Written By: Chuck Hayden
Staying off the grid—without being out of reach.
As much as I enjoy disconnecting from the outside world while traveling around North America, I’ve learned that staying connected is still important. Whether it’s for safety, keeping friends and family updated, or simply figuring out where I am and where I’m headed next, having reliable ways to communicate gives me peace of mind.
Over the years, I’ve built a system that works well for me—some tools are essential, others more of a luxury. But together, they keep me connected wherever the road takes me.
Cell Phone
My mobile phone is my first—and most important—tool for staying connected.
Most of the time, it works great—probably about 90% of the time. But when I’m in the mountains or deep in the desert, coverage can become very spotty. There are times when I can’t send a message, make a call, or even load a map.
That’s when you realize how dependent we’ve become on connectivity.
My Apple iPhone does have emergency satellite capability, which is a nice backup feature, but it’s still limited and not something I rely on day to day.
Still, when I have a signal, it handles everything—navigation, communication, weather, and planning my next stop.
Garmin inReach Mini 2
Several years ago, I added the Garmin inReach Mini 2 to my setup, and it’s become an essential piece of gear—especially when I’m hiking.
The mapping features are excellent and give me confidence when I’m exploring unfamiliar trails. It helps keep me on track, which is especially important in remote areas where it’s easy to lose your way.
More importantly, it allows me to stay in touch with family. I can send messages letting them know when I’m heading out on a hike and when I expect to return.
Typing messages on the device is a bit awkward, but it gets the job done.
What really makes it valuable is the built-in SOS feature. In an emergency, it connects to Garmin Response, which can coordinate with rescue services while providing your exact GPS location.
I pay about $14.99 per month for the service, and for the level of safety it provides, it’s well worth it—for me and for the people who care about me.
Starlink Mini
For a long time, I wasn’t convinced I needed Starlink.
But when the Starlink Mini came out at a more reasonable price point, I decided to give it a try about five months ago.
It’s definitely more of a luxury—but it’s one I’ve come to appreciate.
Having reliable internet in the middle of nowhere changes things. I can plan routes, upload photos and blog posts, and even watch a little YouTube or other entertainment when I feel like it.
With the newer $50 plan for 100GB, it fits within my budget.
So far, it’s been incredibly reliable. In fact, I’d say it’s been close to 100% dependable—something I couldn’t say about anything else I’ve used on the road.
Hotspot / Jetpack
For the first three years on the road, I relied on a mobile hotspot (jetpack) from a secondary cellular provider.
At the time, it was a great solution and helped extend my coverage in areas where my primary phone service struggled.
But like all cellular-based options, it still depends on having a signal. Once you get far enough off the beaten path, it becomes unreliable or unusable.
I still keep the service active since it’s only about $10 per month for an additional 100GB of data. It’s a nice backup option when I’m in areas with at least some cell coverage.
Public Libraries & Coffee Shops
Sometimes, the simplest solution is the best one.
Public libraries and coffee shops are great places to connect to fast, free Wi-Fi—especially when I need to download large files like movies for those stormy days when I’m stuck inside.
The connections are usually strong and fast, and it saves me from using my own data.
That said, I avoid using these networks for anything sensitive like banking or personal accounts. Open networks come with some risk, and it’s just not worth it.
But for general use, they’re incredibly helpful—and easy to find in most towns.
Garmin Dashboard GPS
I mostly use my phone for mapping and directions, but without cellular coverage, it becomes almost useless.
To add a layer of redundancy, I use a dashboard GPS unit like the Garmin DriveSmart.
It works via satellite, so it continues to provide directions even when I have no signal—and there’s no monthly fee associated with it.
Cell Booster
I don’t currently use a cell booster, but I did consider one when I first went full-time in my RV.
After some research, I decided against it. A booster can only amplify an existing signal—it doesn’t create one. And in many of the remote places I travel, there simply isn’t a signal to boost.
That said, I have friends who use boosters from companies like weBoost, and they work great for their needs since they stay closer to populated areas.
Staying Connected, Staying Free
One of the things I’ve learned on the road is that staying connected doesn’t mean being tied down.
It just means having options.
Some days I have full signal and fast internet. Other days, I have nothing but quiet desert and open sky—and honestly, I’ve come to appreciate both.
The key is finding the right balance—staying reachable when it matters, while still holding onto the freedom that makes life on the road so special.