The Work From Anywhere movement has shifted the way work happens. What began as a necessity during the pandemic has shifted into one of the most commonly demanded work options out there. While many folks work from a stick-and-bricks home, many others choose to take their work on the road with them.
Whether you’re a full-time RVer, vacationer, or weekend traveler needing to fit in some work while you travel, juggling priorities while on the road can be just as difficult as the tasks you need to accomplish. So why reinvent the wheel if you don’t have to? Here are four tips for how to efficiently go about working from the road.
1. Consider your internet options
If you need internet for getting your work done, your first decision will be whether to use your cell phone or use WiFi. To use your cell phone, you will likely need to create a hotspot, and the success of this method will be based on how strong your cell phone signal is and on how much data you have available. Most cell phone plans cap your usable hotspot data.
If cell phone data isn’t an option for you, you’ll need to find a usable WiFi network. I gravitate toward libraries for this—in many towns, it’s the fastest WiFi available—but some cafes like Starbucks also have excellent WiFi. Lowe’s is also known for having usable WiFi, and sometimes it’s even accessible from the parking lot.
If you’re a full-time RVer or find yourself frequently working on the go, you may want to invest in heavier-duty equipment, like some signal-enhancing gear, to make this task easier. Starlink Roam is a satellite internet option from the same folks who brought us the Tesla.
2. Find the right location
Escape to the great outdoors and set up camp on BLM land — most campsites are free, full of fresh air, and off the beaten path. Need help searching for a site? Our BLM park guides are here to map out your options. One part of finding the right location, of course, will be figuring out your internet options.
But you’ll also want to think about the height of your table or work surface in your RV, what you’ll need access to while — a snack, a cup of coffee — and of course, whether or not your view is suitable and inspiring. After all, one of the perks of working remotely is the ability to choose your view.
3. Minimize distractions
Your kitchen table might be the most obvious RV work setup, but if that’s the central location for your kids as they come and go, it may prove too distracting. Find a place that’s out of the way, either inside or outside, where you can work in relative peace. When I’m on the go, this spot is often the passenger seat of my car! Just be sure to have your own space—even if it’s a closet—and protect that space to minimize distractions.
Try out remote working by renting one of these WiFi ready RVs
4. Be efficient
Working while on vacation, or while you’re within access to a wealth of awesome activities, isn’t ideal. You’d rather be having fun, right? But to make your time as productive as possible, find ways to be efficient. Make a point to only check email once or twice a day—this isn’t the time to check Facebook or watch a silly meme. Also, be sure to work at the time of day when you’re most focused, if possible, and don’t work longer than necessary. After all, the world of activities awaits!
I hope these tips are helpful as you plan your next getaway. If you’re ready to rent an RV for your next trip, head here.