Should You Stay in an RV Park or Your Relative’s Driveway?

Using an RV when traveling to see friends or family gives you a unique opportunity to have your own home comforts while still being able to explore. But there’s one important decision you must make: will you be staying in an RV park or parking in a driveway? Below are some pros and cons of both.

As you weigh your decision, you’ll need know the size of your RV, the size of the parking space you’ll need, and the amount of time you’ll be staying.

Staying in an RV Park

Pros

• Allows you to hook up your rig to electricity, water, and even Wi-Fi.
• Can easily bring a pet with you and have a place to leave them if your relatives’ place isn’t pet friendly.
• Gives you some distance from your family members and some downtime for you to do your own thing when you need to.
• If you’re visiting family for an extended period of time, it won’t take up space in their driveway.

Cons

• Usually requires reservations ahead of time. Depending on the season, you may need to book months in advance depending on the length of time you’ll be staying and the popularity of the campsite.
• Fees are required to reserve your spot.
• Proximity to your relative’s house could mean a lot of back and forth driving.

While RV parks are usually a safe and comfortable option when you’re traveling, you may choose to stay in your family's driveway or somewhere on their property.

Parking in a Relative's Driveway

Pros

• A good option if you couldn’t make any reservations at a nearby RV park, or you just want to save some money.
• The comfort of your own “home” instead of sleeping in a strange bed or on a couch.
• Can utilize your relative’s laundry room
• Gives you the opportunity to be part of the impromptu moments with family, such as staying up late talking or enjoying a quiet cup of coffee together in the morning.
• Provides extra space for food storage or cooking options if your relatives are serving a large meal.

Cons

• People are intrigued by the idea of RV living, so your RV may become a popular spot for relatives coming and going to see what it’s like inside.
• If you bring a generator, it may annoy the neighbors or violate local noise ordinances.
• If you know there’s the potential for difficult family dynamics, you won’t have as much downtime away from them.
• Most likely no easy solution for RV hookups, so you’ll probably be sharing the bathroom and kitchen with family at least part of the time.
• Community regulations or homeowners association rules may have restrictions on RV parking or require special permission.

Most importantly, be respectful to your relatives and set clear expectations ahead of time for how long you’ll be staying.

When traveling in an RV, it’s important to be respectful of your fellow travelers, keep the space clean and organized, be ready for potential mechanical issues that may occur, and pack appropriately. By planning ahead you’ll have more time to relax while making memories with your family.