you won't see anyone more than once so no one will know you wore that Kate Spade dress yesterday. Also, try to wear anything that would make you stand out. I try to blend in where ever I go so as not to draw attention to myself or look like a tourist. Tourists make good targets because they travel with money and are in an area where no one knows them so it would take longer for anyone to know something happened to you.
4) Don't keep All Your Money In One Place: Losing your wallet sucks anytime it happens but it can be much more stressful when you are traveling. Keep at least one stash of money in your suitcase or somewhere else where you can easily find it but no one else can. I try to keep two stashes just in case. With that being said, also bring a spare set of keys to your vehicle in case you lose one.
5) Pack an External Phone Charger: I love to sightsee when I travel and along with that goes taking plenty of pictures on my Iphone for my Instagram @molliemines so everyone back home can see what I've been up to but that can drain my phone's battery pretty quick. I always bring an external phone charger with me where ever I go so I don't have to worry about my phone dying and not being able to call for help if I need it.
6) Always Be Prepared to Protect Yourself: God forbid you should find yourself in a situation where you need to protect yourself but it's essential that you be prepared for the worst. I always travel with a small arsenal of knives just in case. I keep one in my purse, my vehicle, my RV and in my suitcase. I absolutely don't recommend stopping at rest areas along the highway after dusk but if I'm desperate I hide my knife up my sleeve with the blade out the entire time just in case. What you choose to carry is up to you. I may not succeed in defending myself but I refuse to go down without a fight.
7) Night Travel: I do a lot of traveling at night especially since I am a cummuter when it comes to my job and where I live. It situations like mine when you are constantly driving the same 6 hour route at night you learn the route well and can protect yourself by designating places you stop every week so you have a routine. This is also good because you get to know the employees where you stop so if something does happen and the police are trying to track you movements they will be more able to provide assistance because you are familiar to them. My rules for night travel are that after dusk I absolutely do not stop at highway rest areas unless absolutely necessary. I also only stop at well knows and lighted travel stops such as Love's, Flying J and Pilot because they cater to travelers like me and are safer than a random locally owned gas station.
8) Know Your Vehicle: I cannot stress this point enough. If you are going to take your vehicle on a long trip make sure you know your vehicle's capabilties and limitations especially if you are planning on traveling with an RV/5th wheel/travel trailer. I knew when I bought my truck that I was going to be using it pull a 5th wheel and put lots of miles on it. I made my decision on which truck I was going to but based specifically on this. Because I knew I was going to pull my travel trailer (now 5th wheel) and wanted to be able to go anywhere with it I went with a one ton truck which at times seems overkill but I know I will never have to deal with not having enough horsepower to get where I want or need to go. Because I knew I was going to put a lot of miles on my vehicle (I average 50K a year) I opted for a diesel engine because I knew it could handle up to 400K miles before I would need to consider trading it in and I wanted to get the most out of my investment. Another thing to consider is what maintenance your vehicle needs before your trip. I never leave on a long a distance trip before having the oil changed, my fluids topped off and my tires checked. I also carry the essentials to maintain my vehicle at all times which since I drive a diesel truck includes Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF), Power Service antigel for cold weather driving and Diesel 911 just in case my diesel does gel.
10) Use an App Like Yelp or Trip Advisor: I use both Yelp and Trip Advisor constantly when I travel because I don't ever want to just aimlessly drive around looking for something to eat or do or somewhere to stay and draw attention to the fact that I'm a tourist. These apps are great because I can search for exactly what I want, get directions and reviews of the area and whether is safe or even worth going to.
11) Take Advantage of Travelers Rewards Programs: I have a member rewards number for pretty much every airline and hotel chain which is great because the points add up and over time I have earned a few free nights and a free plane ticket to Mexico. My current membership of choice is Good Sam RV Club. I like this not only because I get 10% off at participating campground but I also get 3 cents off a gallon of diesel at Flying J and Pilot which isn't a lot but when traveling, every penny counts.
12) Join a Travel Club: Sometimes traveling solo can be intimidating so my suggestion to get you started is to join a travel club. You still get to travel solo but there's a group there to provide support and hang out with while you learn the ropes of solo travel. My travel club of choice at the moment is Loners on Wheels which is a travel group for single RVers. There are camping weekends with events set up already for you to join in on and a nice group to welcome you and make you feel at home.
13) Know Your Limitations: This is probably the most important point. Before traveling solo know yourself and what you are comfortable with. When I bought my 28 foot 2007 Keystone Laredo travel trailer I had no idea what I was doing. All I knew is that my dog cage fit in it and that is was in my price range and that was all that mattered. In reality it was impossible for me to be independent in. I could not hitch it up alone and needed help setting it up. I always had to ask for help from a stranger which to me was unacceptable. The most important thing is not to put yourself into a situation that you can't get out of by yourself or put yourself in a position where you are too anxious to make good decisions. In the end, it was worth it to me to spend more money on a new 2015 Keystone Cougar 338PAT High Country 5th wheel because with a 5th wheel hitch it is much easier to hook up and safer to drive with and with all the technology I can set it up by pushing a couple buttons on a remote control. I no longer have to worry about finding someone safe to assist me and it has relieved a lot of stress esxept when it comes to making the payments on it.
2) Give Someone Back Home Your Itinerary and Check-in Frequently: When traveling solo make sure you give a close friend or family member the details of your trip and check-in often with them throughout your travels so they have a rough estimate of where you are in your journey. Luckily, I have never needed help in my trip or become lost but if something were to happen to me locating me would be much easier given that someone had a rough estimate of where to look. I also include my license plate numbers in the information I provide my family just in case it would be needed. If renting a car, provide that information to a friend or family number as well. I typically take a picture of the license plate of every vehicle I get in and text it to my mom just in case. Confirmation numbers for booking arrangements are also good things to include in your itinerary. Yes, all this can seem overkill but I'd rather provide it to my family and be embarrased about my travel fears than wish I had provided it to them later in a time of need.
3) Pack Only What You Need: Ladies, I love my Coach purse and Michael Korrs shoes and sweaters just as much as you do and love to change my clothes multiple times a day just to show people how fashionable I am when I actually try but nothing says "rob me" me more than packing around a plethora of belongings. Pack what you need and leave the rest. Try packing neutral colors and items you can mix and match to create more outfits while packing half the clothes. Trust me, you'll still look good and since you're traveling you won't see anyone more than once so no one will know you wore that Kate Spade dress yesterday. Also, try to wear anything that would make you stand out. I try to blend in where ever I go so as not to draw attention to myself or look like a tourist. Tourists make good targets because they travel with money and are in an area where no one knows them so it would take longer for anyone to know something happened to you.
4) Don't keep All Your Money In One Place: Losing your wallet sucks anytime it happens but it can be much more stressful when you are traveling. Keep at least one stash of money in your suitcase or somewhere else where you can easily find it but no one else can. I try to keep two stashes just in case. With that being said, also bring a spare set of keys to your vehicle in case you lose one.
5) Pack an External Phone Charger: I love to sightsee when I travel and along with that goes taking plenty of pictures on my Iphone for my Instagram @molliemines so everyone back home can see what I've been up to but that can drain my phone's battery pretty quick. I always bring an external phone charger with me where ever I go so I don't have to worry about my phone dying and not being able to call for help if I need it.
6) Always Be Prepared to Protect Yourself: God forbid you should find yourself in a situation where you need to protect yourself but it's essential that you be prepared for the worst. I always travel with a small arsenal of knives just in case. I keep one in my purse, my vehicle, my RV and in my suitcase. I absolutely don't recommend stopping at rest areas along the highway after dusk but if I'm desperate I hide my knife up my sleeve with the blade out the entire time just in case. What you choose to carry is up to you. I may not succeed in defending myself but I refuse to go down without a fight.
7) Night Travel: I do a lot of traveling at night especially since I am a cummuter when it comes to my job and where I live. It situations like mine when you are constantly driving the same 6 hour route at night you learn the route well and can protect yourself by designating places you stop every week so you have a routine. This is also good because you get to know the employees where you stop so if something does happen and the police are trying to track you movements they will be more able to provide assistance because you are familiar to them. My rules for night travel are that after dusk I absolutely do not stop at highway rest areas unless absolutely necessary. I also only stop at well knows and lighted travel stops such as Love's, Flying J and Pilot because they cater to travelers like me and are safer than a random locally owned gas station.
8) Know Your Vehicle: I cannot stress this point enough. If you are going to take your vehicle on a long trip make sure you know your vehicle's capabilties and limitations especially if you are planning on traveling with an RV/5th wheel/travel trailer. I knew when I bought my truck that I was going to be using it pull a 5th wheel and put lots of miles on it. I made my decision on which truck I was going to but based specifically on this. Because I knew I was going to pull my travel trailer (now 5th wheel) and wanted to be able to go anywhere with it I went with a one ton truck which at times seems overkill but I know I will never have to deal with not having enough horsepower to get where I want or need to go. Because I knew I was going to put a lot of miles on my vehicle (I average 50K a year) I opted for a diesel engine because I knew it could handle up to 400K miles before I would need to consider trading it in and I wanted to get the most out of my investment. Another thing to consider is what maintenance your vehicle needs before your trip. I never leave on a long a distance trip before having the oil changed, my fluids topped off and my tires checked. I also carry the essentials to maintain my vehicle at all times which since I drive a diesel truck includes Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF), Power Service antigel for cold weather driving and Diesel 911 just in case my diesel does gel.
10) Use an App Like Yelp or Trip Advisor: I use both Yelp and Trip Advisor constantly when I travel because I don't ever want to just aimlessly drive around looking for something to eat or do or somewhere to stay and draw attention to the fact that I'm a tourist. These apps are great because I can search for exactly what I want, get directions and reviews of the area and whether is safe or even worth going to.
11) Take Advantage of Travelers Rewards Programs: I have a member rewards number for pretty much every airline and hotel chain which is great because the points add up and over time I have earned a few free nights and a free plane ticket to Mexico. My current membership of choice is Good Sam RV Club. I like this not only because I get 10% off at participating campground but I also get 3 cents off a gallon of diesel at Flying J and Pilot which isn't a lot but when traveling, every penny counts.
12) Join a Travel Club: Sometimes traveling solo can be intimidating so my suggestion to get you started is to join a travel club. You still get to travel solo but there's a group there to provide support and hang out with while you learn the ropes of solo travel. My travel club of choice at the moment is Loners on Wheels which is a travel group for single RVers. There are camping weekends with events set up already for you to join in on and a nice group to welcome you and make you feel at home.
13) Know Your Limitations: This is probably the most important point. Before traveling solo know yourself and what you are comfortable with. When I bought my 28 foot 2007 Keystone Laredo travel trailer I had no idea what I was doing. All I knew is that my dog cage fit in it and that is was in my price range and that was all that mattered. In reality it was impossible for me to be independent in. I could not hitch it up alone and needed help setting it up. I always had to ask for help from a stranger which to me was unacceptable. The most important thing is not to put yourself into a situation that you can't get out of by yourself or put yourself in a position where you are too anxious to make good decisions. In the end, it was worth it to me to spend more money on a new 2015 Keystone Cougar 338PAT High Country 5th wheel because with a 5th wheel hitch it is much easier to hook up and safer to drive with and with all the technology I can set it up by pushing a couple buttons on a remote control. I no longer have to worry about finding someone safe to assist me and it has relieved a lot of stress esxept when it comes to making the payments on it.
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