6 Best Storage Options For Packages While Traveling Nomads Swear By
Get packages delivered, no matter where you travel.
The package is coming. You’re a hundred miles away, heading in the opposite direction. This is the logistical tightrope every nomad walks—balancing the need for supplies with a constantly changing address.
Getting this wrong means lost packages, missed deadlines, and a constant source of stress. Getting it right means freedom. A reliable package and mail system is the invisible infrastructure that makes a life of travel sustainable, turning a logistical nightmare into a simple, background task.
The solution isn’t one-size-fits-all. It’s about building a flexible system that matches your travel style, whether you’re a full-time RVer, a weekend warrior, or a global wanderer. Let’s break down the best tools for the job.
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, this site earns from qualifying purchases. Thank you!
Your Guide to Nomad-Proof Package Delivery
Let’s be honest: General Delivery at the post office is a gamble. It works in a pinch, but it’s not a long-term strategy for a life in motion. You need a system that’s as mobile and reliable as you are.
The core challenge is separating your physical location from your mailing address. Modern solutions fall into a few key categories: virtual mailboxes that digitize your mail, physical mail-forwarding services tied to a home base, and on-demand pickup points for specific purchases. Each solves a different piece of the puzzle.
Understanding the difference is crucial. A virtual mailbox gives you a permanent address and digital control, while an Amazon Locker is a temporary solution for a single transaction. The right strategy often involves using a combination of these tools to create a resilient, location-independent life.
Traveling Mailbox: Your Digital Mailroom
Traveling Mailbox turns your physical mail into digital information you can access anywhere. They provide you with a real street address where all your mail and packages are sent. When an item arrives, they scan the outside and you get an email notification.
From an online dashboard, you call the shots. You can have them open and scan the contents of a letter, forward a package to your current location, or shred junk mail with a click. This level of control is a game-changer, eliminating mail pile-ups and the need to rely on friends or family.
The tradeoff is the cost. It’s a subscription service with potential fees for extra scans or package forwarding. It’s an incredibly powerful tool for managing official documents and occasional packages, but it can get pricey if you’re a frequent online shopper.
Escapees Mail Service: The Gold Standard for RVers
Escapees is more than a mail service; it’s an institution in the RV community. For decades, they have provided the essential infrastructure that makes full-time RVing legally and logistically possible. Their mail service is famously reliable and deeply integrated with the needs of travelers.
They offer several tiers of service, from simple mail holding to custom forwarding and scanning. Their real strength lies in their expertise with domicile issues. They provide addresses in nomad-friendly states like Texas, Florida, and South Dakota, which is critical for things like vehicle registration, voting, and taxes.
This service is built for the dedicated, long-term traveler, particularly RVers. If you just need a place to receive an occasional Amazon order, it might be overkill. But if you need a stable, legal home base to run your life from, Escapees is arguably the best in the business.
Amazon Hub Locker: Your Secure On-the-Go Pickup
Sometimes, you just need a specific item, and you need it now. This is where Amazon Hub Lockers shine. They are secure, self-service kiosks located in thousands of places like grocery stores, gas stations, and apartment buildings.
The process is brilliantly simple. When checking out on Amazon, you select a Hub Locker near your upcoming destination as your shipping address. Once the package is delivered, you receive a unique pickup code, scan it at the locker, and a door pops open with your item inside.
This is a tactical solution, not a comprehensive mail strategy. It only works for items sold and shipped by Amazon, and you typically have just three days to retrieve your package. Think of it as the perfect tool for grabbing that replacement water filter or new hiking poles while passing through a city.
Get cleaner, fresher water with the everydrop® Refrigerator Filter 1 (EDR1RXD1). This NSF-certified filter, approved for Whirlpool, Maytag, and more, reduces 28 contaminants like lead and pesticides.
The UPS Store: Get Your Real Street Address
A mailbox at The UPS Store offers one massive advantage: a real street address, not a P.O. Box. This is a critical distinction. Many financial institutions, government agencies, and online retailers will not ship to a P.O. Box, making it a non-starter for many nomads.
With a UPS Store box, you can receive packages from all carriers, including USPS, FedEx, DHL, and Amazon. This versatility is a huge benefit over a standard post office box. You have a secure, staffed location that will sign for your packages and hold them for you.
The limitation is that you’re tied to a single, physical location. While some stores offer mail forwarding, it’s often an informal and potentially expensive service. This option is ideal for nomads who have a "home base" they circle back to regularly or for establishing a stable address in a specific city for business or personal reasons.
iPostal1: Choose Your Virtual Address Worldwide
iPostal1 operates on a similar model to Traveling Mailbox but with a focus on choice and scale. They have a massive network of thousands of digital mailbox locations across the U.S. and internationally. This allows you to choose an address that fits your needs, whether it’s a low-cost location or a prestigious business address in a major city.
Like other virtual services, you manage everything online. You see pictures of your incoming mail and packages, and then decide whether to have them scanned, forwarded, or discarded. The interface is modern and designed for people who live on their phones and laptops.
The key consideration here is that each location is independently owned and operated, so services and fees can vary. It’s a fantastic, flexible option for digital nomads and entrepreneurs who want maximum choice. Just be sure to read the fine print on package receiving and forwarding fees for your specific chosen address.
Pacsafe Travelsafe: Your Portable Package Locker
Secure your valuables anywhere with the Pacsafe Travelsafe Gii. Its patented stainless steel wire mesh and TSA-accepted lock offer robust anti-theft protection, while the foldable design and water-resistant fabric provide convenient, peace-of-mind storage for electronics and essentials.
This option is different—it’s not a service, but a piece of gear that solves the "last mile" security problem. The Pacsafe Travelsafe is essentially a high-security, slash-proof bag with a built-in locking cable. It allows you to create a secure drop-off point almost anywhere.
Imagine you’re staying at a campground and a package is due to arrive while you’re out hiking. You can lock the Pacsafe to your RV’s chassis or a picnic table and instruct the carrier to place the package inside. It provides a powerful deterrent against opportunistic theft.
This is a complementary tool, not a replacement for a mail service. It doesn’t give you an address, but it gives you peace of mind when a delivery window doesn’t line up with your schedule. For high-value items or deliveries to less-secure locations, it’s an invaluable piece of kit.
Choosing the Right Mail Service for Your Travels
There is no single "best" mail solution, only the one that is best for you. The right choice is a direct reflection of your travel style, budget, and logistical needs. Don’t listen to anyone who tells you there’s only one way to do it.
To find your fit, ask yourself a few key questions:
- Do I need a legal domicile? If yes, a service like Escapees is purpose-built for this.
- How much mail versus packages do I get? For mostly letters and documents, a virtual mailbox is efficient. For frequent packages, a physical address you return to might be cheaper.
- Do I run a business on the road? A virtual address from iPostal1 or The UPS Store can provide a professional image.
- What’s my budget? Amazon Lockers are free for pickups, while virtual mailboxes are a monthly subscription.
Ultimately, the most resilient nomads use a hybrid approach. They might use Escapees for their legal address and official mail, an Amazon Locker for a quick purchase, and a friend’s house for a non-Amazon package when they know they’ll be in the area. The goal isn’t to find one perfect service, but to build a flexible system that makes life on the road seamless.
Mastering your mail is a rite of passage for any serious traveler. It’s the moment you move from simply being on a long trip to building a sustainable, mobile life. It requires forethought and a bit of setup, but the payoff is enormous.
By taking control of this one crucial piece of logistics, you remove a massive source of friction and anxiety from your travels. You create a system that works for you, in the background, so you can focus on the road ahead. That is the real destination.
