Their first trip was 42 miles. Then Friday became the rule.

The Johnson family had two software jobs, two kids, and the usual shortage of empty weeks. Their answer was simple: if the calendars allowed it, they left on Friday.

The first attempt was 42 miles from home. They forgot leveling blocks, packed a ridiculous amount of pasta, and discovered the refrigerator alarm at 2 a.m. The kids loved it anyway.

That rough little weekend became a repeatable system. They stopped waiting for a polished itinerary and used the time they already had. Eventually, those Friday departures carried them through 31 states.

Read the original editorial archive story: https://roadcalledhome.com/journeys/johnsons-learned-to-leave-on-friday

Have an RV trip of your own? I'd like to help you tell it: https://roadcalledhome.com/share-your-story

What part of your Friday departure routine saves the most time once everyone is tired?