Working from the road is fast becoming commonplace, as more people are shedding the 9 to 5 and learning to live a freer existence.

If you’re planning to work remotely from the road in your RV, it’s important to know how to do it right. Whether you’re working full-time or just taking a long vacation, these tips will help you stay productive and efficient.

Determine Your Cost of Living and Travel Expenses

One of the first questions most people ask is “how much does it cost to live in an RV full-time?” The answer to that question isn’t always clear-cut, but there are a few factors you can use to make a more accurate estimate.

The most obvious one is fuel, which can easily add up to a significant chunk of your monthly budget. Luckily, there are plenty of apps out there that can help you find the best gas prices near your destination. Fuelio and Gas Buddy are two of the best apps out there.

Other notable costs include campsite fees, parking, insurance, and miscellaneous purchases. Keeping a close eye on your monthly expenses will help you stay on track, which can be crucial when you’re in the middle of nowhere. To help you do that, you should keep a running tally of your daily spending so you know where you can cut back and save for a rainy day. The best way to do this is to track your expenses for a few months before you leave home.

Pack for Remote Work and Travel

If you plan to work remotely from the road, it’s important to pack only the essentials for your job. That means having a laptop that is lightweight and fast to run, a good internet connection and other related gear like a protective case and charging cords.

You can also invest in an extra monitor to multitask projects and keep your digital workspace tidy. Another tip for working remotely from the road is to plan your travel days accordingly. Long travel days are exhausting and can affect your productivity.

Taking time to relax and explore the scenery between locations can be a great way to make the most of your remote work experience. Look for side trips to national parks, state or cultural villages, historic ruins and beautiful natural sights as you travel from one location to the next. Have a good idea of where you will be going and pack accordingly.

Create and Stick to a Schedule

The best way to stay productive is to create and stick to a schedule. This can be difficult when you’re traveling, but it will keep you focused and on track.

One of the most common problems that full-time RVers face is staying on top of their work. They often forget to schedule time for their remote work and end up falling behind. That said, it’s important to also set limits for how much you work and know when to call it a day. Just because you are free to travel does not mean you are free from work burnout, especially when you’re facing a tight deadline.

It’s important to create a dedicated workspace for remote work. This can be a desk or an area of the RV that is set up specifically for your remote work needs.

You may also want to invest in a good pair of noise-canceling headphones so that you can stay focused and make your remote calls smoothly. This will save you time and money since you won’t have to spend time trying to find a quiet place to work. It will also help you get more done in a shorter period of time.

Find a Good Wi-Fi Connection

Having a good Wi-Fi connection is essential to being productive and effective while working remotely from the road in your RV. It also allows you to communicate effectively with your clients and build positive client relationships.

Many campgrounds, marinas and cafes advertise free or paid Wi-Fi. However, these networks are overloaded and often very slow. You can do a quick benchmark download speed test on fast.com to see how fast the internet is.

If you have a high bandwidth requirement for video conferencing and other internet-based work, it’s important to have a reliable connection. A public Wi-Fi network can be an effective option, but it’s important to understand the limitations of these networks and how they may affect your ability to work.

The key to a good Wi-Fi connection when working remotely from your RV is having a plan that gives you enough data for your mobile device and the additional devices that need to use it. It’s not uncommon for companies to only give you 10GB or 20GB of tethering data per month, so be sure to choose a plan that will give you the amount you need.