The Delicious Freedom Of Solo Trips
There’s something pretty special about hitting the open road with nobody to answer to but yourself.
No debating which route to take. No negotiating over the playlist. No explaining why you’ve stopped at yet another bakery. Just you, your RV and the delicious freedom to make it all up as you go.
If you’ve been thinking about setting off solo, here are five very good reasons to give it a go.
1. You’re completely in charge
Want to leave camp at sunrise? Go for it. Prefer a leisurely breakfast followed by absolutely no movement until lunchtime? That works too.
Solo travel means the itinerary is entirely yours. You can stay an extra night when you fall in love with a place, take the scenic road simply because it looks interesting or pull over whenever you spot a sign promising homemade scones.
There’s no need to compromise, coordinate or convince anyone that your plan makes sense. And if that plan changes three times before morning tea? Even better.
2. It’s a brilliant confidence boost
Your first solo trip can feel a little daunting. There’s towing or driving an RV, reversing, setting up camp and dealing with all those mysterious caravan bits that seem to have their own personalities.
But every little win adds up. The first time you reverse neatly into a site, fix a minor problem yourself or confidently choose a new route, you’ll feel like an absolute champion. Even the slightly less graceful moments become good stories later.
Solo travel reminds you that you’re far more capable than you might think - and that asking a friendly neighbour for help still counts as solving the problem.
There’s no correct way to travel solo. © Unsplash3. You’ll meet more people than you expect
Travelling alone doesn’t necessarily mean being lonely. In fact, solo travellers can be some of the most social people in a campground.
Without a built-in travel companion, you’re often more open to chatting with the people next door, joining happy hour or swapping tips around the communal barbecue. A simple “Where are you heading next?” can quickly turn into an afternoon conversation, a shared meal or a friendship that continues several campsites down the road.
The RV community is famously welcoming and there’s usually someone nearby who’s happy to offer advice, lend a tool or help you work out why that light keeps flashing.
4. You can enjoy some glorious peace and quiet
Everyday life can be noisy. There are appointments, messages, deadlines, household jobs and that one notification that always seems to arrive just as you sit down. Solo travel gives you space to step away from all of it.
You can drink your morning coffee outside without saying a word, wander along a beach at your own pace or sit under the awning with a book and nowhere else to be. There’s time to think, reset and enjoy your own company - preferably with a good view and a snack within reach.
And because you’re travelling in an RV, your cosy little home comes along for the ride. It’s independence without giving up your favourite pillow.
5. You get to discover what you really enjoy
When you’re travelling with other people, it’s easy to fall into a shared routine. Solo travel gives you the freedom to find out what your version of a great trip actually looks like.
Perhaps you’re happiest exploring country towns and op shops. Maybe you love long bushwalks, quiet riverside camps or spending an entire afternoon photographing birds. You might discover that you’re a sunrise person after all - or confirm once and for all that mornings are best avoided.
There’s no correct way to travel solo. You can head away for one weekend, spend a few weeks exploring your own state or take on the big lap. Start at whatever level feels comfortable and build from there.
Solo RV travel isn’t about proving you can do everything alone. It’s about giving yourself the freedom to travel your way, trust your instincts and see what’s waiting around the next bend.
And, perhaps most importantly, nobody can object when you play the same road-trip song six times in a row.
If you’re keen to meet like-minded travellers, you can also join The Solo’s Network or one of CMCA’s many ‘solo’ chapters - friendly communities offering connection, support and plenty of opportunities to travel together.
