One of the most common questions we get as full-time RVers is, “How do you get mail on the road?” The short answer? A mix of planning, flexibility, and digital tools. Whether you’re a full-time traveler or just need a temporary mailing solution, this guide breaks down all the best ways to receive mail while on the road including mail forwarding services, FedEx Hold at Location, Amazon lockers and pickup, and more!
How We Personally Get Mail as Full-Time RVers
We get asked about mail way more than we expected- probably because, as millennials, we don’t actually get much of it! But for the few important things we do need, we’ve figured out a system that works well. Our legal address is Josh’s dad’s house, which also serves as our home base. We have our own hookups on his property and spend a few months there each year, so it makes sense to keep our residency in Illinois. Even though it’s an expensive state to be based in, we’re still tied into our old community and want to keep voting locally.
To keep tabs on mail while we’re traveling, we use USPS Informed Delivery, which sends us daily previews of what’s arriving. If we see something important, we ask Josh’s dad to either open it and send us pictures or forward it to us. The most important things he’s sent were our election ballots in November and April- both times, he took them to a FedEx store, which made it easy to ship with Hold at Location so we could pick them up wherever we were.
For packages, we’ve tried several options depending on where we are. Josh has ordered work-related items and had them sent to FedEx Hold at Location, which has worked well. We’ve also done Amazon pickups, but since we often stay in rural areas, Amazon lockers and counters aren’t always available. When we do use them, we’ve had success with:
- FedEx to a FedEx store
- FedEx to Dollar General
- Amazon Locker inside a Dollar Tree
- Amazon Locker outside a gas station
- Amazon Counter at Staples
- FedEx to Walgreens
It takes a little planning, but between Informed Delivery, package hold services, and forwarding from Josh’s dad, we’ve never had an issue getting something we truly needed on the road.
Mail Forwarding Services and Virtual Mailboxes
One of the biggest challenges of full-time RV life is figuring out how to get your mail and packages when you’re constantly moving. That’s where mail forwarding services and virtual mailboxes come in! These services give you a permanent mailing address, collect your mail, and let you decide what happens to it- whether that’s forwarding it to your current location, scanning it for digital access, or shredding the junk.
Here’s a breakdown of three popular options RVers use:
Escapees Mail Service
Escapees RV Club offers a highly rated mail service designed specifically for RVers. It’s great if you need a legal domicile address in Texas, Florida, or South Dakota. Here’s how it works:
- Sign up (Escapees membership required) and get an address
- Fill out USPS Form 1583 and get it notarized. This gives Escapees permission to handle your mail
- Manage your mail online, by app, or by calling in
- Choose a forwarding method based on what you want to receive and how often
What You Get:
- A real street address (not a PO box) in Livingston, TX, or your chosen domicile state (South Dakota or Florida)
- Digital mailbox options available
- Can accept USPS, UPS, and FedEx packages. Accepts all classes of USPS mail, including certified and registered mail
- Mail forwarding- unless otherwise specified, all mail is bundled and sent by the most economical method (usually first class or priority mail)
Escapees offers 3 different service categories: Category A forwards all mail types, Category B forwards select mail types, and Category C offers custom mail sorting. Escapees Mail Service starts at $110/year (plus Escapees membership fee of $49.95/year), plus a one time joining fee and postage deposit.There are also small additional fees for packages, oversized mail, and certified mail handling.
Things to Note: No perishable items, alcohol, firearms, or hazardous materials accepted. Mail is typically forwarded from Livingston, TX, so factor that into delivery time.
America’s Mailbox
If you want a South Dakota address, America’s Mailbox is a great option. They offer multiple plans based on mail volume and include a Titanium virtual mail option for those who prefer scanning over physical forwarding.
Plan Options:
- Bronze: Up to 7 pieces of mail per year (best for light users)
- Silver: All mail forwarded, including junk mail, occasional packages
- Gold: Junk mail removed before forwarding, medium volume of packages
- Platinum: High-volume mail forwarding, great for small businesses
- Titanium: Unlimited exterior scans with optional interior scanning for a small fee
America’s Mailbox costs $169.990-$248.99 a year. Unlike Escapees, America’s Mailbox can accept refrigerated medications. You can choose how often your mail is forwarded, and if you’re looking for a specific piece of mail you can email or call and they’ll check for you. To join, call to set up an account and then fill out USPS Form 1583.
Traveling Mailbox
If you’d rather read your mail online instead of waiting for physical forwarding, Traveling Mailbox is a great choice. They scan the outside of each envelope, and you can decide whether to:
- Open & scan the contents (as a searchable PDF).
- Shred it.
- Forward it to a new address.
Traveling Mailbox offers 3 plan options: the Basic plan includes 40 incoming envelopes/month and 35 page scans/month, the Extended Plan includes 100 incoming envelopes/month and 80 pages scans/month, and they also offer a Small Business plan with even higher limits.
Traveling Mailbox costs $15-$55/month, depending on plan. Forwarding mail costs the shipping fee plus a $2/shipment fee. They also offer package storage for an additional daily fee. If you mark mail as junk mail, it won’t count towards your plan limit and your monthly scans rollover.
The standard address for Traveling Mailbox users is a physical address in North Carolina, but they offer 50 addresses across the US. All addresses other than the NC one are considered premium addresses and cost an additional $4.95-$9.95/month depending on which location you choose.
To use Traveling Mailbox:
- Subscribe to get your new address and secure website access
- Fill out USPS Form 1583
- Update your address everywhere you need
- As mail arrives, mark whether to scan, forward, or shred
USPS General Delivery
USPS General Delivery is a convenient way for full-time RVers to receive mail without a fixed address. This service allows travelers to have mail sent to a local post office, where it is held for pickup. However, not all post offices offer General Delivery, and those that do may have different policies on how long they hold mail-some keep it for up to 10 days, while others allow up to 30. Additionally, certain locations may not accept larger packages or may have limited pickup hours.
To use USPS General Delivery, first, find a participating post office. Larger post offices in cities and towns are more likely to offer this service reliably. Before sending mail, call ahead to confirm the specific rules and restrictions of that location. When addressing mail, format it as follows:
Your Name
GENERAL DELIVERY
City, State ZIP Code
Once the mail arrives, you’ll need to pick it up in person with a government-issued ID. Since mail can take a few days to arrive, it’s best to time your delivery to coincide with your stay in that area. Using tracking numbers can also help ensure you don’t miss a delivery. With a little planning, USPS General Delivery can be a useful tool for staying connected while traveling full-time.
Amazon Lockers and Amazon Pickup
Amazon Lockers and pickup locations provide a secure and convenient way for full-time RVers to receive packages while traveling. Instead of worrying about where to ship an order, you can have it delivered to a nearby locker or store and pick it up when it’s convenient for you.
To use an Amazon Locker:
- Go to Amazon’s Locker Locator and search by city or ZIP code to find an available location. Lockers are often found at grocery stores, gas stations, and shopping centers
- During checkout, select “Amazon Locker” as your delivery address and choose a location along your route
- When your package arrives, Amazon will send you a 6-digit pickup code or QR code.
- Enter or scan the code at the locker, and the door will pop open with your package inside. Most lockers hold deliveries for up to three days before returning them to Amazon.
For more flexibility, Amazon also offers in-store pickup at counters inside partner businesses. These locations generally allow a longer pickup window (typically seven days instead of three) and can accept larger packages that wouldn’t fit in a locker. However, they are limited to store hours, so you’ll need to plan accordingly. Additionally, many UPS Stores function as Amazon pickup points, offering another option for receiving packages securely on the road.
Ship to Store Packages
Shipping to a store is a convenient option for full-time RVers who need a secure place to receive online orders without a permanent address. Many major retailers offer free in-store pickup, allowing you to place an order online and pick it up at a nearby location when it arrives. This is especially useful for items that aren’t stocked in-store but are available online.
Popular retailers like Walmart, Target, Best Buy, Home Depot, Lowe’s, REI, Cabela’s, Walgreens, and CVS offer ship-to-store services. The process is simple: during checkout, select the store closest to where you’ll be traveling, and once your order arrives, you’ll get an email or text notification. Most stores hold orders for several days, giving you flexibility in picking them up. Some retailers, like REI and Cabela’s, even allow you to ship items to their stores for free, making it an affordable way to shop on the road.
Before choosing this option, check the store’s pickup policy, as some locations may have shorter hold times or require ID for pickup. If you’re ordering a large or heavy item, confirm that the store has the space to hold it and plan accordingly.
FedEx Hold at Location
FedEx Hold at Location is a great option for travelers who need a safe and convenient place to receive packages while on the road. Whether you’re staying in an RV, moving between campsites, or just don’t have a fixed address, this service lets you pick up packages at FedEx Office stores, Walgreens, Dollar General, and other partner locations.
How It Works
- Find a Nearby FedEx Location: Use the FedEx website to search for a participating store near your travel route. FedEx Office locations are the most common, but many Walgreens, Dollar General stores, and other retailers also offer package pickup.
- Address Your Package Correctly: When placing an order or having something shipped to yourself, enter the FedEx store’s address and include “Hold at Location” in the address line. This ensures your package is held securely for pickup instead of being sent out for home delivery.
- Pick Up Your Package: Once your package arrives, bring a government-issued ID that matches the name on the package. Most locations will hold packages for up to seven days, so be sure to pick it up in time.
Intercept & Hold Options
If your package is already on its way but you need to change the delivery location, you can use FedEx’s Manage Delivery tool. Simply go to the tracking page, select “Manage Delivery”, and then choose “Hold at Location” to redirect it to a convenient pickup spot.
FedEx actually has two different but similar services:
- FedEx Hold for Pickup – This is requested before the package ships, meaning it’s always intended to be delivered to a FedEx location.
- FedEx Delivery Redirect – This is requested after a package has shipped, allowing you to change its destination to a nearby FedEx pickup location.
Using FedEx Hold at Location can give you more flexibility and security when receiving important packages while traveling. Plus, with locations at major retail stores, it’s easy to find one along your route!
Campground and RV Park Mail Services
Many campgrounds and RV parks allow guests to receive mail and packages during their stay, but policies vary widely. Some parks have dedicated mailrooms or front desk services, while others may not accept mail at all. Always check with the campground before having anything shipped.
How to Receive Mail at a Campground
- Call ahead – Ask if they accept mail and if there are any restrictions on package size or carriers (some may not accept USPS).
- Use the correct address – Some campgrounds require you to format the address a certain way, such as including your site number or holding mail at the front office.
- Ask about pickup procedures – Some parks sort mail daily, while others require you to check in at the office when expecting a package.
Also be prepared that some campgrounds and RV parks charge a fee to get mail while staying there.
Using a Friend or Family Member’s Address for Mail
One of the easiest and most budget-friendly ways to receive mail as a full-time RVer is to use a friend or family member’s address as your home base. This is exactly what we do- Josh’s dad’s house serves as our legal address, making it simple to receive important documents, bills, and packages while we’re on the road.
A big perk of this setup is that a family member can sort through your mail, scan and email anything urgent, or forward packages when needed. Signing up for USPS Informed Delivery helps, too. It lets you see incoming mail digitally, so you know what’s arriving before they even check the mailbox.
If you plan to use a family member’s address as your official domicile, make sure it aligns with your driver’s license, voter registration, and state tax laws. Some states require proof of residency, like a utility bill or lease, which can be tricky if you don’t actually live there. It’s worth checking your state’s rules to avoid any surprises. But if it works for you, this method keeps mail simple and reliable, so you can focus on enjoying life on the road!
Tips for Going Paperless on the Road
The less mail you receive, the less you have to worry about where to send it, so going paperless is a game-changer for full-time RVers. Start by switching all your bills, banking statements, and insurance documents to electronic delivery. Most companies offer paperless billing, and some even give discounts for opting in! Use Informed Delivery from USPS to preview incoming mail and decide if anything needs immediate attention. For important documents, a cloud storage service like Google Drive or Dropbox keeps digital copies secure and accessible from anywhere. If you still get occasional paper mail, a family member or mail service can scan and email it to you. The more you streamline, the less time you’ll spend chasing down mail and the more time you’ll have to enjoy life on the road!
