Short trips in a camper are the perfect way to escape the hustle and bustle — but when time is limited, every moment and stop counts.
Whether it’s a weekend getaway or just a few days on the road, you’ll want to make the most of every stop, scenic view, and campsite. Traveling in a camper gives a ton of flexibility where you can experience new places at your own pace, but without proper planning, even the freedom of the open road can feel overwhelming and rushed.
The key to a fulfilling short trip is in the details: prioritizing what matters most, optimizing your route, and embracing the simplicity of life on the road. After nearly five years on the road — what might be deemed as one of the “longest trips” — we still give ourselves timeframes for where we want to be and when. That does limit our time in specific areas, making thoughtful planning crucial.
In this blog, we’ll walk you through practical tips to ensure you get the most out of your camper adventures, no matter how short your time may be.
Prioritize Must-See Spots
When you’re short on time, it’s easy to get caught up in trying to see everything a destination has to offer. Trying to squeeze in too many attractions in a single destination can leave you feeling rushed and stressed — ultimately ruining the entire point of the trip: to have fun.
Our main goal at each destination is to focus on a few must-see spots that truly excite us. This could be a new national park, a quiet beach, or a cozy town with small-town charm. We do our best to prioritize the experiences that matter most to us, which looks different for everybody.
Before heading to a new destination, we usually take time to research the places we’re most excited about visiting. We try to narrow it down to two or three locations or activities that are non-negotiables. These are usually the spots we know will provide the best experience in the time we have available. For example, if we’re heading to a new national park, we might prioritize a scenic sunrise and sunset hike over visiting every viewpoint. This usually gives us a nice hike and allows us to visit the viewpoints while we are going through the park after we get our hike in. If we’re in a small town, we might opt to explore interesting stores and try local dishes instead of spending an entire day at a museum.
By focusing on a few meaningful experiences, we avoid the frustration of rushing from one place to another. While the destination is often a highlight, the beauty of camper travel lies in the journey itself — not just where you’re going but how you get there.
Plan Your Route Efficiently
While prioritizing must-see stops is essential on a shorter road trip, your route can either make or break your trip. We’ve learned the hard way that endless hours of driving and backtracking can eat up both time and energy, which means less time for adventures. So, planning a route ahead of time is key both financially and time-wise.
We always start by figuring out where we really want to go, then plan how to get there without wasting time or backtracking. We use apps like Roadtrippers and even read other blogs to find cool spots along our route — but we don’t get too caught up in trying to add every little thing we see. Having a planned route is essential, but so is staying flexible with that plan. For us, the goal is to keep things simple and efficient, so we spend more time enjoying the destinations and less time driving.
Another thing to keep in mind is how many hours you want to spend behind the wheel each day. We usually try to keep our drives under five hours, which still allows us to enjoy the journey without feeling rushed. Each morning before we hit the road, we always check for road closures, traffic, and weather before we leave, so we won’t end up stuck somewhere for hours, which we have done too many times before.
Truth be told, proper route planning will allow you to hit all your must-see stops without wasting precious time on the road. Plus, there’s something so relaxing about knowing exactly where you’re going, where you’re camping, and what you’ll do when you get there.
Pack Light and Maximize Camper Space
Packing for a camping trip and a road trip are two very different things. We’ve found that the more we simplify, the more enjoyable our trips become. There is less thinking about what you’re wearing and more thinking about where you’re going. When you’re short on time and space, the last thing you want is to feel like you’re living out of a suitcase. We try to pack light and keep things organized so we can actually use our camper, not just store stuff in it.
The best way to do this is to start by packing only what you need. Think layers, multi-use clothes, and gear that does double duty. A lightweight jacket that doubles as a blanket or shoes that work for both hiking and lounging can make all of the difference. When you’ve got limited space, every item needs to be multipurpose.
We’ve learned that keeping everything organized is key. Use storage bins or pouches to collect gear and keep things easy to grab when you need them. Nothing’s worse than digging around for a snack or your camera when you could be out exploring. The more organized you are, the less stress you’ll have, and the more time you’ll have to kick back and enjoy the adventure.
Start Your Days Early
We’ve learned that getting an early start, without rushing, sets the tone for a smoother, more enjoyable day. Even if we’re just making coffee and watching the sunrise from camp, those early hours give us space to slow down and settle in before we start exploring for the day. On short trips, that extra time makes a big difference. While catching a sunrise for a specific hike or spot may be challenging, it’s worth it for the sake of enjoyment.
If we have a hike or a scenic drive planned, we try to get going before the crowds pick up. It’s not about racing out the door, but about creating enough room in the day to explore without feeling like there is no time to breathe or enjoy each day. An early start helps us beat the rush and gives us a better chance of enjoying popular spots in peace since they usually can get pretty busy, pretty quickly.
Embrace the Unplanned Moments
Some of our favorite memories on shorter trips have come from detours we didn’t actually plan. A dirt road that led to an epic view, a roadside food stand we almost skipped, or a random pull-off that turned into a two-hour hang session — those are the moments that we remember the most.
We like to leave space in our plans for spontaneity. If we’re too focused on hitting every spot, we risk missing the real joy and happiness of getting out in the first place. Traveling in a truck camper gives us the freedom to be spontaneous, especially on shorter trips. It’s those unexpected pauses that often end up being the highlight of our adventures.
Keep Meals Simple
On short trips, we keep food low-effort and high-reward. Our go-tos are solid breakfast bowls, simple yet nutritious dinners, or easy protein snacks. We’ll usually prepare a few things in advance — sometimes the night before an adventure — so we can spend less time cooking and more time enjoying where we are.
We’re not aiming for fancy food, just tasty, simple, and quality fuel for our bodies. A couple of good seasonings can really elevate a meal. Since adventuring tends to burn more energy, we make sure we are consuming well-balanced meals. Fueling for our adventures is very important, so we don’t tire out too soon in the day. While we might not be making top-of-the-line Michelin Star food, let’s be honest — everything tastes better when you’re eating outside with a Michelin Star view.
Conclusion: Small Windows, Big Memories
Short trips might not offer endless time, but with a little planning, they can still deliver some of your most memorable moments. Whether it’s enjoying coffee during a beautiful sunrise, taking a spontaneous detour, or discovering a place that exceeds your greatest expectations, these wins add up fast and can make a short trip unforgettable. Living on the road full-time has taught us that it’s not about how far you go, but how you show up. Even a few days can turn into a full-blown adventure if you let it.
Recent Articles
