The Rise of Solo Travel

By Nicoll Davis

IF YOU’RE CONSIDERING traveling solo in an RV, you’re certainly not alone. In fact, more and more people are choosing to travel this way. For some, the appeal lies in the freedom to wander wherever they please, without being tied to a specific itinerary or destination. Others enjoy the independence that comes with solo travel, and the ability to make decisions on their own terms. Regardless of your motivation, solo travel can be a rewarding experience.

I had the pleasure of interviewing three full-time travelers who have chosen to live the nomadic lifestyle—each with their own story about why they decided to hit the road solo. One thing they have in common? They all agree it’s one of the best decisions they’ve ever made.

Kathryn

Kathryn McGuire always wanted to explore the desert. So when she saw an opportunity to buy a used 2000 Bigfoot truck camper with a ’90s vibe and turn it into her home, she jumped at the chance. After doing some interior renovation, she hit the road solo on her 29th birthday.

For Kathryn, the appeal of solo travel is that she can go where she wants, when she wants, without having to rely on anyone else. “It never even crossed my mind that going alone would be weird or scary,” she said. “I’ve never been one to wait around for others to make things happen. I just knew I had a dream and was making it my reality.”

Kathryn is a self-proclaimed casual potter who sells her wares on the road to cover her expenses. She often finds herself being asked what she does for money by curious travelers, to which she responds, “I sell my pottery … want to see it?”

Traveling solo can be intimidating as well as empowering. For Kathryn, one of the best parts of solo travel was the freedom to make her own decisions. When she gets invited by new friends to go on an adventure (like to a swimming hole in the Sonoran Desert or to drive an ATV in Moab), she can say yes immediately.

“When something broke in my truck or camper, it was up to me to fix it. I gained a massive sense of self-worth and confidence by being able to make decisions and handle issues on my own, and the ultimate freedom was incredibly good for my soul,” she said.

Kathryn’s advice for someone who is considering traveling solo? “Go for it!” You don’t need to wait for the perfect time or partner in order to make your dream a reality. “Be safe, keep an open mind and heightened situational awareness while you’re out there exploring, and you’ll be fine.” Traveling solo can be incredibly rewarding if you are open to adventure and keep a positive attitude.

Cass

Cass Beach hit the road in 2017 with her dog, Jasper, and cat, Napoleon. Her first rig didn’t hold up, so she stayed in Airbnbs until she purchased an Airstream travel trailer. She recently made the switch to a truck camper, giving her even more freedom to explore.

She works full time as a strategic consultant for a large corporation in the insurance industry. “I work your typical 9 to 5 job, but as a full-time remote employee, I can travel anywhere in the U.S. and still log in to work,” Cass said.

Traveling solo is great for the freedom and experiences it brings. “When you’re out in the world on your own, there’s no one to tell you what to do or where to go—you are completely free. It’s completely up to you, and that sense of freedom is incredible.” Cass said.

Solo travel can also increase your confidence in your own abilities. “I’ve learned so much about myself over the last five years, in terms of what I enjoy doing and where my comfort level lies,” Cass said. “I’ve also learned how to push myself outside of that zone to learn or try something new. Overall, my confidence in myself and my abilities has grown tremendously, and this brings a whole new satisfaction to life.”

For Cass, the worst part about traveling solo is the loneliness. “There are many ways to meet and travel with others, but as a solo traveler, you do end up spending time alone.” she said. Cass doesn’t use any apps to connect with others while on the road. Instead, she prefers to meet people at events organized by various nomadic organizations, and she says she’s met some amazing people this way.

“Don't let being solo stop you,” Cass said. She believes that living your life to the fullest and traveling to the places you’ve dreamed of shouldn't have to wait until you meet someone to go with. “Know yourself, know what your dreams are, and go for it,” she advised. “Even if you are solo.”

Ian

For Ian Rowsby, the best part about traveling solo in an RV has been the opportunity to explore new and beautiful places while still having all the comforts of home. Ian travels to different parts of the country, exploring via his motorcycle and using his RV as the perfect basecamp.

Ian has learned a lot about self-reliance. “One of the hardest things about being on the road by yourself is that you don’t have anyone to rely on when things go wrong,” he said. “If your RV breaks down, or you get sick, you have to figure out how to fix the problem on your own.” This can be tough, but it’s also one of the things Ian loves about solo travel.

For anyone considering solo RV travel, Ian has some great advice: “Rent or borrow an RV or van and give it a try for a week or two. This will help you get a feel for whether or not you can deal with solo travel before making any major financial commitments.”

Ian has been on the road for four years. In the interest of safety, he generally avoids big cities, where there are more opportunities for problems, and spends most of his time camping on Bureau of Land Management land or at RV campgrounds. He feels fortunate to be able to afford stays in RV campgrounds when necessary, since he works a full-time, remote job.

For Ian, full-time travel can be lonely at times, but having something to look forward to can help. “I always try to have plans to meet up with friends at some location or other.” One of Ian’s favorite apps to use to meet people is wlfxhere.com, which allows him to connect with other dirt bike riders who will be in the same place at the same time as him. By connecting with others who share his interests, Ian is able to make friends and have positive experiences while traveling solo.

Nicoll can be found on Instagram @livingtinywithawolf