While there is no perfect bugout scenario, a prepper can only hope that it would be as efficient as jumping into a bugout vehicle and simply driving from Point A to Point B.
However, the reality is that there could be many obstacles along the way before you can arrive at a designated safe location. While there are many factors to consider when prepping for a bugout or evacuation by vehicle, weather-related factors are typically a key consideration.
How Weather Can Affect Bugout Transportation
Consider the effects of natural disasters on the roads. A hurricane can cause trees to fall down, blocking access to main roads. It can also cause major flooding which in turn makes roads impassable. Tornados can leave a trail of dangerous debris spawn across roads and highways. Earthquakes can collapse roads with gaping holes. Blizzards will result in treacherous snow and ice-covered roads that would also prevent vehicles to climb steep inclines. So, before you head out the door to bugout, gauge the environmental concerns first.
What to Consider When Executing a Bugout by Vehicle
Here’s a scenario: You have lived near a river for the past 10 years with no flooding issues whatsoever. However, today you’re at home monitoring the weather and a flood advisory has quickly progressed to a to an imminent emergency flood warning. As a seasoned prepper, you grab your bugout bag and head to your vehicle. Once outside, you can hear sirens and car horns blasting in the distance. It sounds like the entire neighborhood of 100 houses are all departing the area at the same time.
While your first inclination may be to jump inside your bugout vehicle and speed away, stop and consider the following questions that would apply to any emergency:
<1> Where am I going? What will be my most safe Point B?
<2> Will the roads out of town even be passable?
<3> What traffic level may be on the same roads?
<4> Is the natural disaster under control or is it ongoing?
<5> If traveling long distance, will fuel be available?
<6> Could security be a threat during the drive?
Before trying to get from Point A to Point B … make sure you have a Plan A and a Plan B and a Plan C.
How to Deal With Alternate Routes, Detours, Roadblocks, and Traffic Congestion
Part of prepping is to consider all types of unexpected disaster scenarios. This also includes creating thoughtful bugout and evacuation plans. However, the obstacles, roadblocks, and traffic jams can change your prepper bugout transportation plan in an instant.
Here are some ways to persevere through the frustration of bugging in a vehicle:
:: Continually monitor the situation whether through local or national news on television, radio, or even through social media.
:: Adjust bugout plans with multiple alternative routes based on roadblocks, detours, gridlock, or other dangerous diversions.
:: Always refer to navigation apps for real-time driving directions and potential alternative backroads and keep paper maps in the vehicle as back-up navigation.
:: Stay alert and keep your eyes on the road while driving as traffic patterns change during emergencies.
:: Try to remain as calm as possible as panicking or getting upset at the other desperate motorists will not help the situation.
:: Stay in constant communication with other members of your caravan if you’re all heading to the same Point B bugout location.
:: Most importantly, for your added safety, adhere to posted speed limits, traffic signals, and other traffic regulations. There’s no need to add unnecessary danger to an already dangerous bugout situation.
Prepping a Bugout Vehicle
A seasoned prepper knows the importance of having a reliable vehicle for bugout evacuations. You see, a fully stocked prepper shelter at a Point B bugout location is useless if you can’t get there.
Some natural disasters like hurricanes and blizzards are typically tracked and forecasted early enough to allow time for bugout preparation. So, in those cases, there is no excuse for being unprepared. However, should an unexpected disaster like a wildfire or a national catastrophic event occur, will your bugout vehicle be ready to go? Your vehicle should always be ready for an emergency.
Here are some ways to prep so you can ensure the vehicle is always ready to go.
:: Keep the fuel tank as close to full at all times.
:: Don’t ignore service issues, maintain your vehicle throughout the year.
:: Learn skills to provide standard vehicle maintenance like tire changing.
:: Keep a fully stocked bugout bag in the vehicle for emergencies.
Choosing the Right Bugout Vehicle
Perhaps you have multiple vehicles at your home. Choosing the right vehicle may be determined by the type of emergency. For example, you won’t select your compact vehicle if you need to maneuver through flooded roads.
Here are some vehicle bugout parameters to consider:
:: Is the vehicle reliable without potential malfunctions?
:: Does the vehicle have as close to a full tank of gas as possible?
:: Is the vehicle spacious enough to fit everyone that is bugging out with you?
:: Will the vehicle fit key prepper essentials that you’ll need while traveling and upon arrival?
:: Can the vehicle act as a temporary bugout shelter if needed?
:: If time is of the essence, is the mode of transportation fast enough to get you to safety?
:: How will the vehicle maneuver on dangerous wet and snowy roads, flooding, or uneven terrains like backroads?
There are different modes of bugout transportation. Not everyone can buy a vehicle with the sole purpose of bugging out. That means you’ll have to rely on the vehicles in your driveaway in addition to alternative bugout sources like an ATV, a boat, a bicycle, and even your own two feet.
Let’s delve into the various modes of transportation you can use as your bug out vehicle.
Car/Jeep/SUV
A car can carry you and your loved ones, hold your prepper essentials and bugout bag, and even act as a temporary bugout shelter if the need arises. A four-wheel drive (4WD) vehicle like a jeep would be optimal if you need to maneuver across uneven terrains. Take vehicle size into consideration if you may need to fit multiple persons and an adequate supply of prepper gear.
A sport utility vehicle (SUV) can offer you all-wheel-drive capacity with the added bonus of more space to hold people and things.
Truck/Van
To maximize your space plus have the benefit of all-wheel-drive, a truck might be an effective bugout vehicle. The large cab in the back allows you to haul a larger amount of prepper gear but just ensure that you have a cover for inclement weather evacuations. A truck can also act as a temporary bugout shelter. A van is another option and offers an amazing amount of space. But it might not be a great choice in heavy traffic conditions or on bad roads.
Campers/RV
A camper or recreational vehicle (RV) in some instances could make a good bugout vehicle. It provides the conveniences of both bugout transportation and a bugout shelter. The caveat would be that a camper or an RV are slower movers, not good on fuel consumption, and not able to drive on all-terrains or safely travel in heavy winds. And when traffic is at a standstill, campers and RVs lack maneuverability. However, you can fit multiple people and more prepper essentials than in any other bugout vehicle while enjoying the convenience of having a bathroom, kitchen, and beds to sleep on.
Motorcycle
There might not be a more optimal time to operate a motorcycle than when bugging out on heavily congested, gridlocked roads. A motorcycle allows you to quickly maneuver around other vehicles that are stuck on congested roads. Of course, the caveat will be that you may only fit one extra passenger besides yourself, no protection from inclement weather, and you wouldn’t be able to carry much gear outside of perhaps a bugout backpack. However, a motorcycle is great on gas, drives fast, and can drive on backroads.
ATV
If you live in a country setting, you might already own an ATV and know how to safely drive one. If bugging out takes you through rough terrain, an ATV might be the right bugout vehicle. Just like a motorcycle, you are limited to two passengers and can carry a limited amount of prepper gear. However, an ATV can quickly whisk you away from danger as you avoid congested roads.
Boat
While this may sound like a far-fetched bugout plan, it would make sense if you lived near an ocean or a river. As with an RV, a boat can also be considered as a bugout vehicle and a temporary bugout shelter especially during a flooding scenario. Of course, you would not bugout on a boat during a natural disaster such as a hurricane or blizzard. Just be sure that part of your prepper plan is to gain the required boat licenses, certifications, and boating skills to operate safely, efficiently, and legally.
Bicycle and on Foot
Bugging out in a city or suburban environment might have you consider using a bicycle if no other means of transportation is available. While a bicycle can transport only one person and limits carrying capacity to a bugout backpack, at least it’s a highly mobile form of transportation. And, in some extreme emergencies, you may even have to rely on walking (or running) to a bugout location.
Get Moving On Your Plan To Get Moving
The purpose of prepping is to be ready for anything and the same holds true for transportation options when bugging out.
The bottom line is that you need to prepare now for multiple modes of bugout transportation – whether it’s a car, SUV, truck, RV, ATV, boat, bicycle, or even on foot. Plan now so you and your loved ones can get from Point A to Point B when emergency strikes.
