How a Two-Month Trip Turned Into Roadschooling and Full-time RV Living

Written by Ashley Peeples of Peeples and Places

The Beginning: A Simple Weekend Escape

Back in 2020, like many families, we were looking for ways to escape the chaos of everyday life while still staying safe. We bought an RV, thinking it would be perfect for weekend getaways while keeping our home base. At the time, full-time RV life wasn’t even on our radar—it was just about unplugging from screens, enjoying nature, and spending quality time together.

Then, something unexpected happened.

We set out on a two-month trip, just to explore and enjoy the flexibility of remote work. But by the time we returned, something inside us had shifted. The open road, the ever-changing scenery, and the simplicity of RV living had ignited something we couldn’t ignore.

I found myself asking, “Do people actually do this full-time?”

As soon as I discovered that full-time RV life wasn’t just a wild fantasy but something real families were actually doing, I was hooked. I immediately got into research, trying to figure out how it all worked. How do people afford to travel full-time? How do you homeschool kids on the road? What happens when you’re off-grid and need Wi-Fi for remote work or school? And how do you keep everything powered up without being plugged in all the time? I had so many questions swirling in my head. The more I read, the more I could see us doing it too. Those little daydreams turned into big plans, and before we knew it, we were imagining a whole new way of life.

The Defining Moment: A Cold Reality Check

That first trip ended with a return to Ohio just as the temperatures started to drop. It was cold, and I couldn’t shake the thought: What if we never had to deal with winter again? That realization—that we could literally chase 75-degree weather year-round—was the final push we needed. Why settle for scraping ice off windshields and bundling up in layers when we could be waking up to ocean breezes, mountain sunrises, and warm desert nights?

So, we made the leap. We sold our house, downsized our belongings, and committed fully to life on the road. And while there have been plenty of lessons along the way, one thing remains true: we’ve never looked back.

Powering Up on the Road: Keeping Life Running Smoothly

One of the biggest challenges of full-time RV life is staying powered up—especially when juggling school, work, and daily life while off-grid. Fortunately, Lion Energy makes it simple to keep everything running smoothly, no matter where we are.

When we’re not hooked up to shore power, we rely on a combination of:

• Six lithium batteries to power our RV - For this, we chose the Lion UT 1300 BT-H Battery with Internal Heater. It's easy to monitor with the Lion Energy App and has a longer run time compared to lead batteries. Plus it also has a lifetime warranty!
• An onboard generator for additional backup.
• Lion Energy Summit Portable Generator Kit for flexibility—these are a game changer when we want to work outside in our Clam shelter while the kids focus on school inside.

Having reliable off-grid power means we’re not tied to campgrounds with hookups—we can boondock in beautiful, remote locations without worrying about running out of energy. Whether it’s charging laptops for work, keeping the kids’ school devices running, or just making sure the coffee maker is ready for those early mornings, the right power solutions make all the difference.

Must-Have Gadget for Life on the Road

When it comes to keeping our kids entertained, educated, and connected, our #1 must-have gadget is the iPad.

iPads serve multiple purposes:

• Schoolwork – The kids complete all their lessons on them.
• Entertainment – They keep the kids occupied during long travel days.
• Connectivity – They allow our kids to stay in touch with family and friends (especially the ones they have met on the road).

Reliable power from Lion Energy Prowler powerbank ensures their devices stay charged, even when we’re far from civilization.

Homeschooling on the Road: Structure Meets Adventure

One of the biggest questions we get is, “How do you homeschool while traveling?” The answer? A mix of structure and flexibility. We’ve experimented with multiple curriculums over the years, and right now, we’ve found a rhythm that works:

• Math – We use Teaching Textbooks, an online program that allows our kids to work independently at their own pace.
• English & Writing – Night Zookeeper is a favorite because it gamifies language arts, making writing and grammar fun.
• Science & History – Instead of textbook-heavy lessons, we lean into hands-on learning. National parks, museums, aquariums, and hikes provide some of the best real-world education. A ranger-led program or a deep dive into marine biology at an aquarium beats a worksheet any day!

Some days, we follow a structured routine, and other days, we let our travels dictate what we learn. That’s the beauty of roadschooling—it adapts to our lifestyle instead of the other way around.

The Biggest Challenge of RV Life with Kids

While full-time RV life has given us incredible freedom and unforgettable experiences, it’s not without its challenges—especially with kids.

One of the biggest struggles? Living in a small space where things can get messy fast. When you’re in an RV, there’s no “I’ll clean it later” option because clutter piles up quickly. A few misplaced toys, dishes in the sink, and laundry waiting to be folded can make the entire space feel chaotic.

• We’ve learned that organization is everything when it comes to RV life with kids. A few things that help:
• Giving everything a home – If an item doesn’t have a designated spot, it’s not worth keeping.
• Daily reset routines – A quick morning and evening tidy-up keeps things from spiraling out of control.
• Minimalist mindset – Less stuff equals less mess, so we focus on keeping only what we truly need.

That said, the trade-off is worth it. We may not have a massive house, but we have something better—endless backyards, ever-changing views, and the freedom to roam.

The Freedom of Reliable Power

One of the biggest benefits of having a solid power setup? The freedom to camp in incredible locations. Thanks to our power system, we’ve been able to:

Boondock just outside Arches National Park, waking up to red rock sunrises and just outside Olympic National Park on the Hoh River!

Camp at the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta for two weeks, surrounded by other full-time families and hundreds of hot air balloons filling the sky.

Without reliable power, we’d be limited to RV parks with hookups—but having the ability to generate and store our own energy means we get to experience these once-in-a-lifetime adventures.

The Biggest Reward of RV Life

For all the challenges that come with living in an RV, the biggest reward far outweighs them—and that’s the adventures we get to experience as a family.

There’s nothing like watching our kids explore a new place for the first time, whether it’s hiking through a national park, spotting wildlife up close, or learning about history by standing where it happened. Instead of being stuck in the same routine, we get to live in the moment, together—and that’s something we wouldn’t trade for anything.

Advice for Families Considering Full-Time RV Life

If we could offer one piece of advice to families thinking about making the leap into full-time RV life, it would be this:

Stay flexible. Needs change, plans shift, and life on the road is full of unexpected twists. But in the midst of it all, find comfort in knowing that you’re giving your child the adventure of a lifetime—one that will shape their perspective, fill their memories, and give them stories to tell for years to come.