As the mercury drops and the weather maps turn various shades of ice blue, thousands of nomadic RVers like us will pack up and hit the road to escape from bitter temperatures and long, dark winter days.
Just like snowflakes, no two snowbirds are alike. However, they can be categorized in several ways. For instance, there are long-term snowbirds that arrive in October or early November and stay until March or later and then there are short-term snowbirds that come just for the months of January and February. Both groups are dynamic and evolve annually.
Some of us will migrate vast distances spanning all of North America while many of my vagabond cohorts will only move a few states away to enjoy sunnier, warmer days.
The eastern seacoast is the most popular snowbird route. The most popular auto transport snowbird routes are Montreal and Toronto down to the New England states down to New York, New Jersey, Washington, D.C. and ends in Florida. This route runs the I-95 corridor is the most popular.
The second is the Vancouver, British Columbia and Seattle, Washington through I-5 and ending in Arizona or southern California. The third route cuts down the center of North America from Minneapolis and Chicago down to Texas or cuts off west to Arizona or east towards Florida.
The RV snowbird lifestyle varies greatly depending on your ultimate destination. In this article, I’ll show you how to be a savvy RV snowbird.
Escaping to a warmer winter climate doesn’t necessarily mean that you’ll always be in t-shirts and flip flops. Depending on your departure date from the Northern latitudes, you can be subjected to everything from snow to freezing fog on your way south for winter or on your springtime return trip.
Once you arrive at your winter destination, it’s not uncommon to experience occasional wild temperature shifts—sometimes a region can plunge from daytime temps in the 80s down into the 50s almost overnight.
No matter where you go, random deep freezes are always a possibility so keep this in mind when packing your clothes and outfitting your RV to survive freezing temperatures.
RV snowbirds who own property need to tie up loose ends long before their departure date:
What will you do about your mail? Will you use a mail forwarding service for RVers and if so, which one?
Your house will also need someone to look after it. Can you hire someone to stop by and check for things like fallen trees and security?
Also, Canadian RV snowbirds will need to deal with extra international travel duties like a current Passport and length of stay deadlines, extended health insurance that provides coverage in the United States, international cell and Internet service, and budgeting for extensive fuel costs while heading south and when returning to Canada.
Check out these RV snowbirding tips to make your trip safer and less stressful whether you are full time in your RV or spend part of the year in your northern home.
Choose your RV snowbirding destination wisely
You probably need to answer this question first. If you are planning on staying in a warmer climate for a number of months, you will need to get your RV resort reservations in early. You can also break up your trip by staying maybe a few weeks to a month in different places.
Heading south can mean a lot of things depending on where you originate from. Florida, Texas, Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi are all great places to go but you might get some hurricane action if you’re there in the fall. Arizona, New Mexico, and Southern California are also popular states to spend the winter. These states can get some hot weather in the early fall.
If you like hiking, biking, or kayaking, or you are into birdwatching, or RV parks with lots of activities, these will certainly dictate where you decide to go.
Do your research, plan ahead.
Get your RV ready for your trip
This is an important step to get ready for your winter trip. Get your RV thoroughly checked out before you head south. Here are a few important things to do:
- Check your tires
- Check your batteries
- Inspect the interior for damage from pests, weather, or age
- Flush and sanitize your water system
- Check for leaky pipes
- Check appliances
- Extend slides and awnings and inspect for damage
- Check brake lights and blinkers
- Restock supplies
Have your mail forwarded
Once you have your RV checked over, you need to make sure a few things are taken care of at your home base before you leave. Make sure you hold or forward your mail. Also be sure newspaper subscriptions are stopped or suspended. These are all things that will make your home less vulnerable to thieves. Have a family member or trusted friend come by regularly to check the house, shovel the snow, etc.
Winterize your home
These are a few of the must-do chores to perform before you leave your house for the winter.
Lower your heat but don’t turn it off completely. You don’t want your pipes to freeze. Around 50 degrees is a good temperature to set the thermostat.
Turn down the water heater. Check to see if your water heater has a “vacation mode.” Some of the newer models do. Alternately, turn off the water heater and restart when you return in the spring.
Turn off the water.
Unplug electronics.
Clean out your refrigerator and remove trash.
Activate alarm systems.
Pack the correct clothes and gear
Once you arrive at your destination, you never know if there might be a shift in the weather. Pack clothing for warm and cold weather.
If you are packing to go to southern Florida, you probably won’t need a coat but it can’t hurt to throw in a jacket and jeans just in case. Many places in the southwest are warm during the day and can get pretty chilly in the evening and at night. Be sure to take along cold weather gear for your RV such as a heated hose, double check your propane levels, and make sure your furnace is working well.
Plan health appointments before you go
Depending on whether your health insurance is state-specific, you will likely need to have any health appointments done before you leave and make sure all prescriptions are filled.
Most of the big name pharmacies can simply go on its own online system and get your prescription filled in another state. Walmart is great for this and there are stores everywhere. Just make sure you have enough refills from your physician and you shouldn’t have an issue.
Follow these travel safety tips
Be sure to plan your route ahead of time. Know about road closures in advance.
If you plan to boondock, make a few calls to Walmart stores or Cracker Barrel restaurants along the way. Check for their requirements, if any, to boondock in their parking lots. But you might want to have an alternate plan in mind.
For added safety, follow the 330 rule and keep your trips short, 5-6 hours or less, and avoid driving after dark. Avoidable accidents usually happen when you are tired and pushing your driving limits.
Plan to have fun when you arrive
So, you have picked a place that will meet your needs for the winter and you’ve done your due diligence. Your RV is ready for the road and you have your trip planned.
Once you arrive, don’t forget to have fun exploring the area, the amenities and activities available, introduce yourself to your neighbors and have the best and warmest winter ever.
Check out these helpful resources
For all of your RV camping and trip planning needs, look no further than rvingwithrex.com.
- The Best Snowbird Destinations for RVers (2024-25)
- The Top Hidden Gems for Snowbirds: Find Your New Winter Escape
- 12 Best RV Parks in Arizona for Snowbirds (2023-24)
- The Best RV Driving Routes for Snowbirds
- 12 of the Best State Parks for Snowbirds
- What Makes Arizona Such a Hotspot for Snowbirds?
Worth Pondering…
As Anne Murray sings in the popular song, Snowbird:
“Spread your tiny wings and fly away
And take the snow back with you
Where it came from on that day
So, little snowbird, take me with you when you go
To that land of gentle breezes where the peaceful waters flow…”
Happy travels!
