⚡ About This Speedrun Route
Let's be honest: RV There Yet doesn't exactly hold your hand when it comes to finding checkpoints. This guide breaks down the exact route from the 7:32 (8:17 RTA) former world record speedrun, showing you all 7 major checkpoint locations with visual map slices and terrain advice. Whether you're attempting your own speedrun or just trying to navigate Mabutts Valley efficiently, this route will save you hours of backtracking.
📌 Route Overview:
- ⏱️ Record Time: 7:32 in-game (8:17 real-time)
- 🗺️ Checkpoints: 7 major save points
- 🎮 Difficulty: Intermediate to Advanced
- 💡 Best For: Speedrunners & efficient playthroughs
💾 Pro Tip: The game auto-saves at these checkpoints. Check out our beginner's guide for more survival basics.
📋 Checkpoint Locations
1️⃣ Mabutts Valley Riverside Start
📍 Location: Your journey begins at a small campsite nestled beside a large body of water. This is your first checkpoint and spawn point.
🧭 Navigation: Enter the RV, fire up that temperamental engine, and drive up the sandy slope leading into the pine forest. Follow the natural clearing that winds through the trees—it's pretty obvious once you start moving.
💡 Pro Tip - Terrain Advice
The initial dirt path is bumpy as hell. Keep your speed moderate to prevent the RV from bouncing too high and losing control. Trust me, you don't want to flip your vehicle 30 seconds into the run.
2️⃣ The Lakeside Fishing Pier
📍 Location: Follow the winding dirt path downhill toward the water. You'll spot a small wooden dock/pier jutting out into the lake.
🧭 Navigation: The path from Checkpoint 1 naturally leads here. Just keep following the dirt trail as it curves down toward the waterline. The pier is on your left side as you approach.
💡 Pro Tip - Terrain Advice
The ground near the pier is dangerously close to water level. Be careful not to steer too far left, or your engine might submerge and stall. Water + RV engine = bad time. If you need repairs, this is a safe spot to stop. Check our winch guide if needed.
3️⃣ Canyon Wooden Bridge
📍 Location: After passing through a rocky pass, you'll encounter a narrow wooden bridge spanning a deep ravine. This is one of the game's most iconic (and nerve-wracking) checkpoints.
🧭 Navigation: Approach the bridge slowly and align your wheels carefully with the wooden planks. Maintain a steady, moderate speed as you cross—no sudden movements.
💡 Pro Tip - Terrain Advice
This bridge is narrow and lacks guardrails. Sudden steering movements can lead to a fatal fall into the canyon below. Use small, gentle steering adjustments. If you're playing in multiplayer mode, coordinate with your team—only one vehicle should cross at a time.
4️⃣ Cliffside Scaffolding Ascent
📍 Location: You'll find a series of steep wooden ramps built directly into the side of a massive cliff. This checkpoint marks the beginning of the vertical ascent section.
🧭 Navigation: Shift into a low gear (use your gear controls properly here) and drive up the ramps. Follow the scaffolding structure upward—it zigzags up the cliff face.
💡 Pro Tip - Terrain Advice
The incline is VERY steep. If you lose momentum halfway up, you risk sliding backward off the scaffolding—which is as bad as it sounds. Keep steady pressure on the accelerator and don't stop until you reach the top platform. If you're struggling, check our engine maintenance guide to make sure your RV is in good condition.
⚙️ Gear Recommendation
Use 2nd or 3rd gear for this section. 1st gear gives you more torque but might be too slow, while 4th gear won't have enough power for the incline.
5️⃣ The High-Altitude Bridge Run
📍 Location: Once you reach the top of the cliff, you must drive across a long, elevated wooden bridge. This is arguably the most intense checkpoint in the game.
🧭 Navigation: Drive straight and fast. A helicopter will appear overhead and drop explosives to block your path. Keep the vehicle centered on the bridge and maintain momentum.
💡 Pro Tip - Terrain Advice
Explosions will create holes in the bridge and can push the RV sideways. Keep the vehicle centered and DO NOT STOP. If you slow down too much, you might not have enough speed to jump over the gaps created by explosions. This is where speedrun techniques really come in handy.
💀 Death Trap Alert
This is where most first-time players die. If you fall here, you respawn back at Checkpoint 4. The helicopter drops explosives in a semi-predictable pattern—watch for the shadow on the bridge to anticipate where the next explosion will land. Learn more about the respawn system if you're playing co-op.
6️⃣ Concrete Pipe & Industrial Tunnels
📍 Location: Enter the large concrete drainage pipe at the end of the bridge section. You'll navigate through a series of internal tunnels and industrial scaffolding sections built inside the mountain.
🧭 Navigation: Turn on your headlights (seriously, do it). Follow the path of the pipes through the mountain interior. The tunnels have some tight corners, so reduce your speed.
💡 Pro Tip - Terrain Advice
Visibility is low inside the tunnels. Use your headlights and follow the path of the pipes to avoid getting stuck in corners. The industrial scaffolding sections have metal grating that makes a distinct sound—use audio cues to know you're on the right path. If you're having trouble seeing, adjust your graphics settings for better visibility in dark areas.
🔦 Navigation Tip
The pipes have directional arrows painted on them (easy to miss in the dark). Follow the arrows to stay on track. There are a few dead-ends that look like the main path—don't get fooled.
7️⃣ Desert Road Finish
📍 Location: Descend the final long wooden ramp to exit the mountains. You'll arrive in a flat desert basin with a paved road—civilization at last!
🧭 Navigation: Follow the paved road past the "Nuggets Entertainment" signs. This is the final stretch, and it's mostly straightforward. Just don't crash now after everything you've been through.
💡 Pro Tip - Terrain Advice
The transition from the wooden ramp to the desert floor is a sharp drop. Slow down before the exit to avoid damaging the suspension. A broken suspension this close to the finish line would be tragic. If you're curious about what happens after this, check out our game length guide to see if there's more content.
🏁 Congratulations!
You've reached the final checkpoint. The finish line is just ahead on the paved road. Take a moment to appreciate that you didn't flip your RV off a cliff (hopefully).
🎯 Final Thoughts on the Speedrun Route
Mastering these checkpoint locations is essential for both casual playthroughs and speedrunning. The key is understanding the terrain characteristics at each location—knowing when to slow down, when to gun it, and when to pray your RV doesn't decide to do a barrel roll.
Remember: The game auto-saves at these checkpoints, but manual saves are your friend. If you're attempting a difficult section, save before you try it. There's no shame in being cautious—this game is brutal.
🗺️ Want More?
- 📍 Check out our interactive map hub for resource locations
- 🐻 Dive into our survival tips to learn how to deal with bears and engine failures
- 🎮 Master the driving mechanics for better control
- ⚡ Learn advanced speedrun techniques to improve your time
If you found this guide helpful, consider joining our Discord community where players share checkpoint strategies, speedrun routes, and commiserate about that damn helicopter bridge section.
Happy trails, and may your RV stay upright! 🚐