road trip in rv usa

Travels with Ted

10 Epic Bucket List RV Road Trips in the US

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I’ve lived in an RV since 2016 and traveled thousands of miles across the country (and into Mexico and Canada). In this guide to the best bucket list road trips in the USA, I share my favorite RV road trips.

Ready to start planning your own RV trip across America? Let’s get started.

• 1.1 Renting an RV
• 1.2 Finding Campgrounds
• 1.3 Buying Gear for your RV Road Trip
• 2.1 Olympic Peninsula
• 2.2 Utah National Parks
• 2.3 Route 66
• 2.4 California’s Pacific Coast
• 2.5 Blue Ridge Parkway
• 2.6 South Florida
• 2.7 Upper Peninsula of Michigan
• 2.8 Columbia River Gorge
• 2.9 Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon
• 2.10 North to Alaska

Planning your RV Road Trip

If you are already an experienced or full-time RVer, go ahead and skip down to the bucket list RV road trips . Otherwise, here are some key planning tools to utilize before your first RV trip.

Renting an RV

If you do not already own an RV, it is best to rent a rig for your first RV road trip in the USA. A rental RV allows you to test drive the type, layout, and travel style of an RV before you make a large investment.

RVshare allows you to rent fifth wheels, travel trailers and motorhomes directly from local owners. They have every type of rig available, and you can filter by price and features to pick the perfect RV.

Finding Campgrounds

After you’ve secured an RV, you need to find places to sleep. Fortunately, there are several great apps to help you find campgrounds and RV parks in the USA. If you are visiting an area during the peak season (i.e. Winter in Florida) you will need to make campground reservations in advance.

However, if you are traveling during less busy times, it is best to leave a few open days between reservations so you can be more spontaneous.

To find RV parks and campgrounds, download the AllStays Camp & RV app ($9.99). The AllStays app has an interactive map that allows you to find campsites directly along your route.

AllStays has the most comprehensive list of campgrounds and RV parks for people RVing in the USA. The app also shows truck stops, dump stations and RV services so you can easily find fuel and supplies.

For free RV camping , use the Campendium website to find no cost RV campsites. Free camping is a great way to save money and find more secluded locations.

However, most free campsites do not offer water, electric or sewer hook-ups, so you should be prepared to “rough it.” If you plan on dry camping or boondocking at free campsites, choose a rental RV that has a generator on board.

If you are planning an extended RV round trip, consider joining one or more RV membership clubs to enjoy discounted camping fees.

Buying Gear for your RV Road Trip

The last step in the planning process for an RV road trip is buying all the gear you need. Review our Amazon list of must have RV supplies and either buy them or verify that your rental RV comes equipped with the proper gear.

I also highly recommend buying a road trip journal to record your adventures and experiences RVing in the USA.

10 Best RV Road Trips in the USA

Olympic peninsula.

Driving highway 101 around the Olympic Peninsula is a short but sweet RV road trip. The complete Olympic Peninsula rod trip is just over 300 miles, so it can easily be completed in a few days.

On the other hand, there is so much to see in this region you could also stay for weeks. The main attraction on the Peninsula is Olympic National Park which features a lush rain forest, stunning mountain peaks, crystal clear lakes and the Pacific Coast.

There are plenty of RV campground options in the area. There are several private campgrounds just off highway 101 and there are 10 campgrounds in the National Park that can accommodate RVs.

Most National Park campsites are designed for RVs up to 21 feet long, and none of them accept rigs over 35 feet. If you plan to camp in the park, make sure to travel in a smaller RV.

While the National Park is the main feature, there are several other sights to see along this route. For incredible views, take a side trip to Cape Flattery, the most northwesterly tip of the contiguous 48 states.

To reach Cape Flattery, first head to the town of Neah Bay from highway 112. In Neah Bay, go as far west as you can, follow signs to Cape Flattery Road and head south. After 7.7 miles the road will take you to the trail head parking lot.

Don’t forget to stop in Neah Bay and purchase a Makah Recreation Pass , which is required to hike on the trail. The trail is an easy 1.5 mile round trip that winds through the forest and ends in stunning views of the Pacific Ocean.

Utah National Parks

Utah has five National Parks with jaw dropping scenery. Combining all five parks into a single road trip is an unforgettable adventure, and one of my personal favorite experiences RVing in the USA.

Start your adventure in Zion National Park then drive on Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef, Arches and Canyonlands. Allot at least 2 days in each park to make sure you have ample time to hike and relax. Since most of the trails in National Parks are not pet-friendly, this is not a great RV road trip with dogs.

All of the Utah National Parks, except Canyonlands, have RV-friendly campgrounds that can be reserved in advance. Reservations are accepted 6 months ahead of time and should be made exactly 6 months in advance for summer reservations.

None of the NPS campgrounds offer electric hook-ups, so RVers looking for more comfort should stay in private campgrounds near the parks. Reservations for RV parks also need to be made at least six months in advance to guarantee availability.

Don’t forget to add a few Utah State parks into your road trip itinerary. Dead Horse Point State Park, located just outside of Canyonlands, offers dramatic views of the Colorado River and the pinnacles of Canyonlands.

This state park has two campgrounds with 30 and 50 amp electric outlets. An hour from Zion, Sand Hollow State Park is a great summer stop if you are looking to get in the water.

The main feature of this state park is a refreshing reservoir with boat rentals. Their Westside campground also offers spacious campsites with full hook-ups.

Route 66, also know as the Mother Road, is the most iconic and celebrated RVing route in the USA. Historic Route 66 covers over 2,400 miles, starting in Chicago and ending at Santa Monica, California.

For the classic experience, I would recommend sticking to the westernmost portion of the route. This area features many kitschy attractions that will take you back in time. Start your journey in Amarillo, TX and take Route 66 all the way to the Pacific Ocean in California.

There are many RV campgrounds along historical Route 66. Simply use the AllStays app to find campgrounds with good reviews at your desired stopping points.

State park campgrounds are a good option if you are looking to incorporate more outdoor adventures into your road trip. Consider camping at Santa Rosa Lake, Homolovi Ruins and Malibu Creek State Parks.

Hualapai Mountain Park, 11-miles off of the road in Arizona, offers a great break from the desert. The campground sits in the Hualapai Mountain Range, so you can enjoy views of the desert below from a cooler elevation.

You want to take your time driving down Route 66, so you have plenty of time to stop for roadside attractions and detours. Starting in Amarillo, check out the Cadillac Ranch, an art installation made using old Cadillac cars.

During your RV road trip, stop at the ghost town of Oatman, Arizona that has a friendly local population of wild burros.

California’s Pacific Coast

The Pacific Coast Highway (Highway 1) hugs the Pacific Coast of California for 650 miles. The route is best driven from north to south, so you are on the ocean side of the road for the entire drive.

This coastal road trip is not for the faint of heart. The route features winding turns, small shoulders and big drop offs. I would recommend this RV road trip for more experienced drivers not first time RVers. Drive slow and plan short days to keep this drive fun and safe.

There are several state park campgrounds and private RV parks available along Highway 1. Spend a few days at the San Francisco RV Resort just outside of the city. This resort is pricey, but it features stunning ocean views, full hook-ups and easy access to the city.

Also stop at Doheny State Beach campground in Dana Point. This campground does not have any hook-ups, but there are campsites available right on the beach.

One of the most iconic stops along the California Coast is Big Sur. Plan to spend at least a few days of your road trip exploring this area.

The hike to McWay Falls should definitely be on your travel and adventure bucket list. The trail is less than a mile, but the views are incredible. You can access the trail head directly off of Highway 1.

Blue Ridge Parkway

The Blue Ridge Parkway stretches through the mountains from Afton, Virginia to Cherokee, North Carolina (my home state). This road is an iconic route for people RVing in the USA.

There are plenty of overlooks and the speed limit never exceeds 45 mile per hour, making for a leisurely RV road trip. The route has many sweeping curves, but is generally easy to drive without many tight turns. The vistas are stunning during the peak fall season when the leaves are changing, but be prepared for crowds during this time.

There are eight National Park Service Campgrounds on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Most of these campgrounds do not have hook-ups, but they offer potable water, bathrooms with flush toilets, picnic tables, fire rings and RV dump stations.

These campgrounds are open from May to October for a fee of $20 per night. If you are looking for higher-end accommodations, there a plenty of private RV parks a short drive off the parkway. Near Asheville, North Carolina, spend a night or two at the stunning mountaintop RV sites at Mama Gertie’s Hideaway Camp.

Views and hiking are the two main features of the Blue Ridge Parkway. One of our favorite hikes in the area is Crabtree Falls. The trail head is located at milepost 339.5.

There are two trail options: an easier 3 mile out and back hike on the same trail or a more strenuous 3.5 mile loop trail that climbs a ridge above the falls. The main feature of the hike is the 70 foot waterfall but there are also beautiful wildflowers in the early summer.

South Florida

If you are looking for a winter destination to RV in the USA, look no further than the Sunshine State. While many RVers park in one spot for the winter, a Florida road trip is a much better adventure.

I recommend starting your Florida road trip near Everglades National Park and driving down the Florida Keys.

Start your trip at the Miami Everglades RV Resort, a full hook-up RV park near the Everglades that offers amenities including a pool and game room. In the Keys, Sunshine Key RV Resort is another high-end RV park located right on the water.

For a more affordable camping option in the Keys, stay at Bahia Honda State Park which offers campsites with electric for $38 per night. Be sure to make your campground reservations six to twelve months in advance to avoid being stuck without a place to stay.

If you make it all the way to Key West, consider leaving your RV behind for the day to visit Dry Tortugas National Park. The park which is an island 70 miles west of Key West is only accessible by boat or seaplane.

Daily ferries shuttle visitors from Key West to the park, or you can arrive in style by flying in with Key West Seaplane Adventures. Once you arrive, you can spend the day swimming, snorkeling and exploring the 19th century fort.

Upper Peninsula of Michigan

The Upper Peninsula of Michigan (The U.P.) is a beautiful natural playground for campers RVing in the USA. Summer is the best time to visit when you can count on warm, pleasant weather.

The U.P. is accessed from I-75 on the lower peninsula of Michigan. From there, you can plan your own route around the U.P.

Straits State Park is a great place to start and end your U.P. RV road trip. Located right after the bridge onto the Upper Penninsula, the park has two campgrounds with electric hook-ups. From this location, you can easily access the ferry to car-free Mackinac Island.

Also consider staying at Indian Lake State Park which offers lake front campsites. There are also plenty of private campgrounds on the U.P. for the remainder of your road trip.

Just 10 minutes from Indian Lake State Park is The Big Spring ( Kitch-iti-kipi ) . The natural spring has crystal clear blue water that makes for a beautiful photo opportunity.

While you can’t swim in the spring, the park offers a self-operated observation raft that you can take out onto the water. Through observation windows on the raft floor, you can see trout swimming below. Also, don’t forget to eat a Pasty, a local meat pie delicacy.

Columbia River Gorge

The drive along the Columbia River Gorge is one of the most scenic drives in the Pacific Northwest. The gorge reaches heights of 4,000 feet, and the river serves as the boundary between Oregon and Washington.

I recommend starting in Troutdale, Oregon and driving on Interstate 84 to at least Hood River. This trip is a very short drive, but you can extend the trip by taking detours over the river to the Washington side.

This is a perfect first time RV road trip, allowing you to drive just 30 minutes between RV parks.

In Troutdale, stay at the Sandy Riverfront RV resort. This full hook-up campground offers direct access to the Sandy River where you can swim and float on hot summer days.

At the end of your trip, stay at the Blue Barn Grill & RV park on the Washington side of the river. In between, small RVs (20 feet max) can stay at the Eagle Creek campground within the National Scenic Area.

Even though the Columbia River Gorge is a short trip, it is not lacking in activities. There are stunning waterfalls, local breweries and hundreds of hiking trails to explore. One can’t miss hike along the gorge is Beacon Rock.

The trail is a one-mile hike up the 848 foot Beacon Rock, the core of an ancient volcano. The hike involves many switchbacks and steep drop-offs, but handrails make it safe for even casual hikers. At the top you are rewarded with vast views of the Columbia River Gorge.

Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon

If you are looking to incorporate both city life and the great outdoors into your RV road trip, consider driving from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon. The drive from Las Vegas to the south rim is just over four hours, but you can spend a significant amount of time at each destination.

If you are renting an RV , you can take a round trip route so you can fly in and out of Las Vegas. Alternatively, this trip can be combined with a Utah National Park or Route 66 road trip for a longer adventure.

There are many large RV resorts around Las Vegas that offer pools, outdoor activities and shuttles to casinos. If you want to stay right on The Strip, camp at Circus Circus RV Park. The campground offers full hook-up sites on the Circus Circus property, and campers have access to all the same amenities as hotel guests.

Once you reach the Grand Canyon , stay at the Trailer Village campground which offers full hook-up RV sites close to the south rim of the canyon.

Don’t forget to stop along the way to the canyon and explore Arizona a little more. Stop in the town of Chloride for some history and culture. The old silver mining town now features some interesting art with many residents creating junk art sculptures on their property.

Just outside of town, park the RV and walk 1.5 up a rough dirt road to see the murals of Chloride miner, Roy Purcell. Painted in 1966, these murals are a sight to see, covering 2,000 square feet of rocks and granite.

North to Alaska

Once you have completed some shorter road trips RVing in the USA, consider upping your road trip game and driving to Alaska. Leaving from Washington state, you can drive through British Columbia and The Yukon to reach Alaska.

Allow an absolute minimum of one month for this RV road trip, so you have plenty of time for driving and exploring. Ideally, this RV road trip would take two to three months so you have plenty of time to explore Western Canada as well.

On the route to Alaska, you will find plenty of RV parks off the highway. The AllStays app will help you find campsites in the US, as well as Canada.

Once you arrive in Alaska, the whole state is your campground. Alaska is one of the few places in the USA where it is legal to camp almost anywhere. Check out Call to Wander’s post for some Alaska campsite recommendations.

Once you reach Alaska, be sure to make it to Denali National Park. The park features Denali, the highest peak in North America, as well as plentiful wildlife.

The only entrance to the park is 240 miles north of Anchorage off Alaska Highway 3. There are RV-friendly campgrounds within the park, so you can enjoy the experience of camping right beside the natural wonders.

If you are new to RV travel, download our free RV setup and departure checklists to guide you when parking and packing up the RV.

Also, save our list of 250 road trip questions to help pass the time while you are driving.

Happy Camping!

Christina Pate is a seasoned full-time RVer who, along with her husband Justin, has journeyed across the US, Canada, and Mexico. Drawing from her extensive travels, RV repairs and RV renovations, she founded Travels with Ted to guide and inspire fellow RV enthusiasts. Christina is also the co-author of The Owner’s Guide to RV Maintenance and the creator of My RV Log Book .

RVing with Rex

Living his dream, Rex Vogel is a Snowbird with a passion for RVing, photography, hiking, and birding.

The Ultimate RV Travel Bucket List: 51 Best Places to Visit in North America

Your road map to hidden gems, cherished natural wonders, and iconic monuments across North America

Are you looking for travel bucket list ideas for your next RV trip? Running out of ideas or looking for fresh ones? From epic classics to exciting newcomers, we have selected the 51 most amazing places to visit or things to do in the U.S. and Canada. Of course, there are many more than 51 places worth visiting.

We have traveled by RV in 47 states and four Canadian provinces but barely made a dent (and our list continues to grow longer and longer).

It’s time to pack the RV and discover beautiful and awe-inspiring places across North America. Following are many of our favorite destinations in the US and Canada to satisfy your wanderlust.

Badlands National Park : South Dakota

With ochre-tinted buttes, graceful spires, and fossil-rich landscapes, Badlands National Park, in southwest South Dakota, entrances visitors with its ethereal vistas.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park : North Carolina and Tennessee

Great Smoky Mountains National Park attracts outdoorsy types with its sublime mountain scenery and beautiful old-growth forests.

Banff National Park: Alberta

Nestled in the heart of the Canadian Rockies, Banff is Canada’s first (and arguably most beautiful) National Park.

Charleston : South Carolina

With its Spanish moss, historic architecture, coastal scenery and graceful antebellum mansions, Charleston oozes Southern charm.

Bryce Canyon National Park : Utah

Otherworldly rust-colored hoodoo rock formations are on full display at this popular national park.

Blue Ridge Parkway : North Carolina and Virginia

The nearly 500 miles of blacktop twisting through the Great Smoky Mountains and Shenandoah national parks was built for travelers seeking Appalachian overlooks.

Sedona : Arizona

Sedona attracts nature lovers with its desert landscapes, surreal red rocks, and enchanting vortexes, places where the earth’s energy is reportedly amplified.

Joshua Tree National Park : California

With jaw-dropping desert scenery, prickly Joshua trees, and distinct boulder rock formations, Joshua Tree mesmerizes visitors with its eye-catching landscapes.

Zion National Park : Utah

If your perfect bucket-list includes hitting scenic hiking trails, it’s hard to rival the otherworldly landscapes in Utah’s Zion National Park.

Wells Gray Country : British Columbia

Wells Gray has something to offer every outdoor interest: lush alpine meadows, birding and wildlife viewing, hiking, boating, canoeing, kayaking, and 41 breathtaking waterfalls.

Boston Freedom Trail : Massachusetts

Walk this 2.5-mile path (just follow the red-brick line) that passes 16 historical landmarks from Paul Revere’s house and the Old North Church to Bunker Hill and Old Ironside.

Scenic Byway 12 : Utah

The red rock majesty of Utah is on triumphant display on Scenic Byway 12 winding between Capitol Reef and Bryce Canyon national parks.

Green Mountain Byway: Vermont’s Route 100

The billboard-free Route 100 winds through some of Vermont’s most quintessentially Vermonty villages, with all the cider donuts and country stores that go with them.

Dead Horse Point State Park : Utah

Towering 2,000 feet above the Colorado River, Dead Horse Point is an iconic peninsula of rock sitting on top of incredible vertical sandstone cliffs.

Tombstone: Arizona

Arguably America’s most infamous Old West town, Tombstone, is the perfect place to see what life was like during the days of the Wild West.

Jekyll Island Club Resort : Georgia

Follow in the footsteps of visitors like J.P. Morgan and the Pulitzer family as you golf, bike, boat, swim, or trot along on a horse-drawn carriage.

Santa Fe : New Mexico

A city that embraces its natural environment, Santa Fe is a city whose beautiful adobe architecture blends with the high desert landscape.

Remember the Alamo : San Antonio, Texas

Home of the famous 1836 battle, the beautiful 300-year-old former Spanish mission turned fortress is the heart of San Antonio and Texas’ most visited historic landmark.

Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge : Georgia

Hop aboard a flat-bottomed boat and keep your eyes peeled for alligators, egrets, and hawks during a tour of the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge.

Canyon de Chelly National Monument : Arizona

Canyon de Chelly has sandstone walls rising up to 1,000 feet, scenic overlooks, well-preserved Anasazi ruins, and an insight into the present-day life of the Navajo.

Mesa Verde National Park : Colorado

A great concentration of ancestral Pueblo Indian dwellings, built from the 6th to the 12th century, can be found on the Mesa Verde plateau in southwestern Colorado.

Red Rocks State Park : Sedona, Arizona

Red Rock State Park is a 286-acre nature preserve and environmental education center with stunning scenery.

Monument Valley : Arizona and Utah

The iconic landscape of Monument Valley symbolizes the American West worldwide with its towering buttes and sweeping skies.

My Old Kentucky Home State Park : Kentucky

My Old Kentucky Home State Park honors the home that was the symbol of Stephen Foster’s endearing song, the stately mansion on the Rowan Estate known as Federal Hill.

Mitchell Corn Palace : South Dakota

The World’s Only Corn Palace is a quirky but cool multi-purpose arena in Mitchell.

Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument : Washington

The eruption of Mount St. Helens caused a huge landslide to sweep through the Toutle River Valley and remove 1,306 feet from the top of the volcano.

Shiner : Texas

Shiner, Texas is home to 2,069 people, Friday’s Fried Chicken, and—most famously—the Spoetzal Brewery where every drop of Shiner beer is brewed.

Gulf State Park: Alabama

Gulf State Park’s two miles of beaches greet you with plenty of white sand, surging surf, seagulls, and sea shells, but there is more than sand and surf to sink your toes into.

Icefields Parkway: Alberta

The Icefield Parkway is a 144-mile highway winding along the Continental Divide through soaring rocky mountain peaks, icefields, and vast sweeping valleys.

Cherohala Skyway : North Carolina and Tennessee

Travel the Cherohala Skyway and enjoy panoramic vistas as you wind through the Southern Appalachian high country.

Catalina Highway : Arizona

With a nearly 7,000-foot elevation change in a mere 24 miles, the Catalina Highway is a brilliant ascent with countless curves, numerous vistas, and three major switchbacks.

Myakka River State Park : Florida

Seven miles of paved road wind through shady hammocks, along grassy marshes, and the shore of the Upper Myakka Lake. See wildlife up-close on a 45-minute boat tour.

Natural Bridges National Monument : Utah

These three majestic natural bridges were formed by the power of water in a landscape usually defined by its absence. View them from an overlook or hit the trails.

Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument : Arizona

Organ Pipe Cactus is the only place in the U.S. where the organ pipe cactus grows wild.

San Antonio Missions : Texas

The San Antonio Missions are a group of five frontier mission complexes situated along a 7.7-mile stretch of the San Antonio River.

Incline Railway : Chattanooga, Tennessee

Take the incline railway up a 72.7-percent grade on Lookout Mountain in Chattanooga. It’s like driving up an insanely pretty wall.

Lassen Volcanic National Park: California

See all four types of volcanoes—cinder cone, composite, shield, and plug dome. Plenty of hydro- and geothermal activity is still found in Lassen Volcanic National Park today.

Okanagan Wine Region : British Columbia

Okanagan wine region is possibly the most scenic wine region in North America and a place where RVers and other normal people can afford to taste wine.

Cedar Breaks National Monument : Utah

At an elevation of over 10,000 feet, Cedar Breaks looks down into a majestic geologic amphitheater, a three-mile long cirque of eroding limestone, shale, and sandstone.

Writing-on-Stone Provincial Park : Alberta

A wide green valley, steep sandstone cliffs, strange rock formations called hoodoos, and rock art—all of these things make Writing-on-Stone a special place.

Lake Powell : Utah and Arizona

Spend a week on Lake Powell boating through slot canyons, anchoring on deserted beaches, and camping under the stars.

Creole Nature Trail : Louisiana

Louisiana’s prairies, marshes and shores teem with wildlife, and a drive along the Creole Nature Trail gives visitors a chance to experience nature’s bounty up close.

Grand Canyon National Park : Arizona

“Grand” doesn’t do this canyon justice. Measuring approximately 277 river miles in length, up to 18 miles in width and a mile deep, this massive chasm is a natural wonder.

Jasper National Park: Alberta

The largest national park in the Canadian Rockies, Jasper is the wildest of the mountain parks and contains the world famous Columbia Icefields.

Congaree National Park : South Carolina

Congaree National Park showcases the largest tract of old-growth floodplain forest remaining on the continent.

Black Hills : South Dakota

Driving through this corner of South Dakota takes you through some of the most rugged, distinctive, and beautiful land in America.

Blue Bell Ice Cream : Brenham, Texas

Stop by for a scoop of ice cream at the Ice Cream Parlor, view how Blue Bell is made, shop in the Country Store, and learn more Blue Bell Creameries in the Visitor Center.

Colonial Williamsburg : Virginia

A living history museum and two art museums offer something for everyone, from hands-on activities to original 18th-century buildings to a folk-art collection.

Kentucky Bourbon Trail

Awaken your senses and explore the birthplace of Bourbon as you embark on a self-guided journey to discover the story behind Kentucky’s Bourbon Culture.

Ohio Amish Country : Holmes County

Ever wish you could turn the clock back to a time when life was simpler and the wheels turned a little more slowly? Now you can.

Arches National Park : Utah More than 2,000 sandstone arches dot the 47,000-acre landscape of this national park.

Worth Pondering…

“My favorite thing is to go where I have never been,” wrote photographer Diane Arbus, and so it is with us.

23 Incredible RV Vacations: Scenic RV Road Trips You Need to Take

Posted on Published: July 7, 2023  - Last updated: February 26, 2024

If you’re seeking the perfect blend of adventure and comfort, an RV road trip may be the perfect getaway! From awe-inspiring national parks to quaint coastal towns and everything in between, the USA offers an incredible array of destinations to explore from the comfort of your home on wheels. Here are the best RV vacations in the USA!

This post may contain affiliate links. For more info, see my  disclosures .

Start packing up the RV (and the family) now! You’re going to love these RV trips all across the country. Whether you’re looking for a route that’s in your home state, or you’re traveling and then renting an RV, this list has something for everyone!

This list goes beyond somewhere to sit your RV – each destination in this guide is an RV road trip with beautiful landscapes, fun national parks to explore, vibrant cities or wide open spaces.

👉Don’t have time to read the whole article? Get the complete Organize Your RV Like a Pro Guide for brilliant organization RV hacks before you go!

Many of these RV routes are best one in the summer months when the weather is (typically) most predictable and reasonable in the USA. But each of these RV vacations below share the best time of year for that particular adventure.

Whether this is your first RV road trip or you’ve been packing up your motorhome or travel trailer for years, these epic destinations are going to blow you away!

Must-see video: RV vacations

RV road trips map

This list covers the best RV trips in the west, east and a bunch of amazing routes in between.  Each pin on this map marks a stop on one of the very best RV routes in the US .

Because I haven’t’ been everywhere in the US in my RV (yet), I’ve asked some of my fellow travel writers to help compile this list of the best RV travel USA ideas! Enjoy!

Epic RV vacations

Get ready to hit the open road and discover some truly unbelievable RV road trips that will leave you with memories to cherish for a lifetime.

Let’s dive in!

1. Great Smoky Mountains: Asheville to Gatlinburg

• Distance: 85 miles
• Recommended time: 2-3 days
• Best time of year: Spring or Fall

If you’re looking for a fun getaway in your RV, then look no further than the mountains of North Carolina and Tennessee! One of the best RV vacations in the US, the drive from Asheville North Carolina to Gatlinburg, Tennessee is simply gorgeous.

The Smoky Mountains are stunning year-round, though it’s best to avoid this road trip in winter. The National Park Service often closes the road through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Tennessee.

This route can technically be done in an afternoon, but you’ll want to spend a day or two on either side of the road trip, at minimum!

While in Asheville, be sure to visit the botanical gardens and the River Arts District. And of course, one of the best attractions in town is the Biltmore Estate . Visit the estate to see the massive 175,000+ square feet of space on 8,000 acres. It’s spectacular!

The drive west towards Tennessee is beautiful, and the Smoky Mountains make their presence known with the hazy-looking views. Stay on Highway 19 until you get to Cherokee, North Carolina. It’s a great spot to grab lunch, a souvenir and check out the cornmeal and grits mill – Saunooke’s Mill .

Next, get ready for an incredibly scenic drive through US Highway 441 (AKA Newfound Gap Road) in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This scenic road is RV-friendly, although it does have some steep grades so be prepared as you drive through the mountains.

You’ll want to stop at Clingmans Dome for 360-degree views of the Smokies. It requires a 0.5 mile (paved) hike with a steep incline, but is well worth it.

Pro tip: don’t miss the turn to Clingman’s Dome! There’s RV-friendly parking at the parking lot, but turning around on 441 will be difficult in an RV if you miss the turn.

Gap Overlook and Ben Morton Overlook are other stops worth the view, if the parking situation isn’t too full when you’re driving through. Of course, there’s various hiking trails along the scenic route as well.

Gatlinburg is the official end of this RV road trip. It’s quite the touristy town, and parking is not RV-friendly at all. Instead, you can stay at Elkmont Campground inside the national park or Greenbrier Campground just outside of Gatlinburg. As with most national park campgrounds, be sure to book it well in advance to reserve your spot.

If you have a day or two to explore the park, you’ll want to check out the fabulous waterfalls, which are most impressive in the springtime. Laurel Falls Trail , Grotto Falls and Abrams Falls Trail are really popular hikes, although if you have a vehicle you’re towing it’s easier to access Grotto Falls and Abrams Falls as they’re located on narrow roads.

This is one of the best RV vacations that’s great for beginner RVers or those based in the Eastern USA and looking for a quicker weekend adventure.

Recommended by me – Nikki of Inspired Routes

2. Alaska RV road trip

• Distance: 1,200 miles
• Recommended time: 10 days
• Best time of year : June, July and August

Alaska is a fantastic state for a scenic and remote RV vacation. An RV road trip through the rugged 49th state allows you to see mountains, glaciers, forests, panoramic coastline, wildflowers, and plentiful wildlife.

Although driving your RV to Alaska is possible, another popular option is to fly into Anchorage and rent an RV. Either way, you should book your campsites as early as possible . Summer is the busy season in Alaska and the good campsites are often booked out months in advance.

The best  10-day Alaska road trip itinerary  will take you to see the diverse beauty of the inland mountains as well as the coastline. But, make sure to plan for at least 10 days to complete this 1,200-mile RV road trip. Alaska is a huge state and you will need to do a lot of driving to see the highlights.

Starting in the city of Anchorage, head north to Denali National Park for a few nights. After Denali, return south to Anchorage for a night and then keep going south to Seward. 

After spending several nights in Seward, drive to the Kenai River Region for a night or two, and then to Homer for your last few nights.  You’ll end your trip by returning north back to Anchorage.

Highlights of the route include Denali National Park and Kenai Fjords National Park, as well as some epic scenic overlooks and state parks along the way.

Two of the best campsites in Alaska for RV camping are Denali Grizzly Bear Resort near Denali National Park and Miller’s Landing in Seward. 

An RV road trip through Alaska will be an incredible and memorable experience!

Recommended by Diane of Travels with Eli

3. Milwaukee to Ludington (an underrated RV vacation idea in the USA)

• Distance: 148 miles by car ferry or 341 miles driving
• Recommended time: 3-4 days
• Best time of year: Mid-May to October, and this small beach town offers amazing outdoor activities. Hence, you want to visit during sunny spring and summer weather to truly enjoy this natural landscape.

Traveling from Wisconsin to Michigan is a unique road trip with an RV, as you can take the S.S. Badger Car Ferry (even for RVs) and enjoy the ride! 

While onboard, you can shop, watch a movie in the movie theater or simply lounge inside. They also have an outside deck with live music, where you can stroll along the deck, play a board game, or even test your luck at the famous Badger Bingo. Kids will enjoy the toddler play area or the kid’s port play area.

If you do not want to take the ferry, you can also easily drive to Ludington. The drive time varies based on traffic, but it is about 4 hours from Chicago, 4 hours from Detroit, and 5.5 hours from Milwaukee.

There are plenty of  things to do in Ludington , including exploring the natural beauty of the region at Ludington State Park. It’s an outdoor enthusiasts paradise with natural beauty from lakes and rivers, forests, and unique sand dunes.

Visitors can enjoy outdoor activities such as hiking, cycling, camping, and even bird-watching in Ludington State Park. Located on Hamlin Lake, RVers will enjoy boating, fishing, kayaking and paddle boarding.

Lastly, don’t forget to climb and explore the unique Hamlin Lake Sand dunes that give you a scenic view of Lake Michigan, Hamlin Lake, and Big Sable Point Lighthouse.

This is one of the best and most unique RV road trips in the US, and one worth adding to your must-do list!

Recommended by Hannah of Getting Stamped

4. Phoenix, Sedona, Grand Canyon and Page Arizona (one of the most scenic RV road trips)

• Distance: 478 miles (one way)
• Recommended time: 5-6 Days

There are so many amazing places to visit within driving distance from Phoenix. On this RV road trip, you will visit 3 of the most iconic destinations in Arizona , Sedona, the Grand Canyon and Page, Arizona.

Start in Phoenix and make your way to Sedona, one of the prettiest places in the world. There are a ton of places in Sedona to see incredible views or go on a  Sedona sunrise hike  to see the gorgeous red rocks illuminated in bright orange and red colors.

One of the best campgrounds to stay at in Sedona is Pine Flat Campground located on the scenic byway 89a. You’ll combine scenic accommodations with tone of the most gorgeous RV vacations in the USA!

After spending 1-2 days exploring Sedona, it’s time to head to the Grand Canyon, which is only 110 miles north. The Grand Canyon is one of the most iconic national parks in the United States, and it’s easy to see why.

Rent some electric bikes and bike along the rim to Hermits Rest and enjoy stopping off and seeing all the incredible views of the canyon.

The best place to stay near the Grand Canyon is at Mather Campground located inside the park. Advanced reservations are required to get a spot at this campground as it’s super popular.

After spending a day exploring the Grand Canyon, head 132 miles north to Page, Arizona. Once in Page, make a reservation to visit the incredible Antelope Canyon which is one of the prettiest slot canyons in the world.

You can also do the 1.5 mile round trip hike to Horseshoe Bend.

The best campground to stay at in Page is The Canyons , which is located only 10 minutes to Antelope Canyon and 10 minutes to Horseshoe Bend.

As one of the best RV vacation ideas, consider taking this road trip in either the spring or fall as the summer in Arizona can get really hot and be super crowded. 

Recommended by Jessica of Unearth the Voyage

5. San Francisco to Lake Tahoe

• Distance: 200 miles
• Recommended time: 3+ days
• Best time of year: summer or early fall

Hands down, one of the best RV vacations is a road trip from San Francisco to Lake Tahoe. With so much to do at the starting point, stopping point and in between, you could easily spend a week or more exploring this route. You’ll want a minimum of 3 days to see the highlights!

Starting in San Francisco, this is a great road trip for those based in northern California or southern Oregon. While driving an RV in San Francisco isn’t the most fun thing in the world, I can say it’s pretty spectacular driving across the Golden Gate Bridge in a motorhome (or travel trailer) !

You can spend a day (or more) exploring the sights in San Francisco; visit Lombard Street, Fisherman’s Wharf, Alcatraz Island, Exploratorium and more. If you’re towing a vehicle, I’d recommend to leave your RV at your campsite and get a ride share around San Francisco.

From there, make your way northeast to Sacramento . Make a quick gas or food stop, or spend a day or more in the fun city. Highlights include the Capitol Building, Old Sacramento Waterfront, the Old Sugar Mill or do a wine tour.

Next, Lake Tahoe is big! So deciding whether to see (and camp) on the north or south side is important, as you’ll take 2 different routes out of Sacramento. Both areas are wonderful for RV travel, and each has unique experiences.

In north Lake Tahoe, see the incredible views of the lake at Sand Harbor State Park, go swimming, mountain biking or hiking. Furthermore, this dog-friendly destination is great for summertime swimming for your furry friends, too.

In South Lake Tahoe, a must-do is a sightseeing cruise of Emerald Bay. Of course there’s more hiking, paddleboarding and kayaking opportunities, not to mention Van Sickle Bi-State Park.

For camping in North Tahoe, try the Tahoe State Recreation Area or the Alpine Meadow Campground. In South Tahoe, consider the Campground by the Lake or Fallen Leaf Campground . As with most other RV vacations on this list, be sure to book your campground far in advance to ensure a spot.

While Lake Tahoe is a year-round destination, the winter driving in an RV (not to mention freezing temperatures) can create challenges. Summer is the best time for this road trip!

6. Santa Fe to White Sands National Park (one of the most underrated RV trips on this list)

• Distance: 397 miles
• Recommended time: 1 week
• Best time of year: late spring

Travel through the heart of New Mexico on an unforgettable Santa Fe to White Sands RV road trip. It’s a perfect route for RVs as the roads are largely flat with incredible views . Even in the areas where the roads turn hilly, it’s nothing that the average rig can’t handle!

Start your adventures in historic Santa Fe, the nation’s oldest capital city. Explore the Plaza and the oldest church in America before settling into your RV spot at the welcoming Santa Fe KOA.

Next, head over to Albuquerque, where you can tour the Old Town, hike in nearby Petroglyph National Monument, or experience the awe-inspiring Albuquerque Balloon Festival. 

Head south to the quirky Roswell, New Mexico, to uncover what happened in this town in 1947. Even if you don’t believe in alien encounters, the town’s extraterrestrial theming is out of this world.

Finally, complete the last leg of your New Mexico RV road trip by heading over the Sacramento Mountains into Alamogordo.

Camp at the Alamogordo/White Sands KOA, which offers free coffee in the morning, pedal bike rentals, a pool, a big game room, and a playground. You can also rent saucers for your White Sands National Park sledding from the front desk.

In Alamogordo, you can take a photo with the world’s largest pistachio at McGinn’s Pistachioland –don’t miss out on their homemade pistachio ice cream!

The New Mexico Museum of Space History is also an excellent way to spend several hours in Alamogordo. You can even visit the grave of the Ham, the famed monkey who flew to space and back in 1961.

The real gem in Alamogordo is White Sands National Park, which is about 15 minutes west of Alamogordo. Plan to spend at least  one day in White Sands  in order to get the most of the sledding, Dunes Drive, Junior Ranger program and more.

Recommended by Natalie of Camping Kiddos

7. Las Vegas to Zion plus the Grand Canyon

• Distance: 425 miles
• Recommended time: 5-10 days

Ready to go on one of the most scenic RV road trips in the USA?  Start your adventure by flying (or driving) into Las Vegas and picking up your RV.

After your RV is ready to go, set out from Las Vegas making your way to Springdale, Utah – the gateway to Zion National Park.

Springdale is the closest town to Zion with plenty of restaurants and RV parks. Watchman Campground, with both campsites and RV hookups, is one of the best places to stay in the area.

Along the way to Zion, there are several different stops along I15 for more sightseeing and breaks from the road, including Valley of Fire State Park and Red Rock Canyon.

Zion is one of the most scenic national parks, home to the red cliffs of Zion Canyon, forested trails, waterfalls, and the Emerald Pools. There are lots of hiking trails, including the famous Angel’s Landing.

Next, hit the road towards Grand Canyon National Park. You can stop at Antelope Canyon, Lake Powell, or the town of Page along the way.

After exploring the Grand Canyon, start making your way back to Vegas. Along the way, visit the Route 66 Museum in Kingman, visit the “living ghost town” of Chloride, or make a pitstop at the Hoover Dam before arriving back in Las Vegas.

Once your road trip is over, spend a few days in Las Vegas unwinding at the pool and exploring one of the USA’s most fun cities.

Recommended by Sydney of A World in Reach

Best RV trips in the west

The west coast of the USA is full of dramatic landscapes, curvy roads and scenic views that honestly just seem impossible. Some of my favorite RV trips have been along the west coast.

Let’s keep this list going…

8. Sequoia National Park to Monterey via Big Sur (a personal favorite on this RV vacations list!)

• Distance: 300+ miles
• Recommended time: 3-5 days
• Best time of year: Spring, summer or fall

If you’re looking for the best RV vacations, then this incredibly scenic drive is it! You’ll see the giant Sequoia trees, California’s stunning coastline through Big Sur and the charming town of Monterey.

You’ll want to spend 1-2 days visiting Sequoia National Park , where you can see the General Sherman Tree – the world’s largest tree by volume! Fun hikes like Congress Trail and Moro Rock will help you fall in love with this fun park.

Note: some roads in the park are quite narrow and depending on the size of your RV, you’ll need – or maybe want – to take the park shuttle .

At Sequoia, there’s the Dorst Creek Campground, perfect for RVs inside the park. Alternatively, the Sequoia Resort and RV Park is near the park entrance.

From Sequoia National Park, you’ll actually head southwest, even though Monterey is slightly north.

Drive through Visalia (a great spot to grab gas) and continue southwest to the s mall town of Cambria, California. Stretch your legs on the boardwalk trail along the beach or shop and dine in the charming downtown.

North of Cambria, you’ll take the incredibly scenic California Highway 1, or the Pacific Coast Highway. While there are too many things to do in Big Sur to mention here, a few RV-friendly highlights include the Sand Dollar Beach, McWay Falls and the Bixby Creek Bridge.

If you’re looking to stay in Big Sur and enjoy a few days exploring the area, Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park is a great spot for RV camping in the heart of Big Sur.

Ending your trip in Monterey, you’ll want to check out the Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail, the famous Monterey Bay Aquarium, Old Fisherman’s Wharf and Cannery Row . It’s such a fun city, I’d recommend spending 1-2 days exploring the sights.

9. Glacier to Yellowstone National Park

• Distance: 420 miles
• Recommended time: 7.5-hour drive
• Best time of year: Summer and Fall

There’s just something about the American West that is freeing and magical. It feels like home when you’re out on the open road without a care in the world. 

This is what you get as you road trip between Glacier National Park and Yellowstone National Park. But, thankfully, there’s much more to do in this road trip than just gazing out at the vast landscapes. It’s one of the best RV road trips in the west!

You can start your trip in either direction, but for this one, we’ll begin in Glacier and head south to Yellowstone .

At Glacier, you’ll be home to arguably the best views of any National Park in America. With towering peaks cut by glaciers, turquoise waters with glacier silt, and wildlife galore, it’s a mesmerizing experience. 

Do note that you need reservations to enter most of Glacier’s top spots, such as Many Glacier or Going to the Sun Road, or be willing to wake up before 6 am to beat the crowds. 

I suggest spending at least five days in Glacier to see both sides. Your best places to visit are Grinnell Glacier, Iceberg, Hidden and Two Medicine Lakes. 

If you’re curious how long you should allocate for each destination, I’d recommend spending 67% of your time in Glacier – it’s that good!

As for the specific driving portion of it, there’s little to see between the two famous national parks. I suggest cruising through the heartland and getting to Yellowstone quickly. 

Once in Yellowstone, make sure to hit the classics: Old Faithful, Grand Prismatic, Morning Glory, and the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. You can see a lot of the park in just two days, allowing you to keep this  epic road trip  to a reasonable length. 

Recommended by Alec of Explore with Alec

10. Joshua Tree and Death Valley National Park (one of the most interesting RV routes in the US)

Distance: 577 miles (if starting and ending in Los Angeles) Recommended time: 5 Days Best time of year: Fall to Spring

A  Joshua Tree and Death Valley road trip  is the ultimate Southern California experience! Los Angeles makes for an easy starting point, but you can also choose to start in Las Vegas . This whole RV road trip is around 600 miles and you will want to plan a minimum of 5 days.

Spend at least one full day in Joshua Tree, visiting all of the best hikes including the Cholla Cactus Garden, Arch Rock, Barker Dam and Hidden Valley. Joshua Tree is also an amazing spot to stargaze if the weather is clear.

Staying in the park will allow you to make the most of your trip, so reserve your campground in advance!

After having your fill of Joshua Tree, drive up to Death Valley National Park to continue on with one of the best RV vacations.

There are a few reservable campsites in Death Valley, but if you do not get one, there is also a large first-come, first-served campground near Furnace Creek .

In Death Valley, you do not want to miss spots like the Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes, Zabriskie Point, and Gold Canyon.

Make sure to stop at the lowest point in North America- Badwater Basin Salt Flats!

Keep in mind some side roads are restricted to vehicles under 25 feet long like Artist Palette Drive, but the majority of the popular spots are accessible.

Plan this trip when it is not too hot out, as Death Valley has the hottest recorded temperature on Earth! Fall and Spring are the best time to visit.

The desert temperatures can drop at night and it can get very windy, so this makes a perfect RV road trip, as you can shelter from the elements.

Recommended by Val of Voyages with Val

11. Ashland to Crater Lake National Park

• Distance: 92 miles
• Recommended time: 1-2 days
• Best time of year : July – September (These are often the only months the roads are not closed due to snow!)

Oregon is a state full of beautiful scenery, and makes for one of the best RV trips west coast. Perhaps one of the most beautiful spots is Crater Lake.

This natural lake is the deepest in the United States and one of the most pure. From the blue water to the fresh, clean air, an RV vacation from Ashland to Crater Lake National Park will not disappoint.

Visitors can explore the rim of the lake on a variety of hiking trails. Boats even take visitors to Wizard Island to get a unique view of the stunning scenery. 

The RV road trip from Ashland to Crater Lake is beautiful in its own right. Highway 62 often travels along the Rogue River. You’ll pass through little towns with charming names like Shady Cove and Prospect. 

As you get closer to the lake, watch for bald eagles flying overhead or nesting on top of trees. But the highlight of the day will be cresting the final ridge and getting your first glimpse of the lake . It’s truly breathtaking.

There is one campground nearby that allows RVs. Mazuma Campground is seven miles from the Rim Village Visitor Center .

It’s a beautifully maintained campground and very popular. Be sure to make reservations in advance to secure your spot.

The road trip from Ashland to Crater Lake is short enough for a day trip, but one day may not be long enough to get your fill of the astounding beauty.

Recommended by Sherry of  Digital Nomad and a Dog

12. Highway 395, California (another stunning route on the RV vacations list)

• Distance : 201 miles
• Recommended time: 7 days
• Best time of year: Spring or fall

The entire length of Highway 395 is gorgeous, but its southern portion, from Bridgeport, California to Death Valley National Park is next-level epic . It’ll surely be one of your most memorable RV trips on the West Coast (maybe even the whole USA!)

You can even drive along this route as part of a longer trip, such as from Yosemite National Park, whose Tioga Pass entrance is right by Bridgeport (note that this is only accessible from mid-summer through mid-fall).

You’ll drive along the stunning Sierra Nevada mountains the entire time —not only is the scenery breathtaking, but the drive is an RVer’s paradise, with tons of campgrounds and dispersed camping along the way.

Start in the charming town of Bridgeport, where you’ll find the under-the-radar  Buckeye Hot Springs  and Travertine Hot Springs. As an added bonus, there’s lots of dispersed camping spots right by Buckeye in Stanislaus National Forest!

Continue on to Mono Lake , one of the oldest in the United States at over one million years old. The lake is famous for its tufas, unique spires that are a byproduct of calcium carbonate. 

The ski town of Mammoth Lakes is your next stop on one of the best RV road trips in the US. If you visit in the spring, there’s a good chance you’ll still be able to enjoy the fresh powder on Mammoth Mountain , one of the best ski resorts in the country. This area is actually one of the best snowy winter vacations in USA !

During the spring, there’s plenty of natural hot springs to enjoy in Mammoth Lakes as well. 

Next up is Alabama Hills , which looks like something from another planet, with enormous monzogranite boulders scattered across the desert floor and the towering peaks of the Sierras in the background.

Score a spot at the Tuttle Creek Campground to have this scenery as your backyard for a night.

Finally, Death Valley National Park will be the endpoint of your visit. This park is one of the most dynamic in the national park system, offering colorful badlands, sand dunes, salt flats and towering mountains.

If you’re interested in doing more than quickly driving through the park, plan your road trip in either early spring or late fall—it’s famously sweltering in the summer months!

This is easily one of the best RV vacations for those based in or near California.

Recommended by Jessica of Uprooted Traveler

13. Los Angeles to San Diego

• Distance: 120 miles
• Recommended time: 3 days
• Best time of year : Late spring or early fall

A RV road trip from Los Angeles to San Diego is magical. The 110 mile-drive is filled with scenic sights, beaches, and parks.

If driving straight through, expect it to take right around 2 hours, but I highly recommend at least 3 days to ensure you have time to see everything.

The most popular route (and the most scenic of them all) is the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH). It is also known as Highway 1. It offers the stunning views of the California coastline.

While driving, make sure to take the exit 62 to Las Pulgas Road because it offers an oceanic panoramic view that can take your breath away.

After continuing down Highway 1 on one of the best RV trips west coast, you will pass by Huntington Beach and Laguna Beach . They are some of the most popular beach towns in California. If you have time, they would be a good place to stop for brunch, swimming, or just to soak up the sun.

It’s no secret that California is home to some busy roads! The best time of the day to start this road trip is before morning rush hour to avoid the congestion. If you do not make stops along the way, you could even make it all the way to San Diego without any traffic issues!

Finally, after arriving in San Diego you can check out the exciting theme parks such as Seaworld, Disneyland, or Legoland. There’s so many things to do in San Diego with kids , it makes for a great family RV vacation for the whole family!

No matter how you choose to spend your time in California , it will surely be one of your most beloved RV vacations!

Recommended by Ossama of Awesome Traveler

RV road trips in the east

Traditionally the western part of the USA is known for its outdoor adventure, and a great spot for RVers. However, the eastern part of the US has some pretty spectacular RV vacation ideas too. Check these out!

14. Florida’s A1A

• Distance: 338.7 miles
• Recommended time: 6-8 days
• Best time of year: Winter

Hop in the RV and fire up the AC for a scenic trip along Florida’s A1A. This State Road runs from Fernandina Beach, just south of Georgia on Amelia Island, to the lively Key West , south of the Sunshine State. It’s one of the very best RV vacation ideas in the USA.

While the drive is pretty, there’s plenty of opportunity to get off the route to see Florida’s coastal cities.

Visit some of the “oldest” streets and buildings in the country at  St. Augustine , spend the day at the beach in Flagler, or watch the fast cars of Daytona.

Continue along the road and be sure to climb the stairs at Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse in New Smyrna, go shopping at West Palm Beach and admire the Art Deco in Miami Beach.

Finally, you’ll get to drive over the famous Seven Miles Bridge to the Florida Keys.

According to Google Maps , doing the route with no stops would take just over nine hours. However, many locations featured in the trip are notorious for traffic, so factor this time in. 

Obviously, you’ll want to make stops at attractions, how many will be dictated by your set vacation time! 

There are plenty of options for RVs to camp along the route, such as the Beverly Beach Camptown RV Resort, which has Atlantic Ocean views. Bliss. 

The best time to visit the East Coast of Florida depends on hurricane patterns, with the season running from June until November.

Also, the summer months might be too humid for out-of-staters. While winter is too cold for locals, visitors enjoy the warm temperatures, relatively crowd-free beaches, and the chance to see manatees!  

Recommended by Amanda of Hey! East Coast USA

15. Skyline Drive, Shenandoah National Park (a great RV vacation for fall colors!)

• Distance: Skyline Drive is 105 miles from Waynesboro to Front Royal, Virginia. 
• Recommended time: 3 hours to drive this 35-mph road, but you’ll want to stop and stay in one or two of the campgrounds. 
• Best time of year: October is the perfect time to take in the fall colors and enjoy cooler weather. 

If you’re looking for one of the most beautiful RV routes in the United States, then Skyline Drive is a must-do! Spanning 105 miles of gorgeous mountain scenery in Shenandoah National Park, this picturesque roadway is perfect for RV travelers.

It traverses the entire length of the park and offers easy access to all the amenities and activities the park has to offer.

Although you can drive the entire length of Skyline Drive in just a few hours, you won’t want to leave that soon. And with four  campgrounds in Shenandoah National Park , you don’t have to either!

All of the campgrounds have plenty of pull-thru and back-in sites for all sizes of RVs. There aren’t any hookups (water, power, or sewer), but they do have bathrooms, showers, and dump stations. They are seasonal with a range of operation between March and November each year. 

The drive is home to 61 overlooks allowing your ample opportunity to stop and take in the views of the Shenandoah Valley and the Massunutten mountains.

If you want to experience more of the park on foot, be sure to enjoy some of its 500 miles of trails, including some of the most beautiful waterfalls you’ll experience on the east coast. 

One caution for RVers is the low clearance Mary’s Rock Tunnel near Thorton Gap at mile 32. The clearance is only 12’8”, but there are four entrances to Skyline Drive so if your RV is higher than that, you can access it via one of the other points. 

This fun drive is by far one of the best RV trips in the US, and one worthy of putting on your bucket list!

Recommended by Julie of Chickery’s Travels 

16. Boston to Portland

• Distance: 110 miles
• Recommended time: 2-5 days
• Best time of year: Summer or Fall

Making a trip from Boston, MA to Portland, ME can be a fun and easy road trip for those who are looking for a short but beautiful RV route.

Normally the drive is just two hours long (110 miles) on I-95, but if you can spare some extra time there are plenty of scenic stops and charming seaside towns to extend your drive. 

Start your journey in Boston, Massachusetts which is a fun city to explore in itself. If you have a day or two, be sure to check out these date ideas in Boston if you’re on this road trip as a duo!

Don’t forget to stop at world-famous Fenway Park (Go Sox!). Check out the Freedom Trail and join a guided walking tour of some of the city’s most iconic historic sites.

Continue your journey in Salem, Massachusetts and explore the history of the Salem Witch Trials of 1692. If you’re visiting in October, there are specialized tours like Hocus Pocus and ghost tours that will help you get in spooky mood!

Head north to the charming seaside town of Ogunquit, Maine for a quintessential  New England beach town . This picturesque town is only four miles long and boasts stunning ocean views as well as a quaint town center. Dont forget to grab a lobster roll!

Cape Elizabeth Maine is a perfect stop to see some quintessential New England lighthouses. There are three main lighthouses – Portland Head Light, Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse, and Bug Light. 

Finally, end your trip in the city of Portland. It is a hub for art and culture, with plenty of food and drink spots to explore. It’s a fun town to explore, and a perfect stopping point for one of the best RV vacations routes in America.

Visit local breweries like Allagash or Moon Dog Craft Brewery, or take a ferry out to Peaks Island to explore the seashore. 

Optional: you could even take the road trip a step farther and go north to Acadia National Park or Bar Harbor. Maine has so many destinations to offer visitors but a Portland RV road trip is a must!

Recommended by Sierra of Your Guide to Wandering

17. Miami to Islamorada (top routes for RV travel USA)

Distance: 90 miles Recommended time: 2 – 3 days Best time of year: Winter and Spring

Traveling to the Florida Keys with your family or friends is an exciting RV road trip. While Key West is the most well-known island to visit, traveling to Islamorada is even better.

Islamorada’s waters are famous for their clarity and rich marine life , earning the title of “Sport Fishing Capital of the World.” Legends like Zane Grey and Ernest Hemingway used to frequent the area to catch big game fish.

It’s situated about 80 miles southwest of Miami, and the driving distance between the two destinations typically covers around 90 miles, depending on the route. Depending on traffic and route selection, it usually takes between 1 hour and 45 minutes to 2 hours to reach Islamorada. However, you’ll want to spend time in Miami and Islamorada to enjoy the destination.

The best time of year to visit Islamorada is during the winter and spring months, specifically from December to April. This period is characterized by warm and pleasant weather, making it ideal for outdoor activities and water sports. 

The average temperatures range from the mid-70s to the mid-80s Fahrenheit (24-29 degrees Celsius), providing comfortable conditions for exploring the area.

Additionally, visiting during this time allows you to avoid the peak tourist season, which occurs during the summer months when temperatures are hotter and the area can be more crowded.

You’ll definitely want to stay at least 2 days in Islamorada if not 3. This is a great, relaxing drive allows you to get in touch with marine life and nature, and is by far one of the best RV road trips.

While in Islamorada, be sure to visit Olive Morada , which is a local shop that has delicious olive oil and balsamic vinegar, which you can do a free tasting. Plus, it’s a great shop if you are in need of souvenirs that are not cheesy.

A stay at Tavernier Elks Lodge makes this one of the best RV vacations in the USA. Just be sure to reserve your campsite early as space is limited!

Islamorada is a great RV road trip because it is gorgeous, relaxing, and allows you to reconnect with nature and loved ones.

Recommended by Fuse of Fuse Travels

More RV vacations in the US

Rounding out this list are a few of my personal favorites. From the incredible dramatic landscapes of Utah, the underrated Midwest and the beachy coasts, let’s finish out this guide to the best RV routes in the US!

18. Utah’s Mighty 5 (another favorite on this list of RV road trips)

• Distance: 362 miles
• Recommended time: 6-10 days
• Best time of year: spring or fall

This is it! One of the very best RV vacations in the United States, and it’s sooo good! This Utah national parks road trip covers a lot of ground, and some truly spectacular sights.

Starting in Moab, Utah, you’ll discover two nearby national parks. There are many things to do in Moab and you’ll want to spend at least two days there. A great RV campground between Arches and Canyonlands is Sun Outdoors Canyonlands Gateway.

Spend a day exploring Arches National Park. Hike to the famous Delicate Arch and see The Windows area , where there’s several arches within a few minutes walk from the parking lot.

In Canyonlands National Park, be sure to visit the Grand View Point Overlook, Green River Overlook and Mesa Arch. The canyon is beyond impressive! And with fewer visitors than Arches, you may even get a break from the crowds!

Between Moab and Capitol Reef National Park, enjoy the incredible Utah Scenic Byway 24 in your RV . In Capitol Reef, visit the Fruita Historic District and the orchards, and hike the Hickman Bridge Trail . On your way to the next park, stay in Wonderland RV Park .

A personal favorite along this incredible RV road trip is the Scenic Byway 12 between Capitol Reef and Bryce Canyon. The views are out of this world – and just continue as you see the famous hoodoos in Bryce Canyon National Park.

Bryce Point and Inspriration Point offer amazing views of the park. And if you’re up for a hike, check out the popular Queens Garden Trail and Navajo Loop to hike down into the canyon through the funky rock formations. So fun!

Your last stop on this RV vacation is Zion National Park. Home to an amazing canyon, this park is often a bucket list check for travelers. The Zion Canyon Campground just outside the park or Watchman Campground inside the park are both great for RVs.

Hike the Canyon Overlook Trail or The Narrows for incredible views of Zion. And regardless of whether you’re traveling to Zion with kids in the RV or not, this will be a highlight of your trip!

Pro tip: When you’re driving through Zion, the Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel is tricky to navigate. You’ll pay a separate fee to drive an RV through the tunnel, and you’ll want to time it right to arrive during business hours because the NPS will actually block off traffic to allow your RV to drive down the center of the road. It’s quite the experience!

When you’re thinking about RV travel USA, the Mighty 5 in Utah is the perfect adventure!

19. Lake Erie Coastal Ohio Scenic Byway Trail

• Distance: 293 miles
• Recommended time: 2+ days
• Best time of year: summer

This is truly a hidden gem in the US, and one of the best RV vacation ideas if you live in the Midwest . It connects Toledo with Conneaut, hitting major towns like Sandusky and Cleveland. It’s RV-friendly and offers a ton of outdoor recreation along the way.

The Lake Erie Coastal Ohio Scenic Byway Trail is located along Lake Erie, one of the Great Lakes in the northern US. Although you could technically drive this in one day in an RV, it’s much more exciting to stop at the many adventures along the way.

Starting at the west end of the trail in Toledo, check out the botanical gardens, museums, zoo and restaurants. Just near Toledo is a fun Ohio pumpkin farm , Fleitz Pumpkin Farm. In Port Clinton, be sure to enjoy a meal in the adorable downtown. Afterwards, head to the beach at Waterworks Park and the Port Clinton Lighthouse.

One of my favorite stops along this route is the Marblehead Lighthouse. This free attraction is also the most photographed spot on Lake Erie. It just screams summer on the lake vibes!

There’s also so many things to do in Sandusky Ohio , nearby. Get your thrills at Cedar Point, the 2nd oldest amusement park in America. And bonus: it has RV-friendly parking.

Further along the Lake Erie Coastal Ohio Scenic Byway Trail is Cleveland, the home of rock and roll. Enjoy the North Coast Harbor, the Great Lakes Science Center and of course, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

The next stop in your RV should be Headlands Beach State Park in Mentor. This gem includes a natural, mile-long beach perfect for relaxing. A perfect addition to one of the best RV trips in the Midwest!

Lastly, Conneaut Township Park is a fun spot to see on the far eastern end of the scenic trail. If you’re a history buff, you won’t want to miss the D-Day reenactment at the park each year.

Other outdoor adventures along the route include hiking, biking and a plethora of water sports. There’s also so much wildlife to be seen, especially in the active summer months. This underrated and scenic RV vacation is one of the best in the Midwest!

20. Denver to Santa Fe (another underrated spot on this list of RV vacation ideas)

• Distance: The easiest and quickest route from Denver, CO to Santa Fe, NM is 392 miles.
• Recommended time: This drive could easily be done in one day or could be drawn out over 3-4 days.
• Best time of year: Fall is one of the best times to take this road trip because of the moderate temperatures and fall foliage that you get to experience along the way.

A road trip from Denver to Santa Fe must be on your bucket list as one of the best RV vacations to embark on throughout the United States. This trip takes about 6 hours in length, making it the perfect road trip to take in one day or to spread out over 3-4 days! 

As you make your way from Denver towards Santa Fe, you will pass through an abundance of beautiful terrain and popular towns. 

About an hour and a half into the drive, you will pass through the marvelous town of Colorado Springs!

For those looking to catch some tremendous views of the surrounding mountains and red rock formations, be sure to stop by the Garden of the Gods . This is the perfect stop for those looking to stretch their legs for a bit and take in the beautiful Colorado landscape. The Siamese Twins Garden of the Gods hike is perfect for a quick adventure!

For those looking to extend their stay in the area, the Garden of the Gods RV Resort is the perfect destination to stop for a night or two along the way. 

After visiting Colorado Springs, we recommend continuing your drive one of the best RV road trips, south through several smaller towns and along I-25 until you arrive at the charming city of Santa Fe so that you can spend as much time exploring this marvelous town as possible. 

We recommend staying for a minimum of 72 hours in Santa Fe so that you can take in the immense history, culture, and cuisine that this delightful city has to offer!

Recommended by Abby of Trekking Price’s

Related read: Denver to Albuquerque Drive: 10 Scenic Stops You Can’t Miss

21. Austin to Corpus Christi

• Distance: 217 miles
• Best time of year: December – May

This fun and unique RV vacation idea for those located in or near Texas! Because of the extreme heat in Texas, this road trip would be best done in the winter or spring. Just make sure your RV is set up for freezing temperatures as that can sometimes in the deep of winter too.

Start this adventure in the lively town of Austin . With a plethora of street art, live music, good food and entertainment, spend a day (or 2) in Austin.

For outdoor adventures, go hiking in McKinney Falls State Park or check out the views from the top of Mount Bonnell. There are plenty of Austin campgrounds for RVs, too.

From Austin, drive southwest to San Antonio. Visit the famous San Antonio River Walk for entertainment and restaurants. For some thrilling entertainment, visit Six Flags Fiesta Texas, which is open year-round.

Check out The Alamo and the Historic Market Square to round out your time in San Antonio. The KOA in San Antonio puts you in a good position for hopping on and off the main roads while putting you close to the action.

After leaving San Antonio, head south to Corpus Christi. This Texas town has some fun things to do including museums, shopping and restaurants. But the star of the area is the beach-camping in your RV!

Just southeast of Corpus Christi are a few RV parks where you can camp on the beach. Wake up to the sound of the ocean from your RV – so fun! The Port Aransas area is lots of fun, and is home to On the Beach RV Park, which offers a great stay. Book in advance to get a good spot!

For an off-the-grid adventure, you can camp, hike and enjoy water activities at Padre Island National Seashore. There’s no RV hook-ups, but there is water and a dump station in the park.

If you’re looking for the best RV travel USA, this road trip is certainly a fun one, and unique because of beach camping.

22. New Orleans to Panama City (another gorgeous route on this list of best RV vacations)

• Distance: New Orleans to Panama City: 327 miles (via I-10 E), 386 miles (via I-10 E and US-98 E)
• Recommended time : 1-2 days  
• Best time of year: May – October 

An RV road trip is one of the best ways to explore a new part of the country. With the freedom to pull off or take a detour on a whim, road trips always make for memorable adventures. The stretch of road between New Orleans to Panama City offers a great RV vacation experience. 

Travelers should begin their road trip in New Orleans, home of jazz, voodoo history, riverboat adventures, and so much more. Make sure to take a  New Orleans food tour or cemetery tour before continuing on toward Panama City. 

Travelers who want to travel efficiently and stick to the shortest route won’t run into any exceptionally fun cities or attractions, except for Mobile, Alabama. But, those who have a bit more time to work with might enjoy slight detours to Biloxi, Mississippi, and Pensacola, Florida. 

There are some amazing beaches to explore along this route if schedules allow for a detour to the coast. Fort Walton Beach, Pensacola Beach, and Santa Rosa Beach are just some of the picturesque places travelers can visit along their way to Panama City.   

Travelers who avoid the coastal detour will also be able to enjoy the beach upon arrival in Panama City. Panama City Beach is a wonderful place to spend some time in the sun as well as St. Andrews State Park. 

Spring through early Fall is the best time of year to take this road trip. Here’s to wonderful RV adventures! 

Recommended by Candice of Exploring the Gulf

23. Badlands to Theodore Roosevelt National Park (get ready for beautiful landscapes on this RV road trip)

• Distance: 338 miles
• Recommended time: 3 – 4 days
• Best time of year: spring, summer or fall

An all-American road trip, this scenic route has surprisingly dramatic landscapes! This is one of the most underrated RV vacations on this list, but is sure to be a fun one.

Starting in Rapid City or Wall, South Dakota, head to Badlands National Park. You’ll want to spend a full day here to see the highlights. Drive the scenic loop, with 16 overlooks in just 39 miles, it’s RV-friendly. The Notch Trail is a must-do if you love hiking, and Pinnacles Overlook is one of the best with ample parking.

From there, take a slight detour before heading to North Dakota to see Mount Rushmore , one of the most famous South Dakota landmarks .

An American classic, this presidential tribute is a fun attraction for all ages to visit. Completed in 1941, Mount Rushmore welcomes over 3 million visitors – almost 3x the amount of the nearby national park!

Rapid City is a great spot to set up camp for the night. Or, there’s plenty of campgrounds near Sturgis, South Dakota as well. And if you’re in the off-season, stop in town and pick up a souvenir on your road trip!

Pro tip: summer is a great time for this RV road trip, but I’d suggest avoiding late July and early August. This region in South Dakota is extremely congested with the annual Sturgis event, making it extremely difficult to find a campground and a dramatic increase in traffic to the area.

From Sturgis, it’s about 3.5 hours north to Theodore Roosevelt National Park. To see the highlights of this park, you’ll want 2 full days. There are 3 distinct areas of the park: South Unit, North Unit, and Elkhorn Ranch. The Elkhorn Ranch Unit is partially unpaved, and not very RV-friendly so we’ll skip that in this guide.

The South Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park is by far the most visited area . Drive the Wildlife Loop Road, where visitors can often see bison, elk, bighorn sheep and pronghorn. Hike the 1-mile Painted Canyon Nature Trail or Buck Hill, which is barely more than a walk to an overlook rather than a hike.

The North Unit feels much more deserted versus the southern area of the park, yet offers expansive views. Take the scenic drive in hopes of seeing mule deer, coyote, pronghorn and even beavers! The Little Mo Trail is a crowd favorite, coming in at less than a mile and paved.

If you want to get campground reservations for your RV, plan your trip in advance as they sell out quickly, especially in the summer months.

So the next time you think about RV travel USA, consider the Dakotas a great spot for a vacation!

RV vacations recap

What an epic list of RV vacations to take in the United States! From fan-favorites, to underrate gems, the options are truly endless! Where will your home on wheels take you next?

Here’s a quick recap of the best RV trips from the above list!

Best RV routes

• Great Smoky Mountains: Asheville to Gatlinburg
• Alaska RV road trip
• Milwaukee to Ludington
• Phoenix to Page, Arizona
• San Francisco to Lake Tahoe
• Santa Fe to White Sands National Park
• Las Vegas to Zion plus the Grand Canyon
• Sequoia National Park to Monterey via Big Sur
• Glacier to Yellowstone National Park
• Joshua Tree and Death Valley National Park
• Ashland to Crater Lake National Park
• Highway 395, California
• Los Angeles to San Diego
• Florida’s A1A
• Skyline Drive, Shenandoah National Park
• Boston to Portland
• Miami to Islamorada
• Utah’s Mighty 5
• Lake Erie Coastal Ohio Scenic Byway Trail
• Denver to Santa Fe
• Austin to Corpus Christi
• New Orleans to Panama City
• Badlands to Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Related content to read next: 30 Gorgeous West Coast Road Trip Routes You Gotta See to Believe 29 Amazing Road Trips USA: Scenic (& Underrated) Routes You’ll Love 26 Absolute Best (and Underrated) Fall Drives in the US You’ve Gotta See to Believe

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Sunday 9th of July 2023

Yeeees Nikki!

You choose the best trips as you are so good at including gorgeous natural sights and hikes along the way! The Alaska trip looks like a dream! I am also looking forward to your post after your next Canadian Rockies trip. :)

Monday 10th of July 2023

Thanks so much Josy! Your comment was so nice! Yes, I can't wait for new adventures taking the RV into Canada, too!💙

Anna Schaeffer

Saturday 8th of July 2023

I'm hoping to get a five wheeler in the next year or two! Pinning this for later. Great post!

Oh yay Anna! This would be great inspiration for a new RV!!

I don’t own a RV but this article makes me want to rent one and try these trips! Great roundup.

Oh Terri that's a fabulous idea! You could literally go anywhere on this list too - just fly into the nearest airport, rent an RV and hit the road!

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5 Great RV Road Trip Routes in the United States

Many or all of the products on this page are from partners who compensate us when you click to or take an action on their website, but this does not influence our evaluations or ratings. Our opinions are our own.

RV camping is one of the most exciting and rewarding ways to explore the United States. Few modes of transport allow travelers to cover so much distance for little money while coming face-to-face with the nation's natural treasures.

We've come up with five route suggestions for folks looking to hit the road and tour America's most beautiful natural preserves.

» Learn more: The beginner’s guide to renting an RV

California loop

Distance: 2,226 miles

California offers a cornucopia of natural beauty, from towering redwood forests to dusty deserts to breathtaking seascapes and shorelines. This 14-destination loop will take RV travelers across the entire state. While we start our journey just northeast of San Diego and go in a clockwise loop, you can use any location as your starting point. We've highlighted some of the top nature and camping destinations across California, but feel free to improvise as there is no shortage of parks and preserves in the Golden State.

A. Anza-Borrego State Park

B. Arthur B. Ripley Desert Woodland State Park.

C. Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park.

D. Big Basin Redwoods State Park

E. Point Reyes.

F. Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park.

G. Klamath National Forest.

H. Shasta National Forest.

I. Lake Tahoe.

J. Grover Hot Springs.

K. Yosemite National Park.

L. John Muir Wilderness.

M. Death Valley.

N. Joshua Tree National Park.

Rocky Mountains

Distance: 2,826 miles

The Rocky Mountains stretch over 3,000 miles from New Mexico to British Columbia and offer a life's worth of exploration opportunities. You could spend weeks at Yellowstone and Grand Teton alone. We've chosen just a few of the more popular destinations and suggest you set aside a hefty chunk of time for this trip. Again, the locations are ordered clockwise, but you can jump in at the most convenient destination. We begin in southern Idaho.

A. Sawtooth National Forest, Idaho.

B. Craters of the Moon Monument, Idaho.

C. National Elk Refuge, Wyo.

D. Grand Teton National Park, Wyo.

E. Yellowstone National Park, Mont.

F. Glacier National Park, Mont.

G. Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area, Mont.

H. Devil's Tower National Monument, Wyo.

I. Rocky Mountain National Park, Colo.

J. Great Sand Dunes National Park, Colo.

K. Mesa Verde National Park, Colo.

L. Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, Colo.

Distance: 2,332 miles

The classic American road trip, Route 66 spans from Chicago to Los Angeles. Unlike the other trips we list here, Route 66 is less a nature excursion and more a nostalgic cruise along a collection of museums, diners and roadside attractions. Route 66 has hundreds of potential stops; we've chosen just a few. If you plan on taking Route 66 both away from home and back toward it, remember to leave plenty of attractions for the return trip.

A. Chicago, Ill.

B. Route 66 Association Hall of Fame and Museum, Ill.

C. Lincoln's Tomb, Ill.

D. St. Louis, Mo.

E. Mark Twain National Forest, Mo.

F. Galena Mining and Historical Museum, Kan.

G. Route 66 Vintage Iron Motorcycle Museum, Okla.

H. Oklahoma Route 66 Museum, Okla.

I. Palo Duro State Park, Texas

J. Cadillac Ranch, Texas

K. Route 66 Auto Museum, N.M.

L. Red Rock State Park, N.M.

M. Petrified Forest National Park, Ariz.

N. Meteor Crater, Ariz.

O. The Grand Canyon, Ariz.

P. Los Angeles, Calif.

New England loop

Distance: 1,515 miles

A road trip around New England offers a balanced blend of verdant forests, rocky seascapes, colonial history and gorgeous seaside towns. We start our loop in upstate New York, heading east and north into the parks of upper New England. After Acadia, head south along the coast for breathtaking ocean views. A collection of historic New England towns (Salem, Cape Cod and more) will provide a break from the greenery and a lesson in American history. Pick up the route at the location closest to you.

A. Adirondack State Park, N.Y.

B. Green Mountain National Forest, Vt.

C. White Mountain National Forest, N.H.

D. Allagash Wilderness Waterway State Park, Maine

E. Acadia National Park, Maine

F. Minute Man National Historic Park, Mass.

G. Salem, Mass.

H. Boston, Mass.

I. Cape Cod, Mass.

J. Jamestown, R.I.

K. Fort Adams State Park, R.I.

L. Mystic Seaport, Conn.

M. Hammonasset State Park, Conn.

N. Fort Hale Park, Conn.

O. Ferris Lake, N.Y.

Distance: 5,776 miles

The Southern states have plenty to offer in terms of nature, culture and relaxation. A satisfying southern RV expedition will sample forests, beaches and everything in between. This loop starts in historic Savannah, drops down into Florida and meanders along the Southern coast before launching back east into Tennessee and Virginia. The last leg of the journey comprises a series of beaches for a proper cool down at the end of a long journey. Of course, you can begin anywhere along the route and eventually end up back where you started.

A. Savannah, Ga.

B. Ocala National Forest, Fla.

C. Big Cypress National Preserve, Fla.

D. Everglades National Park, Fla.

E. Apalachicola National Forest, Fla.

F. Blackwater River State Park, Fla.

G. De Soto National Forest, Fla.

H. New Orleans, La.

I. Kisatchie National Forest, La.

J. Houston, Texas

K. Sam Houston National Forest, Texas

L. Ouachita National Forest, Ark.

M. Ozark National Forest, Ark.

N. Memphis, Tenn.

O. Nashville, Tenn.

P. Cherokee National Forest, Tenn.

Q. Chattahoochee National Forest, Ga.

R. George Washington National Forest, Va.

S. Virginia Beach, Va.

T. Myrtle Beach, S.C.

U. Hilton Head, S.C.

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10 best us road trips to make in an rv.

Ah, road trips.

The stuff that dreams and epic movie scripts are made of.

Traveling the US in an RV opens up endless possibilities for adventure. So endless, in fact, that you might have trouble making a decision on where the heck to go!

Luckily (and with help from the great folk over at RVshare) I’ve compiled a list of the most historic, famous and best US road trips so that you can just pick one and get out there.

So whether you’re a weekend warrior or a full-timer, all you’ve got to do is just read on and decide which is the next perfect trip for you.

Related Posts

• How to Save Money on Gas During a Road Trip
• 10 Lessons Learned from my 8 Month Vegan Road Trip
• 12 Easy Ways We Save Money When Travelling the US

This article was written in conjunction with RVshare and contains affiliate links, meaning Big World Small Pockets may receive a small commission on any purchases at no extra cost to you.

Great RV Road Trips You Can Take in a Weekend

Interested in packing your weekend itinerary full of scenic roads and must-see destinations? Then these short road trips serve up the best of both worlds in a tight time frame.

They’re perfect if you’re renting an RV from a rental network like RVshare , or if you just have to be back at work on Monday.

Get a Great Deal on an RV Rental here !

#1 Hermann Wine Trail

One of the shortest drives on this list of the best US road trips, is the Hermann Wine Trail, which offers plenty of time to enjoy the sights, smells and tastes of Missouri wine country, as you meander along the Missouri River for 20 miles, from Hermann to New Haven.

Though short in distance, the Hermann Wine Trail is chock full of things to do.

There are seven wineries and tons of monthly events along the route – more than enough to keep occupied for a few days!

#2 The Florida Keys

Looking for something a little more tropical?

Then the Florida Overseas Highway is ideal! Spanning the Keys from Key Largo to Key West, this best US road trip is roughly 100 miles in total.

Along this route you can enjoy snorkeling, swimming with dolphins and exploring state parks / museums, as well as the breathtaking views from each of the 42 bridges connecting the islands.

The Overseas Highway is easily one of the most scenic roads in the country, which certainly places it as one of the best US road trips you can take.

See How Much you Could Make by Renting your RV HERE !

#3 the alabama coast.

The Alabama Gulf Coast is home to some of the most historic sites in the US.

Tour the stately mansions and their gardens, or check out the World War II battleships and submarines instead.

The Alabama Coastal Connection also takes you on a cultural journey, through a fascinating and rich landscape in which Creole, French, and Spanish heritage all mix.

Start in Mobile and travel south along Route 98.

Then loop down and around the State’s many scenic byways.

#4 Cherohala Skyway

This entry on my list of the best US road trips takes you through the plains and mountains of Tennessee and North Carolina.

The 40-mile journey begins in Tellico Plains in southeast Tennessee. From here, you can then explore the many overlooks and rivers along the Skyway.

You’ll also wind through the Great Smoky Mountains, where there’s plenty of hiking and historical landmarks to enjoy.

Your trip ends in Robbinsville, North Carolina, home to the Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest, which is well worth a visit.

Don’t Forget These Items for Your Road Trip

• Kleen Kanteen Water Bottle
• Thermos Mug
• Sony A6000 Mirrorless Camera to capture all those memories
• Aux Cable for the tunes!

#5 Death Valley

Who can list the best US road trips and not mention Death Valley?!

From the world’s largest tree to the hottest and lowest place this side of the globe, Death Valley is certainly a world of extremes.

There’s a lot of ground to explore here, but a short weekend trip can take you from Los Angeles to Las Vegas through Death Valley and back in 14 hours.

Make sure to plan your route and research the climate ahead of time however – temperatures of up to 134 °F have been recorded out here!

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Long RV Road Trips

If you have more time on your hands and want to go on a longer adventure, then this opens you up to exploring some of the other best US road trips out there!

Even if you don’t have an RV, don’t rule a long road trip out.

You can easily rent one long-term from sites like RVshare .

Then all you need do is pack your bag and plan your route along one of these unforgettable journeys.

#1 Route 66

Route 66 is the epitome of the best US road trips.

Running from Chicago, Illinois to Los Angeles, California, this famed 2,448-mile journey charts the evolution of modern American culture.

Along the way you’ll explore cities, small towns and expansive landscapes.

Just don’t go too wild on buying souvenirs from the roadside landmarks and attractions.

There’s a lot of them and you might have trouble fitting all of your new purchases in your vehicle!!

#2 The Pacific Coast Highway

Another classic adventure on the must-do list of the best US road trips is the Pacific Coast Highway.

Deciding to undertake this journey gives you the perfect excuse take a little more time off from work, especially if you pair it with Route 66 as well!

Whilst enjoying the ocean breeze from this coastal highway, which runs from Los Angeles to Olympia, Washington, you’ll visit many popular cities and towns, as well as take in some of the most sweeping views the country has to offer.

If you have an equal appreciation for the sea and the forest, then this road trip is definitely one you can’t skip.

#3 Cross-Country Trip: Historic US-80

What better way to see the US than to travel across the entire south?

The remnants of what was once US-80 will now take you from sunny San Diego all the way east to Savannah, GA, during which you’ll travel through landscapes as diverse as deserts, plains and bayous.

Culture and cuisine are equally diverse along this road. Whether you love Tex-Mex, BBQ or crawfish, you’ll find plenty of mouthwatering eateries in every state along the way!

#4 Cross-Country Trip: The Great Northern

If the sweltering heat of the south is too much for you, then you can always opt to cross the country via the Great Northern, along the US-2, instead.

Totaling more than 2,500 miles from Washington to Maine, this is the longest trip on my list of the 10 best US road trips, but its length will allow you to encounter great prairies, mountains and even hardwood forests.

The Great Northern is definitely a road trip for nature lovers, where unforgettable vistas outnumber bustling towns and cities.

You’ll definitely love this route if you want some time to appreciate the natural beauty of northern America.

#5 The Atlantic Coast

While the east coast is rich with American history and picturesque scenery, the Atlantic Coast is one road trip you’re definitely better to plan ahead.

The trick being to avoid I-95 and stick to any detours and scenic byways instead.

If you do, you’ll journey through historic colonial sites and quintessential New England towns.

You’ll also find famed lighthouses, boardwalks and stunning landmarks along this 2,400-mile coastal adventure.

Depending on the direction you’re travelling, your trip will either end in Maine or Florida.

Travel Insurance for the US

Alternatively, if you’re a long-term traveller, digital nomad or frequent remote worker seeking travel health cover, check out Safetywing’s Nomad Insurance policies.

PIN IT TO PINTEREST!

The United States has so much to offer in the way of culture and natural beauty.

You could easily spend most of your life on the road here and still not experience all there is to do and see.

But it’s worth a shot right?!

Have you made any of these best US road trips before?

Or do you have your own favourite?

I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Creator of Big World Small Pockets, Stephanie Parker is a travel addict! Originally from Jersey in the Channel Islands, Stephanie adventures the world collecting tips, advice and stories, to share with a smile

13 thoughts on “ 10 BEST US Road Trips to Make in an RV ”

I would add Shenandoah to the list. I’m a HUGE proponent of the great American Roadtrip (actually did a big solo one from Philly to Oklahoma via Niagara Falls that was so fun), I would put driving Shenandoah in Virginia as one of my top 5 places to drive in the US.

Great post!

That’s a really great addition Stephanie that I hadn’t even thought about! You solo trip sounds epic too! Thank you so much for wetting our US road trip whistle even further!

Hi. We are 4 swedes doing our first RV trip in the US. We will be going from Orlando to Las Vegas. Any tips on what to see along the way? Thanks

In March, by the way.

Almost too many Leo! How long do you guys have?

I forgot… both Death Valley and Valley of Fire , Nevada are very interesting places for a road trip. Valley of Fire is even better in my mind, even tough it is smaller.

Thanks for the advice Robin, that’s so great to know you enjoyed them, Valley of Fire especially 🙂

We are thinking going to the Florida Keys in July/August. We know it will be really hot… Would you still recommend this road trip at that time of the year?

I’d definitely take climate into account Marco. It’s hard for me to advise about when people should make trips exactly. I personally love the heat, but others can’t stand it or aren’t used to it, so travelling from them in these conditions can be unbearable. I think it’s about judging what you’re used to and what you think you can deal with! 🙂

While it “feels” hot in Florida it is usually attributed to the humidity. Temperatures rarely get into the 90’s and the abundance of water activities along with air conditioning make it a great time to take your trip.

Thanks for the advice Tim – great info 🙂

Hi, Steph, we are planning to come over from Australia. There is 5 of us myself, my husband and our three children 9yrs, 7yrs and 4yrs. we are wanting to hire a motorhome and spend a month seeing all we can. Do you have any advise on routes/places that are a must. I want as much history, adventure and fun as possible. we will land in LAX and fly out from there as well, sowas thinking about doing a big lap around usa as well as stopping at Lake louise in Canada. Any advise for us would be much appreciated. 🙂

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The Best RV Road Trip Routes in the USA

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Mountain Directory: A Guide for Truckers, RV and Motorhome Drivers (affiliate disclosure) This valuable resource provides the locations and descriptions of over 700 mountain passes and steep grades in 22 states. Vital information for anyone driving a large or heavy vehicle.

RVs are a great way for you to enjoy a road trip in the best style possible. The least favorite part of road tripping enthusiasts is sleeping in a tent, on the ground. However, when you are traveling in an RV, you can get the comfort of a small home as you are driving from one spot to the other.

Still, RVs are not like off-road cars. While a good RV can indeed handle some off-the-beaten-track routes, they may not be able to handle any extremes. So, what routes should you take that are RV-friendly? Here are a couple of ideas.

1. Rocky Mountains

The route may go through mountains and craters, but the roads are perfect for RVs. There are many national parks and forests for you to go through, as well as spectacular views of glaciers, canyons, and dunes. It takes you through so many landscapes that you will feel like you are passing from one season to another in just a matter of days.

To go through the Rocky Mountains route, you’ll need at least 8-10 days. However, to fully enjoy the experience, you might want to give it around 12-14 days. Hiking through the Rocky Mountains is highly relaxing, and there are many tourist spots along the way that you might want to enjoy. 

Bear in mind that there are also deserted areas, so you’ll want to have your recovery tools around just in case. This includes winches , traction mats, and whatever you may need. 

2. California Loop

Are you a fan of visiting national parks and camping in the wilderness with your RV? In that case, you might want to give the California Loop a try. For RVers seeking relaxation, this 14-stop loop will take you through multiple states and national forests, lakes, and hot springs.

It can take anything from 10 to 14 days to finish this route – stops and visiting around included. Some stops are worth booking beforehand, such as the Grover Hot Springs. 

If you are a big fan of hot weather, you might stop in Death Valley – also known as Furnace Creek. Make sure to keep yourself hydrated as you are passing through as, at 134°F (57°C), it holds the record for the hottest place on Earth.

3. The Big Sur Coastal Highway

If you are a fan of driving with a view of the beaches, then you might want to consider giving the Big Sur Coastal Highway a try. Going between southern and northern California, this route will give you a gorgeous view of the coast of California. The beaches also allow for camping, if you stop in the right spots. 

The route itself is quite short – and with its 115 km, it will likely take only a couple of hours to continuously drive it. However, if you are road tripping, you will want to take your time for the stops. To fully enjoy this route, you need about two days – which is perfect for a weekend getaway.  

4. Route 66

Route 66 is an American classic and a route that everyone wants to do at least once in their life. The long strip of road is perfect for RVs, and since you will be stopping in numerous towns, you’ll have plenty of places to stock up your vehicle. 

If the only thing you do is drive and sleep, then you can finish route 66 in about 8 days . However, you might want to make a couple of stops around the way, to actually visit. There are countless roadside attractions, diners, and museums along the road – so with this in mind, you might want to take two weeks to fully enjoy this route. 

5. Blue Ridge Parkway

If you are new at overlanding or road tripping in your RV, then you might want to try out the Blue Ridge Parkway. It takes at least a week to do this route, but considering the number of intriguing spots along the way, you might want to take a couple of days extra. 

The infrastructure of the road is highly supportive and easy to drive through, making it perfect for new RV owners. Certain areas can have high traffic during summer days, but you will likely get out of them soon. Considering the number of breathtaking sceneries you’ll come across, the potential trouble is highly worth it. 

6. Southwest Parks Loop

If you have it on your bucket list to see the Grand Canyon at least once in your life, then you might want to try the Southwest Parks Loop. The American Southwest is the perfect place, packed with unique landscapes that you will enjoy. 

Rugged rocky hills and gorgeous national forests followed by the beautiful canyons will leave you awed. You might finish this route in 10 days, but you should take at least two weeks to fully enjoy it. 

The Bottom Line

The United States has a lot to offer to RV owners. You just need to pick the route that you want to go on. And remember, take your time – these routes can be finished fast, but it’s best to enjoy them at a slower pace.

Ferenc Elekes has been a devout overlanding enthusiast for many years. During that time, Ferenc has explored 75 countries on six continents, with overland travel involved in 40 countries on three continents. From his trusty 2006 Toyota Land Cruiser Prado with a roof-top tent, he’s blogged about experiences that can only be found in the remotest regions on Earth. Follow him over at: www.overlandsite.com

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Best RV Trips in the USA

By Author Katie

Posted on Last updated: April 17, 2024

Finding the best RV trips in the USA can be a challenge, but we share some of our favorite destinations to road trip in the US.

In an age where the aroma of adventure is fresher than the morning dew, RV travel has emerged as the flag-bearer of freewheeling exploration.

From bustling metropolises to the forgotten byways of the heartland, there’s nothing quite like the open road to fuel the soul. In this expansive guide, we are set to unfurl the country’s most enchanting canvas for RV enthusiasts, the United States.

Buckle up as we traverse the length and breadth of the nation’s most alluring landscapes, peppered with personal anecdotes, insider knowledge, and a passion for the road less traveled.

Why an RV Trip?

It’s not hard to see why RVing is rolling along so nicely these days. There’s a big sky full of reasons, five of which we’ll park right here.

1. Connect With Nature Without the Hassle

In a time-starved society, connecting with nature is like finding a deserted island in a tempest. RVs make the tranquility of wilderness accessible; they’re the Noah’s Ark for modern explorers, providing shelter and spectacle all at once.

With a self-contained home on wheels, there’s no need for tent-pitching marathons or packing and unpacking rituals. Nature’s at your doorstep and convenience is king.

2. Affordability and Flexibility That Breaks Travel Barriers

The new wanderlust anthem is sung with an RV key, unlocking destinations that may have remained dreams due to budget constraints. Their cost efficiency, coupled with unmatched flexibility in travel plans, allows people to chase horizons that once seemed pinned to the sky. The road becomes not just a pathway, but a liberating equation of time and cost.

3. Eco-Friendly Exploring

The green in traveling is usually a sign of seasickness, yet the verdant ties of RVs to eco-friendliness are undeniable.

With modern RVs featuring energy-efficient systems and the ability to venture off the beaten path without a carbon counterpart, they’re the new envoys of sustainable exploration. Where once gas-guzzling was the only road song, now efficiency and ecology lead the chorus.

4. The Luxury of a Home Away from Home

An RV is your home on wheels , wrapping you in familiar comforts as you roam. Boasting facilities for sleeping, whipping up your favorite meals, and taking a refreshing shower, it’s a blessing for groups and families. Substantial savings on hefty hotel and restaurant bills make it a wallet-friendly travel alternative.

5. Family Togetherness and Breathtaking Views

In an RV, the greatest sanctuary is the compound of your family, and the greatest gallery is the scenery that passes you by.

The road trip is the perennial Pilgrim’s Progress, where the stories shared and the sights seen etch memories that become the legends of your family lore. It’s an odyssey not just of distance, but of connection – connection to each other and the world outside.

Finding Your Perfect RV

Your RV travel adventures start with a good, reliable campervan.

If you’re looking to purchase or rent a new or second-hand RV, selecting the perfect campervan is crucial for optimizing your travel experience.

Check out a vast array of RVs on RVezy , an expansive platform for buying and leasing recreational vehicles. The platform offers a broad range of RVs from indulgent motorhomes to compact campervans that cater to various travel preferences and financial plans.

5 Best RV Trips Across the US

Get ready to kickstart your adventure boots, for we’re about to dive into the absolute must-do RV trips across the majestic US expanses!

1. Pacific Coast Highway: The Rhapsody of the Golden State

The Pacific Coast Highway , or the PCH, is more than just a road; it’s a serenade stitched in the cliffs of California. Starting in Orange County and ending at Leggett in Mendocino County, this winding marvel takes you through the heart of the Golden State, where beaches meet boulevards, and mountains whisper to the sea.

It’s a photograph that extends beyond the frame, with every twist and turn revealing a surprise collage of the iconic to the obscure. Hear the bark of the sea lions at San Simeon, marvel at the majesty of Big Sur , and lose track of time as the sun sinks into the ocean at Eureka.

California is home to some of the most unique hotels in the US , so make sure to stay in at least one of the quirky hotels in the state during your travel.

2. The Great Smoky Mountains, Tennessee, and North Carolina

If there’s a patch of paradise caught between states, it’s the Great Smoky Mountains. Embroidered monoliths shrouded in their eponymous mist beckon the intrepid RVer to an Appalachian ballet of beauty.

Follow the 469-mile Blue Ridge Parkway, a scenic route that spans remarkably intact mountain forests. From the charm of Gatlinburg to the silent coves of Fontana, every step is a pageant of the Southern spirit.

Tasting a hot moonshine sip in the mountain hamlets or stopping by the Clingman Dome for a celestial portal above the clouds, the Great Smokies cast a spell that lingers long after the tires have turned. It’s truly a trip like no other!

3. Fall Foliage Tour of New England

In the Northeast, as summer is kissed goodbye, fall ushers in a theatrical transformation. New England must be on your US bucket list ; with its storied history and palette of turning leaves, hosts a festival that’s seemingly painted by the heavens.

Start your expedition in the crown of Maine , and weave your way down the coast, through the heart of New Hampshire and Vermont, crossing the fertile fields of Massachusetts and Connecticut before the final bow in Rhode Island.

The route is akin to an evolving fresco, as maple and oak trees unveil their kaleidoscope costumes. It’s a sensory overload – pause to sip cider in picture-perfect towns, listen to the stories of covered bridges, and savor the ephemeral beauty of nature’s grand finale.

4. The Florida Keys and Overseas Highway Adventure

Conjure the quintessential image of the RV lifestyle, and you might just frame it in the Florida Keys . A chain of sophisticated island sways linked by the Overseas Highway, the experience here is the epitome of laid-back luxury.

Start in Key Largo, the gateway to the Keys, and traverse the magic that is the Highway; a sun-soaked ribbon that defies the ocean.

Each island presents a melange of maritime charisma – weathered fisherman’s haunts, coral cays ripe for snorkeling, and the indomitable spirit of Key West .

The Conch Republic is a destination unlike any other, where the sunsets are celebrated in a daily parade down Duval Street and the fragrance of island blossoms is never far.

5. Alaska’s Seward Highway: The Last Frontier Beckons

Arguably one of the most awe-inspiring drives on the planet, Alaska’s Seward Highway is a portrait of rugged grandeur that whispers a symphony of the sublime.

Starting in Anchorage, traverse the Chugach Mountains and the sparkling shores of Turnagain Arm. The wilderness is your compass, and every mile is a chance to encounter the wild sheep scaling vertiginous crags, orcas breaching the cobalt bay, and bears patrolling the shores, as salmon leap upstream.

The route’s terminus is Seward, a coastal outpost that feels like the edge of the Earth, a portal to glacial cruise and the painting of the northern lights.

Where are you thinking of heading to? Let us know in the comments below!

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RVing the USA: 48 States in 9 Months

I first learned of the RV lifestyle in college. My professor was a travel writer, and I got the idea while sitting in class, “I want to travel full-time and see all 50 states”.

It was a dream I couldn’t quit, and after years of career changes, saving, and a new fiance, I had a plan.

The new dream: See as many states as we can in our budget-friendly travel trailer with our senior pets, with the goal being all lower 48.

We left Idaho in November 2020, and by August 2021, we were popping champagne in Arkansas, our 48th state together.

Below, we’ll give our best advice, RV travel tips, and route planning hacks for RVing the USA.

Why You Should RV the USA

It’s not all about bragging rights, bucket list adventures, or filling up the sticker map.

It’s better than traveling via airplane.

If you’re wanting to get somewhere fast, one of the best ways is to travel via airplane. But some of our favorite memories were made in those flyover states.

Soaking in historic hot springs in Arkansas and watching fireflies dance over a field in Iowa. You’d miss all of this if you were buzzing by them at 30,000 feet.

It’s better than a road trip in a car.

Imagine never having to worry about forgetting to pack something or wondering if that hotel bed is really clean or not. That’s the benefit of traveling with a home on wheels versus a sedan.

Experiencing different cultures around the U.S.

I feel like I could have an enjoyable conversation with just about anybody in this country. I could bond with a good ol’ boy from Alabama talking about my first crawfish-eating experience while also being able to share my favorite hiking trail with a granola girl from Denver.

Traveling in an RV means meeting more people than you would via airplane or car. You’re hanging out in campgrounds and national parks and spending more time at gas station pumps.

RVs are a great ice breaker for people, and some of the best conversations I’ve ever had have been with other RV owners on a cross-country journey.

Discovering hidden gems.

When you’re traveling in an RV, you tend to go at a slower pace. So you have time to discover those hidden gems around our country.

The billboards start tempting you as you’re cruising along at 55 mph. Before you know it, you’re searching for aliens in Roswell or eating the best chicken fried steak of your life from a drug store in West Texas.

Challenges of RVing across the USA

It’s not all Instagram-worthy sunsets and twirling in wildflowers. RVing across the US is not for the faint of heart.

RVs are not fuel-efficient and tend to have big fuel tanks, so you’ll spend a lot of time and money at the pumps. (Use our RV cost gas calculator to estimate your RV trip fuel cost.)

Moving Too Fast

Moving at a fast pace means you’ll miss lots of things. The biggest regret we have with visiting all lower 48 states in less than a year was we missed so many interesting things we wanted to see!

Whether you’re driving a motorhome or even a camper van, parking tends to be a stressful experience. Plan ahead to ensure you have parking covered for things you want to see on the road.

The RV lifestyle is expensive, especially during the peak season of summer months.

Traveling with Pets

Not everywhere is pet friendly, and although it’s easier to travel with pets in an RV as compared to air or car travel, it still comes with safety concerns and extra planning. (You might also want to check out How to Go RVing with Cats ).

RV Repairs & Maintenance

\When you drive an RV down the road, it goes through the equivalent of a 5.0 earthquake. Things WILL break often, and never at a convenient time. Not to mention you’ll have to budget enough time for routine maintenance such as waxing your RV, greasing your bearings, and changing the oil in your motorhome or tow vehicle.

Should You Buy or Rent an RV?

There are both pros and cons to using an RV rental or purchasing your own RV for a cross-country road trip.

The pros of RV rentals are avoiding maintenance from wear and tear, which could be cheaper than purchasing based on your budget.

The con of RV rentals – it’s not your RV. You can only enjoy the comfort of your home as much as the rental company will allow. No permanent upgrades, painting, or anything that can’t be easily removed from the RV.

A big pro of owning an RV is it’s yours. You get to make your fifth wheel, travel trailer, or motorhome your own and travel with all the comforts of home! You can travel as long as you’d like, with the only time constraint being the ones you set yourself.

The obvious con is the cost of your RV . RVs can cost as little as a few thousand dollars or be more expensive than a house!

How to Plan to RV Across America

Creating a travel itinerary of the United States is no easy task. I sat down with a map of the country and a pencil with the intention of having to stay at least one night in every state.

Here are 5 crucial tips to start planning your RV trip across the US.

1. Research Where You Want to Go

Scroll Instagram for ideas, check Pinterest for inspiration, and read blogs for helpful tips. Make a non-negotiable list of places you have to visit.

2. Check the Weather for that Time of the Year

New England isn’t very enjoyable in January. Instead, plan to visit somewhere warm like the Florida Keys. Avoid Tornado Alley in the spring by enjoying Yellowstone National Park. Arizona in summer isn’t as pleasant as Glacier National Park.

3. Use a Calendar and a Pencil

A calendar will help you better keep track of dates when it comes time to make reservations. I’ve found not to get too attached to a plan until sites are booked, so use a pencil and some patience.

4. Map Your Route

You’re going to want a visual of your route, be sure to factor in elevation and traffic routes. Chances are Google is going to direct you through the heart of Atlanta. Consider an alternate route to a surrounding area to avoid the stress.

5. Research and Book Campgrounds

I personally use Campendium as a starting point to find National Parks, State Parks, RV parks, and free camping options. I then add one-night stops with membership programs such as Harvest Hosts , and Boondockers Welcome. Lastly, I research overnight stay rules in the city I’m interested in visiting to confirm we can use truck stops, Home Depot, Walmart parking lots, and other free overnight options . Then it’s time to book!

Best RV Road Trip Routes

I-40 & i-10.

These main highways that run west and east are the easiest for your first RV road trip, but not as scenic as other choices.

Nevertheless, there are still tons of great places to see along these routes. Including Joshua Tree National Park, Graceland, the Alamo, Saguaro National Park (shown above), and the Grand Ole Opry.

The ultimate road trip. You can still drive portions of the original Mother Road that runs from Chicago to Santa Monica, which have some of the best roadside attractions in the U.S.

Also, the Grand Canyon National Park is only about 60 miles off the route, the perfect place to add to your RV trip bucket list.

PCH (Pacific Coast Highway)

One of the most scenic drives in the U.S., the Pacific Coast Highway is an iconic road trip route that hugs the California coastline. It runs from Dana Point in Southern Cali to Leggett in Northern California (approximately 650 miles).

It’s one of the most challenging drives in an RV and is best done in a small motorhome. Portions of Highway 1 are extremely narrow, with steep cliffs. But you’ll be rewarded with breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean, rugged cliffs, and gorgeous beaches along the route.

Another iconic scenic coastal route is on the east coast and spans the length of Florida. The A1A stretches from Key West all the way to Fernandina Beach, Florida.

This road trip route offers breathtaking ocean views, charming beach towns, and a glimpse into the region’s rich history and natural beauty. There are many popular locations on this route, so be sure to book campsites early!

READ NEXT: Start planning your RV trip around the county with our nine best RV road trips in the USA .

6 tips for rving the usa.

Here are a few of my best tips for a successful RV trip around the US.

1. BOOK EARLY. This is number one for a reason. RVing has never been more popular!

2. KNOW YOUR RIG. Know both the height and length of your rig, and pay attention to warning signs on the road.

3. TRAVEL SLOW. Low and slow is the name of the game. Plan for short drive days of no more than 250 miles at a time. These travel habits will allow you ample time to enjoy the natural wonders you’re here to see and embrace slow travel.

4. TRAVEL WITH TOOLS. You don’t want to end up on the side of the road unprepared. You’ll need some RV essentials for maintenance and safety on your trip.

5. PAD YOUR SAVINGS. Make sure you have extra savings. You’re going to experience both good and bad unexpected expenses with this RV lifestyle. Tire blowouts, as well as unplanned adventures, are bound to happen.

6. SIGN UP FOR RV MEMBERSHIPS. Save on RV expenses where you can by joining RV discount clubs.

• A Good Sam membership gives you discounts at Camping World and offers fuel discounts at Flying J & Pilot stations.
• Sign up for campground discounts such as Passport America and Thousand Trails to save on camping spot costs.
• Don’t forget to ask for weekly discounts if you stay at a park longer than a week.

Whether it takes you six months or six years to see all lower 48 states, my biggest piece of advice I can give you is JUST DO IT!

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• Best RV Road Trips: 9 Top Routes Around the USA
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Want more beginner tips on RV living and travel?

Check out our guide to preparing for full-time RV living, including info on choosing an RV, the pros and cons of the lifestyle, RV gear, and more.

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Kerisa has been traveling the U.S. with her husband and fur kids in their 89 sq. ft. home on wheels since 2020 and has been to all 50 states. She is the copywriter/owner of Outside Voice Collective and blogger at the Traveling Tiongsons. You'll most likely find her behind the wheel on a scenic byway or relaxing around a campfire with a good glass of wine at the end of the day.

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Drive Across America in an RV: The Best RV Routes, Maps, and Tools

Is there anything that compares to the exhilaration of an RV adventure? To drive across America from coast to beautiful coast? 

Of course, it helps if you have an inkling where you’re going and how you’ll get there. That’s where RV route planning tools, maps, and guides come in handy.

With that in mind, let’s take a look at some of the best resources available for exploration of the United States from sea to shining sea.

Shopping for your Newmar? Let us help.

We’re here to help you find the perfect coach for you.

The Best RV Route Planning Tools, Maps, and Guides

The best road trips start with a safe route that guides you from point A to point B. Most navigation apps, like Waze and Google Maps, were designed for standard cars, though.

If you’ve been driving an RV for any length of time, you know such routes aren’t always compatible with your vehicle. In some cases, a road perfectly fine for a small automobile poses a serious risk for RV navigation. 

Of course, finding an excellent RV route planning tool can prove easier said than done. Did you know that Apple has more than two million apps available  at the App Store? As you can imagine, cutting through the hype and finding the best RV route planning tool is far from easy. Fortunately, we’ve done the hard work for you. Here are three apps that’ll get you where you want to go in a safe, enjoyable way. 

Newmar’s RV Resorts Guide

When you’re in the midst of a road trip, you want to play it by ear. You don’t want to feel rushed to get to a RV-friendly campground because you don’t know where else to go.

Worse yet, you don’t want to make the mistake of relying on an app that gives you bad or outdated information. Especially when it comes to whether or not RVs are accepted at a destination. Or which hookups are available.

That’s where Newmar’s incredible 2024 RV Resorts Guide  comes into play.

This year’s guide boasts over 50 resorts across the United States. Plus, you’ll find a collection of getaway locations in Canada—new to the 2024 edition. Created based on suggestions from RV travelers, it’s got all of the tools you need to ensure the perfect accommodations every time.

Here’s what you’ll get inside:

• Highlights, contact info, and must-know information for each location
• Full-color photos and testimonials submitted by honest-to-goodness RVers
• Profiles of more than 50 resorts across the U.S. and Canada, organized by region

It comes in a mobile-friendly format that you can access from anywhere. So, stop stressing about where you’ll stay and start enjoying the romance of the road.

Mix it Up with Roadtrippers App

RV travel is about so much more than getting to a destination quickly. It’s about savoring the journey and finding many hidden gems and off-the-beaten-path spots along the way. To get the most out of memory-making, give the app Roadtrippers  a whirl.

So many websites or travel apps lead their users to the same unimaginative tourist traps. But what’s the fun in that? Roadtrippers unlocks millions of the world’s most unexpected and fascinating places to its intrepid travelers. 

Your road trips will never be the same. And isn’t that a good thing?

How does it work? Just download the app on your smartphone. Then, plug in your point of origin and destination. Before you know it, you’ll have eclectic, funky trip ideas, no matter your route of choice.

What’s more, you’ll be able to:

• Set guidelines for the distance you’re willing to travel off route
• Book your stay on the app
• Calculate estimated fuel cost instantly
• Search for unique destinations using general categories and subcategories

If you’re looking to bring more creativity into your itineraries, Roadtrippers’ RV maps and RV routes are the easiest way to spice things up.

Get Practical with RV LIFE TRIP WIZARD

RV Life Trip Wizard offers excellent all-around RV trip planning tools. They put painstaking research into planning and finding the best RV-friendly driving directions. But their practical tools don’t stop there. They also help out with finding the ideal campground in a pinch. 

The Wizard allows you to calculate all your costs along the way, including food, fuel, and recreation. And you can map out your entire route ahead of time. 

But is it easy to use? 

Once you’ve downloaded the app, you can browse all the RV sites at your destination. That includes sites not affiliated with the app. What’s more, the app’s drag-and-drop interface makes it easier than ever to visualize and plan your intended route.

The advantages of the Wizard don’t stop there. It works on all devices, including smartphones, tablets, and computers. 

The app also:

• Allows you to tailor your preferences such as prioritizing campgrounds where you have a membership
• Download your trip onto your GPS 
• Print a summary of your trip
• Access useful information like complimentary overnight parking or recreational opportunities

What’s more, the app’s intuitive and easy to use. So, you won’t spend countless frustrated hours attempting to figure out how the app works.

Drive Across America

With the resources above, you’ll never have to worry about where to stay, play, or how much you’re spending. Get ready for the ultimate adventure while you drive across America with these fantastic apps. 

No matter where you want to travel or what type of recreational vehicle you have, there are excellent free resources to help you fully embrace the “good life.”

From guides to magazine articles, we’ve got everything you need to make your next vacation an epic adventure. Ready to get started? Check out our complimentary resources , designed to help you live the RV lifestyle to the fullest. 

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RV road trips

Usa by motorhome.

Discover the richness of the American Southwest on this memorable trip. Experience the freedom to explore these varied lands, where breathtaking landscapes reveal themselves at every turn.

On the Road

Discover the great national parks of the Southwest with a motorhome as your nomad base, and experience adventure in complete freedom, between arid deserts, tranquil lakes and snow-capped peaks.

Heading South

Large sandy beaches, turquoise waters and majestic palm trees are the focus of this dream road trip in South Florida.

Best of the West

Unique rock formations, natural arches, deep canyons, rocky ridges: this is the recipe for a road trip in the heart of spectacular natural landscapes.

Cowboy Route

In the comfort of your motorhome, soak up the spirit of the Wild West on this short trip through the mythical desert landscapes of the American Southwest.

Unspoiled Nature

Wake up in the heart of the great outdoors, with nature as far as the eye can see. Discover some of the most spectacular and iconic landscapes in the American West.

Hit the Road

Cross breathtaking landscapes from vast plains to majestic rocky mountains on this road trip. Camp under a starry sky that seems to stretch on forever.

Florida by RV

From the Atlantic Ocean to the Gulf of Mexico, via lively theme parks, Florida is sure to enchant you and make you feel like a child again.

California Escapade

Between the scenic drive along the Pacific coast, the iconic waterfalls and the majestic giant redwoods, you'll have plenty to see on this short stay in California.

California Dreamin'

This dream California getaway promises a harmonious blend of nature, culture and adventure, creating memories that will last a lifetime.

The ultimate family road trip in the American West

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It is possible to enjoy a USA road trip all year round, depending on the region you are travelling to.

For a Western USA road trip for example, peak season is from mid-July to mid-August . That is also when there are the most travellers on the road and prices are at their highest. It is also possible to travel in winter ( mid-December to mid-March ), but it is important to note that some destinations, such as the Grand Canyon and Bryce Canyon, may even see snow.

Travel in Florida is enjoyable all year round but be aware that hurricane season is from August to October.

Visit our " When should I visit? " section to learn more.

Driving in the U.S.

It's a good idea to learn about the American highway code before setting out on your USA road trip .

And our blog article " Driving in the U.S ." contains useful information, driving tips and some things you'll need to watch out for when driving in the land of Uncle Sam.

When should I book my trip to the U.S.?

For your road trip to California or elsewhere in the U.S., it is best to book at least 6 months in advance .

To be sure of availability, or to at least make sure that the top attractions are not sold out, you need to book early. For some destinations, such as the American West , many travellers book up to 1 year in advance .

Availability isn't the only reason to book in advance. The earlier you book, the more you save.

So there is really no good reason to wait until the last minute to book your trip to the U.S.!

Visit our " When should I book my trip? " section to find out more.

How do I choose between a road trip by car or by RV?

Should you take to the American roads in a rental car or RV ? There is no wrong answer.

Contrary to popular belief, it's not necessarily cheaper to travel by RV.

Check out our " Car vs RV " section to help you make an informed choice!

See all FAQ about U.S. road trips

Consult our complete list of FAQ about road trips in the U.S. or our " Practical Information " section to help in planning your trip to the land of Uncle Sam.

Customize your canadian road trip on the Authentik Canada trip planner .

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13 Best Road Trips in the Southern U.S.

When it comes to stunning views from your rv's windshield and lots to do, the southern part of the u.s. has plenty to offer..

• 1 When it comes to stunning views from your RV's windshield and lots to do, the southern part of the U.S. has plenty to offer.
• 2 Sorting it out and figuring out where you want to go can be a big job, however.
• 3.1 Key West to Amelia Island, Florida
• 3.2 Bourbon Trail, Kentucky
• 3.3 Skyline Drive, Virginia
• 3.4 Scenic Highway 30A, Florida
• 3.5 Houston, Texas to New Orleans, Louisiana
• 3.6 Memphis to Nashville, Tennessee
• 3.7 Blue Ridge Parkway, Virginia and North Carolina
• 3.8 Savannah, Georgia to Charleston, South Carolina
• 3.9 Austin to San Antonio, Texas
• 3.10 Montgomery, Alabama to Atlanta, Georgia
• 3.11 Williamsburg to Mount Vernon, Virginia
• 3.12 Dallas, Texas to Little Rock, Arkansas
• 3.13 Natchez Trace Parkway, Mississippi, Alabama, and Tennessee

Sorting it out and figuring out where you want to go can be a big job, however.

Fortunately, there are lists available that can help you plot out a route. For example, Best Life put together a list of the “ Best Road Trips in the South .”

To make it easy, I put the list below:

BEST Southern Road Trips

Key west to amelia island, florida.

Start: Key West, Florida End: Amelia Island, Florida Distance: 557 miles

Florida's eastern highway hugs the Atlantic coast, stretching from Key West on the southern tip up to Fernandina Beach on Amelia Island, below the Georgia border. Along the way, feel free to pull over at whatever beach strikes your fancy. Other attractions include St. Augustine's rich history (established in 1565 by Spanish explorers), the Kennedy Space Center at Cape Canaveral, the surf at Melbourne Beach, and, of course, Miami's famed nightlife scene.

Bourbon Trail, Kentucky

Start: Lexington, Kentucky End: Louisville, Kentucky Distance: 130 miles

The bourbon trail is a must for those visiting Kentucky (though requires a designated driver, of course). Popular distilleries — Town Branch, Woodford Reserve, Old Forester, and Angel's Envy, among others — dot the rolling hills between Lexington, Elizabethtown, and Louisville. At each location, visitors can learn about the process and taste the fruit of master distillers' labor. Along the way, you'll also be able to take in the state's best barbecue and bluegrass music.

Skyline Drive, Virginia

Start: Front Royal, Virginia End: Rockfish Gap, Virginia Distance: 105 miles

Skyline Drive is a great route because it slices through the center of Shenandoah National Park in Virginia. The 105-mile ridge road will take you through some of the most stunning Appalachian peaks while snaking through a landscape that also includes plenty of wetlands and waterfalls.

Scenic Highway 30A, Florida

Start: Sandestin, Florida End: Inlet Beach, Florida Distance: 24 miles

Florida locals know all about this secret hideaway in the Panhandle between Pensacola and Panama City Beach. From I-98 near Sandestin, merge onto Scenic Highway 30A, which is an artery that strings together a cluster of beach towns on the Gulf of Mexico. Each enclave offers its own personality, from the quirky art community of Grayton Beach, the postcard-perfect Seaside (as seen in The Truman Show), and the design-forward Alys Beach, which hosts the Digital Graffiti Festival every May.

Houston, Texas to New Orleans, Louisiana

Start: Houston, Texas End: New Orleans, Louisiana Distance: 347 miles

Mosey east from Houston along the 347-mile drive to New Orleans, making sure to experience the region's treasures on the way. Examples? Canoe the swampy Lake Martin, listen to toe-tapping zydeco music in Lafayette and wander the antebellum Oak Alley Plantation in Vacherie (made famous as the backdrop of Interview with the Vampire). And, of course, when you make it to New Orleans you can reward yourself with stuff like beignets and bourbon in the French Quarter.

Memphis to Nashville, Tennessee

Start: Memphis, Tennessee End: Nashville, Tennessee Distance: 212 miles

Tennessee is the beating heart of American music with proof in form of Elvis Presley's estate, Graceland, as well as the the Stax recording studio, the Memphis Rock ‘n' Soul Museum, the Ryman Auditorium, The Country Music Hall of Fame, and Grand Ole Opry — and all before catching some live tunes at Tootsie's Orchid Lounge, a classic honky-tonk. Check out our video below from last year on RVing to a Nashville Family Vacation.

Blue Ridge Parkway, Virginia and North Carolina

Start: Rockfish Gap, Virginia End: Cherokee, North Carolina Distance: 469 miles

It's not hard to see why the Blue Ridge Parkway has the nickname of “America's Favorite Drive.” The 469-mile route offers the best of the Appalachian range, connecting Virginia's Shenandoah National Park with North Carolina's Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Suggested route: Start at the northern entrance in Rockfish Gap, Virginia, then drive south, passing through Roanoke before entering North Carolina. Of course, Asheville is a popular stop.

Savannah, Georgia to Charleston, South Carolina

Start: Savannah, Georgia End: Charleston, South Carolina Distance: 107 miles

Savannah is nicknamed “The Hostess City” for its legendary Southern hospitality. The historic district is a must, offerings cobblestone squares, Gothic-Revival architecture, and manicured parks. Movie buffs might want to stop and take a few pics at Chippewa Square, the location of the iconic park bench filmed in Forrest Gump. Travel north along the coast toward Charleston, and you'll pass through quaint low-country communities including Bluffton and Beaufort. In Charleston, explore the Fort Sumter National Monument, soak up the sun in Folly Beach, and eat your fill of signature seafood.

Austin to San Antonio, Texas

Start: Austin, Texas End: San Antonio, Texas Distance: 80 miles

Think of Austin as the Brooklyn of the Lone Star State. This young, vibrant capital has it all—live music, killer eats, and a central location just an hour outside Texas Hill Country. Spend some time in the city itself and enjoy outdoor activities such as paddling on Lady Bird Lake and swimming in the Barton Springs Pool in Zilker Park. Then, drive west to Fredericksburg and explore the more than 20 Texas Hill Country wineries. The rest of the journey south is winding through a chain of charming German towns like Gruene and New Braunfels. End the journey in San Antonio, where the River Walk has been revived with new restaurants, art galleries, and boutiques.

Montgomery, Alabama to Atlanta, Georgia

Start: Montgomery, Alabama End: Atlanta, Georgia Distance: 161 miles

In Montgomery, Alabama, check out the Rosa Parks Museum and the six-acre National Memorial for Peace and Justice, featuring sculpture and artwork by African-American artists. Heading northeast on I-85, you'll hit Atlanta, the birthplace of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., among other things. Be sure to walk through the national park named in King's honor, which is comprised of his birth home on Auburn Avenue, The King Center, and Ebenezer Baptist Church, where he was a co-pastor with his father from 1960 until his untimely death in 1968.

Williamsburg to Mount Vernon, Virginia

Start: Williamsburg, Virginia End: Mount Vernon, Virginia Distance: 140 miles

In Williamsburg, visitors will find the Governor's Palace, which served as the residence for the Royal governors and later as the home to post-colonial leaders Thomas Jefferson and Patrick Henry. Next up, check out the state's five James River Plantations, built around the country's earliest European settlement, Jamestown, established in 1619. When you get to Richmond, swing by the capitol building; designed by Jefferson in 1785, it was the first state capital after the Revolutionary War. Then, head north to check out George Washington's home, Mount Vernon.

Dallas, Texas to Little Rock, Arkansas

Start: Dallas, Texas End: Little Rock, Arkansas Distance: 319 miles

Culture vultures will adore Dallas for its world-class Museum of Art and Nasher Sculpture while nature enthusiasts might want to spend an afternoon running or biking on the 3.5-mile Katy Trail. On the way to Arkansas, stretch your legs in Sulphur Springs at the quirky Southwest Dairy Museum or at Cooper Lake State Park. Kids will appreciate the Discovery Place Children's Museum in Texarkana or the Museum of Discovery in Arkadelphia. Roll into Little Rock and explore the 1,000-acre Two Rivers Park or the city's zoo, which boasts more than 600 native and exotic animals.

Natchez Trace Parkway, Mississippi, Alabama, and Tennessee

Start: Natchez, Mississippi End: Nashville, Tennessee Distance: 444 miles

The picturesque Natchez Trace Parkway is one of the longest road trips in the South, delivering 444 miles through three states (Mississippi, Alabama, and Tennessee). The route follows the “Old Natchez Trace,” a historic trail used first by Native Americans then by early European settlers, tradesmen, and soldiers. Whether hiking, camping, horseback riding, or cycling strikes your fancy, there are near-endless opportunities along the route.

Published on 2020-01-28

Mike Wendland is a multiple Emmy-award-winning Journalist, Podcaster, YouTuber, and Blogger, who has traveled with his wife, Jennifer, all over North America in an RV, sharing adventures and reviewing RV, Camping, Outdoor, Travel and Tech Gear for the past 12 years. They are leading industry experts in RV living and have written 18 travel books.

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10 Unforgettable RV Road Trips in the U.S. for Families

Level up your next road trip with an rv or mobile home..

Road trips are a classic vacation idea for families , and hitting the road in an RV or mobile home is a great way to take the quintessential road trip experience to the next level. With an RV road trip, you’re literally bringing your hotel room along for the ride, so there’s no worrying about clean accommodations, packing and unpacking at each stop, or even finding a restaurant along the way. RVs also make it easier to bring the family pet or road trip with a baby , too. 

The Best RV Destinations and RV Vacation Ideas for Families

The best RV vacation ideas range from short weekend trips to weeklong (or longer) RV trips, and once you arrive at your destination you can park your RV, unhook your tow vehicle, and drive to local attractions. (If you opt for a drivable motorhome, you may want to tow a vehicle behind as a runaround vehicle.) Wondering where to go on your RV road trip? Here are the best RV destinations in the U.S. for all different kinds of families and interests. 

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1. Best RV Road Trip Route for Families with Little Kids

Orlando to west palm beach – 3 stops, 170 miles.

“Keeping everyone entertained is the key to a successful vacation,” says RV aficionado Amanda Adler of  SabbaticalfromSuburbia.com . And with world-renowned Orlando theme parks like the Harry Potter areas at Universal Studios and the Star Wars land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios , not to mention white sand beaches , animal explorations, and family campgrounds overflowing with action-packed amenities, a Florida RV road trip truly offers something for every member of your traveling party. 

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Kick off your road trip route with a stay at one of the best Disney World hotels in Orlando ,  Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground , where your family will have access to a robust lineup of activities, including daily campfire sing-a-longs with Chip ‘n’ Dale, Disney movie nights, and convenient boat service to Magic Kingdom. 

Next, head south to the small town of River Ranch , where you can park your RV at a family glamping resort and dude ranch,  Westgate River Ranch Resort and Rodeo . The property offers everything a young cowpoke could possibly desire: a petting farm, airboat and swamp buggy rides, horseback riding, mini golf, rock climbing, and a thrilling  Saturday night rodeo .

Of course, no RV road trip to the Sunshine State would be complete without a visit to the beach. Head for South Florida, where you’ll have your pick of tropical beaches as you cruise along the Atlantic Ocean. Opt for a stop at the kid-friendly waters of  Carlin Park  in Jupiter or  Loggerhead Park  in Juno Beach , then check out real loggerheads at nearby Loggerhead Marinelife Center , a sea turtle conservation center.

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Make your home base for the last leg of your adventure the  West Palm Beach / Lion Country Safari KOA Journey , which offers the unique experience of camping next to hundreds of animals at the drive-thru  Lion Country Safari . Kids will delight in seeing water buffalo, alpaca, lions, and kudu roaming freely, making it the perfect finale to an unforgettable Florida family vacation in your RV.

2. Best RV Road Trip Route for Families with Big Kids and Tweens

Knoxville to asheville via pigeon forge – 3 stops, 270-mile loop.

This Appalachian RV vacation winds through the hollows of eastern Tennessee and western North Carolina, taking in Dolly Parton’s Smoky Mountain home and the quirky arts community of Asheville Start in Knoxville and head east to Pigeon Forge , where you will find the  Dollywood theme park . Thrill seekers in the family will love Dollywood’s roller coasters such as Lightning Rod , Thunderhead , and Wild Eagle , and adults will love watching craftsmen create hand-blown glass, candles, and artwork. Camp at  Pigeon Forge’s Jellystone Park  just two miles from Dollywood. 

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Monica Baer of  American Coach  recommends venturing deeper into the Smokies across the North Carolina state line to Asheville . The mountains surrounding Asheville are home to incredible hiking trails, many of which reward hikers with waterfall views . Those who’d like a scenic RV road trip through the mountains can hop on the Blue Ridge Parkway and stop at any of the designated outlooks for sweeping vistas and gorgeous photo opportunities. For beer lovers, Asheville is a true treasure. With 100 local beers on tap, it’s known as one of the best beer towns in the country. RVers can spend the night at  Bear Creek  RV park and campground.

After exploring Asheville, head back to Tennessee for a stay at the  Lazy Llama Campground  in Chuckey . Owners Jerry and Carolyn Ayers allow campers to interact with the animals, whether it’s hiking with them on “Storytelling Llama Treks” or learning how to spin yarn and weave wool sourced from the llama.

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Chuckey is only 15 miles from historic Jonesborough , Tennessee’s oldest town, which promotes itself as “The Storytelling Capital of the World.” Every October the town hosts the  National Storytelling Festival  as well as other special events throughout the year. After swapping stories, head 80 miles west to complete the RV road trip loop at your starting point in Knoxville.

3. Best RV Destinations for Families with Teenagers

Central and southwest colorado – 4 stops, 750-mile loop.

Jeff Crider of  GoRVing.com  suggests taking teens two and a half hours southwest of Denver to  Royal Gorge Bridge and Park , which features America’s highest suspension bridge and zipline. The suspension bridge is 956 feet above the Arkansas River; zipline riders soar even higher at 1,200 feet above the water.   “If you get a little woozy reading this, you could also ride a gondola across the canyon,” Crider notes. 

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At the base of the canyon are more opportunities for family travel adventures , including whitewater rafting tours with  Echo Canyon River Expeditions  and historic train rides through the canyon on the  Royal Gorge Route Railroad . Set up basecamp at the  Royal Gorge/Cañon City KOA Holiday . 

After spending a couple of days in the Royal Gorge area, head further south to  Great Sand Dunes National Park  before venturing west on your RV vacation through the San Juan Mountains to Durango , where activities include  kayaking or rafting on the Animas River  and taking the  historic Durango Silverton train  to the 9,300-foot mining town of Silverton . Crider recommends the  United Campground in Durango  located on the banks of the Animas River. 

Durango is also a jumping off point to see ancestral Pueblo cliff dwellings at  Mesa Verde National Park  and  Canyons of the Ancients National Monument , which contains the highest concentration of Native American archaeological sites in the U.S., including cliff dwellings, kivas, petroglyphs, and sacred springs.

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Head north from Durango on U.S. 550 (also known as the Million Dollar Highway ), one of the most scenic high-elevation RV road trip routes in the country. You’ll drive through forests filled with aspen and pine trees, visit Silverton, and go through the little town of Ouray —which has several of the best Colorado hot springs —before arriving at Montrose , which is a jumping off point for visits to Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park . Stay at the  Ouray Riverside Resort , an 8,000-foot elevation campground with an onsite cafe, steakhouse, and Jeep rentals. 

4. Best RV Trips for Adults and Grown-Up Kids

Northern michigan lower peninsula – 4 stops, 150 miles .

Paige Bouma of  RV Trader  recommends an RV vacation in Michigan for adults and grown-up kids. “Michigan has so many state parks you can go to,” says Bouma, “and it offers a Recreation Passport you can use to see them all.”

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The northern portion of Michigan’s lower peninsula is not only heavily forested, but also features beautiful white sand beaches and sand dunes at  Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore , a favorite Midwest road trip destination for families. The  Platte River Campground  offers RV sites and is close to the Riverside Canoe company , which offers canoe, kayak, tubing, and raft trips down the Platte. The resort town of Traverse City is nearby and known for its wineries and golf courses. 

From Sleeping Bear Dunes, one of the best RV destinations is two hours north along the Lake Michigan shoreline in Petoskey . Keep your eyes peeled for the state stone of Michigan, the Petoskey Stone, which are rounded pieces of fossilized coral that date back millions of years to when the area was covered by shallow seas.  Petoskey State Park  offers a long sandy beach on Lake Michigan, RV hookups, and plenty of hiking trails.

After your search for Petoskey Stones, step back in time at one of the most beloved Midwest family vacation destinations , charming  Mackinac Island . No vehicles are allowed on the island, so you’ll have to park your rig and take a ferry to visit. On the island you can enjoy horse and buggy rides, visit historical forts and museums, and even splurge with an overnight stay at  the Grand Hotel , incidentally one of the most kid-friendly family resorts in the country.

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Following your island adventure, set up basecamp at  Cheboygan State Park  on the sandy beaches of Lake Huron. Cheboygan offers RV sites as well as a teepee rental. 

5. Best RV Road Trip Route for Multigenerational Groups 

Boston to washington, d.c. – 4 stops, 460 miles.

Rae and Jason Miller, creators of  Getaway Couple , recommend Boston to Washington, D.C. , RV trips to please multiple generations. This four-stop multigenerational family vacation route is loaded with historical sites, interactive museums, and campgrounds perfect for large families to bond around the campfire. It doesn’t matter if the ages in your group range from toddler to grandparent; everyone will be pleasantly surprised by the activities on this RV vacation. 

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Start your East Coast family vacation at  Wompatuck State Park  in Hingham, Massachusetts . Take a day trip to the city of Boston to visit the Boston National Historical Park , Paul Revere House , Boston Massacre Site , and Fort Independence . For lunch, be sure to grab some famous Boston staples like clam chowder or a lobster roll. 

Next, drive 215 miles south for a New York family vacation through the Big Apple. Stay at  Battle Row Campground  on Long Island (or  Croton Point Park Campground  on the Hudson River north of the city if you’d prefer to keep your RV out of New York City ). While you’re here, be sure to visit the Theodore Roosevelt Birthplace National Historic Site , the Van Cortlandt House Museum , and the Graffiti Hall of Fame . This mix of history will entertain every generation. 

Your next stop is less than 100 miles south in Philadelphia . Camp at the  Philadelphia South KOA  and take your family downtown to explore the city. Every generation will enjoy visiting the Liberty Bell , the Underground Railroad Museum , and recreating your own “Rocky” moment on the stairs of the Philadelphia Museum of Art .

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Continue another 140 miles south to Washington, D.C., one of the best family vacation spots in the U.S. and a perfect place to cap off your RV vacation.  Cherry Hill Park  is the closest campground to downtown D.C. and is well maintained. There are countless things to see and do in the nation’s capital , including snapping a family picture in front of the White House, visiting the Lincoln Memorial , and taking in a few Smithsonian museums , all of which are free to the public. 

6. Best RV Road Trip Route for Foodies

New orleans to key west – 4 stops, 1,800 miles.

For foodies, Maddi Bourgerie of  RVShare  says one of the best RV vacation ideas is an old-fashioned Southern comfort food tour that starts in New Orleans . Park your RV at  New Orleans RV Resort and Marina  (formerly Pontchartrain Landing) for a resort that’s right on the water and offers a free shuttle into the French Quarter. Once in the Big Easy, you ca experience authentic jambalaya at Jacques Imo’s Cafe and treat the whole family to classic sugar-dusted beignets at Cafe du Monde . (Pro-tip: Dip your beignet in a cup of chicory coffee or hot chocolate for the kids). 

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Next up is Memphis for slow-smoked barbecue at Central BBQ . The Elvis Presley Boulevard RV Park  is two blocks from Graceland and only a couple of minutes’ drive from all of Memphis’ major attractions.

Then it’s on to Charleston for famous fried chicken at Martha Lou’s Kitchen . The milk-battered fried chicken paired with lima beans and okra stew is a fan-favorite stop on this Southern food RV trip.  Lake Aire Campground  has full-service RV sites and family-friendly activities such as fishing from a private lake.

The fourth stop on your RV vacation is Savannah , a must-see city for foodies . Located in Savannah’s historic district, The Olde Pink House Restaurant answers all your Southern food cravings with pan-seared jumbo lump crab cakes, fried green tomatoes, and mac and cheese jalapeno poppers. The  Savannah South KOA  is in Richmond Hill , a small town on the southwestern edge of the city.

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Complete your culinary journey in Key West for fresh mahi-mahi at Ocean Grill and Bar and delicious key lime pie at Kermit’s Key West Lime Shoppe . Stay at  Boyd’s Key West Campground right on the water near Mile Marker 5. If you’re an American literature buff, don’t miss Key West’s Hemingway Home & Museum .

7. Best RV Road Trip Route for History Buffs

Alabama civil rights tour – 3 stops, 140 miles.

The cities of Birmingham , Montgomery , and Selma were all major epicenters of the Civil Rights Movement. Each city has numerous historical sites, museums, and other attractions that should be part of every American family’s education .

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Start in Birmingham and head to the  Birmingham Civil Rights Institute  for an overview of the Civil Rights Movement, where families can experience a rendition of a 1950s segregated city, a Freedom Riders bus, and the jail cell door from behind which Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. penned his famous “Letter from Birmingham Jail.” Other important Birmingham sites include the Bethel Baptist Church , 16th Street Baptist Church , and Miles College . Support a Black-owned business at the Time Away RV Resort,  often used as a base camp for Civil Rights tours.

From Birmingham, head to Montgomery, the former home of Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King Jr., and other Civil Rights icons. Much of their history can be explored at the  Rosa Parks Library and Museum  as well as the  Dexter Parsonage Museum , former home of Dr. King. The  National Memorial for Peace and Justice  is the first national memorial to honor more than 4,400 African Americans killed by racial terrorist groups between 1877 and 1950. This solemn space is meant to allow people to gather and reflect on our nation’s long history of racial inequality. The  Montgomery KOA Campground  offers RV sites close to the historical locations.

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This educational RV road trip ends in Selma, best known for the Selma to Montgomery marches, beginning with “Bloody Sunday” on the Edmund Pettus Bridge on March 7, 1965. These marches were crucial to the eventual passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson. The act prohibited racial discrimination in voting, protecting the right to vote for racial minorities in the U.S. and especially in the American South.  Montgomery South RV Park  in Hope Hull, Alabama , has both RV sites and rental cabins.

8. Best RV Vacations for Mountain Scenery

Going-to-the-sun road in glacier national park, montana – 2 stops, 110 miles.

Completed in 1933,  Going-to-the-Sun Road  in Montana’s Glacier National Park offers some of the most spectacular mountain scenery in North America. Magnificent lakes line both ends of the road, including Lake McDonald on the west and the Saint Mary Lake on the east. “Right after the road opens in May or June, the drive is particularly scenic as melting snow creates numerous little waterfalls that splash onto the roadway,” notes GoRVing’s Jeff Crider.

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Glacier National Park also has many trails leading to glacier-fed lakes and waterfalls. The highest point on Going-to-the-Sun Road is 6,646-foot Logan Pass . The road over the pass typically opens in late spring or early summer and closes with the first major snow in October or November. The  East Glacier KOA  in St. Mary offers RV and tent sites and is located one mile from the Glacier National Park entrance and the start of the Going-to-the-Sun Road. While Going-to-the-Sun Road can be driven in a single day, it’s best to allow at least two or three days to enjoy the scenery on your RV road trip. 

For an extended RV trip with additional lakes and glacier-covered mountain scenery, consider visiting Waterton Lakes National Park , which abuts Glacier National Park on the Canadian side of the border. Townsite Campground  is located on the water within the park and has drive-through RV sites with full hookups.

9. Best RV Destinations for Outdoorsy Families

National parks of the desert southwest – 6 stops, 800 miles .

This RV road trip includes stops at some of the most iconic sites of the American West, including the  South Rim of the Grand Canyon ,  Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park ,  Mesa Verde National Park ,  Arches National Park ,  Canyonlands National Park ,  Bryce Canyon National Park , and  Zion National Park . Activities include hiking, rock climbing, and horseback riding. Evening astromony talks are typically also offered at many of the parks during the summer months as well. 

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First up on this RV vacation is the Grand Canyon, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of those iconic U.S. tourist attractions every kid should visit before they grow up . The South Rim is open year-round and offers the most famous panoramic views.  Trailer Village RV Park  is the only RV campground with full hookups located within the national park.

From the Grand Canyon, head northeast to Monument Valley on the Arizona/Utah border. This sacred land is part of the Navajo Nation and known for its red sandstone buttes.  The View Hotel and Campground  has RV sites and premium furnished cabins with excellent views of the famous rock formations.

Next on your RV road trip route are the Pueblo cliff dwellings found in Colorado’s Mesa Verde National Park, which preserves indigenous archeological sites dating back at least 700 years.  Morefield Campground  offers RV sites within the park, some with full hookups, and kids will love the all-you-can-eat pancake breakfasts. 

Head back into Utah and set up camp in Moab as a home base for both Arches and Canyonlands national parks, where your family can enjoy outdoor adventures like rock climbing, canyoneering, rafting, mountain biking, and more.  Sun Outdoors Arches Gateway (formerly Moab Valley RV Resort) features both RV sites and rental accommodations.

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Explorations of southern Utah continue at Bryce Canyon National Park, known for the alien-shaped hoodoos in its red rock amphitheater.  Sunset Campground  is a national park campground located inside the park within hiking distance of both Sunset Point and Inspiration Point . This is a fantastic location for sleeping in the park and taking advantage of the nighttime star talks and constellation tours .

The final stop is Utah’s Zion National Park. This park features a spectacular canyon with hiking along (and in) the Virgin River.  Zion River Resort  has riverside RV sites and offers a number of family-friendly activities as well as educational and archeology programs. 

10. Best RV Vacation Ideas for Sports Fans

Division i college football road trip.

There’s something special about the U.S. college football environment. Each weekend in the fall, thousands flock to their respective sport palaces, set up camp for the weekend, cook out or tailgate, play games, and cheer on their favorite team. It’s this atmosphere that makes college football’s stadiums among the best RV destinations for sports fans. 

IT’S ALL INCLUDED: 12 Best All-Inclusive Resorts in the World for Families

Traditionally college football games take place each Saturday, and at the largest stadiums RVs start arriving Friday night and stay until Sunday—giving you plenty of time to get to next week’s destination. The other benefit of traveling to college football games is it’s one of the most creative vacation ideas for teenagers because it allows you to sneak in a college tour on your RV trip. 

Instead of a single road trip route, here are four RV destinations known for their college football atmosphere.

University of Michigan – Ann Arbor, Michigan

Ann Arbor is a great college town to visit filled with restaurants, parks, and culture. More than 100,000 fans pack Michigan Stadium on football Saturdays. Ann Arbor Pioneer High School offers RV parking  and is located across the street from the stadium. Spots include a small area for tailgating (enough for 10 to 20 people). 

Clemson University – Clemson, South Carolina

College football is almost a religion in the Southeastern U.S., and the cozy college town of Clemson in the corner of South Carolina is home to three national championships. The  Clemson RV Park at The Grove  is a campground with full hookups just four miles from campus and features tailgate bands every Friday night, catered meals included with your spot, and shuttles to and from games. Clemson is also close to Lake Hartwell and plenty of outdoor activities. 

University of Nebraska – Lincoln, Nebraska

Memorial Stadium is conveniently located near downtown Lincoln , making it easy for families to explore the area before and after the game. On game day there are a number of kid-friendly events including the Unity Walk , where players and coaches walk through the sea of fans, and the Nebraska Marching Band rehearsal one hour before the game. RVs can camp overnight in a designated lot  beginning Friday evenings until Sunday morning. 

University of Oregon – Eugene, Oregon

The Oregon Ducks play in Autzen Stadium along the Willamette River. Camping in the university’s RV lot is organized by the Boy Scouts and offers spectacular mountain and water scenery. Scouts are on hand starting Friday evening to help you park, and RVs can stay until Sunday morning. A portion of the parking revenue goes to the scouts to support camps, camping equipment purchases, and leader training.

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Great RV Road Trip Ideas

Oh, and you should probably plan out a budget so you know how much you’ll be able to spend as you go. Our Cruise America travel experts will help you pick out the right unit for you, depending on the size of your party and to where you will be traveling. If you’re having a hard time deciding where you want to roam, you may find this list of some of the most popular RV road trip circuits, helpful:

Blue Ridge Parkway

This popular driving route traverses through close to five hundred miles of oh, so mountainous Appalachia. During the summer months travelers can experience some heavy traffic in certain areas, but the incredible scenery is more than worth the wait.

Route 66 is the consummate American road trip. Many are the movies, novels and music numbers that feature this famous stretch of highway … and it certainly does stretch … all the way from Southern California to Illinois!

Historic New England

For a diverse experience that includes both natural wonders and historic sites, take your rental RV on a tour of New England. It has a lot to offer RVers looking for a change.

New Orleans and the Gulf Coast

Over the last five years, New Orleans has experienced an incredible revival. The route through the Gulf Coast region isn’t one of the more common RV routes, but it makes for an excellent roadtrip in your rental RV. Prices have become manageable because of the tourism business experiencing a slowdown in recent years.

Yellowstone National Park and the Rockies

Yellowstone National Park is one of the world’s most visited RVing destinations, and is definitely worth a trip to Montana to see. It’s probably the most intriguing camping you’ll ever experience. Try to take advantage of the many scenic routes as you make your way to Yellowstone. Do your best to plan a scenic route that passes through other points of interest in the Rocky Mountain region, such as Rocky Mountain National Park and Grand Teton National Park.

The Great Lakes Region

For a spectacular midwest adventure, and using Chicago as a base, make a circuitous route along the American side of the Great Lakes, through the Upper Michigan peninsula. If you do end up planning a trip like this, be sure to take along any water-sports equipment you may have, like surfboards or paddleboards, as there are an abundance of beaches on this route.

Southwest Desert

The American Southwest is still the type of landscape worth exploring in your Cruise America rental RV. Though the region contains famous parks like the Grand Canyon National Park and Zion National Park. There are also some great urban areas of the Southwest, such as Santa Fe, New Mexico, which is known for its pueblo-style Native American architecture and a beautiful collection of arts.

Southeastern Seaboard

Traveling along the Southeastern coast of the United States is not unlike a New England RV trip, as the jaw dropping landscapes and the bustling urban areas create memories that will last a lifetime. As you travel, be sure to stay along the coastline, from Virginia down through the Carolinas, then on to Savannah with its southern charm, history and culture.

Columbia River Highway

This route makes for an excellent RV journey through the Pacific Northwest. You could start in Portland, Oregon , and make your way along the majestic Columbia River Gorge. As you travel, you will find all sorts of quality RV parks, as well as scenic points you’ll not want to miss.

Big Sur Coastal Highway

If you’re a fan of the ocean (and who isn’t?), the Big Sur Coastal Highway provides an ocean experience as you travel along the central coast of California, Every quaint little seatown along the route is unique, yet so similar. Don’t miss the opportunity to explore each of these little towns, with their singular qualities and adventures. These are just a few examples of trips you can enjoy with your family in your Cruise America rental RV. You will find that no matter where you roam, the journey is always just as enjoyable as arriving!

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90 DAY USA FAMILY RV ROAD TRIP – WE DID IT!

We’ve completed one epic three-month family RV road trip around America in our rented C-Class RV (28ft) and I can’t believe it’s over. Here is a round-up of our family RV road trip around the US with links to related posts, costs, facts, figures, highlights, our itinerary in PDF and a YouTube video series.

WATCH THE SERIES ON YOUTUBE

Click on the links below to watch our road trip in more detail on YouTube. We’re total amateurs and are just having a bit of fun with the footage recorded on our smartphones, but we do hope you enjoy it.

• Episode 1: RV Road Trip USA – Yosemite to Yellowstone
• Episode 2: RV Road Trip USA – From Cody to Cherokee
• Episode 3: RV Road Trip USA – North Carolina to Florida
• Episode 4: RV Road Trip USA – Homosassa to New Orleans
• Episode 5: Texas, Beach Camping, Space Station & Forth Worth
• Episode 6: Amarillo to Mesa Verde
• Episode 7: Canyons & Monuments, Cortez to Page
• Episode 8: Page & The Grand Canyon, Arizona
• Episode 9: Bearizona & The Best of Route 66
• Episode 10: Las Vegas & Death Valley with Kids
• Episode 11: Driving from Death Valley to Big Sur via Los Angeles
• Episode 12: Big Sur, California
• Episode 13: San Francisco

Listen to this post as a podcast by clicking on the following link.

We’re Back – Hello & Happy Holidays!  

I’m frantically typing away to get 90 days of personal diary entries into words that you might enjoy and find useful if needed for your own road trip planning.

It was a wonderful experience to discover so much about the United States and doing it in an RV for extended trips with three kiddos can be unforgettable fun, if it’s right for you.

Stay tuned and keep following along on our blog where we’ll tell you all about it!

RV Road Trip Related Posts

• RV Road Trip Q&A with our thoughts on specific RV related questions.
• Download in PDF our 90 Day Itinerary with excursions and costs included
• Planning our USA RV Road Trip

Scroll to the bottom of this post for a summarised itinerary and diary entry links.

Travel Update December 2018

We’re now in Spain, staying at Benal Beach near Malaga and after the race we’ve just completed all around America, this is the right speed for us at which to go into the new year: slowly. It’s also the perfect place to enjoy some extended sunny weather before we head back to proper winter in England.

If you celebrate Christmas, we wish you a merry one and if you’re spending time with loved ones, we wish you a blessed time indeed.

We’ll chat again soon in the new year.

Lindsy & Brendan  

Ps: Please do us a favour and share the posts that you enjoy?

Pin it if you are on Pinterest?

If you’re wondering if you must have insurance on a travel trailer, read HERE

USA Road Trip Facts & Figures

• Duration : 90 Days
• Distance : 11 000 miles / 17 700 km
• Driving Time : 220 hours / 9,2 Days approx,
• States (California, Nevada, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, South Dakota, Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, Albuquerque, Colorado,
• National Parks (Yosemite, Craters of The Moon, Tetons, Yellowstone, Badlands, Smoky Mountains, Everglades, Mesa Verde, Grand Canyon, Death Valley)
• State Parks (Thermopolis, Myrtle Beach, Homosassa, Manatee Springs, Bayou Segnette, Goosenecks, Hearst San Simeon, Pfeiffer Beach – Big Sur)
• 11 Junior Ranger Programs
• 1 Zoo (Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo)
• 2 Aquariums (Omaha, Tennessee)
• Attractions & Excursions (Incl.: Chicago Skydeck, Ripleys Combo, Walt Disney World, The Ark Encounter, Manatee Sanctuary Florida, Manatees Kayak & Swim, Everglades Swamp Ride, Mississippi River Paddlewheeler Historic Cruise, Houston Space Station, Billy Bob’s Honky Tonk, Historic Fort Worth Bull Riding & Wild West Show, Historic Fort Bluff, Glen Canyon Dam Tour, Upper Antelope Canyon Tour, Bearizona, Hearst San Simeon Castle Tour, Elephant Seal Rookery, Alcatraz Tour)
• Landmarks & Monuments (Incl.: Devils Tower, Mount Rushmore, Aztec National Monument, Four Corners Monument, Cadillac Ranch)
• 37 RV Campgrounds (National, State and Private Parks)
• 60 RV Campground Nights
• 26 Boondock Nights
• 4 Hotel Nights

Road Trip Firsts & Highlights

• First national park in the world: Yellowstone
• Explore one of the largest supervolcanoes: Yellowstone.
• The world’s largest natural mineral hot spring: Thermopolis, WY
• First national monument US 1906: Devils Tower National monument, WY
• Lied Jungle – Omaha, Nebraska. World’s largest indoor rainforest (or so they claim)
• The 2nd highest building in the Western hemisphere – Willis Tower Skydeck on the 103rd floor.  Lift 18mi/ hr. Up in 60 sec.
• The world’s largest timber structure: The Ark Encounter, Williamstown – Kentucky
• Visit the first KFC in Corbin, Kentucky; where Colonel Sanders first began.
• The world’s largest and most popular Walt Disney World: Orlando, Florida
• The world’s warmest place on earth: Death Valley.
• Drive the mother road; Historic Route 66
• Drive on one of two American musical highways in New Mexico
• Drive Big Sur
• Drive US Route 1 in Florida along famous beaches
• Drive the Overseas Highway Miami to Key West on US Highway 1.
• Cross the beautiful Seven Mile bridge in the Florida Keys.
• Reach the Southernmost Point of the Continental US in the Florida Keys

Itinerary And Shortcuts to Diary Entries

Follow along day-to-day as we travel around America in a 28ft motorhome for three months. Read about our epic USA family RV road trip in our daily diary entries.

San Francisco To Yellowstone National Park (2 Weeks)

Day 1: Getting There. From Dublin, Ireland to San Francisco, USA.

Day 2: Picking Up The Rental motorhome from Elmonte RV

Day 3-4: From San Francisco To Yosemite National Park

Day 5-8: To Yellowstone from Yosemite via South Lake Tahoe, Lovelock, Battle Mountain, Twin Falls, Craters Of The Moon Arco and Grand Teton National Park

Day 9 – 13: Yellowstone National Park

Cody To Chicago (10 Days)

Day 14-15: Cody, Thermopolis and H16 through Big Horn National Forest to Gillette – Wyoming

Day 16: Devils Tower, Spearfish Canyon, Mount Rushmore, Keystone, Badlands National Park, South Dakota

Day 18: The Badlands of South Dakota to

Day 19 – 23: Nebraska to Indiana and Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo

Day 24: Chicago

Chicago to Savannah (10 Days)

Day 25-27: From Chicago to Williamstown, Kentucky, The Ark Encounter

Day 28-29: Harland Sanders Cafe & Museum in Corbin, Kentucky -The first KFC, to Tennessee’s Pigeon Forge (Dollywood) and Ripley’s Believe it or Not attractions in Gatlinburg.

Day 30-31: The Great Smoky Mountains National Park and a visit with friends at Lake Wylie in Charlotte, North Carolina

Day 32-33: Camp at Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

Day 34-35: From Myrtle Beach to Sullivan’s Island in Charleston for lunch and Savannah, Georgia.

Florida (3 Weeks)

Day 36-38: Drive Florida’s Coastal Highway along the scenic A1A and US1 roads to Beverley Beach, Daytona Beach, Coco Beach, Palm Beach and Miami Beach.

Day 39: From Miami Beach to Everglades National Park to camp at Flamingo Campground

Day 40-43: The Florida Keys

Day 44: From Florida Keys to Orlando, via the Tamiami highway and an airboat ride in the Everglades swamp.

Day 45-53: Walt Disney World, Orlando

Day 54-56: Florida’s Nature Coast. Homosassa, Crystal River, known as the Manatee Capital of the world and Manatee Springs State Park.

Day 57: The Forgotten Coast. Florida’s panhandle and the destruction of Hurricane Michael.

New Orleans To Mesa Verde National Park (2 Weeks)

Day 58-60: New Orleans, Mississippi

Day 61-67: Beach Camping, Houston Space Center and Fort Worth, Texas.

Day 68-69: Roadside Attractions from Fort Worth and Route 66 from Amarillo to Santa Rosa, New Mexico.

Day 70-71: Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado

Four Corners Monument To Las Vegas (1 Week)

Day 72-74: Four Corners Monument; Bluff, Utah; Monument Valley, Goosenecks, Antelope Canyon, Glen Canyon, Page – Arizona.

Day 75: The Grand Canyon, Arizona

Day 76-78: Bearizona in Williams, Arizona; Route 66 Seligman to Kingman & Las Vegas, Nevada

Death Valley To San Francisco Via Los Angeles & Big Sur (10 Days)

Day 79-80: Furnace Creek, Badwater Basin and Stovepipe Wells in Death Valley, California

Day 81-87: California’s scenic coastal Highway 1 from Los Angeles to San Francisco via Santa Monica Pier, Malibu Beach, Santa Barbara, San Simeon, and Pfeiffer State Park – Driving Big Sur!

Day 88-89: Explore San Francisco around Pier 39 and a boat trip to Alcatraz Island, aka The Rock.

Day 90: Our family RV road trip is over! Fly Home

FOR YOU TO PIN

21 thoughts on “90 DAY USA FAMILY RV ROAD TRIP – WE DID IT!”

Thank you Brendan

Now this is epic and amazing! What a wonderful experience and memories to make together. I love it!

Thank you. We certainly have great memories from this trip. I’m so glad you enjoyed it Elisa.

I can’t wait to read the whole 90 day account! This is something we too want to do as a family in the future so thank you very much for posting your adventures.

fournomadics.com

You’re very welcome Fanuel. I so badly want to get the whole trip written up and posted, but it takes so much longer than I think each time I sit down and start writing because there’s just so much to tell.

Don’t you find that editing photo’s, which I dare not leave out, always take longer than planned!

Now I’m even more eager to get the trip posted and up to date for your families’ own adventure. Back to work!

Love this as it really resonates. We have a class C motor home which we bought sort of by accident whilst we lived in Canada a couple of years ago. We kept it when we moved back to the UK and since then have done several road trips through Canada and the US, usually for about 10 weeks. Admittedly though it is just the two of us! We head off again next week, Toronto to BC and will take in Yellowstone so i am going to checknout your post on this for all the tips i can get about camping there in a 28 foot rv! You have a great itinerary here so will look forward to following along and comparing. What a brilliant experience!

Thank you Jane. We’d love to get a RV to keep in the US to do exactly what you do; go on trips when we can. Oh, I’m so jealous to think you’re going next week! Take me with you!!!!! You must enjoy it and I hope you’ll share the trip and lots of pics.

What a fantastic way to see the USA, in a RV! We did a similar round trip many years ago but in a car and we never got to New Orleans, as from Dallas we rushed straight to New York. It was such an exciting trip and your blog is giving us some fun flashbacks, How awesome you did it with your family.

Thank you for checking in Oli and it’s great that our trip replays some of your own happy roadtrip memories for you. I’m still working my way through your blog for posts on Thailand for our upcoming trip Nov-Dec so I look forward to reading more tonight.

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wow! looks like an absolutely amazing road trip!! i’m happy that you visited so many national and state parks along the way 🙂

Hey Lani, sorry for the late reply! Hope you are well wherever you are in this Covid-19 world of ours. You’re right, it was an amazing trip and we’d do it again in a heartbeat. The parks were the best and I only hoped we could see more of them. America is a beautiful country.

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Nice; inspiring. However: RV rental, petrol, and food makes the trip cost 3x stated values. Oh, well.

Hi, Glad you found the content inspiring. Just makes my day to hear it! Isn’t it crazy how much things have changed in only 5 years? I agree, everything is atronomically more expensive now than when we did this trip in 2018. Budget travellers, like us, have to be so much more savvy now.

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【Road Trip】Discovering the United States: Your Ultimate Self-Driving Tour Itinerary

1. Regional Overview

Preparation, app recommendations, essential items, driving tips, 1) classic route, 2) off-the-beaten-path route, food recommendations.

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Region Description

The United States, a bustling center of the world and a symbol of modern civilization, boasts a highly developed economy, technology, and culture. With its vast territory, the U.S. encompasses a variety of stunning landscapes, making it a perfect destination for a road trip. Here, a self-drive trip offers a unique experience of freedom and individuality. From the bustling, illuminated cities to the vast, uninhabited deserts, and from sunny beaches to majestic canyons, experiencing America's natural beauty and cultural charm is another way to realize the "American Dream" on your self-driving tour.

Geographical Location

The United States is located in the central part of North America in the Western Hemisphere, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the east, the Pacific Ocean to the west, Canada to the north, and Mexico and the Gulf of Mexico to the south. It spans almost the entire North American continent, including Alaska near the Arctic and Hawaii in the Pacific equatorial region. It ranks fourth in the world in terms of area, following Russia, Canada, and China. The U.S. consists of 50 states and one district (District of Columbia), with Washington, D.C. as the capital. Planning a road trip through these diverse states is an exciting adventure.

Topographical Features

The U.S. has a complex terrain, generally characterized by "high on the sides and low in the middle." The West Coast is dominated by the towering Rocky Mountains, dividing the mainland from south to north. The East Coast features coastal plains, broad in the south and narrow in the north, with rolling foothills extending to the Appalachian mountains. West of the Appalachian Mountains lies the Central Plains, relatively flat, with the terrain rising west of the Mississippi River, leading to the expansive, featureless Great Plains in the central U.S. A road trip planner can help you map out these scenic routes effectively.

Scenic Overview

The vast U.S. landscape nurtures diverse natural wonders. From the warm beaches of the state of Florida to the icy regions of Alaska, and from the endless prairies of the Midwest to the towering Rocky Mountains, the U.S. is home to globally renowned sites like The Grand Canyon, one of the seven natural wonders of the world, and Yellowstone National Park, known as a unique natural wonderland. Additionally, the U.S. offers captivating cultural landmarks, including the Statue of Liberty, Universal Studios Hollywood, the Golden Gate Bridge, and the Empire State Building. Each destination is a great stop for your self-drive tours USA.

Cultural Customs

The U.S. is a highly inclusive immigrant nation, welcoming people of different colors, races, beliefs, and genders from around the world. This cultural diversity creates a vibrant melting pot. However, American customs differ significantly from those in China. During a self-drive trip, it's important to adapt to local customs. For example, most Americans are Christians and avoid the number "13" and "Friday." Tipping is customary in restaurants. Additionally, be cautious with political and religious topics, especially regarding racial issues.

2. Pre-Trip Tips

Car Rental Documents

- Main driver's original driver's license (held for at least one year; check age restrictions with the rental company).

- Original driver's license + notarized translation.

- Original driver's license + rental company translation.

- Original driver's license + translated copy.

- Original passport (must match the driver's license issuing country/region).

- International credit card in the driver's name (Mastercard/Visa, with a credit limit of at least $1,000; some companies accept debit cards but not for one-way rentals).

- Printed rental confirmation (provided by the booking platform).

- Auxiliary translation documents.

- Google Maps: A commonly used navigation app in the U.S., allowing route planning and real-time views.

- Roadtrippers: Ideal for long road trips, helping plan stops along the way.

- WiFi Map: Provides access to free WiFi, even without a phone signal.

- USA Rest Stops: Offers information on nearby rest areas and service plazas.

- GasBuddy: Provides real-time gas prices at over 150,000 stations nationwide.

- YELP: The largest review site in the U.S., useful for finding restaurants and accommodations.

- Credit Card: Ensure the main driver's international credit card (VISA or MASTER) has sufficient credit.

- Car Phone Mount: Necessary for hands-free phone use while driving.

- Child Seat: Required by U.S. law for children, available for reservation with the rental car.

Traffic Rules

- Drive on the right: The U.S. follows the drive on the right. All passengers must wear seat belts. Children must use appropriate car seats and those under 12 cannot sit in the front.

- Right of Way: Yield at "YIELD" signs and stop for at least 3 seconds at "STOP" signs.

- Overtaking: Use the left lane for overtaking. Do not overtake in the following situations:

- On the solid side of a double yellow line.

- When a school bus is ahead.

- When the vehicle in front slows or stops at a crosswalk.

- Traffic Lights: Right turns on red are allowed unless a "No turn on red" sign is present. Slow down at yellow lights to avoid rear-end collisions. In California, a flashing yellow arrow means the direction will soon be prohibited.

Common Signs

- Toll Roads: Most U.S. highways are free, with toll roads mainly in the east. Payment is primarily electronic, with some accepting cash or credit cards.

Fueling and Parking

- Gas prices vary by state. Both full-service and self-service stations are available, accepting cash and credit cards. For self-service, pump the gas, then pay inside.

- Parking is generally free outside major city centers. Display parking tickets on the dashboard. Avoid parking in disabled spots or near fire hydrants to avoid fines.

In conclusion, planning a self-driving tour in the USA offers endless possibilities. Each road trip provides an opportunity to explore diverse landscapes and cultures. Whether you're traveling through national parks or bustling cities, your adventure will be unforgettable. Don't forget to utilize a good road trip planner to enhance your journey!

3. Self-Drive Routes

California State Route 1

California’s Highway One, also known as the Pacific Coast Highway, connects San Francisco to Los Angeles, winding along the stunning western coastline. Its dreamlike coastal scenery makes it a "golden route" for self-drive enthusiasts planning a memorable road trip. Embark on a ten-day journey with this guide for an unforgettable self-driving tour!

San Francisco → Monterrey → Carmel → BigSur → Solvang → Santa Barbara → Malibu → Los Angeles

DAY 1: Pick up a car in San Francisco — Fisherman's Wharf — Palace of Fine Arts — Lombard Street — Golden Gate Bridge

DAY 2: Union Square — San Francisco City Hall — Twin Peaks

DAY 3: San Francisco — Monterey Bay — Old Fisherman's Wharf

DAY 4: Monterey Bay Aquarium — 17-Mile Drive — Carmel

DAY 5: Explore Carmel

DAY 6: Carmel — Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park — Solvang

DAY 7: Solvang — Santa Barbara

DAY 8: Santa Barbara County Courthouse — Santa Barbara Waterfront — Malibu Beach —Los Angeles

DAY 9: Beverly Hills — Getty Center — Santa Monica Beach

DAY 10: Universal Studios Hollywood — Griffith Observatory — Hollywood Walk of Fame

Total Distance: Approximately 840 miles

Recommended Duration: About 10 days

Suitable For: General public, cultural enthusiasts

Must-See Attractions

- Golden Gate Bridge:

A majestic symbol of San Francisco, spanning the bay like a sleeping dragon.

- Old Fisherman's Wharf:

California's first wharf, offering sea views, seafood, and a rich history.

- 17-Mile Drive:

A photographer's paradise with stunning coastal views.

A picturesque town with historic cottages, offering a poetic escape.

A Danish-style village with unique architecture and a fairy-tale atmosphere.

- Malibu Beach:

A beautiful beach near Hollywood, perfect for sunbathing and surfing.

- Universal Studios Hollywood:

A theme park and movie studio offering thrilling experiences.

West Coast Scenic Tour

The U.S. West Coast is a favorite among travelers. A self-drive trip is the best way to explore its epic landscapes and unique culture. Let's hit the road and enjoy the freedom of the West Coast breeze on your self-drive tours USA!

Los Angeles → Palm Springs → Arizona → Las Vegas → San Francisco → Santa Barbara →Los Angeles

DAY 1-2: Pick up a car in Los Angeles — Universal Studios Hollywood — Griffith Observatory — Hollywood Walk of Fame

DAY 3: Los Angeles — Desert Hills Premium Outlets — Grand Canyon National Park

DAY 4: Hermit Road — Desert View Drive

DAY 5: Grand Canyon — Antelope Canyon — Horseshoe Bend

DAY 6: Las Vegas Strip — Bellagio Fountains

DAY 7-8: San Francisco — Chinatown — Union Square — San Francisco City Hall — Twin Peaks

DAY 9-10: Fisherman'sWharf — Palace of Fine Arts — Lombard Street — Golden Gate Bridge

DAY 11: San Francisco — Santa Barbara

DAY 12: Santa Barbara — Disneyland Park

Total Distance: Approximately 1,900 kilometers

Recommended Duration: About 12 days

Suitable For: General public, nature and culture enthusiasts

- Griffith Observatory:

Offers panoramic views of Los Angeles and the universe.

- Grand Canyon National Park:

Features breathtaking cliffs and adventurous activities.

- Horseshoe Bend:

A magical view of the Colorado River encircling a red rock formation.

- Lombard Street:

Known for its winding path and vibrant flowers, challenging drivers' skills.

- Santa Barbara:

Offers sailing views, sea lions, and a relaxing atmosphere.

National Park Nature Tour

If you're tired of modern cities like New York and Los Angeles, consider a self-drive trip to America's national parks. These parks are treasures of natural, cultural, and historical heritage, offering a window into America's stunning landscapes. This route is perfect for those looking to plan a road trip that connects with nature and explore the best of self-drive tours USA.

Las Vegas → Arizona → State of Utah → State of Wyoming → Yellowstone National Park

DAY 1: Pick up a car in Las Vegas — Hoover Dam

DAY 2: Grand Canyon National Park

DAY 3: Antelope Canyon — Monument Valley

DAY 4: Goosenecks State Park

DAY 5: Canyonlands National Park

DAY 6: Arches National Park

DAY 7: Grand Teton National Park

DAY 8-10: Yellowstone National Park

Total Distance: Approximately 1,866 kilometers

Suitable For: Nature enthusiasts

- Antelope Canyon:

A world-famous slot canyon with mesmerizing light and shadow.

- Canyonlands National Park:

Known for its eroded sandstone towers and canyons.

- Arches National Park:

Home to thousands of natural sandstone arches, resembling a fantasy world.

- Yellowstone National Park:

Features diverse landscapes, including geothermal wonders like the Grand Prismatic Spring.

- SanFrancisco: Clam chowder, red wine oyster mushrooms

- CityofLosAngeles: Fried chicken waffles, burgers + beer

- New York: Buffalo wings, bagels, pastrami on rye, bacon egg cheese sandwich

- Boston: Clam chowder, Boston lobster, oysters, Boston cream pie, cod

- Las Vegas: Shrimp platter, buffet, cocktail shrimp

- Washington: Roast beef sandwich, roast chicken leg, cedar-smoked salmon

- Hawaii: Poke, fish salad, luau, hotcakes, ginger ale

- New Orleans: Shrimp gumbo, corn salad, red beans and rice

- Chicago: Jibarito sandwich, Chicago-style bacon, Chicago-style pizza

- Seattle: Seafood chowder, crab feast

- Orlando: Grilled sweet corn, Apalachicola oysters, backyard burger

This self-driving tour of the U.S. offers countless adventures, whether you’re along the stunning coastline or exploring the breathtaking national parks. Don't forget to use a road trip planner to optimize your routes and make the most of your journey with self-drive tours USA!

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September 27, 2024 news on Tropical Depression Helene

What we covered here

•  Helene roars through Southeast: Helene is now a tropical depression after  making landfall  in Florida as a Category 4 hurricane. There have been at least 45 storm-related deaths across five states, and more than 4.5 million are without power across the Southeast.

• Life-threatening flooding:  Multiple states have recorded more than a foot of rain , with numerous flash flood emergencies issued in the Southeast, including Atlanta .

•  Supercharged by climate change:  The storm’s intensity was fueled by warm waters  due to fossil fuel use . It was the strongest hurricane on record to slam into Florida’s Big Bend region.

•  In the path of Helene?  You can track Helene’s path with  CNN’s storm tracker. Bookmark  CNN’s lite site  for fast connectivity. Sigue  nuestra cobertura en vivo de la tormenta tropical en español.

Our live coverage of Tropical Depression Helene has ended. Follow the latest news or read through the posts below.

"They got us out at the precise moment": Police chief, CEO share harrowing experience evacuating hospital

About 64 people were rescued from the roof of a hospital in rural Tennessee Friday as water flooded the area, making it almost inescapable without the help of rescue helicopters.

“They got us out at the precise moment,” Erwin Police Chief Regan Tilson told CNN’s Kaitlan Collins Friday night.

Police were already at the scene trying to evacuate people from Unicoi County Hospital in Erwin, Tennessee, but within 15 to 20 minutes, the water rose to a level that made the roof the only means of escape, Tilson said.

Four helicopters from two state agencies landed on the rooftop to evacuate the remaining patients and hospital staff, which Tilson said was crucial, as he was anxious about how much time they had left.

“I’m not going to lie, it was very - not only chaotic but concerning that we weren’t be able to get anybody, much less the patients out,” he said. “And again, if not for those helicopters, I don’t know what would’ve happened.”

Alan Levine, Chairman and CEO of Ballad Health, was coordinating with the state’s emergency management team to getting people out of the hospital but kept facing issue after issue.

“Each of the steps of the plan, we found were failing,” Levine said. “We couldn’t get the boats in and out safely.”

Despite the hospital only being built five years ago, Levine was concerned about the building not being able to withstand the rushing water.

“There was a lot of praying but really today a lot of people worked together,” he said.

Read more about the rescue  here .

US Coast Guard swimmer who rescued a man and his dog: "It's what I joined to do"

A US Coast Guard swimmer, Ted Hudson, rescued a man and his dog from their house boat in the ocean off of Sanibel Island, Florida, during the hurricane as dangerous waves threatened their lives.

In footage of the dramatic rescue captured by Hudson’s helmet camera, he can be seen being hoisted down from a helicopter battling to stay still amid 60 mph winds, until he enters the water. He then swims through terrifying waves to reach the stranded man and his dog. They enter the water and swim toward Hudson, who assists them as they are airlifted into the helicopter.

The dog was nervous to enter the water at first, Hudson said, but eventually jumped in and swam toward him.

The video shows that after they were safely rescued, the man gave Hudson a high five and shook his hand.

“He just said thank you for saving his life,” Hudson said.

“It feels pretty good, it’s what I joined to do,” Hudson said, describing how it felt to save someone’s life. “I say it’s a privilege.”

Watch more:

More than 1,500 federal personnel mobilized to support communities affected by Helene, VP Harris says

The Biden administration has mobilized more than 1,500 federal personnel to support communities affected by Hurricane Helene, Vice President Kamala Harris told reporters while speaking at the southern border in Douglas, Arizona.

Harris said she and President Biden will “continue to monitor the situation closely.” She said the administration is preparing food, water and energy generators for deployment to communities and is working to restore power for “millions of people who are currently experiencing outages.”

The vice president stressed the storm continues to be “dangerous and deadly,” as the risk of flooding still remains high.

Helene disrupts Amtrak and delivery services in several states

Hurricane Helene is causing more disruption to travel and delivery services, beyond airline cancellations and delays.

Several Amtrak trains arriving or departing Florida and Georgia have been canceled, the company said . It includes trains between Washington, DC, and Savannah, Georgia, and between New York City and Jacksonville, Florida.

UPS announced it has suspended service to Florida, North Carolina and Georgia because of the storm.

FedEx also suspended or limited its service in five states, it said on its website. The company said it has activated it “contingency plans” to deliver in areas it can reach safely.

National and state parks ask hikers to reconsider their plans after Helene

After Hurricane Helene, a number of national and state parks in the Southeast are telling hikers and campers to rethink their weekend plans.

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is asking visitors to reschedule their trips, according to a Facebook post . The Smokies was the third most visited park last year, with more than 13 million visitors , according to National Park Service data.

Though the rain has slowed down Friday night, there are still a lot of road closures, including Cades Cove Loop and part of Newfound Gap Road — both popular routes. The Smokies received up to 9 inches of rain and historic flooding in some places, according to the park

In North Carolina, at least 14 state parks are completely closed due to Helene, the North Carolina Division of Parks and Recreation said.

A large part of the Blue Ridge Parkway is still closed, it said in a post, including now in parts of Virginia . It announced yesterday the entirety of the parkway in North Carolina was closed. But, the parkway urged people to “continue to stay off the Parkway (all uses) until it reopens.”

The  Blue Ridge Parkway  is a popular scenic route spanning more than 400 miles along the Appalachian Mountains. It passes through several states in addition to North Carolina, including Virginia and Tennessee.

Mammoth Cave National Park in Kentucky posted a photo on its Facebook page of workers clearing downed trees that fell across the road.

Helene leaves more than 4.5 million customers without power across 10 states

The remnants of Helene continued to disrupt electricity for several states across the eastern US on Friday evening, with approximately 4,527,072 customers without power, according to  PowerOutage.us .

Winds continue to gust 30 to 50 mph over the Ohio and Tennessee Valley regions Friday evening. More than 35 million people are under wind alerts heading into Saturday as the remnants of Helene continue to bring rain and gusty winds.

Here are the latest numbers from the states affected:

• South Carolina : 1,171,885
• Georgia : 883,600
• North Carolina : 831,208
• Florida : 663,884
• Ohio : 323,661
• Virginia : 223,263
• Kentucky : 197,870
• West Virginia : 88,379
• Tennessee : 82,442
• Indiana : 60,880

Florida governor says he thinks Hurricane Helene inflicted more damage than Hurricane Idalia

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said he thinks Hurricane Helene inflicted more damage than Hurricane Idalia in 2023, which at the time was the  strongest hurricane to make landfall in Florida’s Big Bend region in more than 125 years .

“We came from Perry and helicoptered over here, so we went along the coast … I can tell you that is way worse than Idalia.” DeSantis said. “You look at Keaton Beach, I mean I think almost every home was destroyed, or the vast majority, and some totally obliterated. It’s because they had such a massive surge that went in there.”

Officials think the storm surge might have been as high as 20 feet, he said.

Hurricane Helene made landfall near Perry, Florida, on Thursday night as a Category 4 with 140 mph sustained winds and higher gusts, according to the National Hurricane Center. Hurricane Idalia in August 2023  made landfall  as a Category 3 hurricane with sustained wind speeds of 125 mph.

At least 45 storm-related deaths reported in 5 states

There have now been at least 45 deaths in five states from Hurricane Helene.

Here’s what we know:

• South Carolina: A total of at least 19 deaths have been attributed to Helene, according to the South Carolina Department of Public Safety, including two firefighters who died in Saluda County, located about 43 miles west of Columbia, Gov. Henry McMaster said at a Friday news conference.
• Georgia: At least 15 people have died in the state, according to Garrison Douglas, a spokesperson for Gov. Brian Kemp.
• Florida: Officials are reporting eight deaths.
• North Carolina: Two deaths have been reported.
• Virginia: One person died in Craig County, Virginia, in a storm-related tree fall and building collapse, Gov. Glenn Youngkin said Friday.

19 storm-related deaths reported in South Carolina, officials say

At least 19 people have died in South Carolina related to storms attributed to Hurricane Helene, according to the South Carolina Department of Public Safety.

The coroner’s offices in each county provided details on each death, the SCDPS said:

• 2 deaths in Newberry County

• 2 deaths in Anderson County

• 2 deaths in Saluda County

• 4 deaths in Aiken County

• 5 deaths in Spartanburg County

• 4 deaths in Greenville County

Asheville, North Carolina, implements curfew starting Friday evening

A citywide curfew will be in effect for 12 hours in Asheville, North Carolina starting at 7:30 p.m. Friday, according to the city government.

“The curfew is to ensure the public’s safety and will be in effect until further notice,” the Asheville City Government said in a Facebook post .

North Carolina resident says families are trapped in their homes in her neighborhood

A woman who lives in North Carolina said she is “traumatized” by Hurricane Helene, which brought heavy rain and flooding to the Southeast after making landfall Thursday night.

“I witnessed at least one person busting out of their window,” Avery Dull, 20, told CNN. Dull is in Hendersonville, which is about about 25 miles outside of Asheville.

“In my 20 years of living in North Carolina, I never knew anything like this could happen here. I would say myself and most of my neighbors were extremely unprepared for this,” Dull said.

She said since she’s on the second floor, her apartment is OK.

“Luckily we were on high ground but those people lost everything,” Dull said. “Half of my neighborhood is underwater and dozens of families are trapped inside of their homes. Cars have been completely submerged and totaled, and power is out across the county.”

Health dangers of flooding and how to stay safe

Even after a hurricane’s immediate flooding threat goes away, residents could face a host of potential  health problems  from the water — and what it leaves behind.

Floodwater is more than just rain. It’s often contaminated with sewage, bacteria and chemicals. Sharp objects made of metal or glass can also hide in the murky water.

Here are some of the health dangers to be aware of:

Sickness from floodwater

Floodwater can carry disease. In the US, people who come into contact with contaminated floodwater or eat or drink something that has, could experience bouts of diarrhea and other stomach problems. Floodwater can contaminate drinking water, especially from private wells, the  US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said . Those wells need to be tested before using if they come into contact with floodwater.

For municipal water, state and local health departments will make recommendations about whether it needs to be boiled or treated before using.

Health-related cleanup challenges

Doctors often see more respiratory infections after floodwaters recede and people are allowed to return to their homes. Contamination from floodwaters and the mold that quickly grows in a warm environment like those in Florida or Georgia can exacerbate asthma or trigger allergies.

The CDC advises wearing rubber boots and gloves when cleaning up homes and avoiding direct contact with any item that has been in floodwater. Experts also recommend wearing a mask or respirator.

Risks from standing water

Floods typically flush out mosquitoes and interrupt their breeding cycle, but when the water recedes, there is an increased risk of infection with a mosquito-borne illness like West Nile or, as one  2019 study  showed, Zika.

The  CDC suggests  people who are working or living near standing water take extra care to use bug spray with DEET or picaridin. Wear long sleeves, pants and socks outdoors, even if it is warm, to prevent  mosquito bites .

Standing water can also be electrically charged due to fallen power lines that are submerged or those that are underground but still live. With this comes a risk of electrocution.

Click here to see the full list of health-related flood dangers and tips to stay safe.

At least 28 storm-related deaths reported across 5 states

At least 28 storm-related deaths have been reported across five states, including Florida, South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia and Virginia.

Two firefighters died in Saluda County, South Carolina, located about 43 miles west of Columbia, Gov. Henry McMaster said at a news conference Friday. Four others died in Anderson and Newberry, he said.

One person died in Craig County, Virginia, in a storm-related tree fall and building collapse, Gov. Glenn Youngkin said Friday.

Officials are reporting eight deaths in Florida, 11 in Georgia and two in North Carolina.

Power in Big Bend counties of Florida "all basically out," governor says

Power in Taylor County and the surrounding counties of the Big Bend area of Florida is “all basically out,” Gov. Ron DeSantis said during a briefing Friday.

The state will continue to assist in any help needed, he said.

1 person dies in Craig County, Virginia in storm-related tree fall, building collapse, gov says

One person has died in Craig County, Virginia, from a storm-related tree fall and building collapse, Gov. Glenn Youngkin said Friday.

“We lift up the family of this victim in our prayers,” the governor said at a news conference . Craig County is located just northwest of Roanoke.

A vast portion of the state is still under tornado watch, extending from central Virginia to the eastern border, the governor said. Swiftwater rescue teams are being deployed in Washington County, which is experiencing significant flooding, he added.

Youngkin urged residents to adhere to evacuation orders, saying: “Your life is too important.”

Helene is now a post-tropical cyclone — but catastrophic flooding continues

Helene is now a post-tropical cyclone with winds of 35 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center.

This change means that Helene no longer has an organized center of circulation and is losing its hurricane-like features.

But this change in designation doesn’t alter much of Helene’s overall threat going forward. Helene will continue to unleash heavy, flooding rainfall and gusty winds over hundreds of miles of the East tonight.

More than 1 million people in flash flood emergencies across Southern Appalachians

Approximately 1.1 million people are under at least 14 different flash flood emergencies, the highest level of flash flood warning issued by the National Weather Service that is reserved for catastrophic flooding that presents a severe threat to human life.

These flood warnings are located in the Southern Appalachians of Western North Carolina and adjacent parts of Tennessee, South Carolina and Virginia.

The flooding is the result of multiple days of extreme rainfall resulting from a combination of a slow-moving cold front and the passage of Hurricane Helene, which has brought widespread and record flooding to the region.

While the rain has largely ended over the area, rivers will continue to rise in some locations as the rainfall continues to flow into the rivers and streams.

Asheville residents describe “complete pandemonium” and concerns about water contamination

Two Asheville natives described “complete pandemonium” in their city after Hurricane Helene brought several feet of floodwater and pushed large debris into streets overnight.

Maxwell Kline and Samuel Hayes said they went downtown to see the damage Friday morning and described the River Arts District neighborhood as being inundated with oil-contaminated floodwaters, they told CNN’s Isabel Rosales. Several bourbon distilleries in the area are underwater, they said.

Hayes said he woke up with several calls from his employees telling him about fallen trees on their roofs, water pouring into their homes and mudslides. “Complete pandemonium around the city,” he added. “It’s going to take us a long time to clean this up. It’s really going to hurt our businesses as well.”

Kline and Hayes said they haven’t had power, internet or cell phone service for hours. “All the gas pumps are down. Can’t get anything right now – no food you can buy, no gas, nothing,” Kline said.

Asheville is a small, tightly knit community that will band together and rebuild their city, Kline added.

“There’s huge trash floating down the road. I mean, whisky barrels, oil barrels everywhere. Our groundwater is going to be very contaminated, I’m imagining. If you look at the water, you can see oil in it,” Hayes said.

Majority of people rescued from Tennessee hospital roof, official says

The majority of the people stranded on a Tennessee hospital roof on Friday have been rescued, the alderman of the town said.

Michael Baker, alderman of Erwin, Tennessee, where the hospital is located, told CNN that there are just “a handful” of people left on the roof of Unicoi County Hospital. Erwin is just over 40 miles north of Asheville, North Carolina.

The 54 people, including patients, were stranded after rapidly rising waters from Hurricane Helene made evacuation impossible Friday morning, Ballad Health said in an earlier statement.

“We’ve had a constant stream of helicopters picking them up and dropping them off into the city at safe places,” Baker said.

He added that he thinks most of those left on the roof are first responders.

“This time yesterday, you wouldn’t have been able to see straight to the hospital like we are now. There would have been trees and structures, but all of that is underwater, downstream now,” Baker said.

Florida’s Cedar Key is a “multifaceted mess” with no power or water, mayor says

The devastation in Cedar Key is so widespread it is not safe enough to allow residents or volunteers back into the small community off the Florida coast, city officials said.

“We’re concerned about water quality and all this debris. It’s just a multi, multifaceted mess,” said Cedar Key Mayor Sue Colson.

Many historical buildings and new homes have been destroyed, roads are blocked by downed wires and “extremely dangerous” debris, Colson said.

The town doesn’t have any sewage water or power, “so there’s really not a whole lot to be able to sustain people being here,” the mayor added.

“We want everybody to hold on so we can get them in,” Colson said.

Cedar Key is located on an island, about three miles out into the Gulf of Mexico, with only one road to access it. It’s located about 50 miles southwest of Gainesville, Florida.

Helene’s rainfall reaches hundreds of miles from its center

Helene’s rain has largely come to an end in some of the hardest-hit areas of the Southeast, but it’s still dumping plenty of rain elsewhere.

Rain feeding off Helene’s robust moisture spread into parts of the Midwest and Northeast this afternoon in addition to pouring down over the Tennessee and Mississippi valleys.

Steady rain is falling from New Jersey, through northern Ohio and into Indiana while storms capable of producing tornadoes continue to pound the mid-Atlantic coast.

Over 4.6 million customers in the path of the storm without power

Over 4.6 million customers in the path of Helene are without power Friday afternoon, according to PowerOutage.US, after the storm tracked from Florida north into Tennessee and Kentucky.

Here are the top outages by state as of 3:00 p.m. ET:

• South Carolina: 1,245,892
• Georgia: 941,430
• North Carolina: 904,000
• Florida: 829,984

More than 50 people stranded on roof of Tennessee hospital

More than 50 people are stranded on the roof of a Tennessee hospital on Friday after rising floodwaters from Hurricane Helene complicated evacuation efforts.

Ballad Health said it was notified Unicoi County Hospital, located in Erwin, Tennessee, needed to be evacuated at around 9:30 a.m. local time Friday. But because of flooding and high winds, ambulances and helicopters could not reach the building safely. Erwin is just over 40 miles north of Asheville.

A total of 54 people were moved to the roof, and seven others are in rescue boats, Ballad Health said in a statement . The hospital system said there were 11 patients included.

The hospital has since been “engulfed by extremely dangerous and rapidly moving water,” the statement said. Because of how quickly the water was rising around and inside the hospital, rescue boats were also not able to get people out safely.

Ballad Health said the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency and the National Guard are working on “a dangerous rescue operation.” Michael Baker, a town alderman, said several helicopters are currently attempting to get hospital patients and staff off the roof.

“There’s a helicopter on top of the hospital, and we have another one, hovering nearby to start to carousel getting everybody off, but this is a team effort,” Baker told CNN.

This post has been updated with additional details.

Rivers and streams across the South have reached flood stage

Multiple Southern states have seen heavy rainfall and devastating flooding since Helene inched closer to the US on Thursday.

National Hurricane Center "did an excellent job” with forecast, Florida’s emergency management director says

The director of Florida’s division of emergency management and Governor Ron DeSantis took the time Friday to praise the National Hurricane Center for its forecast of Hurricane Helene, which was predicted to be a major storm, impacting Florida’s Big Bend region, prior to the storm’s formation.

“They did an excellent job on getting this forecast. That has never been done in the history of the National Weather Service,” Florida Division of Emergency Management Director Kevin Guthrie said. “They [National Hurricane Center] were very bold. They made a move. They said it’s going to be a major. When all the models were kind of varying back and forth between one and four, they went ahead and made a decision - I applaud that decision.”

“That’s something that’s not easy (…) there had to be a lot of judgment calls on that, in terms of how they interpreted the data,” DeSantis said, noting that the forecast helped “provide people with an ability to plan.”

Watch: Water rescue in an Atlanta neighborhood

Helene drenched much of Georgia shortly after the entire region was soaked by torrential rain Wednesday. Over the course of 48 hours, parts of the Atlanta metro recorded double digit rainfall totals which quickly triggered life-threatening flooding.

The overwhelming rainfall prompted a rare flash flood emergency for Atlanta. Scenarios similar to the one below played out all over the area.

Nearly 4,000 National Guardsmen assisting in storm rescue efforts

Thousands of National Guardsman are conducting rescue efforts in Florida for Tropical Storm Helene, according to the Defense Department on Friday.

“Florida has nearly 3,900 guardsmen, 450 tactical vehicles, 13 rotary wing assets and six boats conducting emergency response missions in 21 counties around the state,” said Sabrina Singh, Pentagon deputy press secretary, at a briefing.

Singh said North Carolina has activated 358 guardsmen, while “Georgia has more than 300 guardsmen on orders, and Alabama has 43 guardsmen on orders and standing by.”

Singh said US Northern Command has “deployed a small team to Florida to be prepared to respond quickly to FEMA requests for assistance,” and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin approved requests from the Florida and Georgia National Guards for a “dual-status commander in each state.”

“A dual-status commander is a National Guard, regular Army or regular Air Force officer who is jointly managed by the commander of USNORTHCOM and the chief of the National Guard Bureau and is allowed by law to serve in federal and state statuses simultaneously,” Singh explained.

Florida's Keaton Beach community devastated by Helene

In Keaton Beach, Florida, a small, tight-knit community is picking up the pieces of their lives left behind by the ravages of Hurricane Helene.

The town’s Beach Bums gas station has collapsed. They were three days away from celebrating the five-year anniversary since Beach Bums’ opening, said owner Jared Hunt, who spent the morning helping residents look for personal belongings, salvaging what’s left.

“Man, I just lost my house. I have nowhere else to go,” Eric Church, a Keaton Beach resident, told CNN as he stood with his wife in front of the wreckage of what used to be their home. “My house is laying here in a pile. It was sitting right there. There are just pillars left in the ground. I got a wife and two dogs with me. What am I supposed to do?”

Church’s wife, Erin Peelar, said the couple had just purchased the home and expected some water from the hurricane, not for the house “to disappear.”

“The house has been here for 75 years and that’s the whole reason we bought it six months ago, having faith it would be here for another 75,” Peelar said.

“I’m just a lucky person at the end of the day. Lucky we didn’t stay because nobody would’ve made it through this. There were six, seven, eight homes in front of us – they’re all gone.”

"It's not rocket science": Climate scientist explains why hurricanes are getting stronger

The world is getting hotter and hurricanes are getting stronger, according to climate scientists.

Hurricane Helene hit the Florida as a Category 4 storm on Thursday night, destroying homes, knocking out power and bringing deadly flash flooding.

Stronger storms means stronger winds, which leads to more life-threatening storm surge and catastrophic flooding. After it makes landfall, the storm is still dangerous, thanks to that increased amount of moisture that allows it to continue to dump rain, Mann said.

Reversing this trend of stronger, more extreme weather is “going to be tough,” Mann said, because it all has to do with how much humans have warmed the Earth.

“That warmth is sort of baked in for the near future, we’re not going to cool the planet down in the absence of substantial new technology to suck (planet warming) carbon out of the atmosphere,” he said.

But, Mann said there are things we can do to prevent it from getting worse, including stopping carbon emissions from burning fossil fuels and transition to renewable energy “as rapidly as possible.”

Helene's winds continue to weaken

Helene’s winds are deteriorating as it tracks deeper inland over the eastern US, and the system is now a tropical depression with winds of 35 mph, down 10 mph from a few hours ago, according to the National Hurricane Center.

The loss in strength isn’t translating to fewer impacts though as the system continues to produce historic rainfall and catastrophic flooding.

All roads in western North Carolina should be considered closed, says state DOT

“All roads in Western NC should be considered closed,” a post on X from the North Carolina Department of Transportation warned on Friday.

Tropical Storm Helene has left a trail of destruction across North Carolina, with 290 roads currently closed throughout the state. Gov. Roy Cooper said the state department of transportation is shutting down even more roadways as severe flooding, landslides and washed-out roads pose serious threats to public safety.

“The DOT is advising North Carolinians in western North Carolina, particularly, to seek higher ground and shelter in place,” North Carolina Emergency Management Director Will Ray said at news conference Friday morning.

WATCH: Aerial footage shows damage in Cedar Key and Steinhatchee, Florida

Aerial footage shows the aftermath of Hurricane Helene in Cedar Key and Steinhatchee, Florida.

Some houses in Cedar Key appear to be destroyed , with debris littering the streets. The overhead drone view shows how Helene flattened some buildings in the area.

In Steinhatchee, the footage shows houses moved by the power of Helene.

See the video:

"The whole side of the mountain started sliding": Helene triggers North Carolina landslide

Shattered glass, rocks and mud covered Kelly and Alan Keffer’s car after a landslide triggered by Helene came crashing down onto Interstate 40 as they were driving through Black Mountain, North Carolina.

“My husband happened to see something from the corner of his eye and then we started to hear things pounding on top of the car, so he stepped on the gas,” Kelly Keffer said.

“The whole side of the mountain started sliding,” Alan Keffer said. “It was on the other side of the interstate, so I thought we were going to be able to speed up and get out of there so I hit the gas, but it slid faster than I thought.

The entire ordeal lasted less than a minute, they said.

“When I looked around, I realized that the glass for the back window was completely shattered and there was mud everywhere,” Kelly said.

Helene death toll rises to 25 after 2 more deaths reported in South Carolina

Two people died — and four more were injured — in Newberry County, South Carolina, as a result of Hurricane Helene, the county sheriff told CNN Friday afternoon.

There are now 25 storm-related deaths confirmed in four states.

Newberry County Sheriff Lee Foster did not immediately provide additional details about the circumstances of the deaths and injuries.

Newberry County is located about 40 miles northwest of the state capital, Columbia.

FEMA warns many deaths and injuries happen after storms pass

Keith Turi, acting director of response and recovery at the Federal Emergency Management Agency, warned residents of the dangers remaining after Helene.

“There’s a range of reasons why people think that as the storm passes, the hazards will decrease. It’s not necessarily true,” Turi told CNN.

“There are a lot of dangers in those floodwaters, things you can see and sometimes things you can’t see that are going under the surface, and so really you need to stay out of those floodwaters. Make sure you get to a safe place,” he added.

The FEMA official said downed power lines and even operating a generator can pose risks.

This is one of the worst storms in modern history for parts of North Carolina, governor says

Western parts of North Carolina are seeing heavy rains Friday coupled with tropical storm-force winds bordering on hurricane-strength levels, Gov. Roy Cooper said.

The state is seeing life-threatening flash flooding, numerous landslides and power outages. There are at least 290 road closures throughout the state and more than 800,000 customers without power, according to  PowerOutage.us as of Friday midday.

Cooper noted there have been two storm-related deaths and said his office is aware of more than 100 swift water rescues since the beginning of the storm. He warned there may likely be more in the coming days.

People are trapped in flooded structures in Georgia

At least 115 structures in the south Georgia city of Valdosta were heavily damaged by Helene, Gov. Brian Kemp said Friday, and rescues are underway.

“We know there are multiple people trapped inside,” he said.

North Carolina records nearly 30 inches of rain in 48 hours

Updated preliminary rainfall totals from the Weather Prediction Center show exactly why western North Carolina is dealing with life-threatening flooding.

From Wednesday morning to Friday morning, more than two feet of rain fell in the state’s mountainous region. One observation on Busick totaled 29.58 inches in just 48 hours. That’s about six times the normal amount of rainfall for all of September in the area.

More than a foot of rain has fallen in at least three other states: Florida, Georgia and South Carolina.

23 dead in 4 states due to Helene, authorities say

At least 23 Helene-related deaths have been reported across four states, authorities have said. They include:

8 people in Florida - A fallen tree  killed someone in a home in the Big Bend’s Dixie County. - A fallen sign  hit a car being driven on Interstate 4 near Tampa’s Ybor City neighborhood. - Drowning  accounted for at least two of these five deaths in Pinellas County near Tampa: two in Treasure Island, two in Indian Rocks Beach and one in Dunedin. -Water had gotten into the home of a woman in her late 70s found dead in Tampa.

11 people in Georgia

- A tornado  killed two in Alamo, southeast of Macon. -Nine others have died in the storm.

2 people in South Carolina

- Fallen trees  killed  residents  in their homes in Anderson County in northwest part of the state.

2 people in North Carolina

- A car wreck  on a storm-slick road left a 4-year-old girl dead in Claremont, north of the capital city of Charlotte. - A fallen tree  left someone dead at home in Charlotte.

FEMA and Red Cross outline efforts to help those affected by Helene

Overnight, the Red Cross assisted at least 9,400 evacuees across 143 shelters from Florida through North Carolina, the organization’s Vice President of Disaster Programs Jennifer Pipa said in a Friday news conference with the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Officials from the National Weather Service, US Coast Guard, the Department of Energy, Urban Search and Rescue, US Army Corps of Engineers, and the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response also provided updates on Helene’s impacts, sharing their efforts while urging people to stay safe.

The United States Coast Guard said it saved and assisted nine people, but more calls are ongoing.

There are about 4.4 million power outages due to Helene’s wrath, mostly in Florida, Georgia and South Carolina, according to Ken Buell, the deputy director for response and restoration at the US Department of Energy’s Office of Cybersecurity, Energy Security and Emergency Response said. Those numbers are expected to fluctuate throughout the next few days, he added.

South Carolina reports second storm-related death after tree falls on house

Another person in Anderson, South Carolina, died Friday morning in a second fatality attributed to severe weather conditions from Tropical Storm Helene in the state.

The victim died after a tree fell on a home, according to the Anderson County Coroner’s office.

Spokesperson Alyssa Whitfield said the coroner’s office was en route to the second death involving a tree falling onto a residence. Details about the victim were not immediately available.

This is the second reported storm fatality in the state of South Carolina. At least 23 Helene-related deaths have been reported across four states.

Floodwaters continue rising and carrying heavy debris in Asheville

Within hours, floodwaters have gone up several feet in Asheville, North Carolina, inundating cars and pushing large debris through the city, as seen by CNN’s Isabel Rosales.

“With this particular type of flooding, what makes it so tricky is that even when the rain has gone away, as we’re seeing right now, it has really eased up, this flooding is just going to get worse and worse, because all of this water has to go somewhere,” Rosales said.

About 10 miles from the city center, the Swannanoa River has surged to major flood stage. The river, which is normally about 2 to 4 feet deep, surpassed 20 feet on Friday and reached a new record today.

“We could see that the storm drainage system was taken ahead, clearly, overwhelmed by all of this water,” Rosales said, adding the situation will continue to get worse.

In pictures: Hurricane Helene unleashes its fury

Hurricane Helene made landfall Thursday night in Florida’s Big Bend as a Category 4 storm. The storm continued to batter the Southeast, bringing more than a foot of rain, which has caused life-threatening flooding.

Here are some photos of the storm and its aftermath.

See more photos here .

WATCH: Incredible flooding in Atlanta neighborhood

Hurricane Helene flooded parts of Atlanta with torrential rain Friday morning.

The Atlantic is the most active it’s been in more than a year

Helene isn’t the only storm the Atlantic basin has fueled in recent days.

Hurricane Isaac is chugging along in the north Atlantic, and Tropical Storm Joyce formed this morning in the tropical Atlantic. Neither Isaac nor Joyce is expected to directly impact land.

Today marks the first time all season that three named systems are active simultaneously in the basin. The last time this happened was August 31, 2023, when Franklin, Idalia and Jose were active, according to hurricane expert Phil Klotzbach .

Initial forecasts for this year’s hurricane season were aggressive as all metrics pointed to a busy year. But a period of calm during what’s typically the busiest part of the season sent experts looking for answers.

Pinellas County sheriff likens barrier island roadways to a "war zone," with sand piled up 4 to 5 feet high

Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri said the conditions along Gulf Boulevard, a 15-mile-long road running the length of the county’s barrier islands, are like “a war zone” following the impacts of Hurricane Helene.

“I can’t think of a time, ever, that Pinellas County has experienced the surge that we experienced last night, and into the early morning hours. The areas of Gulf Boulevard have never, ever looked like this before,” the sheriff said, describing the roadway as “impassible” and “dangerous.”

While a lot of water has dissipated, the sheriff said around 12 to 15 areas in the county remain barricaded because water is still on the roadway.

Barrier island roads in the county are impassable, with mounds of sand piled up similar to “snowbanks,” Gualtieri said.

“You cannot see the ground. (…) You really need a big plow to get it off the roadway,” he said. “Some of that sand out there is probably as much as four and five feet high.”

Biden urges people to "take every precaution" to keep safe in the wake of Helene

President Joe Biden is urging those affected by Tropical Storm Helene to “take every precaution to keep themselves and their families safe” in the wake of the storm, he said in a post on social media.

“Last night, Hurricane Helene made landfall as a Category 4 storm. I’ve approved emergency requests in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, North Carolina, and South Carolina, and deployed 1,500 response personnel – my Administration stands ready to provide more support as needed,” Biden  wrote on social  media.

The president was briefed Friday morning on the initial impacts of Helene, the White House said in a statement.

Vice President Kamala Harris was also briefed Friday, a White House official said.

Deanne Criswell, administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, will travel to Florida to “survey the damage and meet with state and local officials,” the White House added.

Failure is "imminent" for a North Carolina dam

Multiple rounds of overwhelming, torrential rainfall are pushing the Lake Lure Dam – located about 20 miles southwest of Asheville – to its literal breaking point.

“RESIDENTS BELOW THE LAKE LURE DAM NEED TO EVACUATE TO HIGHER GROUND IMMEDIATELY!! DAM FAILURE IMMINIENT!! (sic) EVACUATE TO HIGHER GROUND IMMEDIATELY!!” the Rutherford County Department of Emergency Management warned Friday.

The county reported that “catastrophic flows” along the Broad River into Lake Lure are “overtopping” Lake Lure Dam, pushing the dam into “imminent failure,” according to the National Weather Service.

A flash flood emergency is in effect for the area where close to a foot of rain has fallen in the last 24 hours.

A feel for what it was like in Helene's powerful eyewall

NOAA Hurricane Hunters shared video from last night’s evening flight through Helene as the storm was strengthening before landfall.

This is how survey teams in Atlanta are measuring the severity of flooding

Members of the United States Geological Survey are measuring the velocity and depth of water in metro Atlanta creeks to understand the severity of the flooding due to Helene.

Using their Doppler boat, the USGS is building a flood stage map with the Army Corps of Engineers to see how the flooding is impacting the community.

Between 6 and 10 inches of torrential rain has already fallen in Atlanta, and more is coming.

A flash flood emergency has been issued for the Atlanta area — including Midtown, College Park, Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, Forest Park, Riverdale and Jonesboro — until 1 p.m. ET.

A  flash flood  emergency is the most severe flood alert the National Weather Service can use, and it indicates a life-threatening situation.

"They called for help, and we couldn't help," Pinellas County sheriff says as he reports 5 fatalities

Pinellas County is reporting five storm-related fatalities Friday morning, two in Treasure Island, two in Indian Rocks Beach, and one in Dunedin, according to Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri.

“Not everybody evacuated, and unfortunately, they called for help, and we couldn’t help a lot of the people who called as those conditions got very bad last night, and it was inaccessible,” Gualtieri said.

First responders continue going door-to-door Friday morning to locations where calls for help originated, the sheriff said, adding, “I have no idea whether that death toll will increase, but it’s possible.”

For at least two of the deaths, “it’s clear it’s a drowning,” Gualtieri said, while the others are still under investigation, but all are considered storm related fatalities.

“It’s hard, but we will continue to recover as a community, and we will do everything in our power to continue restoration efforts for our residents,” Pinellas County Emergency Management Director Cathie Perkins said, holding back tears.

How you can help those affected by Helene

Millions across the southeastern United States are reeling after Hurricane Helene roared ashore overnight. Helene made  landfall  on Florida’s Big Bend as a Category 4 hurricane — the strongest on record to strike the area.

As one of the  largest  storms the Gulf of Mexico has seen in the last century, Helene’s effects are widespread, bringing catastrophic flooding, damaging winds, and life-threatening conditions even hundreds of miles inland.

Here’s how you can help those affected by Helene .

Helene's winds are weakening but its impacts aren't

Wind speeds are dropping in Tropical Storm Helene as it tracks through the southern Appalachians, according to the National Hurricane Center.

But it is still wreaking havoc in the Southeast, mid-Atlantic and Tennessee Valley with flooding rainfall. Rare flash flood emergencies are active in multiple states.

Helene now has sustained winds of 45 mph, down from 60 mph earlier this morning. Winds in the storm will continue to weaken and may become a tropical depression or a post-tropical cyclone later today.

A risky drive after an overnight shift in Georgia ends in chest-deep water on a stranger's back

Angelina Madut knew driving home from her overnight shift at a suburban Atlanta bakery was a risk.

The warnings about Helene’s potential to flood neighborhoods and topple trees had been in play for hours. But like anyone who couldn’t take the financial hit of missing a day of work because of the storm, Madut got in her car.

She had to get home from work.

At the same time early Friday, a news crew had set up in the city’s Buckhead neighborhood — not far from Peachtree Creek — to report on whatever damage Helene had in store.

As Madut navigated before dawn into the city — and onto that same street — she didn’t realize how much water had pooled in front of her on the road.

Soon, her car lost traction.

And then, it started to float.

She called her husband, Ernest.

“You need to, if you can, reverse the car,” he told her. “You need to just open the window and get on the roof of the car and see whether you can be seen by anybody.”

“In the meantime,” he said, “I need to call 911.”

Ernest Madut hung up and called the emergency number to report where someone — anyone — could find his stranded wife, he later told CNN.

Then, he called her back.

Angelina Madut by that time had noticed people in a vehicle nearby — the journalists, including former HLN meteorologist  Bob Van Dillen .

“OK, can you roll down the window?” Ernest asked his wife.

But when she did, the water came in, her husband later recalled.

Angelina panicked.

“Wave at them!” he screamed.

Van Dillen spotted her.

And jumped into action.

The veteran newsman rushed into a flood as deep as his chest and pulled Madut from her white sedan — and onto his own back.

Then, with Madut’s hands clasped together around his chest, Van Dillen began trudging up Sagamore Drive, Madut leaning off his left side, video from Fox Weather shows. With each step, her soaked black and white shirt and jeans emerged at the surface.

“She was cold. I gave her my shirt,” Van Dillen told his colleagues, according to the video. “Her husband’s gonna pick her up, and the fire truck came. They’re good. Everyone’s good.”

After daybreak, Madut’s car still sat in the brown flood, only its roof and the top inches of its windows visible.

As far as she’s concerned, a shaken Madut told CNN, Van Dillen saved her life.

Later, after her husband arrived, Van Dillen advised him not to drive toward the overtopped creek, to go another way instead.

As for Madut, her hero offered this: “You can keep the shirt,” he said of the bright red top. “Keep it. It’s all yours.”

Aerial footage shows "extensive damage" to Tampa neighborhood, mayor says

Heavy flooding and extensive damage show a clearer picture of the devastation from Helene in the Davis Islands neighborhood of Tampa Friday morning. Tampa Mayor Jane Castor surveyed the aftermath, as seen in this aerial footage.

Over 1.2 million Florida customers without power, counties in the "immediate path of the storm" hit hardest

Five classic concept albums that will take you on a sonic road-trip across America

Head of Division, School of Business and Creative Industries, University of the West of Scotland

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David Scott does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

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The concept album is often viewed as an art form that is primarily focused on lyrical storytelling. But in these five key records, musical ambition, performance and production combine to take the listener on a road-trip through America.

1. Gunfighter Ballads and Trail Songs by Marty Robbins (1959)

Gunfighter Ballads and Trail Songs, by Marty Robbins, has rightly been lauded as one of the most important artworks of the 20th century – indeed it was preserved in the Library of Congress in 2017 .

The thematic album transports the listener into a mythical west. Each song tells its own story, but there is a distinct unity of characterisation. The tearful convict awaiting death in They’re Hanging Me Tonight might well be an alter ego of the desert rider, hallucinating and desperate in Cool Water . Or even the ebullient narrator celebrating his own American dream in A Hundred and Sixty Acres .

The album’s arrangements are mostly simple and stripped back, allowing Robbins’ extraordinary vocal performances and expressive backing vocal arrangements to fly. This reaches a stylistic peak in his greatest song, the white-knuckle ride of El Paso, wherein our protagonist willingly throws himself into a living hell.

2. Smile by Brian Wilson (2004)

The Beach Boys released 15 studio albums in the 1960s. Their voluminous output represented one of the most supercharged evolutions in contemporary music – fired by the imagination, energy and ambition of Brian Wilson.

In 1965, in partnership with lyricist Mike Love, Wilson was extolling the virtues of California girls . Just a few months later, he was creating the mature, introspective humanity of Pet Sounds with collaborator Tony Asher. From there Wilson engaged lyricist Van Dyke Parks to help him realise an “American gothic trip” . Smile describes a journey across the country on the “ribbon of concrete” , or along the railroad with the early settlers.

One key track on Smile, Heroes and Villains, took its narrative cue directly from Marty Robbins’ El Paso. But others – Cabin Essence and Surf’s Up – painted a new old west and still feel revolutionary today. However, the album became most famous for being left unfinished for 34 years, with snippets appearing piecemeal before its completion as a new recording by Brian Wilson in 2004.

Van Dyke Park’s lyrics remain intriguing and unique. But I’d argue the real conceptual unity of Smile comes from its musical design. This is an album about American music as much as it is about America. It’s a kaleidoscope of Gershwin, Ives, Bernstein and goofy doo-wop, scaffolded by unexpected and rich textural juxtapositions (double bass, banjo and backing vocals going “boing boing” anyone?). And, of course, there’s the peerless vocal performances of The Beach Boys.

3. The Delta Sweete by Bobbie Gentry (1968)

Bobbie Gentry’s The Delta Sweete is another concept album that looks at both America (in this case the Mississippi Delta) and American music.

Gentry first found fame with Ode to Billie Joe , a narrative ballad that became a major hit single. In The Delta Sweete, Gentry blended her own distinctive vignettes of southern life with skilfully curated covers of classics, like Mose Allison’s Parchman Farm .

In Reunion , Gentry invites listeners into the front parlour of an alternately loving and warring southern family. She illustrates the scene by interweaving dialogue, vocal chants and rhythmic solo cello. Elsewhere we meet the swaggering, comedic Okolona River Bottom Band and experience a southern gothic nightmare in Refractions .

The sense of journey is enhanced by a series of orchestral pieces that link each of the 12 tracks. So when we finally alight on the solitude of the closing track, Courtyard , there is a feeling of coming home.

The ambition of The Delta Sweete was not met with commercial success, but Gentry never quite gave up the conceptual flame. Her follow up – Local Gentry , in 1968 – shared some of the same approach to musical portraiture. And in her final studio album, Patchwork (1971), she returned to a series of vignettes with orchestral links. All make for essential listening.

4. What’s Going On by Marvin Gaye (1971)

From a journey across America, to a journey across the Mississippi Delta, we turn now to the streets of 1971 inner-city America, via Marvin Gaye’s masterly record, What’s Going On.

This album represented a clear shift in Gaye’s artistic voice towards commentary, question and critique, against the will of Motown Records boss Berry Gordy resulting in a standoff during which Gaye threatened never to record for the label again. What’s Going On is perhaps most famous for its engagement with the social and political issues of the day, but the ambition of the music, performance and sound stand up thrillingly, 55 years after its release.

Motown Records house arranger David Van De Pitte set congas and guiros against sweeping orchestral arrangements, glockenspiel, choirs and jazz influences. The juxtaposition of tempo and feel created by transitions between the tracks hold you there as listener, walking around Gaye’s landscape, and seeing it through his eyes.

The key sound of What’s Going On though – and the element that most solidifies its status as a conceptual album – is the approach taken with the vocals. Different takes of the same song overlap, and different ad libs collide and diverge as choral passages peek out from the background. These are the voices talking to Gaye during his walk through the inner city of What’s Going On.

5. Cowboy Carter by Beyoncé (2024)

Cowboy Carter’s conceptual birth sprang from the artist’s performance at the 2016 Country Association Awards , where prejudiced questions were raised (in the room and online) about Beyonce’s legitimacy and place in the context of a country music performance. Her ultimate response was this detailed exploration, celebration and critique that gets under the skin of American music itself. Beyoncé creates a searing and detailed a commentary on, and road-map to, American music.

Read more: The genius of Cowboy Carter is Beyoncé's accent – a musicologist explains

Big questions around the origin and evolution of genre are asked via the medium of a Jolene cover , use of the banjo, impressionistic music arrangements and flights of performative imagination.

There are spoken inserts (from Linda Martell , Willie Nelson and Dolly Parton ) and striking musical juxtapositions. Like other albums on this list, Cowboy Carter’s conceptual veracity springs as much from this kaleidoscopic approach to sound as from the central narrative at its heart.

In this collage we hear new songs, interpretations of classic songs and quotes from American classics, including one from The Beach Boys’ Smile – Good Vibrations .

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