Quick answer
What to do first
First distinguish a caravan still forming on the colony map from one already on the world map. Check gathering and loading for the first; destination, rest, movement capacity and supplies for the second. A gravship is not a caravan and needs different launch checks.
Match your symptom
| Symptom | Likely cause | Check | Next action |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forming never completes | A member or item is not ready | Inspect gatherers, assigned animals, inaccessible items and pawns. | Resolve the specific loading obstacle; reduce the load if needed. |
| World-map group is resting | Normal rest or a stopped order | Read caravan status and destination. | Allow rest or set the intended destination when appropriate. |
| Movement is extremely slow or unavailable | Load or pawn condition limits travel | Inspect mass, carrying capacity and movement condition. | Reduce load or address the limiting pawn/animal safely. |
| Temporary-map departure is stuck | Reform or route is unresolved | Check reform options, people, animals and supplies. | Verify the group and route before leaving; do not abandon essentials accidentally. |
Identify the caravan state
Open the caravan’s current status before issuing another travel command. A group gathering inside the colony can be delayed by one item it cannot reach or one animal it cannot load. Repeatedly selecting a world destination will not fix a local gathering problem.
Check forming, resting and movement
Once on the world map, check whether the caravan is resting, stopped or actually traveling slowly. Rest is not necessarily a bug. Inspect the destination and estimated travel time alongside the group’s needs before trying to force a longer march.
Resolve load and food problems
Compare carried mass with capacity and review food and medical needs. Dropping something to move again can be necessary, but choose deliberately and preserve essential survival supplies. A theoretical route estimate is not a guarantee when weather, terrain or pawn condition changes.
Before leaving a temporary map
Before reforming after a visit or encounter, confirm which pawns, animals and items are included. This is especially important when leaving a temporary map. Gravship pilots should use the launch guide instead; caravan packing checks do not certify a ship’s connected structure or fuel.
Version & sources
Sources & what may change
- Applies to
- Core · PC 1.6.4850.
- Last verified
- 2026-09-04
- When to check again
- Recheck after a relevant game patch, DLC change or source correction. Mods can change these conditions.
Documentation reviewed; not an in-game test report. RimWorld Wiki is community-maintained, not Ludeon documentation.
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