DISASTERS
Family Evac Transport
Whether it is a strategic move or a forced evacuation, how you get your family and gear to your Bug-Out Location should be decided beforehand. Every option has pros and cons.
Why disaster novels and movies love hiking (and why you may not)
Disaster stories often put heroes on foot and ignore bikes, carts, and other modes of travel almost anyone can get. Hiking 100 miles can take 4+ days instead of the 2 hours or so by motor vehicle — and remember, a major portion of each of those days will go to finding a safe place to camp and foraging for food and water - along with everyone else trying to get away also. Common food & water recommendations of about 1200 calories and 1 gallon of water (Lifeboat rations) are nowhere near enough calories for someone who is hiking. And even those rations are heavy.
Evacuation transport options
Hiking with a backpack
Pros: Maximum short-term mobility on foot.
Cons: Very limited supplies; physically demanding; ~20–25 miles/day at best; heavy daily food/water needs (soldiers often 3,000–10,000 calories and 6–10 liters); any injury can stop you; kids, elders, and pets struggle.
Carts, wagons and horseback
Pros: Carry far more than a backpack while saving energy versus hiking alone.
Cons: Terrain and animal care add complexity.
Bicycles
Pros: Nimble and faster than hiking; most households can get bikes quickly.
Cons: Cargo is limited — your BOL needs to be better provisioned.
Motorcycles
Pros: Fast “get outta Dodge” mobility with some off-road capability on dirt/trail bikes.
Cons: Limited cargo; small tanks on dirt bikes shorten range.
Off-road vehicles
Pros: ATVs and snowmobiles move people and cargo quickly off pavement.
Cons: Noise and fuel logistics; throttle down if stealth matters.
Cars / trucks / SUVs
Pros: Familiar, weather-protected, and high cargo capacity when roads are open.
Cons: Traffic, fuel, and blocked roads can strand you.
RV & motorhome
Pros: Shelter and storage roll with you.
Cons: Size, fuel burn, and maneuvering in chaos — often suggested but rarely a great primary evac choice.
Specialized & exotic
Pros: Niche platforms for unusual terrain or water crossings.
Cons: Cost, training, and maintenance put them out of reach for most families.
Camping & cargo trailers
Pros: Trailers multiply how much gear a tow vehicle can haul.
Cons: Extra weight, hitch setup, and tighter clearances.
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