After spending a career moving every few years, many military families look forward to settling into their forever homes. A permanent home offers dreams of a gourmet kitchen, stability, community, and the freedom to paint and renovate as they please. Years of "government white walls" and constant moving make these things seem appealing.
But for other service members, the freedom to travel across the country without requesting anyone's permission is one of the most underrated perks of their military retirement.
For the latter group of retirees, a popular solution is RV life. Life on the road can be a cost-efficient way to travel and foster that sense of adventure that many military families carry in their hearts. Here’s what owning an RV can look like after military retirement.
Photo by Virrage Images Inc via Canva.com
Why Buy an RV?
Travel can be as simple as hopping in the car and booking a hotel or as efficient as taking a flight from Virginia to California in a few hours. Yet many go the route of buying an RV in retirement instead.
Freedom and Flexibility
With the flexibility to plan around campground reservations rather than flights and hotel stays, living in an RV allows retirees to spend as much time as they want wherever they want. The journey can become just as rewarding as the destination. RV life gives owners the golden opportunity to see more of the country while enjoying the flexibility to stay longer in new favorite places whenever the mood strikes.
Budget-Friendly Travel Option
While owning and maintaining an RV is an investment, it can be less expensive over the long run than paying for flights, hotels, and car rentals every time the mood to travel strikes. (A military retirement calculator can be a useful tool to determine whether RV travel fits in your retirement budget.) Thankfully, military retirees have a few extra ways to stretch their travel funds.
Before booking a private campground, check out military discounts through MWR locations and military family campgrounds, called FamCamps, along the route. Many offer RV sites at lower rates than comparable civilian facilities. Both Installation MWR and Information, Tickets and Travel (ITT) offices can assist with discounted attractions and activities in specific areas.
For bigger trips or overnight stays outside the RV, military travel deals through resources like American Forces Travel can offer discounts on hotels, rental cars, flights, cruises, and vacation packages.
Adventure and Exploration
For service members used to the routine of moving around, taking your home on the road offers a unique chance to explore all parts of the country without PCS orders. While traveling between national parks, scenic coastlines, and small towns, you may stumble upon hidden gems you would otherwise overlook. Retirement offers an ideal opportunity to make stops between destinations part of the adventure.
What to Consider Before Buying an RV
Buying an RV is a big investment, so evaluate whether it makes financial sense and if it fits the lifestyle you want.
Initial Investment and Ongoing Expenses
Aside from the initial price tag of owning an RV, which can range from $10,000 to $500,000+, other costs include the following:
- Campsite reservations and fees: Depending on whether you need full, partial, or no hookups, reservation fees can range from $30/night to $2,000+/month.
- Insurance: RV insurance ranges from $1,500 to $4,000+ annually for full-time RVers, depending on the amount of coverage and RV type.
- Maintenance: Maintenance expenses vary by RV type, age, and use, but can easily add up to thousands of dollars annually. Establishing a generous emergency fund for unexpected repairs is also a good idea.
- Fuel: Driving a motorhome or towing a trailer can significantly increase your fuel costs.
Types of RVs
RVs range from pop-up campers to spacious Class A motorhomes. The type of RV you buy depends on the lifestyle you want to adopt.
If you're looking for a traditional camping experience without spending a fortune, a pop-up camper or smaller travel trailer may be a good place to start. If a private bathroom, optional laundry facilities, and the comforts of home are top priorities, a larger fifth-wheel or Class A motorhome might be the better choice. Class C motorhomes also offer many home-like amenities, such as a kitchen and bathroom, while compact Class B camper vans appeal to travelers who value convenience and easy maneuverability.
Logistics and Daily Life
RV life requires mapping routes, and some campgrounds require reservations months in advance. Tools like RV Trip Wizard can help you craft an organized route for your cross-country adventures.
Managing healthcare on the road can be a challenge, especially when coordinating routine appointments and prescription refills. If you have TRICARE, review your plan's rules for receiving care while traveling. Many insurance companies offer virtual checkups as well.
Insight from the Military RV Community
We asked the military RV community to share about this adventurous lifestyle. Here's what they said:
- Being on the road fulfills the sense of adventure that the military often restricts. RV life allows you to see the country. In their opinion, an RV is the best way to travel the U.S. and Canada.
- It’s a great homeschool opportunity. Life on the road presents endless hands-on history lessons. Trips to Gettysburg, the Lewis and Clark Trail, and the National Parks are phenomenal destinations to dive into our nation’s history.
- Get an RV with built-in laundry!
- If you buy an RV to travel part-time, ask someone to check in on your home daily while you're gone.
- Selling 95% of your belongings to spend every day traveling and exploring feels freeing.
Try these top-rated RV parks across the U.S.
Resources for RV Owners
Trip planners: Planning an RV adventure is easier with tools that map safe routes, locate campgrounds, and organize stops. Apps such as RV Life Trip Wizard can help save time and make life on the road smoother.
Pet-friendly travel: Traveling with pets requires a little extra planning. Temperature and humidity monitors with remote alerts, such as Waggle, can give you a pulse on your pets’ environment when you’re away from the RV.
Mail services: Full-time RV living doesn’t mean you can’t get regular mail. Virtual mailbox services let you view and manage your mail online, even when you’re moving from one destination to the next.
Military travel deals: Military retirees have access to military travel discounts, like campgrounds and recreational destinations, through military recreation programs. These benefits can help make exploring new destinations more affordable.
Don't miss the free America the Beautiful Military Lifetime Pass for veterans. It covers entrance fees at national parks and federal recreation areas, although it generally doesn't cover camping fees.
Retirement planning: Before committing to the RV lifestyle, review your retirement income and expenses. A military retirement calculator can help you estimate income and determine how RV ownership and travel fit into the bigger financial picture.
Photo by Unai Huizi from Imagenes de unaihuizi from Canva.com
Frequently Asked Questions About RV Travel After Military Retirement
What military discounts and travel deals can retirees use to save money while traveling by RV?
Military retirees can save on travel through MWR recreational lodging, military campgrounds, and discounted attraction tickets through Information, Tickets and Travel (ITT) offices.
American Forces Travel also offers military travel deals on hotels, rental cars, cruises, and vacation packages. Veterans can also take advantage of a free America the Beautiful Military Lifetime Pass for entrance to national parks.
Where can military retirees find MWR locations and military campgrounds for RV travel?
Military retirees can use Military OneSource's Best Kept Secrets Recreational Facilities Locator to find military campgrounds and RV parks across the country. Installation websites also provide information about facilities, reservations, rates, and eligibility requirements.
How can I use a military retirement calculator to determine whether RV travel fits my retirement budget?
A military retirement calculator can help estimate your retirement pay so you can plan your budget. Compare your projected monthly income with RV purchase payments, insurance, maintenance, campground fees, fuel, and other living expenses to determine whether part-time or full-time RV travel is financially realistic.
Whether you embark on the open road after military retirement or settle down in a more traditional home, balancing your heart for adventure, financial stability, and personal fulfillment can be the key to a fulfilling retirement.
Stay connected with MilitaryByOwner for more helpful information for your military life, and life after the military!
