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20 Best RV Trip Planners in 2024: Perfect RV Trip Planning Tools for Road Trip Adventures

• Last Updated: March 5, 2024
• 13 minutes read

Going on an RV adventure is both thrilling and demanding, requiring meticulous preparation to ensure a seamless journey.

Central to this preparation is choosing the best RV trip planners .

Having tested over 30 different RV trip planning tools firsthand, I’ve navigated my way through countless routes, campsites, and destinations to find the most reliable and user-friendly options that cater to the unique needs of RV travelers.

In my search for efficient planning tools, I found that RV Trip Wizard stands out as the best overall for its comprehensive features that cater to all aspects of RV travel planning, including route planning, campsite reviews, and essential stopovers, making planning an RV trip in 2024 a breeze.

This level of in-depth exploration and testing has equipped me with the knowledge to confidently guide others in their RV travel preparations.

Based on my experience, the top RV trip planning tools are:

• RV Trip Wizard : Best overall for comprehensive RV trip planning
• CoPilot RV : Optimal for detailed route planning
• Google Maps : Great for familiar interface and real-time updates
• RoadTrippers : Excellent for discovering unique roadside attractions
• RV Parky : Top choice for free campground and parking lot finds
• The Dyrt : Ideal for comprehensive campground reviews and tips
• Free Campsites : Best free RV route planner for boondocking
• HipCamp : Superior for finding private and unique camping spots
• Campendium : Great for detailed campground info and RV park reviews
• iOverlander : Top for international RV travel planning
• Harvest Hosts : Best for unique overnight stays at wineries and farms
• Oh, Ranger! : Ideal for U.S. national and state park information
• AllTrails : Excellent for hiking trail explorations
• Spotify : Must-have for road trip entertainment
• Libby : Top for free access to books and audiobooks
• Drive.fm : Great for hands-free guided tours
• GasBuddy : Essential for finding the best gas prices nearby
• MyRadar : Ideal for weather predictions on the go
• American Red Cross : Must-have for emergency preparedness resources
• Outdoorsy : Best for RV and gear rentals

Best RV Trip Planner Apps

A good plan can help you save money, relax, and stay organized, so you can see and do more.

Below are the two best RV Road Trip Planner apps on the market for Planning the Perfect RV Trip Route:

1. RV Trip Wizard (iOS, Android, Web Browser) (PAID)

If you’re looking for the best RV trip planner app on the market look no further.

RV Trip Wizard is a versatile and user-friendly that offers a more expansive and diverse list of campgrounds and points of interests than it’s closest competitor CoPilot RV. 

If you don’t believe me, just check out these useful features, including:

It’s a web-based program. No installation required so you can use it on any device with access to the web. 

No internet, no problem! Download your trip onto a device and use it offline.

A stream-lined, interactive map helps users plot the safest route for their RV’s exact class and size.

No stop limit. Users can select as many stops as they want along their route, from a database of over 20,000 campsites and 57,000 points of interest.

Save money. The programs money tracking tool will help you keep track of expenditures and better budget your trip.

But that’s not all! RV Trip Wizard recently teamed up with the RV LIFE GPS & Campgrounds app to provide it’s users with safe, RV-relevant navigation. All you need is a mobile phone, or other GPS enabled device.

Then you just download the RV LIFE GPS & Campgrounds app from the app store (Android or iOS), sign in using the same credentials as RV Trip Wizard, and voila!

Now you can enjoy the app’s full premium features while also being able to navigate any of the trips you saved in RV Trip Wizard.

You can try RV Trip Wizard out with a 7-day free trial, or buy it for $49.99/year . 

2. CoPilot RV (iOS, Android) (PAID)

CoPilot RV is a cheaper and slightly lower quality RV Trip Planner than it’s competitor, RV Trip Wizard.

It lacks RV Trip Wizard’s versatility and range of options, but it’s still miles ahead of the free options.

For those of you looking for a cheaper, but still more than adequate RV Trip Planner app this is the app for you.

It provides all the useful features you’ll need, including:

Reliable offline navigation. Now you won’t lose your route when you lose your connection.

Finds safe routes for any RV. It does so by calculating your route according to your vehicle’s height, class, and weight

Save gas money. It allows you to choose up to 50 stops and gives you the best route so you can avoid road closure, traffic, and backtracking. 

Safe navigator with RVs in mind. It alerts you about complex intersections and helps you to avoid low bridges and tunnels with propane restrictions. 

An in-app search bar will help you find campgrounds, gas stations, hotels, restaurants and more near you

One strength that CoPilot RV has that RV Trip Wizard does not, is it’s one-stop shop app.

Unlike RV Trip Wizard you do not need to download two separate apps to plan and navigate your trip. It all comes together in one app. 

Try it out for a 14-day free trial . If you like it you can subscribe to CoPilot RV for an affordable $29.99/year .

Best Free RV Trip Route Planning Tools

These apps aren’t RV specific, but unlike RV Trip Wizard and CoPilot RV they’re free.

Those of you that don’t mind putting in a little extra work to save some cash will find these trip planning apps helpful. Check them out:

3. Google Maps (iOS, Android, Web Browser)

They may never let me into an Apple store again for saying this, but, Google Maps is superior to Apple Maps. 

It allows for offline use, let’s you plan longer trips by selecting multiple stops along your route, and gives you the option to save trips to your home-screen.

Furthermore, it’ll show you live traffic updates, speed traps, and even gas prices. 

4. RoadTrippers(iOS, Android, Web Browser)

This app makes planning your next road trip easy. I mean, come on, it’s in the name people! Don’t believe me? Well, RoadTrippers’s interactive map let’s you plot your trip with ease.

It even calculates your trip’s overall driving time and estimates your gas cost based on your vehicle’s MPG.

As if all of that wasn’t enough, it also helps you locate nearby accommodations, attractions, and restaurants along your route.

Plan Your Accommodations

States differ greatly in their laws and restriction regarding RVs. Some are relaxed, while others, will not even let you park your rig on the side of the road.

Needless to say, you’re going to need to find places to stay along your way.

I’ve divided this section into, “Just RV Parks”, “Just Boondocking and Camping”, and “All the Above—RV Parks, Camping, and Boondocking” to help you find the tool that best fits your needs.

5. RV Parky (iOS, Android, Web Browser) (FREE)

I use this app ALL the time. RV Parky interactive map provides you with over 25,000 options for places to park overnight.

Each RV Park listing provides all the necessary information for amenities and cell service as well as user reviews.

Even better, it will also assist you in locating those elusive overnight parking lots, like the ones you find at places like Cracker Barrel and Walmart as well as overnight rest stops.

6. The Dyrt (iOS, Android, Web Browser) (FREE)

The Dyrt app allows you to find outdoor accommodations across the United States, whether you’re in a tent, trailer, RV, or cabin.

It provides millions of listings, reviews, prices, and tips from other campers who have already visited. If boondocking is your game, The Dyrt is the name.

7. Free Campsites (Web Browser) (FREE)

Gotta love simplicity. And that’s exactly what Free Campsites provides. The site allows you to plan a travel route through their ‘trip planner’ option.

Not only will it provide text directions, but it’ll also show you any and all campsites along the way (free, or otherwise).

Unfortunately, there’s no app for this tool yet, but it’s easily accessible through most web browsers. 

8. HipCamp (iOS, Android, Web Browser)

If there was one accommodation app to rule them all, HipCamp would be it. It allows you to search for campsites and RV parks all over the United States.

Tired of your RV? They have you covered on that as well. The app provides options for cabins, and even treehouses!   

RVs and Campgrounds (Android / iOS) (FREE)

RVs and Campgrounds (Android / iOS) is as straight forward as it’s name. You can search for RV Parks and Campground across North America.

Like many of the other options in this article, each listing includes user reviews of these accommodations so you know what you’re getting into before you get there.

Unfortunately, there’s no web browser version, so you’ll need your phone for this app. 

9. Campendium (iOS, Android, Web Browser) (FREE)

Campendium is the prettier, more user-friendly version of Free Campsites. It also provides you with more options than just campsites.

You can use filters to locate any, and every, type of outdoor accommodation.

It provides a plethora of useful information for RV-ers as well, including: last paid price, longest RV reported at site, and clearance access information.

And while it doesn’t have an app yet, you can add the Campendium’s icon to your phone’s home screen by following these helpful instructions (iOS / Android).

10. iOverlander (iOS, Android, Web Browser) (FREE)

“There can only be one!”

Oh wait, that’s Highlander. But seriously if you’re going to plan an RV trip with only one app, iOverlander is the one.

It’ll help you find water and propane refill stations, dump stations, mechanics, boondock sites, RV parks, showers, and more.

Best part? The app covers a 100+ countries so you can use it almost anywhere in the world. 

11. Harvest Hosts (iOS, Android, Web Browser) (PAID)

With Harvest Hosts you can kill two birds, with one stone. Sorry, proverbial birds.

This app requires that you pay $79.99/year, but connects you to over 1500 host, ranging from museums, breweries, wineries, gift shops, and farms.

Most of these hosts only require you to buy one of their products as payment for staying on their property overnight. 

So, you can buy a souvenir for your dear grandma AND pay for a place to stay while doing it. 

Love golfing? Well, Harvest Hosts does too. You can pay $119/year and expand that normal subscription to include their hosts’ golf courses. Waking up to a round of golf, means money well spent. 

Be sure to ask about their amenities before deciding on which host you want to use. Some hosts provide full hook-ups, while others provide no amenities at all

Plan Things to Do in the Great Outdoors

RV’s and the Outdoors go together like roads and maps. Once you get to your campsite, you’ll probably want to explore nature, do some fishing, or find a good hiking trail. These are the best apps for doing just that.

12. Oh, Ranger! (iOS, Android, Web Browser) (FREE)

Oh, Ranger! app is like having a little park ranger in your pocket (without the kidnapping charges!).

Not only will it help you find National Parks, State Parks, and BLM land near you, but it also provides maps, activities, and other information specific to that park.

Not only can you use it to plan where you want to camp, but also what you want to do and what you want to see. 

13. AllTrails (iOS, Android, Web Browser)

There’s no better way to experience the Outdoors like a good hiking trail. But how do you know which trails are the best for you? Download AllTrails.

You can use the app to browse over 50,000 trails across North America. Find the ones that best suit your interests by using the interactive map and helpful filters. 

Entertainment Apps for Road Trips

Hitting the road in your RV sounds like a blast, until you’re on the road. Then it’s mostly monotonous scenery and blurring cars. You’re liable to drive yourself, and your passengers, crazy unless you plan ahead with these apps:

14. Spotify (iOS, Android, Web Browser)

Spotify a road trip tenet that predates the road: “Go forth, but do it with music”. Humans have been rolling around with tunes since the first Homo Sapiens drummed a beat on their knee.

Fortunately, we’ve come a long way since turning our patella into a rhythm section. For example: Spotify.

This free app gives you access to millions of songs, lets you create that all-important road trip playlist, and even offers podcasts. Best yet, you can download audio for offline use!

The only drawback? Advertisements. Erase them by subscribing to Spotify Premium.

For $9.99 a month you can erase those pesky ads, access exclusive podcasts, use unlimited skips, and more.

15. Libby (iOS, Android, Web Browser)

Got a library card? It’s that decaying piece of plastic in your wallet/purse/keychain. Dig it out. Download Libby.

Now, you have access to millions of e-books and audiobooks. The app even works like a library.

You check-out the book, borrow it for a designated amount of time, and then digitally return it.

Libby allows you to check-out up to 25 titles, and renew them when needed. Not impressed? Libby even lets you download the book for use offline. That way, when your cell-service disappears, your audiobook won’t.

16. Drive.fm (iOS, Android)

Your passenger won’t stop talking about their Aunt’s foot fugus. Instead, of turning your wheel towards the nearest cliff, download this app! Drive.fm only has a few free features, but they’ll keep you busy for at least one road trip.

If you’re a road addict you may want to consider the $4.99/month subscription.

It will give you access to a number of hands-free games, including: quizzes, Jeopardy, movie trivia, interactive stories and more!

On the Road

Helmuth von Moltke famously said, “No plan survives first contact with the enemy”. Incidentally, no plan survives first contact with the road either. Be prepared, download these apps:

17. GasBuddy (iOS, Android, Web Browser)

Haven’t bought the new, electric Dusseldorf RV yet, huh? Me neither. Don’t worry though, you don’t have to cry every time you visit the pump. GasBuddy finds you the cheapest gas and diesel prices in your area.

It comes outfitted with a trip cost calculator, gas price map, and even offers a free credit card that will save you up to 25¢ per gallon. Keep your money for what really matters on the road — snacks.

18. MyRadar (iOS, Android, Windows)

Sure, you could just type ‘weather’ into Google, and get the temperature. The only problem? A road trip requires foresight. MyRadar is free app like a weather prophet! Allow the app to track your current location, or type in a destination.

It’ll produce a real-time map of the region. MyRadar will then show you the weather stats for the area, and the forecast for the next couple of days.

But that’s not all! The app populates the map with real-time weather systems. Useful when you’re trying to avoid blizzards, or track a storm

19. American Red Cross (iOS, Android, Web Browser)

I might be the most accident-prone person I know. If you’re not one yourself, you most likely know someone that is.

Do them, and yourself, a possibly lifesaving favor. Download the American Red Cross App. This tool provides solutions to common emergencies you’ll run into on the road.

It also includes videos and interactive quizzes that will, not only help keep boredom at bay, but also teach you important, life-saving 

Need an RV?

Want to plan an RV trip, but don’t have an RV? Normally that would be an issue, if it weren’t for an app like this:

20. Outdoorsy (iOS, Android, Web Browser)

Outdoorsy is basically an AirBnB for campervans, trailers, Class A rigs, and Class C rigs.

It connects you with owners in your area who are willing to rent out their recreational vehicles. It’s usually cheaper than other rental companies, and with less hassle. 

There you have it! The best apps and tools for planning your next RV road trip at your fingertips. But that’s enough talking from me. What’s your favorite RV trip planning app or tool?

About Author / Aaron Richardson

Aaron Richardson is an expert RVer and the co-founder of RVing Know How. Aaron, along with his wife Evelyn, has been living and traveling in their Keystone Fuzion RV since 2017. Their adventures span across the country and beyond, including memorable RVing experiences in Mexico. Aaron's passion for the outdoors and RVing shines through in his writings, where he shares a blend of travel stories, practical tips, and insights to enhance the RV lifestyle.

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The Best RV Trip Planner

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Best-In-Class Features

A Visual RV Trip Planner

See the Route you are taking, with Campgrounds, Gas Stops, points of interest and more.

Unbiased Information

Customized to your RV

It customizes RV safe Routes to the height & weight of your RV. Avoid low clearances, steep grades, and propane restrictions.

Over 20,000 Campgrounds

Browse from ALL Campground Affiliations (Good Sam, Passport America, etc...). No Restrictions like other tools.

Over 57,000 Points of Interest

The fun of travel and exploring is finding unique places. We have an ever-growing list of locations to choose from.

Web Based, No Installation

Have a web browser? Of course you do, so don't worry about downloading any applications, or applying updates. Its all built on the web.

Rank Your Memberships

If you have a membership like Good Sam, Escapees, or dozens of others, you can rank them so you can find the best value parks.

Understand the Cost of your Trip

The Wiz will help to estimate the cost of your trip with Gas and Campground Fees. Updated as you update your trip.

Set Driving Times and Distances

Set your Driving Distances and the map will show you if you may have stretched yourself too thin on a leg of your trip.

How RV LIFE Trip Wizard can help you

Watch a quick video to learn about some of the many features that make RV LIFE Trip Wizard the best choice for RVers looking to save time and money with their Trip Planning.

All The Information you need

See all the information you're looking for on your devices. Our Trip Planner is set up so you can do everything from one screen. Your trip on the left panel, your map centered, and your research panel to the right to find campgrounds, points of interest, and potential hazards.

An RV GPS in your pocket

Combine RV LIFE Trip Wizard with the RV LIFE App, and we'll make the days you head out the road a breeze. Get RV Safe GPS routing right on your phone or tablet with the RV LIFE App. RV LIFE Trip Wizard seamlessly integrates its trips into your app.

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Hear from some people who love using it.

My husband and I are full time RVers in a 45ft 5th wheel toy hauler. I use RV Trip Wizard to plan our route. It has made my trip planning so much easier since I can filter out campgrounds that cannot accommodate our trailer. The ability to check reviews and to go to the campgrounds' websites from the app is also extremely useful. I recommend RV Trip Wizard to other RVers all the time.

If you are worried about low bridges on your trip or where the best, low cost parks are, worry no more because this App is absolutely the best RV trip planer out there. We've tried them all and this ones smokes them all. Spot on! If you have a smart phone or a tablet, RV Trip Wizard works with either, we absolutely rely on it and would not leave our home without planning our route with this tool first. Highly recommend it…

We took a 3 month trip last year and I looked for a good trip planner. I tried winging it with google earth and researching the internet at first. Then I found RV Trip Wizard. I thought I try it. Just a few hours in to planning our trip I was hooked. It has everything I need to plan our trips. Way worth the small price. And the great part it's got better since last years trip. They keep adding and making it better all the time. I've got this years about ready to go and a few small side trips already planned.

Works on All Popular Computers and Tablets

Ultimate RV Trip Planner: A Guide to Planning your RV Road Trip

Post Updated June 2021

This post contains affiliate links, if you click one of them we may receive a small commission at no cost to you. For more information please read our disclaimer on affiliate links .

RV travel is one of the best ways to explore the United States! Planning an RV vacation can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re new to the RV life. Not to worry! Two years of full time RV living taught me how to easily plan an RV adventure, and in this ultimate RV trip planner you’ll find a complete guide to planning your RV road trip!

Best Time to RV Across America

The good news is that you can RV the USA any time of the year. If you want to RV across the whole country then a shoulder season like Fall/Spring is best. Alternatively, you can plan your trip based on my seasonal recommendations for the best RV destinations below!

The best time for your RV vacation will depend on the type of scenery you’re interested in seeing. Below I share the best areas of the country for each season.

If you’d like to include Canada in your RV adventure I highly recommend it. Read about the best Canada road trips !

Summer RV Trips

Summer in the Pacific Northwest is absolutely glorious, and not to be missed. If you want to experience gorgeous forest waterfalls, pristine coastal scenery, and crystal clear mountain lakes then summer in Oregon and Washington is your best bet.

Fall RV Trips

New England is known for it’s striking fall foliage, where the leaves turn brilliant shades of orange, red, and yellow. Fall also brings milder weather to the humid east coast, and it’s a great time to explore the Eastern United States.

Winter RV Trips

Snow and ice make RVing much more difficult so for the winter months I’d recommend heading to the southern USA where temperatures are mild and comfortable.

Southern Florida is a popular winter RV destination, but be prepared to pay high prices for campsites and activities.

If you prefer a more affordable, and, in my opinion, more beautiful option, consider RVing the Southwestern United States. In the Southwest free and cheap campsites are plentiful, the dry air makes outdoor activities easier, and some of the most beautiful desert national parks become more accessible.

Death Valley and Joshua Tree National Parks are two excellent options for a winter RV vacation.

Spring RV Trips

Spring is when the high desert really shines, and this is a perfect time to explore all of the beautiful scenery in Northern Arizona and Utah.

If the Grand Canyon and Utah’s Zion National Park are on your bucket list then a springtime RV trip is the way to go!

Should you Rent an RV or Buy an RV for your RV Trip?

Whether you should rent or buy an RV for your USA RV travel is a very personal question. Here I’ll discuss some of the pros and cons of either choice!

How long is your trip?

If you’re only traveling for a week or two then renting an RV makes the most sense. While renting an RV is the more expensive option, it saves a lot of hassle, and is certainly more simple than purchasing an RV.

RV rentals provide you with the peace of mind that the RV is in good condition, and if you run into any mechanical issues the rental company will have you covered.

If you’re traveling for a month or more then you may want to consider purchasing an RV and re-selling it when you finish traveling. We met many travelers on the road who used this strategy for their RV journeys.

How Much Money can you Invest Upfront in your RV Trip?

The major advantage of purchasing a used RV then re-selling it is the fact that you can save the rental fees so that you will only be paying for travel costs (gas, campsites, etc), since you will recoup the cost of the RV at the end of your trip.

The downside to purchasing an RV rather than renting is that you will likely need more money upfront, and you will need to educate yourself on what to look for in a used RV. However, when you’re considering a savings of $7,000 or more (the amount you can expect to spend on a one month RV rental), it may be worth the extra hassle to buy and sell rather than rent.

Where to Rent an RV?

If you decide that RV rental is the best option for your trip then I recommend checking out the rentals on Outdoorsy.

Outdoorsy is a company that manages the rental of privately owned RVs when the owners are not using them.

Renting with Outdoorsy tends to be quite a bit cheaper than renting with a traditional RV rental company, and since you’re renting privately owned RVs you will have lots of different makes and models to choose from.

For more information check out this complete guide to RV rental in the USA!

Best RVs for Families, Singles, or Couples

Whether you’ve decided to rent an RV or purchase an RV for your RVing adventure, you’ll want to consider the type of RV that best meets your needs. RVs come in many shapes and sizes, and the RV you choose will directly impact the cost of your vacation, as well as the types of campsites you can visit on your travels.

Best RV for Family of 4

For families with children, a traditional motorhome makes the most sense, because they tend to provide the most space and the most sleeping options.

Class C motorhomes are an excellent option for families because they feature an over-cab bed that really makes the most of the space in the RV (plus kids love to sleep in these fun, lofted beds).

There are plenty of decent Class C motorhomes on the market, and if you’re purchasing an RV you should be able to find one for less than $20,000. Lazy Daze, Gulf Stream, and Jamboree are all brands to keep an eye out for when you’re searching for your class C RV.

Best RV for Couples

If you’re planning to travel as a couple, and you’re going to purchase an RV, then I am definitely partial to Toyota motorhomes for roadtripping the USA. Toyota motorhomes are micro-RVs, which means they are about the same size as a campervan but thanks to an over-cab bed they feel much more spacious than a campervan.

Read about why we chose a Toyota Motorhome for our RV travels here!

Toyota motorhomes are the best small RV, and they also hold their value well, making them easy to re-sell quickly. The downside to Toyota motorhomes is their age, as the last ones were built in 1993. This means that you need to VERY thoroughly inspect a Toyota motorhome before purchasing it.

If you’d prefer to purchase (or rent) something newer, a campervan is the best RV choice for a couple. Campervans have exploded in popularity lately, and for good reason! Campervans are smaller than traditional RVs, which means they are easier to drive, easier to park, and they get better gas milage than a motorhome.

Campervans are also cheaper than a motorhome, so you can easily find one for less than $15,000 if you’re planning to purchase an RV for your trip. Trusted campervan brands in that price range include Road Trek, Dodge Pleasure Way, and Horizon.

If you’re planning to rent an RV, Outdoorsy features LOTS of campervans, and they are cheaper to rent than a motorhome!

Best RV for Singles

If you’re planning to take a solo RV trip then your options are endless because the smallest RV options will work for you.

Campervans, converted mini-vans, SUVs with rooftop tents, and truck campers are all excellent choices for solo travelers since you won’t need as much space as a couple or family would. You can easily find an RV in this category for around $10,000.

If you’re renting an RV, you will be able to find most of these options on Outdoorsy, especially campervans!

For detailed information on all of the different types of campers, tips for purchasing a camper, and the very best tips and tricks for long term RV travel check out my Ebook- Nomads in Campers: A Step by Step Guide to Living Your Nomadic Adventure.

RV Trip Planner Apps

There are a few apps that make RV trip planning a breeze, and that we use CONSTANTLY on our RV road trips. If you’re the RV road trip planner for your family, then you need these four apps!

Google Maps

This is an app that most people already have on their phone, and if you don’t it’s free to download.

Click here to download Google Maps for Android , and click here to download Google Maps for Apple IOS .

After trying several different mapping apps that claimed to be “the best”, we always found ourselves using Google Maps as our primary mapping app. Google Maps has the most data of any mapping app, and that really makes a difference when you’re in remote areas of the US.

A sweet hack for Google Maps is to check when you’re going to lose cell phone coverage (use the next app in our list for this), and before you reach that point have Google Maps start the directions to your destination. Once you lose coverage Google Maps will still pick up your GPS signal, and it will complete the directions even though you no longer have cell service!

Maps.Me is a great secondary app for when you will be outside cellular coverage for long periods of time. It allows you to download maps to access when you’re offline.

Occasionally we will spend several days in an area with no cellular coverage, and in those cases Maps.Me is great as long as we remembered to download a map of the area before we lost coverage!

Coverage is a free and simple app that allows you to check where you will or will not have cell phone coverage. You can filter the maps by cellular carrier and signal type (LTE, 4G, etc), making it easy to figure out how good your cellular coverage will be in any location.

Trail Wallet

Trail Wallet ROCKS for budgeting your RV trip! This vacation budgeting app was designed by travel bloggers for travelers. It allows you to set a daily budget, or a budget for your entire trip, and it alerts you when you’re overspending.

You can select the categories and currency you want to use for your budget, and it’s free to download!

Best RV Camping Apps

There are two camping apps that will cover all of your RV trip planning needs. These are the only two apps we ever needed while RVing the United States (we certainly tried plenty of other apps, but these two were the BEST).

AllStays is not free, but it is WELL worth the cost. Allstays lists nearly every single official campground and RV park in the USA, both private and public. This app allows you to filter by all kinds of parameters including cost, facilities, campground type (BLM, KOA, etc.), and much more.

AllStays will help you find the best RV parks on your route, and it also lists free overnight parkings spots like Walmart, Cabelas, and casinos.

The app will use your GPS signal to locate all of the nearby campgrounds in seconds, and the provided campground reviews make it easy to choose a place to park for the night!

Unfortunately, this app is only available on Apple IOS at this time ( download it here ), but you CAN use the Allstays website on your Android phone to locate the same information.

iOverlander

iOverlander is the best RV app for finding free campsites. This app is free to download, and crowd sources its information. This means that real RV travelers contribute the GPS coordinates for places they camped, and you can contribute to the app as well!

iOverlander features reviews and photos of campsites, and it also lists services that are useful to RVers such as truck stops, mechanics, and dump stations.

We used iOverlander constantly to find good boondocking sites in both the United States and Mexico.

Best RV Campgrounds

In our experience the best RV campgrounds are not RV parks (in fact, we wrote a whole article about why we avoid RV parks ). Instead, we prefer state and federally run campgrounds which tend to be quiet, affordable, and beautiful!

With that said, sometimes you will have to bite the bullet and stay in an RV park. When this happens be sure to read the reviews beforehand, and don’t forget to ask about discounts! Tom often received a discount at RV parks for being a retired firefighter.

The AllStays app lists BLM, USFS, and state park campgrounds when you search for a campsite, and that’s the easiest way to find publicly owned campgrounds.

Check out this guide for all the information you need to find beautiful, affordable RV campsites!

Best RV Road Trip Routes

The most fun part of planning an RV road trip is choosing where you’ll go! There are so many incredible road trips in the USA it can be tough to choose one!

Here I’ll list our favorite US RV road trips by region. If you have a few months you may be able to do all of these in one trip!

Best RV Route in the Eastern United States- Gettysburg and the Blue Ridge Parkway

Gettysburg, Pennsylvania is one of the famous historical sites in the United States. Here you can learn all about the history of the American Civil War, and walk the fields of Gettysburg, where one of the most infamous Civil War battles took place.

There are tons of RV parks around Gettysburg, so you shouldn’t have any trouble finding a campsite, though the camping in this area is quite expensive.

After Gettysburg make your way south to Shenandoah National Park where you can hop on the gorgeous Blue Ridge Parkway, America’s longest scenic highway!

The Blue Ridge Parkway stretches for 469 miles, and I recommend taking 7 days for this road trip so you can really enjoy all the beautiful sights. The best time for this drive is in the fall when the trees will turn bright red and orange all along the parkway.

Best RV Route in the Southwestern United States- Joshua Tree National Park to Lake Tahoe via Highway 395

Highway 395 is my favorite US road trip for RVers! This spectacular drive begins in Joshua Tree National Park, then takes you north to Death Valley National Park, and along the mind blowingly beautiful Eastern Sierras to Lake Tahoe in California.

I can’t think of any other US road trip as jam-packed with beautiful scenery, while also offering plenty of uncrowded, quiet stops.

This route also features tons of gorgeous, affordable campsites, making it a great option if you’re RVing on a budget!

Be sure to stop in the Alabama Hills, just north of Bishop, CA. There you’ll find several BLM campgrounds that cost just $5 per night, and feature the most beautiful mountain views I’ve seen in ANY United States campground. (Just check out the view from our RV window in the picture below!)

I recommend giving yourself two weeks for this RV trip so you can spend a few days in each national park and still have plenty of time to visit the many sites along the highway (Bishop, the Alabama Hills, Mono Lake, and Lake Tahoe are all must-see stops)!

This drive is best done in the late spring because it will be cool enough to enjoy Joshua Tree and Death Valley, but still warm enough to avoid snowfall in the mountains!

Best RV Route in the Western United States- Highway 101 from Olympic National Park, WA to Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, CA

Highway 101 runs along the Pacific Ocean from Washington all the way to southern California.

Most RVers only ever drive the southern portion of Highway 101 in California, and that is a huge mistake! Highway 101 is actually at its best along the Oregon coast, where the lack of mansions lining the coast means that you’ll actually get to ride along the ocean for most of the drive.

Also, Washington and Oregon both feature well-managed state park systems with beautiful, clean, and affordable RV campsites all along this route. While I do recommend you head all the way to Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park in California (the redwoods are AMAZING), prepare to be disappointed by the campgrounds there.

I recommend taking at least two weeks to complete this epic RV trip so you can spend time hiking, swimming, and really enjoying all of the scenery you encounter! This trip is best done in late spring, summer, or early fall, as the rest of the year will be cold and rainy in this area of the country.

Best RV Route in the Northern United States- Yellowstone and Glacier National Park

Yellowstone and Glacier are two of the most beautiful national parks in the United States, and you can visit them both in one epic RV vacation !

Begin this 962 mile journey in Yellowstone National Park, then make your way through Southwest Montana and up to Missoula. From Missoula you’ll make your way to Glacier National Park, and then loop back to Yellowstone.

Expect to encounter epic scenery, incredible wildlife, and plenty of delicious local food and drink options on this trip. There are many campgrounds along the route, but if you want to stay in the national parks reserve in advance- they fill up fast!

I recommend at least three weeks for this trip, and it should be done in the summer when you won’t have to worry about snow and ice.

Essential RV Road Trip Accessories

There are a few items that you must have with you for a successful RV road trip (no, a cute dog is not required, just highly recommended)!

These are especially important if you plan to spend any nights in remote, wilderness camping areas (BLM land, for example). In our experience, wilderness campsites are the most beautiful and peaceful campsites in America, so you’ll want to be able to enjoy them!

RV Leveling Blocks

You NEED leveling blocks for any RV road trip. These are an absolute essential item. Leveling blocks slip under the wheels of your RV to make sure that it’s completely level.

Keeping your RV level is really important because RV refrigerators don’t work like a normal, in-home refrigerator. RV refrigerators use an internal chemical reaction to cool them down, and the chemicals won’t combine properly unless your RV is level.

If you try to run your refrigerator when your RV is not level it will break, and RV refrigerators are one of the most expensive items in the entire RV.  A new RV refrigerator costs at least $1000 so be smart and keep your RV level!

Click here to check prices on leveling blocks!

Suitcase Style Portable Solar Panel

Solar power gives you so much more freedom in your RV adventures!

Why? Well, when you have solar power you don’t need to search out campsites with electrical hookups or run a loud, stinky generator to meet your basic power needs!

A 100 watt folding suitcase-style solar panel is plenty to run your RV’s basic necessities like your lights and your water pump. This panel easily clips on to your coach battery, so there’s no technical know-how required to use this free, clean power source!

Since this solar panel folds up and has a handle, it’s easy to transport. Another huge perk to a portable panel like this is that you can park in the shade, and then set the panel in the sun!

Click here to check prices on a suitcase style 100 watt solar panel!

Quality Camping Chairs

Camping chairs are SO important when you’re traveling by RV! Sure, a lot of campsites will have a picnic table, but that won’t allow you to sit around the fire, or turn your chair in the direction of the sunset, or take a nap outdoors…you get the idea.

Having a comfortable camp chair is an absolute must on an RV vacation. Once you’re parked in camp you don’t want to have to sit inside your RV all day!

There are two camp chairs that we always travel with, and that we highly recommend:

Zero Gravity Camp Chair

This is the most comfortable camp chair we’ve come across, and we always travel with at least one of these (sometimes two, because we end up fighting over the one)!

This chair reclines back far enough to allow you to take a nap, which means it’s also awesome for reading, sunbathing, and any other relaxing activity.

On a warm night you could easily put a pillow and blankets in this chair and sleep under the stars!

Click here to check prices on zero gravity camp chairs!

Director’s Camp Chair

This camp chair provides the best back support of any camp chair we’ve tried, so if you tend to run into back pain this is the chair for you!

This chair is sturdy, and the seat and backrest stay firmly in position, unlike most camp chairs which tend to buckle a bit under weight. This chair also has a side table with a cup holder, which is really convenient for morning coffee, afternoon beers, evening beers…

Click here to check prices on director’s style camp chairs!

Now you’re armed with plenty of information to prepare you for your first big RV trip!

For much more in depth information on camper travel around North America, check out our Ebook, Nomads in Campers , where we share all of our very best tips and tricks, and tons of other useful information to make your RV travels a success!

For information on taking your RV off the grid, check out my complete guide to RV dry camping and boondocking !

We traveled North America full time for two years in a Toyota Dolphin micro-RV! Read about our favorite RV destination, Baja California, Mexico !

We don’t just travel by RV! Last winter we spent 6 months traveling Southeast Asia with only carry on backpacks! Read all about that adventure here .

Every summer we return to the western United States for our favorite festivals, including Burning Man !

Did you enjoy this post? Pin it to Pinterest!

About The Author

7 thoughts on “Ultimate RV Trip Planner: A Guide to Planning your RV Road Trip”

What a treasure trove of the most interesting and useful information. I plan on using all the apps. Wife and I starting soon with our new tiny camper. It will be ready next month. Maybe we will upgrade to a class c in the future. Thanks for people like who inspire all of use to venture out.

Jake and Cynthia

Thank you so much for the tips, just bought a Dolphin, here we go!

Yay!! Dolphins are the best 🙂 Always happy to hear from fellow Toyota Motorhome owners!

Thanks so much for the comment Jake! And congratulations on your new camper! Camper travel really is the best 🙂

Hola! I’ve been following your blog for a while now and finally got the bravery to go ahead and give you a shout out from Lubbock Texas! Just wanted to mention keep up the fantastic work!

This article was really helpful! We’re planning a 2 month road trip in our class C Winnebago from GA to….somewhere! We haven’t decided where to go yet but this gave me a few ideas. Also THANK YOU for the solar panel link! We don’t have solar and haven’t wanted to install it yet so we may buy this before we hit the road!

Hi Brianna! Glad this was helpful. We LOVE our solar panel, it’s so awesome getting free, clean power! 🙂

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15 Best RV Trip Planner Apps: Save Money, Time & Stress

Jonathan Holmes 5.0 Rated 5.0 out of 5 5.0 out of 5 stars (based on 45 reviews)

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Last Updated on January 2, 2024 by Paul Clayton

Table of Contents

15 Best RV Trip Planner Apps: Save Money, Time & Stress

There are broadly three ways to go about RV trip planning.

• Highly organized
• Color coordinated

All are heavily researched and implemented itineraries that plan out every last detail. Then there’s the loosely pieced-together idea of an RV road trip, where the emphasis is placed on getting from A to B, and what happens in between can be decided along the way.

The last camp falls somewhere in between the two extremes. Whatever type of RV trip planning you prefer, using a trip planning app can save you time and money and alleviate much of the stress.

Planning an RV trip involves art as well as science. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the sheer number of choices available.

Since I’m also a techie at heart, I like to use gadgets and technology to help.

I also don’t feel like I’m penned into our plans; if I want to take a diversion to check out something that piques my interest, the RV trip planning app must accommodate this.

Luckily for me, creating and implementing a fantastic RV road trip using a planner is easier than ever with apps.

I’ve reviewed the most popular RV planning trip apps with a fine toothcomb and rated them against my ease of use, usefulness, flexibility, and cost criteria. I’ve also included some RV road trip planning tips that everyone who owns an RV should know.

So, without further ado, let’s look at the best RV route planners.

The Best RV Trip Planner Apps

1. google earth / maps.

Google Maps certainly has its limitations. However, it can be combined with Google Earth to create a powerful visualization tool if you want to see a route before setting off, mainly focusing on areas of interest such as potential low bridges, steep inclines, or narrow roads.

If you plan out your route on Google Maps, you can export it to a KML and import it into Google Earth.

Once imported, you can use the full suite of Google Earth tools, including viewing Panoramio photos and your route.

I wouldn’t recommend using Google Earth and Maps as your primary RV planning tool, but it’s great to supplement whatever you’re already doing.

In the video below, you can see how to export Google Map files to KMP and then import them into Google Earth:

2. Garmin BaseCamp

Despite what you might think, Garmin is still relevant today, especially if you’re towing or driving oversized vehicles.

Development on Garmin BaseCampe was stopped a couple of years ago, but it’s still available to download and use and, in my opinion, is quite helpful.

Garmin Basecamp was designed to allow the planning and sharing of road trips. The most significant advantage of BaseCamp was the introduction of RV and Truck modes.

These two modes allow you to avoid roads that would be difficult to drive along in an RV, including avoiding low bridges, steep inclines, and narrow inner city streets.

However, its database is incomplete, so you must supplement the information it presents with additional research, which is a bit of a pain.

If you own a Garmin GPS unit, then there’s no reason not to give BaseCamp a go and see what it can do.

You’d have difficulty entirely relying on BaseCamp to manage your RV journey planning.

Its journey planning capabilities are based on dates and spending x amount of days at each location, which goes against the flexibility I would expect from an RV journey planning app.

The time I spend in each location might rapidly change, depending on how well I like any area. If that also sounds like you, then you might find BaseCamp slightly clunky to use.

3. Good Sam’s Trip Planner Review

If you don’t already have a Good Sam membership, then it’s something you should consider, even if it’s just for access to the Good Sam’s Trip Planner.

Membership for a single year costs $29, but if you buy more than a year, you can secure a discount. When writing this article, it costs $75 for three years, plus you’ll receive some freebies.

Then, at the tail end of 2014, I discovered the Good Sam Trip Planner, and it just worked, making what was previously a time-consuming and often mentally taxing task much more straightforward.

It’s probably one of the best RV trip planning tools available; it looks good, is intuitive to use, and does a primarily respectable job at avoiding things such as low bridges or roads that could be considered difficult to navigate.

Creating a trip on the Good Sam Trip Planner could not be simpler and involves all the two clicks. Once you’ve populated the application with a few details, you can add additional information and work on more in-depth planning from within the planning interface.

The planning interface contains five separate tabs:

• Trip Manager
• Campgrounds
• Things to Do

I found that the Trip Manager is where I spend most of my time planning a route. However, you’ll probably end up using all sections once you finish.

Thankfully, the campgrounds tab is not restricted to just Good Sam RV parks; it contains many private and public campgrounds in addition to Good Sam locations.

From a budgeting point of view, the ability to estimate the mileage, time, and cost of gas is an invaluable addition. Despite enjoying traveling, I like to keep the time driving to a minimum. So, being able to see that a particular leg of a journey may take 8 hours, we may opt to split up into two trips.

Plus, seeing the cost of each leg is a big help when we want to stick to a particular budget.

As mentioned above, the Good Sam Trip Planner will try to identify and avoid any roads that might be troublesome with an RV, for example, low bridges or steep inclines.

However, in practice, it’s not 100% accurate. We found that it would sometimes try to send us up the side of a mountain on an incline we would not be comfortable with normally. It’s something you’ll have to keep at the back of your mind, and you’ll probably have to supplement their route planning capabilities with another source of information.

We cover some of the other sources of information below.

Given the low price of the Good Sam Trip Planner, it’s difficult not to recommend it. This is especially true when you consider the other benefits of a Good Sam Club Membership. Remember that you’ll need to double-check any planned routes for potential RV obstacles.

4. RV Trip Wizard Review

RV Trip Wizard is a strong contender for one of the best RV Trip planning apps available today.

At first glance, you might feel that RV Trip Wizard is the ugly sister of the Good Sam Trip Planner; it certainly doesn’t come across as sleek or as easy to use.

It’s one of the more expensive applications, coming in at roughly $39 a year, but given its capabilities, I’m more than happy to pay this small premium.

At its heart is Google Maps, supplemented with almost every tool you could want from an RV planning application.

While Good Sam Trip Planner will only calculate the estimated fuel cost for your trip, RV Trip Wizard goes far beyond this. In addition to calculating fuel costs, it’ll factor in the price of campgrounds, meals for all passengers, and all the small, innocuous costs that can quickly add up.

Another brilliant feature is the ‘bounding radii.’ This feature allows you to quickly and easily set a maximum travel distance for each day of your trip, which helps avoid spending too many hours at the wheel on any day. It should be noted that the maximum distance is calculated as the crow flies and won’t consider any windy roads. But it still provides a base measurement to work from.

One of our favorite features of the Good Sam Trip planner was the ability to view campgrounds along your journey. The good news is that RV Trip Wizard also has this feature, and it’s even better than Good Sam.

While Good Sam broke RV parks into three distinct categories, RV Trip Wizard has over thirty categories, including national parks, monuments, seashores, state parks , beaches, and more. Its database has thousands of RV parks, with more being added constantly. It might be the most comprehensive RV park database available.

When planning an RV road trip, I predominantly use RV Trip Wizard. Using anything else feels like a step backward and often feels like a frustrating experience. It’s by far my favorite RV Trip planning app.

5. CoPilot Truck GPS Review

Several truck and RV GPS applications are available for smartphones on the market, but we think CoPilot Truck GPS is one of the better ones.

If you don’t want to spend money on a Garmin or TomTom, a slew of smartphone GPS applications are available. Many do an admirable job of avoiding low-clearance bridges and hard-to-navigate roads.

While its primary focus is on truckers, you can use it for any oversized vehicle, including RVs.

Once configured with the dimensions of your RV, it’ll efficiently plan your route to avoid low clearances, sharp turns, and roads unsuitable for your RV’s size.

Like almost anything, it does have some faults. The app has been known to crash unexpectedly, which is more inconvenient than anything else.

I must confess. I have no first-hand experience with this app, so if you do, please let us know what you think of it, good or bad.

6. Mountain Directory

One of the biggest frustrations I’ve faced with most RV planning applications is the lack of awareness about the gradients of roads. This is where Mountain Directory comes into its own and shines.

They are available in various formats, from physically printed books to digital options for Android, Windows, Mac, and Apple products.

One of the significant advantages of the digital options is that once you’ve purchased and downloaded them to your device, they’re always available, regardless of whether you have an internet connection .

The interface is a tad clunky, but they’re infinitely more accessible and faster to use than looking at a topographical map and guessing whether or not a particular stretch of road might pose a challenge.

Both Good Sam and RV Trip Wizard have tried to send up a road with severe gradients and very tight turns, which are stressful in a car, let alone a 15,000-pound RV. Thankfully, thanks to Mountain Directory, we spotted these issues before they became problems. They are saving us what could have been a memorable journey for all the wrong reasons.

7. LowClearances.com

We estimate that RV Trip Wizard and most RV GPS units have, at most, a directory of 1,500 low-clearance bridges. However, it’s been estimated that between 4,000 and 6,000 bridges are classed as low clearance in the US alone.

This means that you could be missing out on thousands of low-clearance bridges.

Any of these bridges could easily remove a satellite dish or cause a deadly accident.

Lowclearances.com maintains the most comprehensive database of low-clearance bridges we’ve come across. A small upfront cost of $75 will ensure lifetime access to the Canadian and US databases, which is a small price for peace of mind.

You can quite easily install the database on your GPS unit to ensure you’re not caught out and don’t become another statistic on the road.

8. Allstays LLC

Allstays LLC is one of the newer applications to come onto the market. It’s not one I’m intimately familiar with, but it’s got great reviews and a legion of fans. On paper, it seems very promising.

It promises to do everything you could ever want.

You’ll not only be able to find nearby campsites, including suitable boondocking spots and Walmart parking lots that allow overnight stays, but it also provides warnings for low-clearance bridges and information for RV-friendly service stations.

We’ll put this application through its paces and update this article with our thoughts as soon as possible. In the meantime, if you already have some experience, please let us know in the comments below.

If you’d instead not be caught out by a storm or stuck behind a queue of cars because of an accident, then InRoute might be just what you’re looking for.

It boasts the ability to provide real-time updates on the weather along your route, traffic conditions, and any delays you might experience due to accidents.

If you need to stay informed about what lies ahead of you in your journey, you can’t get much better than this app.

10. Ultimate US Public Campground Project

I love saving money when I can, and the Ultimate US Public Campground Project is one app that helps me to do this.

After parting with a measly $4, you have an incredible database of public and cheap camping options.

No matter where you’re headed in the country, you’re bound to find many options.

If you’re looking for a particular type of campsite, for example, specific amenities, then the advanced filtering will allow you to find exactly what you’re looking for.

11. Passport America

Not only will the app provide you with a ton of information about campgrounds, but it’ll also secure you a decent discount at many RV parks. Given the discount available, you’ll probably find the app pays for the Passport America discount in no time.

12. US Public Lands

If you are interested in Boondocking your way around the country, this is a must-have app.

This clever app allows you to quickly and easily see if a piece of ground you’re thinking about boondocking on is public land owned by the BLM and, therefore, legal to boondock on. Knowing that boondocking is permitted before you set up your camp for the night is much better and safer.

13. GasBuddy

You might not think that saving a few cents on a gallon will amount to much, but those few cents can quickly add up throughout a long trip when you’ll probably be using hundreds of gallons of gas.

GasBuddy allows you to find the cheapest local gas prices when it’s time to fill up. Best of all, it’s free to use, so there’s no excuse for not using it.

14. SaniDumps

There’s just no escaping the call of nature. So, finding a local dump and fill station is invaluable.

SaniDump has a massive database of dump locations, so you’ll never be caught short again.

It’s another free app, so there’s no reason not to use it.

15. RV Checklist

Planning is critical to a successful RV road trip. Even with the best intentions, it’s straightforward to miss something essential to your trip, which can quickly ruin a trip if you’re unprepared.

RV Checklist provides a digital checklist to work through so that your RV road trip goes as seamlessly as you deserve.

I’ve used it, and more than once, it’s provided that lightbulb moment when I’ve realized I’ve missed something important. It’s free, so use it and save yourself the frustration of missing something.

The Art Of RV Road Trip Planning

We’re fortunate on our little blue planet; there’s no shortage of exciting and unique destinations to visit. Over a lifetime, we might not see everything we wanted, but an RV can let us know a lot.

Unfortunately, that massive potential for destinations can make RV planning challenging and sometimes stressful.

• How do you narrow down your choices to just a few locations?
• How do you know if you’ve made the right choice?
• How can you ensure you’ve hit all the high points along your route while avoiding all the low points?

If that sounds like you, you need to look at all the RV trip planner apps we’ve discussed above and learn the art of RV planning.

RV Trip Planner

If you’re the organized type or have somehow been designated as the RV Road Trip Planner, we’ve compiled some resources and tips to make your next RV road trip the adventure of a lifetime.

Choose An Event

There will be a festival or event around the country at any time of the year. Whether that’s a music festival, a chili carnival, or a fishing tournament, we guarantee you’ll find something that takes your fancy if you look hard enough.

Why not plan an RV road trip around whatever event type you like?

Organizing a vacation around the dates of an event is a great way to lay out a template and timeframe to adhere to. Planning a trip around a particular goal and time frame is much easier than knowing you want to go to a specific area.

Knowing that you need to be in a particular location on a specific date makes planning much more accessible, and the logistics fall into place naturally.

You’re then free to explore the surrounding area or give yourself time to take the scenic route to reach your destination.

What’s On Your Bucket List

No matter how far out of the way the locations on your bucket list are, there’s probably a route to get you there. So why not plan a trip around ticking these off your list?

Even if your ultimate destination is utterly unobtainable by RV, if you look at how you might get there by RV, you’ll probably find many exciting locations en route that are well worth a visit.

If you’re unsure where you’d like to go, there are books dedicated to the subject; check out The Lonely Planets Guide to America for starters.

Don’t Rush Things

If you need to plan every minute detail, this ‘skill’ might be challenging to master.

A large part of the appeal of RVing is that it’s incredibly flexible. If something piques your interest when you’re on the road, you’re free to stop and look. Or if you want to stay on at a location for a couple of days (or even weeks), then there’s very little stopping you from doing so.

The most significant restricting factor for most people is money.

If you make reservations and commit to being in a particular location daily, you lose much of that flexibility and might miss something extraordinary.

We also understand that RV parks can get busy during peak seasons, so you must use your judgment and make well-thought-out decisions. Use your intuition and opt for a happy medium between the two extremes.

Inspiring RV Trips

Whether you’re looking to tour every inch of your country or you’re looking to get to know your local RV parks better, excelling in RV trip planning is about balancing flexibility with understanding what you want to get out of a trip.

The upside of all of this is that it’s tough to end up with a bad trip. Even if you don’t end up where you wanted to go, chances are you’ll have made many memories, and it’ll be something you’ll look back on with fond memories.

Without a sound, too cheesy, truly epic RVing is about the journey and is rarely only about the destination.

Use An RV Trip Planner Like A Pro

We hope you now have a solid and in-depth understanding of the various RV trip planner apps available to us and what you can do to make your adventure as awesome as it deserves.

We know there is no perfect RV trip planner tool; most should be supplemented with another. Some are very good and lack that vital point, while others fill a particular niche and excel at what they do.

Top 3 RV Rental Companies | Reviews and Prices

If I had to use one RV trip planner tool for the rest of my life, it would almost certainly be RV Trip Wizard. It gets so many features right and has a range of functionality that isn’t available in other tools.

However, I would strongly suggest using a suite of tools if you’re planning a significant RV trip. Not only will this save you time and money in the long run, but it could also make your trip much safer than it would be otherwise.

Final Thoughts

We hope you’ve found our article helpful and you’ve found something useful you can put into practice when you next plan an RV road trip.

As always, if you have any comments or disagree with anything we’ve said, please let us know in the comments below, and we’ll do our best to get back to you with an answer or revision.

Happy RVing.

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12 Best RV Trip Planner Apps To Use On Your Next Adventure

Phil and I are diving into the RV trip planning this week to prepare for our adventures in 2023 and when you’re planning a road trip, there are so many details that need to be covered.

We need to figure out the best route to take, where we will be able to stay once we leave home, where we can stop for supplies along the way, and so much more. Planning an RV trip can be a challenge, especially if you do not have experience doing it before and don’t know the best apps and resources to use. There are just so many things that need to be organized in order for your trip to go smoothly. 

Thats why we set out to right this list of best RV trip planner apps to use as a resource each time we or anyone else gets started planning their next camping trip!

There are many different apps that can help you with this important process and this article will list some of the best RV trip planning apps that you can use.

Let’s get started!

Considerations for RV Trip Planning Apps

Apps for planning RV trips vary greatly in quality. These are some of the most important aspects to us when choosing which one to use for your trip.

Campground Information

It’s crucial to have a RV trip planning process that allows for precise lodging arrangements. You might not be able to find a place to park your RV if you procrastinate. We recommend making reservations at RV parks well in advance of your vacation, and a dependable travel planner can help you figure out where you want to stay ahead of time.

However, if you prefer to wing it and decide where to camp at the last minute, a trip planning app could be more useful in this scenario, as it will give you a wealth of information about where you can camp.

Routing Suggestions

Having a road trip planner for your RV travels is a great resource. For instance, knowing where to find gas stations that are accessible by big rigs is helpful, especially for those who value having some more space to move around. Also, we think it’s important that RV travelers have the opportunity to pick a route that takes into account factors like overpass levels, bridge weight restrictions, and propane limits.

Scenic Opportunities

Also, try to discover a RV trip planner that includes recommendations for interesting places to visit along the road. Many breathtaking views can be seen while traveling great distances by RV. You might pass up something very remarkable using a conventional GPS system since you typically have no idea these stops even existed.

Our Favorite RV Trip Planner Tools

Rv trip wizard.

The RV Trip Wizard has existed for a long time and has consistently been a great tool. It’s a web-based trip planner with a plethora of options to make preparing for your next RV trip as simple and pleasant as possible. Its map-based interface makes it simple to navigate around a destination, identifying RV parks, overnight parking alternatives, fuel stops, rest stops, dump stations, and more. The RV Trip Wizard is fantastic at recommending fun and fascinating activities to visit and do along your trip.

RV Trip Wizard will provide you with everything you require to guarantee that your trip is within your budget and does not leave you fatigued from traveling too far.

RV Trip Wizard can assist you in customizing it to display just the most critical elements. It’s incredibly useful to be able to find disposal stations, rest spots, and overnight parking. The app’s sightseeing feature is a fantastic addition to all of this. Many other trip planners concentrate just on the big picture, but RV Journey Wizard attends to the minor things that make your travel more pleasurable and less stressful. Furthermore, the RV Life Pro suite means that a single membership grants you access to other features such as RV Trip Wizard, , RV Safe GPS, Maintain My RV and  Campground Reviews.

Although Campendium is not a traditional RV trip planner tool, we felt it was important to include it here. Campendium’s strength is not just in its extensive database of public and private campgrounds, but also in the unparalleled wealth of information it has accumulated regarding boondocking sites.

Campendium is an excellent resource if you’re in the planning stages of a trip and want to incorporate some fantastic boondocking places. Campendium can help you save money even if you just plan to boondock on rare occasions. You can save a lot of money by staying at a free campground for even a short period of time. You have nothing to lose since using Campendium doesn’t cost anything (but you can remove advertisements by becoming a Community Supporter).

Campendium is indeed the go-to source for finding secluded boondocking locations. They feature hundreds of users, which ensures a constant flow of current, useful reviews and photographs. Both the site and the app are sleek and simple to use, making it simple to discover precisely what you’re looking for.

If you haven’t already, consider checking out Allstays Camp & RV as a second recommendation for a top-notch RV trip planner. Once more, this is not a genuine trip planner where you may arrange your travel schedule. RV parks, truck stops, rest areas, dump stations, RV supplies, RV repairs, and even low overpasses may all be found with the help of Allstays.

It’s an app that can help you locate places not mentioned in other applications for just $9.99, and then you have access to it for life. The app’s ability to function without an internet connection has come in handy several times when we wanted to look up campsites quickly but didn’t have any cell phone service.

Allstays Pro is a good option if you like to plan your trips on a desktop or laptop computer. Claimed costs money (now a yearly subscription of $34.95; rumor has it this will increase shortly), but it has benefits over the free version of the website and app.

More than half a million different search options are available through Allstays Pro, which the company claims is faster than the app and website, has no ads, provides better privacy, allows full-screen maps, can be used offline with Google Earth, provides more filters for traffic, biking, transit, and more.

The Dyrt PRO

The Dyrt provides free access to their massive database of campgrounds and RV parks via their website or mobile app both for iOS and Android users. You can view all of the extensive information available about each location, as well as any user-submitted images and reviews, making it easier to choose a place to stay.

If you increase your subscription to The Dyrt (pro version), you will also have access to their Travel Planner. You begin by selecting your beginning and ending places, and then you may arrange your route from scratch, including as many stops and waypoints as you wish. You may also ask The Dyrt to propose a vacation for you. It also includes map overlays for BLM, US Forest Service, and National Park Service borders.

It’s simple to let The Dyrt (pro version) organize your trip. It’s a terrific substitute for spending endless hours surfing the web in search of the ideal camping spots. The Dyrt will automatically locate the best RV campgrounds along your journey. You’ll be able to get to the park faster and, more importantly, with the confidence that you’re going to the park that best suits your needs.

KOA Camping App

The KOA App works with mapping systems to provide easy instructions to your campsite. As campsites become more difficult to reserve, you can typically locate a place in a KOA alongside your route. The app features a map feature that allows you to discover forthcoming KOAs along your path. By clicking on the KOA symbol, you may get information on the individual campsite location, facilities, recreation, upcoming events, photographs, area attractions, and more. It also indicates how far you are from your present location. The app is intended to be used to book straight through the app.

KOAs differ because they are managed by individual camp owners. They are now classified by kind of camping; those labeled “Journey” are mostly for vacationers and may only be suitable for one or two nights. The ones labeled “Holidays” are destination campsites, generally near tourist attractions. People may remain longer if they have additional facilities. In reality, holiday KOAs include large, hard-surfaced patios with something like a grill, tables, chairs, and a fire pit , as well as a glider. Although expensive, the increased room and facilities are sometimes well worth it.

RV Life’s Campground Reviews

RV Life’s Campground Reviews are an excellent resource for finding campgrounds around America. The website is simple to navigate. Simply select a state to examine the campgrounds, which are displayed on a map. They are also presented alphabetically, and counties and cities may be searched to refine the results.The site also allows you to narrow down your search by park type, features, hookups, activities, ratings, pricing, and distance. In reality, it also enables you to read genuine camper reviews and browse images of various campgrounds.

RV Life’s Campground Reviews are accessible free via the internet or through a membership to the RV Vacation Wizard website, which may make your trip much more fun and less stressful.  

GasBuddy can help you discover cheap gas throughout your trip. You may enter your vehicle’s make and model, as well as your starting and finishing points, into their trip cost calculator. GasBuddy will then figure out how many fuel stops you’ll go through and will recommend the best gasoline locations for each fill, and provide an anticipated cost.

Because you can arrange your journey around inexpensive gas station stops, this is among the favorite RV travel planning tools of many. You’ll enjoy how this app shows you current gas prices at future petrol stations on your trip day.

You can also navigate to their website and enter your starting and ending points, as well as the make and model of your car, and it will calculate how much gas it will charge you if you stop at petrol stations along the route. It is also accessible through the Google Play store.

One more thing is that the feature “Pay with Gasbuddy” is incredibly amazing because it is accepted in most stations where you can do it manually.

RV Parky 

RV Parky is another RV trip planner that works great if you only need to visit an RV park and don’t care about cell phone coverage. This software is not for you if you’re seeking “free” camping or wish to know about prior cell signals.

RV Parky allows you to find and add campsites, parking lots, and other facilities. All you have to do is select the “Find a place to stay” button next to the city you’re interested in. The option to filter what you’re searching for is wonderful since you can filter for utilities such as whether or not you require power, water, WiFi, and so on.

When you click on a location, you’ll see all of the information RV Parky has about the site. This software is available for download both on iOS and Google Play. You may also search by filter on their internet platform.

Good Sam Camping 

This Good Sam campground app is compatible with over 14,500 campsites and RV parts from the Good Sam RV Travel Guide and also the Campground Directory. It provides camping reviews. There was formerly a Good Sam Trip Planner, but it is no longer accessible.

The best feature of the Good Sam Camping app is indeed the ability to find exactly what you’re searching for. Look for spots that provide a pool, WiFi, pet allowance, primitive camping and pull-through space, RV hookup, slide-out room, and much more.

Harvest Hosts

With a low-cost subscription to Harvest Hosts, you may park your RV, van, or trailer for free every night at tens of thousands of breathtaking places around the United States and abroad. You might look for a distillery, vineyard or farm that lets you spend the night dry camping on its grounds. In reality, using its website and membership will let you stay “for free” in some very amazing locations around the USA.

The Harvest Hosts certainly hope that if you come during business hours, you’ll buy a product from the winery, farm, or brewery. You can locate thousands of Harvest Hosts with your membership, and many RVers will utilize this as a nice pit stop en route to a far-off location.

Boondockers Welcome

Perhaps now is the right moment for you to obtain a Boondockers Welcome membership since many RVers have already utilized one. You’d be amazed at how simple it is to conduct a search online to find out the max RV length that could fit, the duration of stay, if pets are permitted, and customer reviews!

Boondockers Welcome is a sensible, economical approach to RV camping. On a website such as Harvest Hosts or Airbnb, you may discover hosts eager to just let you park your RV vehicle on their land for free overnight.

Once you’ve stayed, it’s common courtesy to give your host a review; in return, they’ll do the same for you.

Roadtrippers

The final app of this comprehensive RV trip planning list that we need to include is Roadtrippers. If your initial journey has no more than five destinations, signing up and using the tool is completely free of charge. Which of course is excellent news if you’re operating on a budget! As a result, you can use the Roadtrippers app for a while, take some time, and see if it is the ideal app for you.

Roadtrippers’ trip-planning options are intuitive and simple to use. Simply enter your starting and ending places, change the slider to determine how far from your route you’re prepared to go for areas of interest, and start exploring. You may scroll in and out as you go to see what there is to explore and do.

Overlays for camping spots, tourist hotspots, landmarks, restaurants, and more are also available. Find nearby businesses like gas stations, campgrounds, and more that cater to your car or RV.

Roadtrippers is an incredibly effective RV trip planner, in addition to being surprisingly simple to use. Especially the idea that you may join up and utilize the tool for free for the first five days

Frequently Asked Questions About RV Trip Planning

What is an rv trip planner.

Using a smartphone navigation program like Google Maps to bring you to your final destination is convenient, but taking the shortest route possible could mean missing some amazing views on the way there. Which is a total rookie move.

Thats where RV Trip Planners come in. You can organize your entire trip with the help of these programs and websites. Campgrounds, including their rates, amenities, and more, may all be found with the help of a trip planner.

You may get a lot more out of your road trip if you use an app to help you organize your stops for sightseeing.

Routing your trip in an RV is much easier with the help of a trip planner; with some you can even include the dimensions of your RV. No need to worry about narrow roads and low bridges that can’t handle your rig since they’ll figure out the best and most efficient route for you automatically.

A significant benefit of RV trip planning apps is the ability to locate RV-specific services. The ability to find gas stations, refill stations , service centers, dump stations, and more for your RV is a common feature among trip planning apps.

What is the best way to plan an RV trip?

There are a few things you must do to plan a fluid, versatile, and fun RV trip! To make it easy to understand and take action on your RV trip planning, I broke it up into this list.

1. Pick the right RV for the road trip you’re planning.

A 35-foot Class A motorhome doesn’t leave much room for spontaneity on the road or in the campground. However, a 15-foot Class B van may not provide enough storage space to stock up on goods and create your own gourmet meals. The first priority in arranging a great RV road trip is to ensure that your vehicle is suitable for your intended journey.

2. Come up with a plan that works with your budget.

Costs for fuel, campsites, and food add up quickly on an RV road trip. Depending on the nature of your road trip, you may encounter vast differences in all three.

You can save money on gas and tolls by carefully plotting your route with your RV’s or tow vehicle’s MPG in mind. You should note that a cross-country road trip isn’t necessary for a thrilling experience.

If you plan ahead and set aside money for camping, you can stay in a more luxurious RV park at one stop and save money by boondocking or camping in a state park somewhere else. To save spending money on expensive private campgrounds, some people choose to spend the night in the parking lots of stores such as Walmart, Cracker Barrel, and Cabela’s.

In any case, it’s best to phone ahead and find out what the rules are in each area.

3. If you can, book your campsites far in advance.

Many new RVers find it difficult to accept that available camping spots are hard to come by nowadays. Traveling freely, going wherever the road takes you, is a desire shared by many others (like us!). Sadly, that means the best campsites in state and national parks tend to fill up months in advance, so booking ahead of time is usually your best chance.

You can make sure the campground is right for you by reading reviews online too or asking a RV facebook community for their opinions. Be sure the campground provides the vibe you are going for, whether is be a pool, hot tub, or even just immaculate restrooms.

Be sure to take note of the reservation details, jot down any cancellation conditions and add them to the calendar. That way you can adapt quickly to any changes in your itinerary that may com up on the road; and trust us, things come up on the road.

4. Map out a path that is suitable for a RVs.

When getting from one RV destination to another, many seasoned RV travelers prefer to take the beautiful byways and lesser-traveled back roads. When traveling by RV, you’ll need to adjust your strategy for trip planning accordingly.

Find out whether there are any limits on propane or having a low enough clearance on any bridges or tunnels. The next time you need gas, plan a pit stop that won’t force you to find a spot in a crowded and cramped parking lot too. A steep incline or a series of switchbacks can be dangerous for an RV.

5. Look into RV parking ahead of time.

When you have all the time in the world on your trip then you start to enjoy stopping for no particular reason and discovering hidden gems along the road. When taking an RV, this becomes a little more complicated. Because we love to do this, we now have a standard practice for me to call ahead to attractions on our route and check about RV parking. We’ve had no trouble finding parking at popular tourist destinations from this method.

And what about the unexpectedly enjoyable detours that spring up on the way? See if you can go there and back out using the satellite map on your phone.

6. Time your arrival later than you think.

One of the many frequently made mistakes first-time RVer make is the assumption that they can maintain the same speed as when they are driving a car. Expecting it to happen is unrealistic, so keep that in mind as you plot out your schedule.

In general, it’s a good idea to aim for a speed near 50 miles/hour as your average for the entire trip. Because of this, travel times at gas stations will be more frequent than usual too.

To avoid exhaustion and potential sleepy accidents, try the “3/300 rule,” which states that you shouldn’t travel more than 300 miles in a day and plan to get to your destination before 3 in the afternoon.

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Effortless RVing

The 5 Best Free RV Route Planner Tools

Whether you’re new to RV life or a seasoned pro, planning your route is important. But who has time to look at the maps, estimating turns and clearances? That’s where an RV route planner tool comes in.

I’ve used a few different ones over the years and found a few best free RV route planner tools. They make routing a breeze by showing you gas stops, rest areas, RV parks, and campgrounds along your journey. You can even filter for hookups, amenities, and reviews. 

No more guessing if that countryside road can handle your coach. I’ve reviewed the best RV trip planner tools, so you can plan for worry-free travels. 

1. Roadtrippers

2. the dyrt, 3. koa rv trip planner, 5. recreation.gov, best free rv route planner tools: take your pick.

Options are quite limited for the best free RV route planner . Most tools are paid and require a monthly or one-time fee. However, I’ve searched for hours and found these planners that offer a free version. 

Pick your best RV route planner app or tool from the following list: 

When you’re traveling in a big rig, you need to be sure your route is RV friendly. Not all roads are created equal for large vehicles. The last thing you want is getting stuck somewhere with no way to turn around. Roadtrippers, a free RV trip planner , helps solve that problem.

You start by entering your RV size and tow vehicle. Then put in where you’re starting from and headed to. This app analyzes the information and generates the best route for your vehicle. It only sends you down roads that can properly accommodate your rig.

This is a big advantage over navigation apps like Google Maps. Those are great for cars but don’t account for an RV’s needs. Roadtrippers was designed with RVers in mind. You can feel more at ease following its directions.

You can also compare gas prices along your route. This helps budget fuel costs for the trip. And scheduling overnight stops is convenient when campground spots book up fast.

The free app limits you to 5 stops maximum when planning a trip. There is a paid version that offers more features. 

If you’re in need of a reliable resource for finding great campgrounds across North America, The Dyrt should be your go-to cross country RV trip planner . With its massive database of places to pitch your rig, route planning becomes a breeze.

Whether browsing on their well-designed website or easy-to-use app, the wealth of details, photos, and reviews on each location takes the guesswork out of where to spend the night. Want to find a spot with a certain hookup? Just filter for it.

Beyond campground listings, The Dyrt treats users to an online magazine packed with tips, destinations, and gear roundups. As if that wasn’t enough, they regularly run contests where you can score everything from coolers to camp chairs.

For serious route mapping, The Dyrt’s PRO upgrade delivers. Its innovative Trip Planner builds customized itineraries factoring your rig size and route preferences. Simply enter start/end points and vehicle specs, and the app will plan a route for you. You can also download maps for offline use, so you’re never lost without a signal. 

KOA offers one of the best free RV route planner tools. With this tool, it’s easier than ever to get your next RV outing on the calendar without stressing over the details.

All you need is an internet connection and a few minutes of your time. Create a personalized account on the Trip Planner site and start adding your favorite KOA locations along your proposed route. You can search by area or campground name, filter by amenities like Wi-Fi or pools, and view all the key details like rates and policies. Save your selections to view later or book right from the site.

While it’s not an app, the Trip Planner works great from any device. Everything syncs seamlessly between devices, so you stay organized wherever you go.

Once your route is planned, making reservations is just a click away. No more calling individual parks or trying to piece together dates. The Trip Planner takes care of booking your whole trip at once. You’ll even get an itinerary emailed to you for easy reference on the road.

The RV Life is undoubtedly one of the best free RV route planner tools. Although the free version is quite limited, you can still make good use of its various features. 

Within the app, you can search thousands of campgrounds across North America. Fellow RVers have left reviews for most spots, sharing details on amenities, noise levels, and even wifi reliability. These reviews have saved me from more than one disappointing night. You can also browse pictures to get a sense of each campground.

I’ve also found great discussions on the built-in RV forums. Folks ask questions about certain areas or campgrounds all the time. It’s easy to search old posts too if you have a similar query come up.

If you’re looking for an easy way to plan your trail and book campsites along the way, Recreation.gov is a perfect free tool. It lets you search over 3,600 campgrounds nationwide. You can filter by location, amenities, and more. It’s especially great for finding spots in our National Parks and Forests. Just type in the area you’re headed to see your options.

Once you’ve picked out the route, you can book sites right on the Recreation.gov app or website. It’s an easy one-stop shop to get your camping reservations in order. I really appreciate how it shows all the key details like electric hookups, bathroom facilities, and pet policies.

If any destinations along your route are first-come, first-served, don’t worry. The app lets you claim those sites right from your phone when you arrive. No need to scramble for a spot or wait in line at the ranger station. Just scan and pay. It’s perfect for spontaneous explorers like me.

About The Author

David Kelly

David Kelly is the founder of Effortless RVing. He is an accomplished writer and passionate traveler who specializes in the RV lifestyle. With a keen eye for undiscovered gems and a love for adventure, David's articles provide a unique and insightful perspective on camping and RV travel. As a former Sales Manager at Camping World, David is dedicated to staying up-to-date with new trends in RV world and the ever-changing landscape of RV travel, making him a valuable resource for both experienced enthusiasts and newcomers to the lifestyle. Whether you're looking for RV product reviews, tips, inspiration, or a glimpse into the camping lifestyle, David's sharing posts are a must-read.

One Response

Hi, I am planning a 2 to 3-month trip, from Ottawa Ontario to Santa Monica CA following the historic Route 66. Would like to visit major cities and parks. And to get back using a different routes. I have a fifth wheel (35ft) .

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• The 9 Best Must-Have RV Travel Apps for Planning Your Next Car or RV Road Trip

We may have been compensated through an experience or products from the links and companies mentioned in this post. Thank you for supporting my small business. Please see my disclaimer for more info.

The 9 Best RV Travel Apps for Planning Your Next Car or RV Road Trip

When it comes to hitting the open road, having the best RV travel app at your fingertips can make all the difference. Enhancing your journey is just as important as finding the way from point A to B.  And if you’re a car driver rather than an RV driver, don’t worry!  These apps will work for you, too.

The top RV travel app will give you up-to-the-minute information on traffic and weather and data about nearby camping grounds, gas stations, and exciting places. But that’s not all!

This technology can help you plan each day of your trip in detail or even suggest spontaneous detours based on what’s around you. With an RV travel app in hand, exploring becomes a breeze. Whether you’re a seasoned RVer or planning your first adventure on wheels – choosing the right tool is key for effortless travel .

Table of Contents

Benefits of using an rv travel app.

The joy and freedom of exploring the Midwest and beyond in your RV are much easier when using a travel app. These handy tools, specifically designed for full-time RVers or occasional road trip enthusiasts, offer numerous benefits to women over 40 who love adventure.  Heck – they are great for everyone on the open road!  You don’t need an RV to enjoy these apps.

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Trip Planning Made Simple

Imagine having your favorite RV navigation apps that offer suggested routes and help you find state and national parks and public campgrounds along the way. That’s precisely what RV trip-planning apps do. With campground reviews from fellow travelers at hand, every decision becomes more manageable as it is based on real experiences.

A Friend to Your Wallet

A road trip doesn’t need to burn a hole in your pocket. The beauty of these awesome apps lies in their ability to guide users towards free camping sites or cheaper alternatives like public campgrounds compared to private RV parks for RV Camping only. Plus, they keep tabs on gas stations en route, ensuring fuel stops don’t become financial nightmares.

Your Personal Navigator On-the-Go

No more worrying about unexpected detours or sudden weather changes affecting your journey. With live updates via GPS-based directions right within these simple yet practical applications, a smooth ride throughout is almost guaranteed, irrespective of where you’re headed next – an overnight parking spot or a new city exploration.  RV-specific GPS is a plus for travelers who must avoid low clearances on overpasses or tight turns.

Maintenance – A Breeze Now

Last but certainly not least are those mundane maintenance tasks that come part and parcel with the fun-filled RV life pro experience. RV Trip Wizard , among other great apps, provides checklists for routine RV maintenance checks so nothing gets missed while living this exciting lifestyle on wheels.

What is the Best RV Travel App?

The best RV travel app for your needs can differ based on what you’re looking for in an application. However, a few applications have become popular for their broad selection of features and user-friendly interfaces.  I’ve checked out three of them and studied reviews for you, so you don’t have to!

We’ll compare three widely-used options that make traveling by RV or car a breeze: RV Life Pro , Togo RV , and RV Trip Wizard .

RV Life Trip Wizard – RV GPS and Campgrounds

A favorite among full-time RVers, RV Life , provides an all-in-one solution for planning your RV trip. It offers RV Safe GPS, which means the best route suggestions tailored to the size and weight of your vehicle, ensuring safe travels no matter where you go.  With this app, you won’t have to worry about your route or the time to arrive at your destination.

This handy app covers everything from finding RV parks and gas stations to locating nearby RV dump sites.  No more worrying about whether you fit under that highway overpass!  RV Life handles that!

RV Trip Wizard isn’t just an RV navigation map, either.  One of the reasons it is much loved among full-time RVers is that it has so many features beyond just the map.  One of the most popular features is the Points of Interest Map which includes over 57,000 points of interest for you to scope out before adding them to your route.

One of my favorite features of this app is that it even helps you keep track of maintenance schedules for your vehicle.  We can all use a little help with that fun chore!

And finally, you can find ideal RV parks and campgrounds as you travel.  With over 20,000 campgrounds in the app and the ability to rank your memberships in travel clubs, you’ll know which park will give you the best value after a quick look into the app.  In addition, it conveniently locates dump sites, gas stations, and prices en route.

Built-in Value with RVLife

RVLife comes with a 7-day trial to give you ample opportunity to decide if it’s the right fit for you.  After seven days, the cost is approximately $60 per year.  A few nights at a lower-cost camping sight will quickly take care of that $60, making this a great value if you travel often enough.

A demo version comes with more limited capabilities for those who need more than seven days to decide if this is the right app.

Next up?   Togo RV !  This handy app receives high praise from fellow RVers.  It not only aids with trip planning but also includes maintenance reminders and checklists, ensuring that you are road ready at all times!

Togo also has an Overnight RV Parking app, so if you love the RV app, you may just love the Overnight Parking app as well.  Take note that Togo RV is not a free app, but it does offer a free 7-day trial, so if you don’t love it, it won’t cost you a penny!

I love that this app provides access to reviews from fellow travelers on various campgrounds, making it easier to choose the right campground for you when you’re busy living out the dream of being a full-time traveler or an “RV life pro.”

Free Features with Togo

Some of the free features included with Togo are  Movile RV Repair Directory, which will help you find someone to repair your RV or car while you travel.  The Tire Finder lets you enter your tire specs and find the best replacements for your budget.  Pre-made RV checklists are available to get you safely on the road without forgetting any vital details!

You can also enter your vehicle specs and receive recall alerts, and maybe my favorite feature and the best part of this app is the Roadpass University, which is excellent for a new RV owner!

Togo RV is an excellent tool with high ratings among travelers.  Of course, besides the above options, it offers a campground search feature, which includes information about state parks and free camping sites throughout North America.

AllStays Camp & RV App

Last but certainly not least is AllStays Camp & RV , known for its comprehensive database covering everything from public campgrounds with RV sites to overnight parking lots for smaller vehicles.  This robust tool becomes indispensable whether one plans to stay at a state park or search out free camping sites and parking lots (Hello Cracker Barrel!) during road trips across the Midwest.

I feel safe in saying that AllStays is worth your time.  This app has been the #1 Selling, #1 Ranked, and #1 Reviewed Camping App for over 144 Months, with 4.5k reviews in the iOS app store and an overall ranking of 4.6 out of 5.

AllStays Camp & RV App is one of my favorite apps because, although it is simple, it is effective.  I love that it allows searches based on specific requirements like pet-friendly sites or overnight parking facilities.

Midwest State Park Adventures makes a great travel companion or gift. Some of the best travel writers in the Midwest collaborated to put this book together, which covers 12 Midwest States and hundreds of state parks.

And I, the Hip Grandma, contributed by writing the Michigan chapter!

You can click on the photo to order on Amazon or click HERE to learn more and order a signed copy directly from me.

AllStays Has Years of Development

After 13 years of use and development, AllStays has the most campgrounds listed (37,000 in the United States and Canada) and includes FREE overnight parking options.  The filters on this app are excellent.  You can filter sites fairly easily by features such as pet-friendly sites, laundry availability, boat launch, toilet styles, swimming pool, and so on!

But my favorite feature of this app is that some of the data is stored on your phone, making it useable even when driving in and out of wifi or service areas.  Nothing is more frustrating than driving out of signal, losing your internet connection, and the ability to search as you travel.

Notice to Android users:  Allstays Camp and RV does not have an app for you.  However, you can open your browser and log in to use the same features, which is a bit of a drawback if you have your heart set on an app. However, it makes this app useable on any device, including your tablet, computer, or laptop!

Consider Your Cost

When considering cost, RV Life Trip Wizard offers a limited-feature free version and a premium subscription. Togo RV comes with an annual fee. Allstays Pro is the least expensive of the three we’ve discussed here at 34.99 per year or 4.99 per month.

Any way you look at it, the ease these apps bring into your car or RV traveling experience often justifies their price tag.

Remember, no single application will meet every need perfectly. So, please look at each app’s features and consider the most important features before purchasing your perfect companion app.

  The Gist: 

Awesome RV travel apps like RV Life Trip Wizard, Togo RV, and Allstays Camp & RV Road Maps offer unique features tailored to your road trip needs. From campground searches to maintenance reminders and route planning, these tools simplify the journey. Consider cost and personal preferences when choosing your perfect digital companion.

Add-on Popular RV Travel Apps

Now that we’ve talked about adding a GPS and Trip planning app, let’s talk about a few apps that don’t do it “all” but do their own thing really well! Here are my favorite stand-alone apps that I wouldn’t travel without!

RVParky App

The user-friendly RV Parky app assists in locating RV dump stations and potential roadside attractions.  It’s FREE, making it a great starter app!

TripAdvisor

Before I travel, and sometimes even after, you’ll find me cruising through TripAdvisor .  You’ll find places to go, things to do, and places to eat and stay in this handy free app.

TripAdvisor is location-specific, so enter your destination and see lists of all of the great things a destination has to offer and honest, up-to-date user reviews from people who have been there!   TripAdvisor is a great way to get genuine reviews from real people before wasting your time and efforts.

Hotels Dot Com

When I need a place to stay, and the car or the RV just isn’t going to cut it, I use Hotels.com .  You can search along your route and see prices at a glance, discounted from the walk-in rate.  This app has come in incredibly handy when I need a room at the last minute.

Be aware, though, if you make a reservation through this app and, for some reason, change your mind on arrival, refunds are not easy.  The hotel will immediately tell you to take it up with Hotels.com , and you may wait more than a week for your refund.

Roadside Attractions

This handy little app called Roadside Attractions is my personal favorite app for finding quirky roadside stops!  I have used it for everything from finding a spooky shoe tree on a back country road to finding the EPIC Headquarters, the most fantastic work campus that seems more like a theme park than a business.

I truly love this great app!  It can turn your RV road trip from meh to magnificent! There is a small one-time cost to use the app, but it has been more than worth it for me!

iExit is a nifty little app and just the thing to help you find a bite to eat, a gallon of gas, or a restroom as you travel.  Simply open the iExit app, which will use GPS to locate you on the Interstate, then give you a list of the upcoming exits and what you’ll find there, including fuel prices, truck stops, rest areas, and fast food restaurants!  I love this little app!

Talking Trail

If you like to hear the story behind a story, this app is for you. Download the Talking Trail App , and when you are within a specified distance of a Talking Point, the app will notify you. A quick click on the map will give you a narrated story of the landmark you’re visiting. If you are a leisure traveler with time to learn and hear stories, you’ll LOVE Talking Trail.

Tips for Choosing an RV Travel App

Embarking on your next RV trip with the right app can transform your travel experience. Consider what you want when choosing the perfect app to accompany your RV journey.

Identify Your Requirements

The first step is recognizing what you need from an RV travel app. Are you seeking a straightforward navigation tool like Google Maps , or do you require more specific features such as finding RV parks, planning safe routes, locating gas stations, and even providing handy checklists? Knowing what’s essential will help streamline your choices.

Pore Over User Reviews and Ratings

User reviews and ratings provide invaluable insights into how well each option performs.  I certainly don’t know it all, and although I have used all of these apps, many others have also and may be able to answer your specific questions in a review.  Quickly browsing feedback on platforms like Google Play Store or Apple’s App Store will give you a balanced perspective.

Analyze Features & Usability

RV apps come in different pricing models: free versions with optional paid upgrades (like Togo RV), full-featured premium ones (such as RV Trip Wizard), and freemiums that offer limited functionalities unless upgraded – select one that fits your budget constraints and ensures value for what you spend.

Bonus Tip: Test Drive Before Committing

Of course, I recommend you try different options and compare their features whenever possible. Many of these apps offer free trial periods that will let you get a hands-on feel for their offerings firsthand and commitment-free. This practical exposure helps determine if a particular software ticks all of your boxes effectively, saving you time and effort.

 When choosing the best RV travel app, identify your needs first. Consider user reviews and ratings for insight into performance. Analyze features and usability to ensure it caters to all aspects of RV life within your budget. Don’t forget a test drive before committing.

FAQs in Relation to Best Rv Travel App

Is there an app for rv routes.

Absolutely! Apps like Roadtrippers and RV Trip Wizard are explicitly designed to help plan your RV route, including stops at campgrounds and attractions.

Is RV Trip Wizard worth it?

Yes, the comprehensive features of RV Trip Wizard, such as custom routing, campground information, and cost estimation, make it a valuable tool for any RVer.

Is there an app like Airbnb for camping?

Surely. Hipcamp is similar to Airbnb but focuses on unique camping experiences. It lists thousands of campsites across the US.

How do I plan an RV trip around the US?

You can use travel planning apps like The Dyrt or AllStays that provide details about campgrounds, gas stations, and rest stops, along with user reviews to help you plan your journey efficiently.

Wrapping It All Up

Exploring the Midwest in an RV just got easier.  As a matter of fact, it just got easier if you travel in a car, too!  Whichever way you travel, the best RV travel app can transform your travels from stressful to effortless.

Comparing different apps helps you find the perfect match for your needs. And once you choose, mastering its use ensures smooth sailing (or driving).

Ready to hit the open road with confidence? Dive deeper into this topic and discover how these best apps can guide you through choosing and using the best RV travel app for unforgettable adventures on the road.

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• 11 Best RV Trip Planning Tools

Feb 7, 2023 | RV Guides

Planning an RV trip can be a lot of work, but these tools will make it a fun and stress-free experience! From route planning to finding campgrounds and gas stations, and trying to fit in sightseeing along the way – you can utilize these resources and make it easy to map out your trip in minutes. Check out these 11 best tools to help you plan your next RV trip.

1. RV Trip Wizard – Now called RV Life Trip Wizard

RV Life Trip Wizard is an excellent tool for RV trip planning. It allows you to easily search for campgrounds, RV parks, and other camping options along your desired route. You can also view information about each location, including photos, reviews, and amenities. With RV Life Trip Wizard , you can easily plan your route and find the perfect camping spot for your next RV adventure.RV Life Trip Wizard is unique because it shows all campgrounds regardless of affiliation.

• Over 20,000 campgrounds with reviews from real campers like you.
• Find campgrounds based on discounts like Good Sam, AAA, Passport America, and more.
• Helps you estimate the cost of your trip with gas and campground stays.
• Set driving times and map out points of interest along the way.

Price: Free 7-day trial, $59/year

The nice thing about Togo RV is that they offer a completely free version. 

The app has a lot of benefits outside of trip planning.

With the free version you can take advantage of these great features:

• Find tires and service and repair for your RV, truck, and/or trailer
• Find nearby RV parks and explore the area
• Track RV maintenance with convenient reminders
• RV how-to guides, tips, and tricks

With the paid version you can do even more. Get discounts on lots of things like tires, service and harvest hosts membership.

The paid version Togo RV also grants you access to their large library of checklists and resources.

Price: Free option, Pro version is $49.99/year

3. AllStays

AllStays is a comprehensive RV travel app that provides information about campgrounds, RV parks, and other overnight parking options. The app allows you to search for locations based on your location, desired amenities, and trip budget. It also provides information about RV-friendly businesses, rest areas, and truck stops.

• Filter the map by type and amenities
• Search for campgrounds only or tenting only
• Identifies truck stops, rest stops, dump stations, supplies, RV service, and low bridges
• Can check the weather in the area
• Find military famcamps
• Stores data on your phone so it works without a cell signal

Price: $34.95/year

4. Google Maps

Google Maps is a must-have tool for RV travel. It allows you to plan your route, find campgrounds, and get directions to your destination. With Google Maps , you can also view traffic updates, construction alerts, radar traps, and road conditions, making it an essential tool for RV trip planning. Google maps is free and perfect to use while you’re driving. First, plan your trip using a different tool, then you can use Google maps for directions. Price: Free

RV Parky is a user-friendly app that helps you find RV parks and campgrounds in North America. With RV Parky , you can search by location, desired amenities, and trip budget. It also provides detailed information about each location, including photos, reviews, daily rates, and contact information. The public can add their review, photos, and more, so you can get unbiased opinions about the parking or camping spots you find on the platform. Price: Free

6. CampgroundReviews

Looking for feedback on camping spots from real campers like you? CampgroundReviews is an online community where RV enthusiasts share their experiences and provide recommendations for campgrounds and RV parks. With CampgroundReviews, you can search for campgrounds based on your location, desired amenities, and trip budget. You can also read reviews and get recommendations from other RV travelers, making it an excellent resource for planning your trip. CampgroundReviews is unique because they have campground virtual tours for over 35,000 campgrounds. View each campsite, and simply click it to book it! Price: $99/year

7. Gas Buddy 

With Gas Buddy you can compare gas prices, find the cheapest gas near you, and even save money at the pump. The app provides up-to-date information on gas prices at nearby stations, making it easy to find the cheapest option. You can enter the make and model of your car and calculate the cost of fueling up. The prices on Gas Buddy are updated by users, ensuring that you get the most accurate information possible. With Gas Buddy, you can earn points for reporting fuel prices, which can be redeemed for discounts and other rewards. The app can also be used to plan RV road trips, providing you with information on fuel prices and distance between stops. Some of its key features are:

• Some of its key features are:
• Real-time fuel prices
• Fuel cost calculator
• Gas station locator: With Gas Buddy, you can find the nearest gas station and get directions to it.
• Fuel price trends
• In-app rewards program
• RV Trip planning

Price: Free with paid option

RV Life is an online magazine that provides information and resources for RV enthusiasts. With RV Life , you can find articles and information about:

• Outdoor adventures.
• The magazine also provides a directory of campgrounds and RV parks, making it an excellent resource for planning your trip.

RV Life is affiliated with RV Life Trip Wizard, but they offer so much free advice you can absorb and learn from. They even offer a masterclass so you can become an expert RVer. Price: Free

InRoute is a versatile route planning and navigation app, perfect for RV owners (or renters!). With the following features, it simplifies the process of planning and navigating on road trips:

• Customizable Route Planning RV owners can plan their routes based on the size and weight of their vehicles, ensuring a smooth and safe journey.
• Real-time Traffic Information Stay up-to-date with real-time traffic updates, avoiding any potential delays and taking the quickest route.
• RV-Specific Points of Interest The app includes RV-specific points of interest, such as campgrounds, RV parks, and rest areas, to make it easy for RV owners to find what they need on the road.
• Fuel Cost Estimation The app’s fuel cost calculator helps RV owners estimate fuel expenses and compare the cost of different routes, helping them make informed decisions.
• Detailed Maps InRoute offers customizable maps, including satellite, terrain, and street view, to help RV owners get a better understanding of the road ahead.

InRoute is a nice option because you can also save your routes to your device so they work offline – getting stuck in the middle of nowhere is no longer a problem, your maps will still work.

Price: $29.99/year

10. RV Parks & Campgrounds App

Completely free with no ads, this app will help you find campgrounds and RV parks, view photos and reviews, and plan your trip. Here’s another app option that will help you find gas stations and routes. And it works across North America (USA, Canada, Mexico). Find over 40,000 RV parks, campgrounds, rest areas, gas stations, and stores. RV parks can be sorted by rating. Since the app uses a local database, it’s less dependent on the internet, however the internet is required to view maps and pictures.

Find several types of RV Parks and Campgrounds:

• Privately owned (commercial) RV parks
• Public RV parks including U.S. Forest Service, State Park, County/City Parks, BLM (The Bureau of Land Management), and State Fairgrounds
• U.S. Military Campgrounds
• Jellystone Family campgrounds
• KOA and 1000 Trails (Thousand Trails RV Resort & Campgrounds)
• 55+ Senior Retirement Communities

In addition, the RV Parks & Campgrounds App will help you find RV friendly stores and parking like Walmart, Costco, Camping World, CrackerBarrel, Cabela’s, Rest areas, RV dump stations, Fuel stations, and more!

11. RV Rental Sites & Marketplaces

Every good RV trip starts with a great RV! If you’re looking to rent an RV there’s lots of options.

There are plenty of places you can rent an RV – Outdoorsy, RVShare, Rvezy, and more. These sites make it easy to book your next rental online so you can start planning your RV trip.

If you’re looking for an alternative, Travel Happy RV is a family owned RV rental company in Scottsdale, AZ offering more affordable RV rentals without all the added fees, and the RV’s come fully stocked with everything you need for the perfect road trip.

Whether you’re looking for campgrounds, RV parks, or other overnight parking options, these tools can help you find the best locations for your trip. With the right tools, you can plan your route, find scenic drives and the best gas prices, and plan your activities, making your RV trip a fun and stress-free experience. So, be sure to take advantage of these resources and start planning your next RV adventure today!

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The Best RV Trip Planner Tools of 2024 (Our Top Recs)

The snow is thawing , and the national parks are gearing up for another season, which means it’s time to de-winterize your RV and prepare for your next RV road trip. And this year isn’t going to be like last year. 

No more last minute campsite booking for you. No more putting up to the narrow sardine parking spots because that was the only spot left. And you’re definitely not skipping pitstops and must-see attractions–just because you can’t fit an extra stop in your schedule. 

Nope , this time, you’ll do a little more research and plan your road trip with an RV trip planner. And we’ve got the best options for you right here!

Top RV Trip Planner Tools

RV trip planners are digital tools that make it easy to plan your next road trip. They provide a space where you can:

• Map out your route
• Find awesome campgrounds
• Research points of interest along your route
• Estimate your travel costs

Here are some of the top RV trip planner tools available today. We’ll delve into the features and benefits of seven of these tools:

#1: The Dyrt PRO

The Dyrt PRO offers a bundle of benefits for its subscribers. With the Dyrt PRO, you can lay out the best route to take, and then find the best campgrounds and sightseeing along that route. 

With a database of over 45,000 campgrounds across the United States, and access to over 5,000 campsites that are absolutely free, you’re sure to find the perfect spot to park your RV for the night. 

But the Dyrt PRO is more than just a campground finder. It also pinpoints overnight parking spots , dump stations , and water stations along your route. 

Add to that the additional discounts, no booking fees, and alerts for when a popular campground has a spot open up, and the $34.99/year is totally worth it. 

The Dyrt PRO: Camping maps, discounts & reservations at sold-out sites

How Neighbor is changing RV storage

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Renters save 30-50% on RV storage, on average. No rate hikes.

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#2: RV LIFE Trip Wizard

RV LIFE app covers all of your RV trip planning needs.

• Plan Routes Using an RV-Safe GPS: The app’s navigation system is designed to provide safe RV routes, taking into account height, weight, and other restrictions for safe, turn-by-turn GPS-guided routes. 
• Find Campgrounds: over 20,000 campgrounds with favorable campground reviews from Good Sam and Passport America. 
• Locate Points of Interest: Stop by all the best sightseeing locations on your route, and plan out how long you’d like to stay.
• Set Your Own Driving Preferences: You decide when to start and how long you want to drive per day. 
• Calculate the cost of your trip: Add up the amount of gas you need and what your campground fees will be. 

You can complete all of these tasks in one centralized place (your computer, tablet, or phone)— all for the small price of $65/year.

RV LIFE Trip Wizard – RV Trip Planner & RV Safe Routes

#3: Allstays RV Trip Planning Resource 

With more than 60,000 pins for…

• RV parks, 
• truck stops, 
• campsites, 
• Weigh stations
• Dump stations
• Walmart parking
• Moose and Elk lodges
• RV Service centers 
• and more…

…across the United States and Canada, Allstays offers a wealth of information for RV travelers to plan their trip. It also features a community-driven feedback system with baked-in user reviews and ratings–all of which provide valuable insights into the quality and amenities of each location.

Pro Tip: Allstays gives you the information to plan your route, but it’s not a trip-planning tool in and of itself. Plug this information into an RV trip planner tool for the perfect RV road trip. 

Allstays LLC Apps on the App Store (apple.com)

Is There an App for RV Routes?

Driving an RV requires another level of awareness. You have to be aware of your height, your RV’s weight, the grades ahead, and the routes that accommodate your RV. 

Now, if you have a class B RV or camper van, then RV routes aren’t as important to you–as most highways, bridges, etc. can support the weight of your Class of RV. 

However, owners of larger RVs need to be aware of them, and an RV route planner is a great tool to bring peace of mind on the road. 

Yes, the Garmin RV GPS

If you’re tired of having to navigate through another app on your phone while you’re driving, then Garmin has something for you. 

The Garmin RV GPS  has a large, 7” display that is readable in landscape or portrait mode. No more straining your eyes or having to zoom in and out of Google Maps while driving. The GPS provides custom RV routing that takes into account the size and weight of your RV. You can also save profiles for different vehicles or trailers.

On top of large-RV-safe routes, the Garmin RV GPS includes:

• Road warnings for upcoming steep grades and sharp curves
• A preloaded directory of RV parks and services
• Compatibility with backup cameras
• Control for vehicle accessories
• The ability to pair with the Garmin Drive app for easy trip planning

And this isn’t a subscription that you have to pay for every year. You’re purchasing a device, so it’s a one-time cost of $449.99 that you can use for years to come. 

Garmin RV 795 | RV GPS Navigator

Save up to $1,200/year on RV storage & parking

Bonus: rv parky.

When planning a road trip, you always want to have a backup plan for when the unexpected (inevitably) happens–be it a tire blowout or engine trouble. That’s where RV Parky is a lifesaver. 

For last-minute route planning and finding places to park close by, RV Parky you can find a place to park your RV quickly . 

The best part? Its free version of the app is all you need. 

RV Parky – Parks & Campgrounds on the App Store (apple.com)

RV Parky – Apps on Google Play

Before You Go

When your road trips come to an end, there’s one more thing you have to plan for… a place to store your RV (at least until your next road trip).  

You want your rig to stay in good condition, so it’s ready to use for the next excursion. For this reason, you’ll want to store it properly, undercover, and away from the elements . 

So where can you find covered or enclosed RV storage in your area?

I’m glad you asked because that’s where Neighbor can help . 

Neighbor is a peer-to-peer RV storage marketplace that offers RV storage that’s up to 50% cheaper than traditional storage options.  

With Neighbor, you can find RV storage options in all 50 states, and you may even find storage spaces in your very own neighborhood . 

Frequently Asked Questions

Is rv trip wizard worth it.

Yes , RV Trip Wizard is worth it for planning RV group trips , as it provides detailed park listings and reviews. 

What Are Some Essential Features to Look for in an RV Trip Planner?

When looking for an RV trip planner, make sure it includes RV-safe routing , a c ampground database , fuel and water station locators , and weather data. 

How Can I Avoid Potential RV Hazards on My Trip?

Use RV trip planners and navigation apps to route based on your RV’s height and weight. These tools will help you avoid low clearances, propane restrictions, steep grades, and toll roads. 

Related Posts

Top 10 best rv apps to enhance your road trip adventures, top picks: the best rv gps systems for effortless navigation, the best campgrounds and rv parks near greenville, sc .

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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.

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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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You Dream. We Plan.

Custom rv road trips planned and built by rv travel enthusiasts..

We Handle the Planning

Planning an RV road trip involves choosing a manageable route, finding the right vehicle and booking the best campsites. On top of that, it takes even more time and research to figure out what to do in each location you’re going to visit. We don’t want you to sacrifice precious vacation time on a poorly planned trip.

Tumbleweed Travel Co. is designed to do all the RV road trip planning, route-finding, and reservation-booking for you! So all you need to do is GO!

All Trips Include

Amazing Routes and Driving Directions

The Correct RV For Your Group

Tips and Hints For Your Road Trip

Suggested Activities For Your Group

Digital Trip Documentation

Pre-Booked Campground Reservations

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Explore the best road trip itineraries in the West! We have researched and designed the best routes in the West so you can make the best use of your valuable time!

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What people say about our rv trip planning.

Hi we just got back from a 8 day trip this month from Vegas to Grand Canyon, to Sedona, and stops in between. We stayed at 4 different campsite during our travel and each one was planned out perfect and booked with out a hitch. Our complete intermarry that she put together was flawless. Could not have asked for a better experience. Will be using Tumbleweed Travel in the future. Thank you Brooke!!

Brooke did an EXCELLENT job with our 3.5 week trip around the American Southwest. We always had the most amazing campsite, and she responded really well to our high/low requests, sprinkling in great hotels and activities. She is super organized, responsive and has personally stayed in all the places she sends you. Highly recommend!!!

Brooke at Tumbleweed helped us plan a 10-night trip this summer to Jackson Hole, Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone. We were novices to RVing and Brooke took care of planning a great trip – from perfect campsites to amazing activities to side trips along the way. All details were provided well in advance and with a great app that had our trip details and links to all activities and sites. We could not have done this trip without her help. We were a group of 11 – two RVs – and Brooke made very good age-appropriate recommendations. Some or our favorites were whitewater rafting down the Snake River, Horseback Riding in Yellowstone, rodeo in West Yellowstone. If you are looking for a great trip without the headaches and time to plan every detail I’d highly recommend Tumbleweed.

Brooke is an all-star organizational trip planner! We wanted a non-cookie cutter trip and she delivered. She arranged the MIGHTY 5 UTAH RV trip with a pickup in Vegas, drop off in Provo so we could do our loop in the 9 days that we had off from work. A lot of RV rentals won’t do one-way rentals. The trip itself was perfect. THE APP SHE UTILIZES IS AWESOME!! We always knew exactly where we were headed, how long it would take to get there, the check in info, places to eat, and fun side trips along the way if we wanted (and could access the app w/ no cell service). I am a super planner and Brooke was better than me. It’s so comforting to actually relax, not spend hours planning a trip and be able to trust someone else to do the work for you and it turn out better than I could have planned!! Brooke can you teach my husband & employees?! 🤣 I will absolutely use Tumbleweed again. I’m also frugal and she was worth every penny.

Thanks Brooke! From day one you made all the details clear, and all the recommendations were spot on for our trip. We didn't have any issues with reservations and felt that every detail of our adventure was taken care of - so that we can enjoy the family time! I especially loved the app with all our details and points of interest easily accessible, which also made connecting to google maps seamless. I would highly recommend Brooke and Tumbleweed Travel and will look forward to our next adventure with their help!

My wife and I recently did a week-long, bucket-list trip to Zion, Bryce and North Rim Grand Canyon national parks on a rental RV. Hiring Tumbleweed was the smartest thing we did to make the experience so easy and enjoyable. Brooke (the owner) handled all the planning, campsite selections and reservations. This saved us countless hours as well as the rookie mistakes we no doubt would've made on our own. We also loved the detailed itinerary, directions and recommendations packed into an easy-to-use app that works even offline (which is essential in parks without wifi or cell coverage). The overall experience was so great that we've hired Tumbleweed to arrange a second RV trip - to Arches, Canyonlands and Capitol Reef parks.

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6 steps to planning a successful RV road trip

Whether you’re an experienced RVer or just starting out, these tips will help make sure you have an amazing RV road trip

By Roadtrippers

When I bought my first RV more than a decade ago, it wasn’t because I loved camping. Rather, I was a dedicated roadtripper who spent all my vacation time driving along the Blue Ridge Parkway in the east, the Pacific Coast Highway in the west, or any scenic byway in between. As I entered my 30s—with a couple of babies in tow—I still desperately wanted to be a road warrior. However, I also wanted to bring some of the creature comforts of home along on the adventure. Enter the RV road trip.

Why road trip in an RV rather than a car?

Eleven years after that first RV purchase I can say the big bet paid off. My family has spent hundreds of days roadtripping around the country exploring national parks , historical landmarks, kitschy roadside attractions , urban destinations, and beach resorts. Here are the reasons why I choose to plan RV road trips more than any other type of travel.

You can travel more and spend less

It is easier for us to control costs when we travel in an RV than when we take other types of road trips. Spending less on a campground does not mean sacrificing natural beauty or comfort. State and national park campgrounds offer some of the most scenic places to park your rig with a price tag ranging from 20 to 40 dollars per night. Feeling more adventurous? Find Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land where you can boondock for free. Another option is purchasing a Harvest Hosts membership, which will allow you to camp for free at wineries, breweries, and farms around the country.  

You can prepare your own food in an RV

An RV kitchen allows travelers to eat healthier and spend less money while on the road. This can be particularly helpful for anyone with special dietary restrictions and food allergies, or for picky eaters. We love picking up regional specialties at farmers’ markets and then preparing dinner at the campground. 

You get your own (clean) bedroom and bathroom

No matter where we are in the country, we love ending the day by falling asleep on our own custom memory foam RV mattress. Our kids have their favorite blankets and stuffed animals. The bathroom is always well-stocked with our favorite toiletries, and the medicine cabinet has all the necessary first aid supplies we might need in a pinch. Even though these things have always been appreciated, we value them even more while dealing with COVID-19 concerns. We are able to stock up on cleaning supplies and control the cleanliness of our environment more easily when traveling with an RV. 

Plan on renting an RV?

The RV rental industry has been growing rapidly over the last decade, but recent events have caused a massive spike in interest. If you plan on renting an RV for your next road trip, don’t wait to make that reservation. I highly recommend renting a motorhome that is 30 feet or less, which will enable you to fit into almost any RV campsite out there—public or private. 

Related Renting an RV for the First Time

A Class C RV rental will feel similar to driving a U-Haul truck and is fairly easy to maneuver on highways and in parking lots. Smaller Class Bs—think #vanlife—are even easier to drive but offer very little storage or sleeping space. Class As are more like buses and may be intimidating to first-time RVers. You will also be relegated to big-rig-friendly campgrounds and oversize parking spots.

Shopping for your first RV?

If you are currently in the market for your first RV, make sure you purchase a rig that will fit your traveling style. There is no shortage of massive RVs out there with residential refrigerators, massaging recliners, and king-sized master beds. However, these types of RVs are not well suited for roadtrippers who aim to easily move from place to place and stay light on their feet. 

Consider set up and break down times. Be aware that gas stops and quick roadside breaks will be more challenging. Also figure out what kind of campground experience you want. Rule of thumb is to purchase an RV under 30 feet long in order to fit into most state and national park campgrounds. 

If you would like to boondock or park overnight in free locations, make sure you look for large fresh water, gray water, and black water tanks as you shop. You may also want to look into solar panels or an onboard generator to power your off-grid adventures. 

Already own an RV?

If you recently purchased your RV and are itching to hit the road, take a breath and get comfortable with your new home on wheels first. Head to an empty parking lot and practice backing up, parking, and turning. Create personalized checklists for campground departure and arrival. Measure and record the length and height of your rig (including air conditioner). Load your RV with all your gear and head to your local CAT scales to make sure it’s not overweight. 

Despite all the compelling reasons to road trip in an RV, this mode of transportation does not come without its own unique set of challenges and concerns. No matter how experienced of a roadtripper you are, you’ll need to make some adjustments when planning an RV road trip.

1. Choose the right RV for the road trip you want to plan

Don’t expect to take the scenic route and play your campground stops by ear in a 40-foot Class A motorhome. On the other hand, you may not be able to stock up on groceries and prepare your own gourmet meals in a 16-foot Class B van. Matching up your rig with your desired adventure is the first step in planning a successful RV road trip. 

2. Make a plan that matches your budget

The three most expensive line items for an RV road trip are gas, campground fees, and food. All three of these can vary dramatically depending on the type of road trip you plan. Knowing your RV or tow vehicle MPG will help you plan a route that doesn’t break the bank. Remember, you don’t have to drive across the country to have an amazing adventure.

Having a campground budget will help you feel free to splurge on an RV resort at one stop and then balance that out with some state park camping or boondocking. Some folks save money by overnighting in Walmart, Cracker Barrel, or Cabela’s parking lots instead of pricey private campgrounds by the side of the road. Just call ahead to check on local ordinances. 

3. Book campsites far in advance of your departure date if possible

The current state of available campsites is a hard pill to swallow for new RVers. Many people dream of hitting the road and letting the wind blow them where it may. Unfortunately, the best state and national park campsites are often booked months in advance, so making reservations is typically recommended. Carefully read online reviews to ensure the campground is a good fit. Make sure the campground has the amenities that you need, whether that’s a pool and hot tub or just sparkling clean bathhouses. Also note any cancellation policies and record them in your smartphone calendar along with the reservation information. This way you are prepared if plans do change while you’re on the road. 

4. Plan an RV-friendly route

Many experienced roadtrippers love exploring the backroads and scenic byways when traveling from point A to point B. You will have to approach route planning differently when taking an RV road trip. Look for any low clearances and propane restrictions for bridges and tunnels. Think about gas stops that won’t land you in a parking lot pickle. Be aware of steep grades or switchbacks that may be tricky to navigate in an RV. 

5. Research RV parking in advance

Seasoned roadtrippers love to find unexpected treasures and make unplanned stops. This becomes a bit trickier when traveling by RV. I usually call ahead to points of interest along our route and specifically ask for details about RV parking. From the Corn Palace in South Dakota to the Bay of Fundy in Nova Scotia, we’ve been able to easily navigate busy tourist attractions armed with advanced parking intel. What about those fun, unplanned stops that pop up along the way? Check the satellite map view on your smartphone to see if you will be able to navigate in and out of the location before committing.

Take an RV-safe road trip with RV GPS, now available with a Roadtrippers Membership

6. adjust your estimated time of arrival.

One of the most common mistakes new RV roadtrippers make is expecting to move at the same pace as when traveling by car. That’s not going to happen, so it’s important to have reasonable expectations when planning your itinerary. An easy rule of thumb is to plan an average route speed of 50 miles per hour. This accounts for generally slower speeds, but also longer and perhaps more frequent gas stops. Driving an RV takes a lot more focus than a car, and first-time RVers are often surprised that they are tired after a shorter time behind the wheel. For this reason, some RVers follow the 3/300 rule: Drive no more than 300 miles in a single day and arrive at your destination no later than 3 p.m. 

After hundreds of days spent roadtripping in an RV over the last decade, I clearly enjoy hitting the open road with my home on wheels. I’m willing to trade a bit of flexibility for a whole lot of comfort. Find the right rig, plan ahead, and adjust your expectations a bit. Then get ready to have an amazing road trip adventure.

Meet the Author

Roadtrippers

Roadtrippers helps you find the most epic destinations and detours—from roadside attractions to natural wonders and beyond.

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23 Incredible Road Trips in the U.S.

Whether you’re looking for sweeping views of the pacific ocean or a multiday adventure through national parks, these road trips provide plenty of opportunities to explore the united states..

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Glacier National Park is one of many scenic places you can visit on an American road trip.

Photo by Zack Frank / Shutterstock

In a country as large as the United States, there’s no shortage of destinations and detours to explore by car . Whether your idea of the perfect American road trip entails an epic, cross-country journey or a shorter jaunt through a few of its most iconic national parks , your options are as large and varied as the country itself.

Even if you don’t have the time to drive cross-country, there are plenty of road trip routes (ranging from three days to a week or longer): classic California itineraries , New England routes that shine especially well in the fall, scenic East Coast adventures, and a variety of Midwest journeys for folks farther from the coasts.

No matter your mode of transportation—be it van, RV, motorcycle, or four-door sedan—these are 21 of the best road trips in the nation to consider.

Plan your next Route 66 trip around thirst-quenching stops.

Photo by Peek Creative Collective/Shutterstock

There are many ways to do a cross-country road trip in the USA, but these two itineraries will take you through some truly iconic American places.

1. Chicago to Los Angeles: A Whiskey Road Trip on Route 66

It doesn’t get more American than a 2,000-mile drive along the entirety of Route 66. There are endless ways to take this legendary trip (including an EV version —but to take your cross-country road trip to the next level, we recommend exploring another American pastime: whiskey.

Starting in Chicago and ending in L.A., you’ll stop by some of the leading craft distilleries in the United States, like Few Spirits in Chicago, Still 630 in St. Louis, and Red Fork Distillery in Tulsa. In between tastings, make time for detours to natural attractions, like the Grand Canyon, and quirky roadside curiosities, like Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo, Texas. Just remember to drink responsibly—this is a road trip after all.

Plan your trip

The full itinerary: Put a New Twist on Route 66—Make It an American Whiskey Road Trip

No cars are allowed on Mackinac Island, so you need to park before taking the ferry to this spot.

Photo from Shutterstock

2. Bangor, Maine, to Seattle, Washington: The Great Northern on U.S. Route 2

Covering both the U.S. and Canada, a cross-country trip along U.S. 2 is ideal for anyone who wants to experience the vast diversity and expansiveness of North America. This drive runs the entire top border of the U.S. and showcases otherworldly natural wonders like Acadia National Park in Maine, the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore in Wisconsin, and Mackinac Island in Michigan. The route also passes through Canada, taking road-trippers through Ontario into Quebec—this route may focus on nature, but you won’t want to miss a stop in Montreal or Ottawa.

You’ll also get to explore Montana and Glacier National Park ( reservations may be required ) before passing the Columbia Plateau and ending in the Pacific Northwest’s largest city, Seattle. Don’t miss spending time in the Olympic Peninsula (home to Olympic National Park) for a peek at one of the most scenic places on the West Coast.

3. Dana Point to San Francisco: Driving California’s Pacific Coast Highway

The seemingly endless views of the Pacific Ocean along Highway 1 (also known as the Pacific Coast Highway) are what road trip dreams are made of, and exactly what makes this California road trip so popular. However, with so many stops along the 655-mile stretch, we pulled together a list of the ones well worth pulling over to view. Don’t miss the perfect surfing waves in Santa Cruz, seasonal cuisine in Malibu, an afternoon a the boardwalk in Santa Monica, or a night in Big Sur as you drive between Dana Point (just south of Los Angeles) and San Francisco.

• The full itinerary: The Best Stops for a Road Trip on the Pacific Coast Highway
• The AFAR Guide to San Francisco

The seaside town of Monterey was the setting for John Steinbeck’s Cannery Row .

Photo by Denise Lett/Shutterstock

4. Big Sur to Mono County: A Literary Road Trip Through Northern California

Yes, this itinerary requires you actually put down your book to drive, but seeing some of the pivotal places that shaped American authors will be so worth it. Follow in the footsteps of writers like Jack Kerouac, Maya Angelou, and Amy Tan on this road trip that takes you through literary landmarks in Northern California, such as Caffe Trieste, a meeting place for Jack Kerouac, Allen Ginsberg, Alan Watts, and other bohemian writers and thinkers. This 12-stop itinerary is perfect if you live in the San Francisco Bay Area because you’ll be able to stay make these trips in one or two days.

The full itinerary: The California Road Trip All Book Lovers Should Take

Arizona may take its nickname from the Grand Canyon, but the state has far more natural wonders than just that one.

Courtesy of Shutterstock

5. Phoenix to the Grand Canyon: An Iconic Arizona Road Trip

This 240-mile Arizona road trip takes travelers along some of the state’s most iconic highlights, including its most famous one, the Grand Canyon. A great itinerary for first-time visitors and returning travelers alike, it offers plenty of opportunities for scenic drives, hiking, and biking—as well as tasty food along the way. Hike the 2,704-foot-tall Camelback Mountain in Scottsdale or take in the beautiful red rocks of Sedona on a hike to Cathedral Rock while exploring the Grand Canyon State.

• The full itinerary: The Classic 5-Day Arizona Road Trip
• Grand Canyon guide: The First-Timer’s Guide to the Grand Canyon
• Where to eat in Phoenix: A Chef’s Guide to the Best Restaurants
• Where to stay: The Best Hotels in Arizona ; The Best Airbnbs in Sedona

The Delicate Arch living up to its name in Utah’s Arches National Park

Photo by tusharkoley / Shutterstock

6. Zion to Grand Canyon: A National Parks Road Trip in the Southwest

If you’re looking to visit as many national parks as possible in one road trip, this southwestern itinerary is for you. This journey through Utah and Arizona lets you hike Angel’s Landing in Zion, feel tiny under Delicate Arch in Arches National Park, explore Fairyland Loop Trail in Bryce Canyon, and, of course, raft down the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon. Most visitors to the Grand Canyon remain on the rim, but take at least four days to venture within the canyon and take advantage of the trails and river rafting.

• The full itinerary: The Ideal Road Trip Through U.S. National Parks
• Utah’s 8 Best National Parks and Monuments
• 10 Best National Parks and Monuments in Arizona
• The First-Timer’s Guide to the Grand Canyon

Stop and admire the winding roads of the San Juan Skyway.

Photo by Anh Luu/Shutterstock

7. San Juan Scenic Skyway Road Trip: An Adventure Through Southwestern Colorado

This Colorado trip takes you along the 232-mile loop of the San Juan Scenic Skyway, where you will see plenty of alpine forests, mining towns, and craggy peaks. And for anyone looking to enjoy refreshments after a long day of driving, this route features many opportunities to stop at some of the best breweries in Colorado , such as Ska Brewing Co. in Durango.

• The full itinerary: The Ultimate Southwestern Colorado Road Trip
• Five Classic Colorado Road Trips To Take This Year

In small-town Buena Vista, the riverfront Surf Hotel offers front-row seats to Colorado-style adventure seekers.

Courtesy of the Surf Hotel

8. Denver to Montrose: A 420-Mile Road Trip Through Colorado

Want to explore even more of the Centennial State? Head out on this weeklong road trip where you can fish for salmon in Colorado’s largest reservoir, visit numerous small towns, like Paonia and Crawford, with thriving art scenes along the Colorado Creative Corridor , and explore Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, one of the least visited national parks in the nation.

• The full itinerary: Art Stars, High-Altitude Wines, and a Remote National Park: The Ultimate Colorado Road Trip
• Where to stay: The Best Hotels in Colorado
• The AFAR Guide to Denver

Portland may be Oregon’s largest city, but with a population of some 652,000 (or 2.5 million in the larger metropolitan area), it isn’t intimidatingly large.

Photo courtesy of Travel Portland

9. Portland to Astoria: An Oregon Coast Road Trip for Outdoor Lovers

If you love the outdoors, then this six-day road trip along the coast of Oregon is for you. After driving to Coos Bay from Portland, travelers will meander along Oregon’s dramatic, rocky coastline, discovering some quintessentially Pacific Northwest vistas along the way: evergreen forests, seaside dunes, and marine ecosystems. Between stops, there are ample opportunities to stretch your legs hiking, kayaking, or strolling around the region’s small towns—like the historic old town in Florence.

Of course, it wouldn’t be an Oregon road trip without a stop (or three) at a craft brewery, such as Fort George Brewery in Astoria, or cozy coffee shop, like Bread & Roses in Yachats.

• The full itinerary: An Outdoor Lover’s Road Trip on the Oregon Coast
• The AFAR Guide to Portland

The State Capitol Building in Nashville marks the end of this road (trip).

Photo by photo.ua / Shutterstock

10. Seneca Falls, New York, to Nashville, Tennessee: Follow the Path of the Women’s Suffrage Movement

Starting in New York’s Finger Lakes region and ending at the State Capitol Building in Nashville, this road trip traces the route of the national women’s suffrage movement. Highlights include stops at the Susan B. Anthony Museum & House ; Union Square in New York City, which was the site of the first suffrage march; and the Belmont-Paul Women’s Equality National Monument in Washington, D.C.

• The full itinerary: Celebrate Women’s Suffrage on an Epic, Self-Guided Road Trip
• Where to stay: The Best Hotels in Nashville
• The AFAR Guide to Nashville
• The AFAR Guide to Washington, D.C.

Asheville is one must-stop on a North Carolina road trip.

Courtesy of ExploreAsheville.com

11. Charlottesville to Asheville: A Scenic Road Trip Through Virginia and North Carolina

The Blue Ridge Parkway is one of the most scenic drives in the country. Beginning in the soft hilly meadows of the Appalachian Mountains from Shenandoah National Park down into the Blue Ridge Mountains, then into the Great Smoky Mountains, this five-day road trip is best done at a slower pace, which is perfect for admiring the dramatic outlooks and green plateaus. This eclectic itinerary features stops at an art museum, a dairy farm, and plenty of hiking trails.

• The full itinerary: The Ultimate Blue Ridge Parkway Road Trip
• Where to stay: 12 Dreamy Blue Ridge Mountain Cabins You Can Rent on Airbnb and Vrbo
• 8 U.S. National Park Road Trips to Take in Your Lifetime

Dowa:kwe dance group from Zuni Pueblo in 2019

Courtesy of Indian Pueblo Cultural Center

12. Albuquerque to Las Cruces: Discover New Mexico on This Three-Day Road Trip

This route steers you away from New Mexican tourist hot spots like Taos and Santa Fe and instead takes you on a three-day adventure with places that teach you about Pueblo history. You’ll stop at Indian Pueblo Kitchen (formerly known as Pueblo Harvest), a restaurant inside the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center that features Indigenous cuisine ; pick up peppers at Three Brothers in Hatch; and slide down the dunes in White Sands National Park.

• The full itinerary: This New Mexico Road Trip Is the Perfect Introduction to the Land of Enchantment

Historic Fort Martin Scott is one of the places travelers can visit to learn about Fredericksburg’s history.

Photo by Mark König/Unsplash

13. A Five-Day Scenic Road Trip Through Texas Hill Country

This Texas road trip starts and ends in San Antonio with stops in small towns like Bandera, Boerne, and consider a stop in Fredericksburg, which is one of AFAR’s best places to go in 2024 ). Over five days, you’ll find opportunities to stroll in a Japanese tea garden in San Antonio, relax along the Sabinal and Frio Rivers by inner tube, and eat as many tacos as you want. Seriously: You could eat tacos for every meal on this road trip and not get tired of them.

• The full itinerary: Tree Houses, Tubing, and Tacos: The Ultimate Texas Hill Country Road Trip

Mount McKinley looms large on a drive through Denali National Park.

Photo by warnsweet / Shutterstock

14. A Weeklong Road Trip Through Alaska’s Most Majestic Sights

This weeklong drive in Alaska starts and ends in Anchorage. You travel along four scenic byways; explore Wrangell–St. Elias wilderness, the largest U.S. national park; catch sight of Denali, the tallest peak in North America; and enjoy the surprisingly stellar food scene of McCarthy, a one-road town with only a couple dozen residents.

• The full itinerary: Glaciers, Mountain Peaks, and Organic Farms: The Ultimate Alaska Road Trip
• Which Alaska National Parks Should You Visit?

More than geothermal pools, Kirkham Hot Springs features a piping-hot waterfall.

Courtesy of Idaho Tourism

15. Boise to Sun Valley: Explore Idaho’s Scenic Byways

Even a short road trip can be packed with adventure, good food, and scenery, which is exactly what this trip from Boise to Sun Valley along Idaho’s Ponderosa Pine Scenic Byway offers. Although the drive only takes six hours, we recommend taking a few days to explore all the stops and detours along the way. One can’t-miss spot is the Kirkham Hot Springs , where you can stand under a waterfall that will splash you with 135-degree mineral water year-round.

• The full itinerary: The Little-Known Idaho Road Trip You Need to Drive
• Things to do: The Best Outdoorsy Things to Do in Idaho

Grand Portage State Park is the only state park jointly managed by a state and a Native American band.

Photo by Shutterstock/QZ

16. Duluth to Grand Portage State Park: A Scenic Minnesota Sampler

Although there are many appealing road trips throughout the Midwest, this 143-mile, three-hour circuit, which starts and ends in Duluth, Minnesota, is worth keeping in mind. Meandering north on MN-61 with this itinerary, you will enjoy prime views of Lake Superior and towns like Grand Marais, as well as Grand Portage State Park, home to waterfalls, hiking trails, and opportunities to learn about the Ojibwe community who occupy the land today. Once back in Duluth, enjoy a beer at Canal Park Brewing Company before checking into the waterfront Canal Park Lodge nearby.

• The AFAR Guide to Minnesota

Wind your way through colorful foliage in New Hampshire.

Photo by Shutterstock

17. Kancamagus Highway: A Quintessential New England Drive

Yes, you can take a road trip in New England at any time of the year , but this region shows off its best colors in the fall, when locals and tourists alike head out into the country to view the changing colors of the trees. Join other admirers of fall foliage on this popular, 34.5-mile road trip along New Hampshire’s Kancamagus Highway, colloquially known as the “Kanc,” for picturesque ponds, hiking trails, and scenic overlooks.

• Plan Your Fall Getaway With This Peak Foliage Prediction Map

Ogunquit is home to the small, postcard-perfect harbor of Perkins Cove.

Photo courtesy of QualityHD / Shutterstock

18. Maine’s “Lobster Trail”: Travel Route 1 Along the Coast

Traveling Route 1, affectionately known as “the lobster trail,” along Maine’s jagged coastline is an exercise in indulgence. Sample lobster dishes in all forms—buttered, steamed, on a roll, or even in a decadent mac-and-cheese.

The trip starts in the quaint small town of Ogunquit , with its rare (for the area) 3.5 miles of white-sand beach. Make your first lobster of the journey count, steamed with a side of drawn butter at Barnacle Billy’s in picturesque Perkins Cove harbor. Stop at Big Daddy’s for a cone on your way to the shipbuilding center—and summer home of George H. W. Bush—Kennebunkport. Stay at the recently redesigned 150-year-old classic White Barn Inn , and consider a sailing trip for an afternoon. With lobsters cooked in ocean water, the legendary lobster roll at the Clam Shack is a must.

• 8 Scenic East Coast Road Trips to Take This Year

Throughout North Carolina’s Piedmont region, innovative restaurants, shops, and restaurants like Leah & Louise in Charlotte, above, are creating a buzz.

Photo by Peter Taylor Photography

19. Raleigh to Charlotte: A 4-Day Trip Through North Carolina’s Reinvented Core

North Carolina’s Piedmont region extends from the coastal plain to the Blue Ridge Mountains, and includes farmland and rolling wooded hills, especially on the 1-40 stretch near Hillsborough. Starting in Raleigh, drive the short distances to Greensboro, Winston-Salem, and Charlotte to see how these cities are innovating through art, food, and a celebration of the past. Take your time—four days should do—to experience downtown arts districts, James Beard Award–winning restaurants, and civil rights museums that speak truths. Plan your trip

• A Road Trip Through North Carolina’s Reinvented Core

Scenic South Walton is part of the Emerald Coast of Florida.

20. Scenic Highway 30A: A Sunday Drive Through South Walton, Florida

Florida is full of places to cruise with the top down, but it’s hard to beat a Sunday (or any day) drive along Scenic Highway 30A through northwest Florida, home to a postcard-perfect stretch of seaside towns known as South Walton.

The roughly 28-mile route through South Walton County kisses the coast for nearly all its length, taking you through gorgeous residential Gulf-front communities like Rosemary Beach, Grayton Beach, and Blue Mountain Beach . Roll down the windows and let the emerald-hued views in.

Pull over to explore, too—maybe to admire the New Urbanism architecture in Alys Beach or to swim in the clear waters at Grayton Beach State Park . (The beach here has been lauded among the best in the world.)

• The full itinerary: The Florida Road Trip You’ve Been Missing

Stand-up paddleboarding is just one way to enjoy a Florida Keys sunset.

Shutterstock

21. The Florida Keys: An Island-Hopping Getaway

For a sunny road trip itinerary in Florida, skip Miami and head farther south. Beginning in Key Largo and ending in Key West, the Florida Keys Scenic Highway is often overlooked for more well-known routes up north, but it is well worth going out of your way to experience.

As the name suggests, this route is very scenic, so plan to spend at least a few days exploring it and numerous stops along the way. Some highlights include driving across the impressive Overseas Highway, stopping to admire art in the town of Islamorada, and enjoying the historic sites, food, and (of course) beaches in the city of Key West.

• The full itinerary: How to Road Trip in the Lesser-Known Florida Keys

Sun Studio in Memphis was the site of the famous Million Dollar recording session that brought together Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, and Johnny Cash.

Photo by f11photo on Shutterstock

22. Memphis to Bristol, Tennessee: A Music-Driven Adventure

If you have about a week to spare and a deep appreciation for music, take a road trip from one side of Tennessee to the other, starting in Memphis and ending in Bristol. The eastbound trip spans genres, including rock ( Graceland ), blues ( Beale Street) and, of course, country (did you really go to Tennessee if you didn’t go to Dollywood ?). Nashville serves as the halfway point on your journey—so consider penciling in an extra 48 hours to fully explore the state capital’s greatest hits.

• The full itinerary: 5 Great American Road Trips For Music Fans

The stunning coastline near Cueva del Indio has been the backdrop of star-studded films.

Photo by Alexsf.gr/Shutterstock

23. Arecibo to Condado, Puerto Rico: A Lesser-Known Side of a Well-Loved Island

In the minds of many, trips to Puerto Rico bring images of stunning beaches , delicious foods , and maybe a bioluminescent bay or two . But there’s plenty of history to be found here, too, as Puerto Rico was home to an Indigenous population known as the Taino, a heritage many Puerto Ricans embrace. That history can be explored via a road trip. Starting in the northern town of Arecibo, travel south to Ponce, then back north to Condado—along the way you’ll encounter petroglyphs, Indigenous sites, and breathtaking natural spots.

• The full itinerary: A Puerto Rico Road Trip That Puts Indigenous Culture First

Additional road trip planning resources Picking the route for your road trip is only one part of your planning. From what snacks to pack to which podcasts to listen to, these additional resources will help you prepare for your next adventure:

• Best road trip snacks
• Road trip planning apps
• Podcasts and audiobooks to download
• What to pack for a road trip

This article originally appeared online in August 2020. It was most recently updated on April 4, 2024, to include current information. Additional reporting by Jessie Beck, Erika Owen, Ray Rogers, Terry Ward, and Sheryl Nance-Nash.