I remember the day the key first turned in my motorhome’s ignition — a moment filled with exhilaration and just a little bit of gnawing nervousness. It was the day my passion for travel met my remote career. Giving up the traditional office cubicle for life on the open road has been one of the most freeing decisions I’ve ever made. Here’s an inside look at my journey, my top advice for setting up a good mobile office, and how I balance work and adventure while on the open road — and keep life interesting, real.
Embracing Freedom on Wheels
The notion of working anywhere — a mountain overlook at sunrise, a secluded desert campground under starry skies — was irresistible. But, as I learned right away, freedom on wheels has its own fair share of challenges. Every day is unique: Some mornings are sheer sunlight joy, and some mornings are scorchers, forcing me to improvise when unplanned challenges appear. I would soon learn that to be successful in this style of living, you have to embrace unpredictability and adapt on the fly.
Unlike a hotel that has a static view, in a motorhome, your eye runs from the glittering lake to the mountains to the trees to the sky, all the time — a constant source of inspiration. It’s not uncommon for me to pause work to try to catch a stunning moment, whether a sunset, a peaceful lake or a busy small-town marketplace. Part of what fuels our creativity is taking a break, and heading off to understand why we started this journey in the first place.
Building My Mobile Office
Designing a working space in a tiny motor home isn’t always easy, but it is vital to maintaining productivity. Here’s how I was able to create an office that allows me to stay focused while still connected to the beauty outside my windows.
Carving Out a Dedicated Space
Space in a motorhome is limited. I claimed a small corner as my workspace, outfitted with a sturdy desk, an ergonomic chair and as much natural light as I could conjure. Separating one’s own area in the home helps me differentiate between work and sleep so that when I switch to work mode, I am mentally present, and likewise when it comes to relaxation mode. These physical boundaries are vital to maintaining productivity without losing personal time.
Investing in Trustworthy Technology
Technology plays such a major role in remote work that Iaving the right gear was non-negotiable for me. I purchased a lightweight but powerful laptop, bought a portable Wi-Fi router, and paid up for a top-of-the-line pair of noise-canceling headphones. These are now indispensable tools — especially when contending with the occasional spotty internet or loud campground. My setup means that no matter where I park for the night, I can always connect to colleagues, clients, and loved ones.
Managing Power on the Move
Power management always has its challenges on the road. I have solar panels, a good battery system, and I come up to campgrounds once in awhile to plug in. Though there have been some stretches when cloudy weather has challenged my solar setup, and a backup generator and making sure to charge my devices before heading to areas with spotty coverage have saved the day more than one time.
Balancing Work and Adventure
The exciting, but also difficult side of life on the road is finding the balance between work and adventure! Over time, I’ve developed a mix of standards combined with spontaneity — a plan that allows me to stay on top of my tasks and still relish the adventure.
Structured Flexibility
Instead, I’ve been adopting what I call “structured flexibility.” I wake up early, and my first few hours of work involve addressing the most important things like emails, virtual calls, and creative work. This morning routine capitalizes on the peaceful hours before the world wakes up. Then, I schedule breaks, leisure activities — whether that’s a brisk hike, a trip to a nearby attraction or simply a few peaceful moments outdoors. This equilibrium not only propels me through but also makes my travel all the more rewarding.
Routines that Remain Consistent During Change
Though my world is in constant motion, my daily practices help keep me grounded. Every morning, I have a nice cup of hot coffee and some quiet time to set my intentions for the day. I also keep a travel and work journal in which I write down ideas and keep track of where I am as well as small joys I experience during the day. The practice helps me stay grounded, so I pivot when I get surprises.
Aligning with Local Rhythms
Moving between time zones has entailed shifting work hours to align with those of my clients and collaborators. I schedule my routes so that I can either keep up with their schedules, or easily explain if I am not. I even find myself falling into local rhythms — slowing to sample the local culture, taking a moment in the afternoon to recharge. Along with connecting better with the community, adapting to the rhythm of each new place helps me keep my work-life balance in check.
Staying Connected on the Road
Reliant internet is the mother’s milk on having a remote job, however while you’re traveling, discovering a steady connection may be a problem. Over the years I’ve figured out a collection of strategies to keep me online, and productive, wherever I wander.
Scouting for Connectivity
Not every campground or RV park has strong Wi-Fi. I have learned to do a little homework before making my stop for the night. I often follow online reviews and local recommendations; these lead me to places that seem to consistently provide access to the internet. In those cases when I show up and need better connectivity, I work off my portable Wi-Fi device that works off cellular networks — because I scour coverage maps in advance.
Digital Backup Plans
Even with exhaustive planning, there are days when the internet just doesn’t cooperate. I download essential documents ahead of time, and keep a running list of nearby cafes or coworking spaces with free Wi-Fi. It’s a change of scenery (moving from my motorhome to a cozy café) that sometimes turns the trick for me, getting my productivity (and my brain) back on track when I feel stuck on a task.
Embracing Cloud Services
This cloud storage has been life changing for me. I save everything on things like Google Drive and Dropbox, so when I change devices (which I do often), my entire life is right there. Whether I’m typing away on my laptop or tablet, I have all my files right from the cloud, which keeps me flexible and safe even if I need to change places on a dime.
Life on the Road: The Struggles And the Joys
The advantages of working remotely from a motorhome are endless, however the disadvantages can sometimes feel a bit daunting. Lessons abound, from dodgy weather to moments of loneliness, on a daily basis.
Weather and Road Conditions
Weather can be something of a double-edged sword. Some of those days — the ones where I don’t have too many back-to-back meetings, so the pine trees outside are dancing gently in the wind — are beautiful to work in, some of them — the ones where the country is suddenly hit by a storm and the roads have to be cleared — require me to adapt. When weather looks inclement, I adjust my schedule—catching up with my reading, mapping out future projects, or trying my hand at creative pursuits. Flexibility has become my biggest strength in handling the unexpected.
Coping with Loneliness
Yet while solitude is lovely, loneliness sometimes travels with me on the road. I miss the casual office banter and random run-ins with colleagues. To combat this, I organize virtual meetups with friends and colleagues on a regular basis. It has also enabled me to join communities online for other like-minded digital nomads for a sense of camaraderie that has been invaluable for practical advice as well as emotional support in between stints of activity.
Work-Life Boundaries: Tips for Working from Home
When your home becomes your office, it’s hard for work not to seep into all parts of your day. I’ve enforced some hard boundaries (with myself!) around my work hours and turned my motorhome into a “no work zone”—a space for relaxation and living to the fullest. Evenings are for winding down, whether that be cooking, stargazing or just reading. This split is necessary to prevent stress from taking over me, and to also make sure that I get to enjoy the journey.
The Unexpected Rewards
Read more: The best cities to work from home in a motorhomeHowever, the benefits outweigh the challenges, as working remotely from a motorhomeTraveling around the world in a motorhome is an experience like no other, and it allows people to experience the world as they travel. And the lifestyle promotes benefits that reach far beyond professional productivity.
An Endless Source of Inspiration
Every new destination adds new layers to my creativity. The scenery shifts from rugged coast to picturesque mountain views, stimulating my wandering mind and sparking all kinds of ideas. I derive my best inspiration from those random moments at a lake or a sunset at the top of the hill.
Improved Time Management
Living on the road makes you an expert time manager. With a never-stable schedule, I’ve become adept at prioritizing tasks and really maximizing every minute that I have. Not only does this improve my work productivity, but it allows me more time to enjoy the adventure of the world around me.
Community on the Move
While I spend most of my time alone in my motorhome, the lifestyle has connected me to such an amazing community of people. Whether fellow digital nomads at a campground or new friends met on a scenic drive, these connections have enhanced both my personal and professional life. Another unexpected benefit of the life of a nomad has been the sharing of experiences, swapping tips and even collaboration on projects.
Training data includes information from October 2023.
Instilled perhaps the greatest reward of all: the growth I’ve experienced. Technical glitches, as well as unexpected detours, have forced me to adapt, persevere and trust my instincts. The experience has challenged me to step outside of my comfort zone, cultivate resilience, and develop a newfound gratitude for life’s unpredictability.
Good luck with this journey because it is rewarding.
Working remotely from a motorhome isn’t merely a change of scenery — it’s a way of life that embraces freedom, creativity, and flexibility. It’s a path of self-discovery, one where every day offers new difficulties and unforeseen benefits. If you have reason to believe this could be in your future, know that every twist and turn on the journey through life is a chance to grow.
Begin by mapping your route, investing in quality gear, and establishing a work space that allows you to stay focused but also connected to the world outside. (Embrace the structure of your workday without sacrificing spontaneity, and never underestimate the importance of a solid support network — both online and IRL.)
My journey has been one of deadlines for detours and virtual meetings to breathtaking vistas and solace to vibrant community connections. Real productivity is less about what you can check off your list and more about what comes to you in relentless moments of inspiration and the determination you muster in between.
So, if your fantasies include trading a conventional office for endless highways and different vistas, know that the road ahead is well-traveled but the treasures at the end of each day are of not high, but rather unparalleled, value. Grab your essentials, charge your devices and hit the road for remote work on wheels. The freedom to work from anywhere beckons—and each mile traveled brings closer a life more rich and fulfilling.
Happy travels and may it be a productive, inspiring journey.