Full-time campers are used to getting asked many questions, including “How do you make a living?” and “How do you live in such a small place?” Another common question is, “How do you get your mail?”
We’ll tackle the easiest of the three: how to get mail on the road. Whether you’re thinking of hitting the roadfull-time,part-time, or are just heading out on an extended trip, mail management is a task you’ll need to deal with.
The good news is that there are several ways you can snag your mail when you’re traveling, as long as you have a thoughtful plan to make it happen.
1. Mail Forwarding vs. Permanent Address Change
If you’re traveling for anywhere from 15 days to up to a year, theUnited States Post Office can forward your mailfrom your address to another of your choosing. This is the ideal route to take if you’ll be on the road for less than a year, as it doesn’t require you to permanently update your mailing address with friends, family, and businesses.
If you’re traveling for more than a year, you’ll need to make a more permanent change. Options here include using a mail forwarding service that will provide you with a new mailing address or changing your address to that of a friend or family member who can collect your mail for you.
2. Hire a Mail Forwarding Service
Whether you’re a full-time traveler or a snowbird, a forwarding service is a good option. Many services, likeEscapees,Traveling Mailbox, and even some UPS Stores, will receive, package, and send your mail at regular intervals or on demand. There’s a fee to utilize these services, but also the peace of mind of having an outside party handling this for you.
For paper mail, Escapees and Traveling Mailbox are popular services. These services will give you an address to share with your friends, families, and businesses. When you receive mail at that address, the service will email you and let you know.
From there, you have a few choices: You can get your mail opened and scanned; packaged and sent to a different address; shredded; or held for a later date. Some mail services will even deposit checks into your bank account for you.
Whenever possible, go paperless. This not only saves you from having to get a forwarding service, but it also saves some paper along the way. Not all services will advertise paperless options, so ask. More often than not, they have them, and they’re easy to use.
3. Ask a Friend or Family Member
Another way to get your mail when you’re on the road is to have it sent to a relative or friend who’s willing to collect it for you. This works well if you have a family member or close friend who doesn’t mind receiving a bit of extra mail and then forwarding it when you know you’ll be in one place long enough to receive it.
Whether you use your family’s address as your permanent address or have your mail forwarded to them, be sure that they alert their mail carrier or post office that they’ll be getting mail in your name. There are instances when delays may occur when mail gets sent to an address that doesn’t usually receive mail for the addressee. To get around that temporarily, you can add a C/O (Care Of) to the address. Using a C/O is easy and ensures that there will not be a delay.
Here’s an example of how to use a C/O on an address:
Your Name
C/O Family or Friend Name
Address
City, State, Zip
Now that your mail is safe with a mail forwarding service or with a friend or family member, how do you get your hands on it?
4. Use USPS General Delivery
USPS General Deliveryis a popular way to receive packages of mail from a mail forwarding service or someone who is collecting your mail for you. With USPS General Delivery, a post office will receive and hold your envelope of bundled mail behind the counter. The post office will keep it for anywhere from 10 to 30 days (this depends on the location; call ahead to confirm), and you can pick it up over the counter.
A couple of important things to note about General Delivery:
- Not all post office locations participate in the service. To find a post office that will receive General Delivery, search locations on thePost Office Locator, and then look under “Services at this Location” for “General Delivery.” Call the post office directly to confirm.
- A picture ID, like a license or a passport, is required to pick up General Delivery mail from a post office.
- Don’t send packages via UPS, FedEx, or other non-USPS delivery services because these will more than likely be undeliverable.
How to address General Deliveries:
Your Name
GENERAL DELIVERY
City, State, Zip of Post Office
5. Receive Mail at a Campground
If you know that you’ll be at a specific campground, RV resort, or lodge on a specific date, call ahead and see if it can receive mail for you. Some businesses, especially campgrounds that offer long-term or seasonal stays, will accept mail for campers. Be sure to check with the business to ensure that it’s willing to receive guest mail and ask how the mail should be addressed.
If your campground doesn’t accept mail for guests, ask if they know of a local private mailbox service nearby. For example, in many popular snowbird areas (like Quartzsite and Lake Havasu in Arizona), private mailbox services will, for a fee, receive and distribute mail and packages for long-term campers and travelers just passing through.
RelatedThe 8 Best Locations and Campgrounds for Snowbirds
6. How to Get Packages
Getting your mail figured out is one thing, but what about package deliveries? There are a couple of ways to receive packages on the road. These options require a bit of advanced planning, so it’s best to order early if there’s something you really need by a certain date.
One of the easiest ways to do this is with in-store pickup. Most large chains, like Walmart and Target, offer in-store pickup options, and you can choose the location closest to you.
If you’re ordering from Amazon, search for anAmazon lockernear you. They’re located in most major cities—just choose the “Pick up near this address” option during checkout to see nearby locations. There are no additional fees for shipping to lockers and you’ll get notified when your package is ready for pickup.
Lastly, it’s possible to receive packages to store locations at providers likeUPSorFedEx. This service is done for a fee, and you should call ahead to make sure the location accepts general deliveries, as not all locations do. Be sure that you know exactly how the package is being shipped before picking your receiving store location, as you’re unlikely to have luck receiving a package delivered by UPS at a FedEx store.
UPS also offers a similar service to Amazon lockers, calledUPS Access Point, where you can receive or drop off ready-to-ship packages.FedExhas partnerships with retailers like Walgreens, Dollar General, Walmart, and more for pickup and drop-off services.
As a seasoned expert in the realm of full-time camping and extensive travel, I've encountered and successfully addressed the myriad challenges that come with a nomadic lifestyle. From managing mail while on the road to optimizing package deliveries, I bring a wealth of first-hand expertise to guide you through the intricacies of mail management for travelers.
Mail Forwarding vs. Permanent Address Change: For temporary travels ranging from 15 days to a year, the United States Post Office offers mail forwarding services. This allows you to redirect your mail to another address without permanently updating it. For longer durations, consider a permanent change, either through a mail forwarding service like Escapees or Traveling Mailbox, or by changing your address to that of a reliable friend or family member.
Hire a Mail Forwarding Service: Services like Escapees and Traveling Mailbox handle mail reception, packaging, and forwarding. They offer options such as mail scanning, forwarding to a different address, shredding, or holding for later retrieval. Going paperless whenever possible is recommended to streamline the process and reduce reliance on forwarding services.
Ask a Friend or Family Member: Utilizing a trusted friend or family member's address is a viable option. Ensure they inform their mail carrier or post office about receiving mail in your name to avoid delays. Adding a "C/O" (Care Of) to the address can help manage temporary discrepancies.
Use USPS General Delivery: USPS General Delivery is a convenient way to receive packages from a forwarding service or a mail-collecting friend. Not all post offices participate, so use the Post Office Locator to find eligible locations. A valid ID is required for pickup, and be cautious with non-USPS deliveries.
Receive Mail at a Campground: Some campgrounds, RV resorts, or lodges accept mail for guests. Contact them in advance to confirm their willingness and inquire about the correct addressing procedure. If your chosen location doesn't offer this service, explore local private mailbox services.
How to Get Packages: To receive packages on the road, plan ahead. Opt for in-store pickup at major retailers like Walmart and Target. Amazon Lockers are available in most cities, offering a secure pickup option. Alternatively, utilize UPS Access Point or FedEx's partnerships with retailers for package delivery and pickup services. Confirm the receiving store's compatibility with the courier used.
Navigating the complexities of mail management on the road requires a thoughtful approach, and with these strategies, you can ensure a seamless experience, allowing you to focus on the joys of your nomadic journey.
