Benen Shoquist

For many campers, the idea of owning an RV starts as a passing thought during a rental trip. A long weekend in a campground, surrounded by rigs that belong to people who just… have one. The question comes naturally: what would it actually take to own one of these? RV sales have stayed elevated since the pandemic-era outdoor boom, and a growing share of buyers are not retirees trading in their homes for the open road.

You’ve mapped your route, loaded up the cooler, and topped off the tank. But when’s the last time you looked at your wiper blades? It’s one of the most overlooked parts of road trip prep, and one of the most important. A sudden rainstorm, a wave of bugs across the windshield, or a dusty stretch of highway can test your wipers fast. If they’re not up to the job, you’re not just annoyed. You’re a safety risk. Here’s what every road tripper should know before pulling out of the driveway.

In 2026, the United States turns 250. And while there will be parades, fireworks, and a year of official America250 programming from coast to coast, the most powerful way to mark the Semiquincentennial isn’t to watch it on a screen. It’s to drive it. This 2,500-mile road trip is built like a timeline you can steer.