When Dave and I started camping, we heard other RVers talk about the “3-3-3 Rule of Travel.” Sometimes we would hear people call it the “2-2-2 of Travel” or even the “4-4-4 of Travel.” We had no idea what they were talking about!

Now we do.

The 3-3-3 Rule of Travel

The 3-3-3 rule is a set of guidelines for structuring travel in an RV. It is a pretty simple process:

• The first 3: drive no more than 300 miles per day
• The second 3: camp for at least 3 nights in a row
• The third 3: arrive at your destination by 3 p.m.

The 2-2-2 variation involves driving 200 miles per day, etc. The 4-4-4 variation involves driving 400 miles per day, etc.

These are just guidelines and of course it all involves personal preference! However, many people who are just beginning the camping life can benefit from following a guideline. There are so many variables! If you have two or more drivers, you may easily be able to trade off driving and drive more than 400 miles per day.

Drivers with a commercial driver’s license (CDL) may be very comfortable driving 500 miles per day or more. On the other hand, someone who is brand new to driving a Class A or Class C or someone who is new to towing might find 200 miles per day more than enough!

One of the things we found matters in determining 3-3-3 or a variation is what you are driving. We currently have a Class A and tow a Jeep. The length of time we want to drive the Class A is less than the length of time we wanted to drive our F-250 and our 5th wheel! The truck was much more relaxing to drive.

The other thing to think about when choosing the length of time you drive is, are you vacationing or full-timing? Frequently, people who are vacationing are trying to “make time.” Making time is when you push to get somewhere, usually fast. Or it is a way to extend a vacation. What this might look like is leaving after work on Friday and driving to a destination, no matter how far away it is. You can sleep when you get home! If you are full-timing, getting to your distance quickly might not be nearly as important to you.

On the other hand, if you travel with small children or travel with pets, you might need to make several stops. This may mean you cannot comfortably travel long distances. Your goal might be 300 miles, but you might make only 200!

Three Hundred Miles

For you, three hundred miles can feel like a lot, or a little. Ideally, you can get to your 300 mile away destination in about four hours. Rarely have we made our three hundred mile destination in four hours! There is road construction everywhere, highway miles are different from back roads, stops for fuel, crowded highways, and delays that go on and on and on.

Three hundred miles is also about safety. Safety for you and safety for other people. Limiting yourself to 300 miles will also keep you and your fellow drivers safer.

Three Nights at Every Campground

This is about slowing down. It is camping. It is a lifestyle. Too many people over schedule their trips, trying to do too much in a short amount of time. The day of departure and arrival at a campground usually involves a lot of preparation and then upon arrival, leveling the RV, hooking up services (water, electric and sewer), and unpacking all your gear. Committing to three nights at each of your stops ensures you have at least two full days of anxiety-free camping. And exploring!

Arrive by 3 p.m.

For many people, this is the part that is most difficult to adhere to, though it may be the most important! In the last seven years of full-timing, we have seen so many people roll into a campground well after dark. They frequently have trouble finding their site, pulling into the site and then hooking up services in the dark.

If you set a deadline of 3 p.m., you can account for some of the problems you may encounter on the road. It may give you some breathing room! You may also get some of the better sites! If you arrive after the office has closed, you will get whatever site has been assigned to you. It may have tree branches in the way. The water spigot may not work. Someone may be in your site! Yes, these are all things that have happened to us!

Also, some sites, especially in state and national parks, are first come, first served. If you arrive after dark, there may not be any sites available for you!

Factors to Consider

In choosing what works for you, 2-2-2, 3-3-3 or 4-4-4, think about:

1. Planning your start: Start your day early enough to reach your destination by 2, 3 or 4 p.m. Take into consideration heavy traffic in cities during 7-9 a.m. and 3-6 p.m.
2. Scheduling breaks: Plan your breaks for fuel, food, and relaxation to keep within your travel time frame.
3. Route planning: Use a GPS or other trip planner, for example, Good Sam, to plan the most efficient routes. Avoiding busy city traffic and roadwork can save time and reduce the stress of delays.
4. Flexibility: While sticking to a schedule is important, being flexible with your travel plans can also help make your trip more enjoyable and relaxing.
5. Checking weather and traffic updates: Before leaving the campground, check the weather and traffic conditions along your route. This can help you avoid bad weather and heavy traffic areas, which can significantly delay travel times.

Take Away

Paula Benfeldt has a wonderful quote about travel: “Travel opens your heart, broadens your mind, and fills your life with stories to tell.” Finding a travel plan that works for you decreases stress and allows you to fill your life with stories and memories. Enjoy your travels!

Your partners in travel,
Kathryn and Dave
RVing Nomads

It’s a lifestyle

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• We have visited each town, attraction and restaurant we are writing about. • No person, business or attraction has paid us for an endorsement. • AI has not been used to write any of the content of this blog. • All the photos in this blog were taken by Dave or Kathryn Harrington.