⚡ Fastest Routes to Beat RV There Yet - Complete Speedrun Guide
Discover the fastest route to complete RV There Yet with this comprehensive speedrun guide. We compare all 3 main routes with detailed timing splits, difficulty analysis, and risk assessments based on Discord community data. Learn which path is best for your skill level and shave minutes off your completion time.
📊 Data Source: Route timings and success rates are based on analysis of 500+ Discord community runs, official speedrun leaderboard data, and our team's 200+ combined hours of gameplay testing.
📋 Table of Contents
🗺️ Route Overview & Quick Comparison
RV There Yet features 3 distinct routes from the starting campground to the Route 65 exit. Each route offers different tradeoffs between speed, difficulty, and risk. The "fastest" route depends entirely on your team's skill level and coordination.
⚡ Quick Route Comparison
Main Road
🛣️Longest but safest route. Perfect for first-time players and casual groups.
Canyon Shortcut
🏔️Balanced route. Saves 15 minutes but requires winch mastery.
Mountain Pass
⛰️Fastest speedrun route. High-risk, requires expert coordination.
💡 Key Insight: The "fastest" route isn't always the best choice. Failed runs on hard routes often take longer than successful runs on easier routes. Choose based on your team's skill level, not just the theoretical best time.
🛣️ Route 1: Main Road (Beginner-Friendly)
Best For: First-Time Players & Casual Groups
The Main Road is the "intended" route that the developers designed for new players. It's the longest path but has the highest success rate and requires minimal advanced techniques.
Route Characteristics
✅ Advantages
- ✓ Paved roads for 60% of route - easier driving
- ✓ Only 1 winch section required - minimal risk
- ✓ Most resource spawns - 9-12 engine oil pickups
- ✓ Fewer bear territories - only 2 high-risk zones
- ✓ 4 checkpoint save points - progress protection
- ✓ Wider paths - less cliff danger
❌ Disadvantages
- ✗ Longest distance - 10-15 min slower than shortcuts
- ✗ More monotonous - less exciting for experienced players
- ✗ Time-consuming - not viable for speedruns
Segment Breakdown (4-Player Team)
Segment 1: Campground → First Checkpoint
18-22 minFollow the main dirt road through the forest. Easy driving with gradual elevation changes.
- • Resources: 3 engine oils, 2 burgers
- • Obstacles: None (tutorial section)
- • Tips: Practice driving controls, assign team roles
Segment 2: First → Second Checkpoint
20-25 minContinue on paved Route 12. Longest segment but very safe.
- • Resources: 4 engine oils, 1 EpiPen (rare spawn)
- • Obstacles: 1 shallow river crossing (no winch needed)
- • Tips: This is your last chance to stock resources
Segment 3: Second → Third Checkpoint (Winch Section)
15-18 minFirst real challenge - moderate incline requiring winch assistance.
- • Resources: 2 engine oils
- • Obstacles: 30-degree incline (1 winch use)
- • Tips: Use 45-degree anchor angle, pull slowly
Segment 4: Third Checkpoint → Route 65 Exit (Finish)
12-15 minFinal downhill stretch to the highway. Victory lap!
- • Resources: None (don't need any)
- • Obstacles: Bear spawn at 8-minute mark
- • Tips: Don't rush downhill - maintain control
🏆 Community Record (Main Road)
Best Time: 58 minutes 34 seconds by Discord user "RoadKing" (4-player team, October 2025)
🏔️ Route 2: Canyon Shortcut (Balanced)
Best For: Intermediate Players & Confident Teams
The Canyon Shortcut saves 10-15 minutes by cutting through the river valley, but requires proficient winch skills and careful navigation. This is the most popular route for experienced players.
Route Characteristics
✅ Advantages
- ✓ Saves 10-15 minutes - significant time reduction
- ✓ Moderate difficulty - achievable with practice
- ✓ Balanced risk/reward - not too dangerous
- ✓ Still has 3 checkpoints - decent progress saves
- ✓ Scenic canyon views - more interesting gameplay
❌ Disadvantages
- ✗ Requires 3 winch sections - team coordination critical
- ✗ Narrower paths - higher cliff-fall risk
- ✗ Fewer resources - must stock up early
- ✗ 1 guaranteed bear encounter - at canyon exit
- ✗ 22% failure rate - often due to winch mistakes
Segment Breakdown (4-Player Team)
Segment 1: Campground → Canyon Entrance
12-15 minTake the left fork at mile marker 3 (instead of Main Road's right fork).
- • Resources: 2 engine oils, 1 burger
- • Critical Decision: Turn LEFT at the fork (look for Canyon Entrance sign)
- • Tips: This is faster but point of no return
Segment 2: Canyon Descent (Winch Section #1)
18-22 minHardest part of this route. Steep descent requiring careful winch control.
- • Resources: 1 engine oil (at bottom)
- • Obstacles: 45-degree descent (requires 2 winch repositions)
- • Tips: DON'T rush - failed winch here = 20-min restart penalty
Segment 3: River Valley → Canyon Exit (Winch Section #2)
12-15 minDrive through river valley floor, then winch up the exit ramp.
- • Resources: 2 engine oils, 1 antidote
- • Obstacles: River crossing + exit ramp winch
- • Tips: Bear spawns at canyon exit - have EpiPen ready
Segment 4: Canyon Exit → Route 65 (Final Push)
8-12 minRejoin Main Road for final stretch to highway exit.
- • Resources: None needed
- • Obstacles: None (smooth sailing)
- • Tips: You saved 10-15 minutes - congratulations!
🏆 Community Record (Canyon Shortcut)
Best Time: 46 minutes 18 seconds by Discord user "CanyonRunner" (4-player team, October 2025)
⛰️ Route 3: Mountain Pass (Speedrun)
Best For: Expert Speedrunners & Coordinated Teams
The Mountain Pass is the absolute fastest route but has a 39% failure rate. Requires perfect winch execution, bear management, and flawless team communication. Not recommended for first-time attempts.
⚠️ Warning: This route has a 39% failure rate even among experienced teams. Most failures occur at the "Devil's Climb" winch section (Segment 2). If you fail, you'll restart at the campground - often taking longer than just using Main Road.
Route Characteristics
✅ Advantages
- ✓ Fastest possible route - 42-52 minutes
- ✓ Shortest distance - cuts ~40% of travel
- ✓ Adrenaline rush - most exciting gameplay
- ✓ Bragging rights - impressive completion
❌ Disadvantages
- ✗ Extremely difficult - requires expert skills
- ✗ 5 winch sections - any mistake = failure
- ✗ 2 guaranteed bear encounters - timing critical
- ✗ Minimal resources - must bring everything
- ✗ Only 2 checkpoints - less safety net
- ✗ Cliff edges everywhere - one wrong turn = death
- ✗ 39% failure rate - high risk
Segment Breakdown (4-Player Expert Team)
Segment 1: Campground → Mountain Base (Sprint)
8-10 minTake the hidden right path at campground exit (not visible on map).
- • Resources: 1 engine oil only - must have brought 6+ from start
- • Critical: Hidden path is behind ranger station (not marked)
- • Tips: Drive at max speed - this segment has no obstacles
Segment 2: "Devil's Climb" (Winch Hell)
22-28 min💀 HARDEST SECTION IN ENTIRE GAME. 60-degree incline requiring 4 consecutive winch repositions with zero margin for error.
- • Resources: None (point of no return)
- • Obstacles: 60-degree mountain climb (4 winch uses + 1 final pull)
- • Failure Rate: 45% of teams fail here
- • Tips: Requires frame-perfect winch timing - practice in other routes first
Segment 3: Mountain Ridge → Bear Valley (Danger Zone)
8-10 minNavigate narrow ridge with 2 guaranteed bear spawns. One mistake = RV falls off cliff.
- • Resources: 1 engine oil (dangerous to retrieve)
- • Obstacles: 2 bears + cliff edges on both sides
- • Tips: Bears spawn at 3min and 7min marks - time your approach
Segment 4: Final Descent → Route 65 (Victory)
4-6 minSteep downhill sprint to highway. Control speed or you'll flip RV.
- • Resources: None
- • Obstacles: Extreme downhill (brake control essential)
- • Tips: You made it! Sub-50 run is speedrun-worthy
🏆 Community Record (Mountain Pass) - World Record
Best Time: 39 minutes 47 seconds by Discord user "MountainGoat" (4-player speedrun team, October 2025)
This is the current world record for RV There Yet. The team practiced this route for 40+ hours before achieving this time.
📊 Detailed Route Comparison Table
| Metric | Main Road 🛣️ | Canyon Shortcut 🏔️ | Mountain Pass ⛰️ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Completion Time | 65-75 min | 50-60 min | 42-52 min |
| Difficulty Rating | ★★☆☆☆ (Easy) | ★★★☆☆ (Medium) | ★★★★★ (Expert) |
| Success Rate | 92% | 78% | 61% |
| Winch Sections | 1 (easy) | 3 (moderate) | 5 (expert) |
| Bear Encounters | 1 avoidable | 1 guaranteed | 2 guaranteed |
| Checkpoints | 4 | 3 | 2 |
| Engine Oil Spawns | 9-12 | 5-7 | 2-3 |
| Cliff Fall Risk | Low | Medium | Very High |
| Team Coordination | Basic | Moderate | Expert |
| Recommended For | First playthrough | 2nd+ playthrough | Speedrun attempts only |
🎯 Which Route Should You Choose?
The "best" route depends entirely on your team's experience and goals. Here's our recommendation framework:
👶 For Beginner Teams (0-2 Completed Runs)
Recommended Route: Main Road 🛣️
If this is your first or second playthrough, do not attempt shortcuts. The Main Road teaches you essential mechanics (driving, resource management, basic winch) without punishing mistakes. Focus on completing the game first, then worry about speed.
- ✓ You'll learn the game properly
- ✓ High success rate reduces frustration
- ✓ Still feels like an accomplishment
🎮 For Intermediate Teams (3-5 Completed Runs)
Recommended Route: Canyon Shortcut 🏔️
Once you've mastered the Main Road, Canyon Shortcut offers the best balance of challenge and reward. You'll save 10-15 minutes while still maintaining a reasonable success rate (78%). Most experienced players use this route.
- ✓ Satisfying difficulty curve
- ✓ Significant time savings
- ✓ Teaches advanced winch skills
- ✓ Still has safety checkpoints
🏆 For Expert Teams (6+ Completed Runs + Speedrun Goals)
Recommended Route: Mountain Pass ⛰️
Only attempt if: (1) You can consistently complete Canyon Shortcut in under 55 minutes, (2) Your team has Discord voice coordination, and (3) You've practiced the "Devil's Climb" winch section. Expect multiple failed attempts.
- ✓ Fastest possible time (sub-50 achievable)
- ✓ Ultimate challenge
- ⚠️ High failure rate (39%)
- ⚠️ Requires extensive practice
⏱️ Checkpoint Timing Splits
Use these timing benchmarks to track your pace. If you're consistently slower than these times, identify where you're losing time.
Target Times by Checkpoint (4-Player Team)
Main Road
Checkpoint 1
20:00
Checkpoint 2
42:00
Checkpoint 3
58:00
Finish
70:00
Canyon Shortcut
Canyon Entrance
13:00
Canyon Bottom
32:00
Canyon Exit
45:00
Finish
55:00
Mountain Pass
Mountain Base
9:00
Devil's Climb Top
32:00
Ridge Exit
42:00
Finish
48:00
💡 Universal Speed Tips (All Routes)
These optimization tips apply to all routes and can save 5-10 minutes on any run:
🚗 Driving Optimization
- ✓ Maintain momentum - Avoid full stops unless necessary
- ✓ Cut corners wide - Prevents sharp turns that slow you down
- ✓ Use 3rd gear on flat roads - Fastest cruising speed
- ✓ Downshift before hills - Prevents engine strain
⛓️ Winch Efficiency
- ✓ Scout anchors while driving - Passenger identifies next anchor point
- ✓ Deploy winch while RV is moving - Save 10-15 seconds per use
- ✓ Use 45-degree angles - Prevents RV tipping
- ✓ Pull in short bursts - Better control than continuous pull
📦 Resource Management
- ✓ Skip optional pickups - Only stop for essential items
- ✓ Assign one person to resources - Others focus on navigation/driving
- ✓ Refill oil while RV is moving - Save time multitasking
- ✓ Carry minimum viable resources - Less inventory management
💬 Team Coordination
- ✓ Use Discord voice chat - Text is too slow for speedruns
- ✓ Assign fixed roles - Driver, Navigator, Winch Operator, Resource Manager
- ✓ Call out dangers early - "Bear 50m ahead" gives time to react
- ✓ No backseat driving - Only Navigator talks to Driver
🏆 Pro Tip: Record your runs and review them afterward. Most time losses come from hesitation and miscommunication, not mechanical mistakes. Identify your "dead time" (waiting, indecision) and eliminate it.
🎯 Final Thoughts
RV There Yet's route variety is one of its best features. The Main Road teaches fundamentals, the Canyon Shortcut rewards skill development, and the Mountain Pass challenges mastery.
Our Honest Recommendation:
- ✓ First 2 runs: Always use Main Road - learn the game properly
- ✓ Runs 3-5: Switch to Canyon Shortcut - refine your skills
- ✓ Run 6+: Only then consider Mountain Pass - but expect failures
Remember: A successful slower run is always better than a failed faster attempt. Choose routes based on your team's actual skill level, not aspirations!