The 3x3x3 Rule

One tip for more relaxed travels

8/5/20251 min read

The 3x3x3 Rule

The 3-3-3 RV rule is a guideline for recreational vehicle travel, suggesting that you should drive no more than 300 miles a day, stay in one location for at least 3 days, and arrive at your campsite by 3 PM. The main advantage of this rule is that it encourages a more relaxed and less rushed travel pace. By limiting daily mileage and arriving early, RVers can avoid the stress of long, exhausting driving days and the difficulty of setting up camp in the dark. Arriving by mid-afternoon provides ample time to set up the RV, explore the campground, and relax before dinner. The three-day minimum stay allows for deeper immersion in a destination, giving travelers a true sense of place and reducing the constant packing and unpacking that can make travel feel like a chore. Overall, this rule promotes a more deliberate and enjoyable RVing experience.

However, this version of the 3-3-3 rule also has its disadvantages. The 300-mile daily limit can be a significant drawback for those with limited vacation time or who need to cover a lot of ground to reach a specific destination, making cross-country trips feel prohibitively long. The three-day minimum stay can also be restrictive for travelers who prefer a faster pace and want to visit as many different locations as possible in a single trip. Furthermore, the "arrive by 3 PM" component, while beneficial for setup, can be challenging to adhere to. It might necessitate a very early start to the day, especially if the drive is close to the 300-mile limit, and it could force travelers to bypass interesting sights or spontaneous stops along their route in order to meet their arrival deadline.