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The Best RV Trip Planner

RV Trip Planning has never been easier. Save time, plan safe RV routes, find great campgrounds.

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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.

Simple & Affordable

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.

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Pros and Cons of RV Travel

Motorhome vs. Towing a Trailer

Where to Park an RV

Choosing the Right RV

RV Park Review Sites

Reserving a Parking Spot

Music Festivals

Disney World

National Parks

Best for Families

Dog-Friendly RV Parks

RVing With Alcohol

Driving on Icy Roads

Accident and Emergency Guide

Best Weather Apps

How to Find Cheap Rentals

RV vs. Motel: Where to Stay

Guide to RV Warranties

Budget-Friendly Parking

Best RVs to Buy

Maximizing Gas Mileage

Buying an RV

Towing a Car

Turning an RV

Cleaning an RV

Sleeping Tips

Propane Guide

Planning an RV Trip: The Complete Guide

Contributing $114 billion to the U.S. economy in 2019, RVing is one of the fastest-growing trends inspiring solo travelers, families, and couples to hit the road. RV travel allows you to visit areas you might not travel to otherwise. You can drive on your own time and stay at some of the most majestic places on earth.

Whether you’ve planned an RV trip before or it’s your first time, you’ll learn something from our complete planning guide.

Planning Your Trip

The great thing about planning an RV trip is the endless possibilities of destinations and the flexibility of the trip; you can rent an RV just about anywhere, meaning you can fly to a closer point, or you can leave right from your own home.

When choosing routes and destinations for a first-time trip, do your research and plan to stick to the proven routes; don’t venture off the path too much, especially if you’re not used to driving a motorhome or towing a trailer . Once you’ve tackled a few easier trips, you’ll be more comfortable going off the beaten path.

National and state parks will be expensive, and the most crowded during the summer months. Try to visit these popular spots on shoulder seasons for a more enjoyable experience. Book ahead to save the most money and make sure you can secure your entry when you plan to go.

Transportation

One of the first decisions to make: will you rent or buy an RV? Depending on how often you want to RV, buying one to call your own will be the more cost-efficient option. If you’re renting, you’ll want to rent early, off-season, and get the right size for your companions to get the best deal.

Renting an RV

Renting an RV can be done at rental agencies or dealers. If this is your first time hitting the road, we recommend renting from an agency, such as Cruise America , which will help you choose the right motorhome. Since it’s your first time, chances are you won’t have a towing vehicle or want to tow a trailer; you’re not used to towing, so going with a motorhome will be more comfortable and safer for you on the road.

Here are a few things to keep in mind about renting an RV:

• Prices will fluctuate based on availability and seasonality.
• Motorhomes will go between $175 to $275 per night on average for an older model (10 years and older), depending on the Class you rent. Newer RVs run between $150 to $450 per night on average .
• Trailers are often the cheapest option going between $50 to $125 per night on average.
• Fifth wheels go between $60 to $150 per night on average.
• For trailers and fifth wheels, you’ll need to have a vehicle capable of towing safely, or you’ll need to rent a vehicle to tow.
• RV websites like Outdoorsy , RVshare , and others allow you to rent RVs directly from owners. This could be a cheaper alternative depending on your plans.

Want to know more about renting a vehicle when planning your trip? Read our guide to renting an RV and make sure you’re getting the best possible deal for your trip.

Buying an RV is an investment, no matter the type you decide to get . If you’ve been planning an RV trip and know it’s going to be something you do in the future, purchasing an RV will save you money long-term.

If you’re ready to buy, there are lots of things to consider; read our guide to buying an RV to get started on your next adventure.

Where to Stay

There are three primary places to stay when RVing: RV parks, campgrounds, and boondocking locations. RV parks and campgrounds, including resorts, are the easiest places to book ahead of time for your motorhome or trailer. Book early to save money and ensure you have a place to park for the duration of your trip. The longer the stay, the more you’ll save, too. RV memberships are another great way to save money on parking, but if you aren’t going to RV much, or this is a one-off trip, the investment isn’t worth it.

Boondocking , the practice of camping without any kinds of hookups or other common amenities, is another option but can be a bit trickier. Essentially, this means that you want a place to park and sleep, but you can't just do that anywhere; you'll need to do some research about places that allow overnight parking. The pros of this practice are that it's free, and you are truly flexible without needing too many amenities or having to make reservations, but it can be a little nerve-wracking the first time you do it, and you want to make sure you're staying safe.

The possibilities of what to do when going on an RV trip are truly endless. If your destination is a large city, a National Park , or a specific attraction, that’s the primary thing you’ll plan your trip around, and from there, it’s about exploring what’s in the surrounding areas.

Many RV parks and campgrounds offer shuttles to help you visit nearby attractions. They’ll also host events and activities, especially on weekends, for you and your family to take part in. If you’re staying at an RV resort, you’ll often find golfing, spas, boating, and other activities included in your stay.

Don't focus all your planning on the destination—RVing truly is about the journey as well, allowing you to discover hidden attractions, restaurants, pit stops, and more that you can stumble upon spontaneously. Take the time to explore, venture off the path, and take in everything around you.

Keep in mind that your trailer, motorhome, or camper is also a place to do things—bring board games, watch movies, cook, and relax.

What to Bring

Like any other trip, bring what makes you comfortable. You’ll need the basics, like clothes and toiletries. If you plan on doing anything specific outdoors, you’ll need the appropriate gear to do so. Depending on the weather, you may want winter coats, rain jackets, waders, or hiking boots. What you bring will be dependent on what you plan to do on the road and at your final destination.

An RV gives you the freedom to bring things you wouldn’t for other kinds of trips, such as food and drinks and pillows, blankets, and sheets. While a hotel room will have most of what you need to spend a few nights, your RV is yours to stock and make comfortable for your needs on and off the road. Because most won’t come fully loaded with what you need, take inventory when you get it to make sure you have things like dishes, glasses, cutlery, pots and pans, toilet paper, and more—if those aren't included, plan to bring the things you'll need.

If your RV comes with a refrigerator, you’ll be able to fill it up with your favorite food to snack on and cook throughout the trip. But don’t over-buy food for the trip. You can always pick up more on the way.

Some emergency items you’ll want in your RV include:

• First aid kit
• Flashlights

If you forget something, you can always stop and pick it up.

Money-Saving Tips

Without proper planning, RVing can add up quickly. Here are some tips to keep your adventure on a budget:

• Rent your RV and book your parking spots well in advance, especially if traveling in summer months. The further out you book—and the longer—the more you’ll save. This goes for what you want to do when you arrive, too.
• If you can travel out of season, do it. You’ll often save up to half off the entirety of your trip by doing this.
• If you need to buy food, drinks, or things you left behind when you arrive at your destination, try and travel farther away from tourist traps to do so. Pit stops, gas stations, and tourist attractions will charge a lot more, especially for the “necessities.”
• Plan strategically for gas stops. Several apps exist to help you save on fuel along the way. Towing a trailer or driving a motorhome can be expensive; if your ride is fueled by diesel, this could break your budget. 
• Don’t buy new things for your ride. Use what you have at home, including food and snacks. Also, plan how often you'll eat out during your trip.

Things to Consider

• Be flexible. Something will likely go wrong—you'll get lost or move at a slower pace than you thought. Embrace these unexpected obstacles, and enjoy the “adventure” it adds to your RV trip. You never know what you might discover on the road or about yourself dealing with it.
• RVing is not for everyone. Plan a small trip for a few days if it’s your first time hitting the road. If you’ve never shared a small space with family or friends, you may find out it's not for you. Better to take a few days to learn this than anything longer.
• Have backup plans. You don’t know what the weather may bring . If you’re traveling somewhere where the weather can change at the bat of an eye, make sure to have something to fill the time. Movies, board games, and books are a great way to kill time when the weather keeps you trapped inside.

Planning an RV trip is like planning any other travel adventure. Take the time to understand where you’re going, what you’ll do there, and then plan the rest of the trip around supporting your comfort and enjoyment of what you’ll do when you arrive.

RV Industry Association. " Annual Report 2019. " Page 22. 2019.

RV Share. " RV Rental Prices. "

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Your Guide to Class B+ Motorhomes

9 Tips for Maximizing RV Gas Mileage

3 Types of Places to Park Your RV

10 Cool Ways to Upgrade Your RV

State Regulations Regarding Travel Trailers and Driving Laws

The Best RV Rental Companies

How to Reserve an RV Site

How to Tow a Car Behind Your RV

10 Safety Tips for Planning an RV Trip

Planning a Road Trip: The Complete Guide

Research RV Manufacturers Before You Buy

The Only Guide You Need to Buy an RV

11 Ways to Sleep Better in an RV

RVing 101 Guide: Turning an RV or Trailer

Planning Your Motorhome Vacation in Europe

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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Home » Budget Travel » How to Plan an RV Trip! • A Beginner’s RVing Guide (2024)

How to Plan an RV Trip! • A Beginner’s RVing Guide (2024)

So you need to know how to plan an RV trip? And why the hell not? RV road trips are the best!

It’s like taking all the best parts of the 21st-century nomadic lifestyle and merging it with all the trimmings of dim and drab domestic living.  The freedom of the open road enjoyed from a home-on-wheels!

However, planning an RV trip can be a  nightmare.  There are more nuts and bolts on those things than a space shuttle and not even the best RV tips in the world are gonna change that. They do help though…

Which is exactly why I’ve written this RV travel guide (of sorts) smushed full of tips and tricks for beginners! It’s not a  full  RV road trip guide. More it’s an introductory course, i.e…

How to plan an RV trip!  (The 101.)

We’ve got plenty of beginner RV travel tips right here including how to choose the right motorhome and then on how to plan a route once you’ve found your perfect rig! We’ve got tonnes of good info in a handy step-by-step fashion—a recipe for recreational vehicular success! So without further adieu…

Here’s how to plan an RV road trip to crispy, delicate, and finely basted perfection.

The Broke Backpacker is supported by you . Clicking through our links may earn us a small affiliate commission, and that's what allows us to keep producing free content 🙂 Learn more .

Step 1: Acquiring an RV for Your Road Trip

Step 2: plan your rv road trip route, step 3: how to pack your rv, step 4: remember the golden tips and tricks for rv trips, step 5: protect yourself – get rv insurance, step 6: drive.

Right! So before you can even start planning an RV road trip, you need the most important ingredient—an RV! At the very least, you need to know what type of RV is right for your trip. 

How to Choose the Right RV: The Different Types of RVs

The awful truth, folks, is that size does matter (sorry, lads). The size of your rig is gonna dictate—in a very large part—both how you initially plan your RV trip and how your road trip ultimately plays out. We can get bogged down in the terminologies, but to keep it simple…

• Camping Trailers – Toy haulers, fold-outs, 5th-wheelers, you name it! The downside to planning an RV trip with a camping trailer is that you’re always driving around with a trailer. But the upshot? You can ditch the mothertrucker at any time! This is particularly awesome if you’re travelling in a 4×4. You can leave the trailer pitched up at camp and do all manner of mad exploration before coming home to your portable home.
• Class B Motorhomes and Campervans – Hair-splitting aside, these are vans, i.e. you’re living the vanlife ! The vanlife is sublime, and I will always wholeheartedly recommend it. Little (relatively), easy to manoeuvre, economic, and a vagabond’s best friend. A van can get you a lot of places a larger motorhome can’t, however, they tend to be built for two (or three contingent on your feelings of being farted on while asleep). Families will have to look elsewhere.
• Class C and Class A Motorhomes – Snowbirds and Grey Nomads unite, these are the RVs you’ve heard so much about. Luxurious, roomy, and stacked with all the juicy trimmings, these truly are houses-on-wheels. Class A motorhomes are ridonkulous— ’ house-bus’ is a much more appropriate word. Meanwhile, Class Cs are the smaller (but by no means small) van/truck/vehicular-apartments you see. These RVs guzzle gas, are expensive to maintain, and drive like… well… houses on wheels. But it just doesn’t get anymore pimpin’!

Which RV is Right for You

That ball is 100% in your court: only you know your budget, type of travel, and party size.

Personally, I’ll always sing the praises of van living, but I’m a dirty smelly backpacker of the budget travel lifestyle . A van is a pretty serious upgrade over a backpack, a pair of hiking boots, and a thumb. Still, never underestimate just how much freedom a van can give you.

Otherwise, a 21-footer is the go-to recommendation. That is to say, a Class C motorhome somewhere in the size range of 19 to 21 feet. Except for a sizable bathroom, ar RV of that calibre is plenty roomy for most needs on an RV road trip.

First-time RV renters are definitely not going to want to push it further than that; there’s simply too much to learn. If the house-bus is calling, then it’ll have to wait until you’ve earned your RV stripes.

Where to Rent an RV

Gone are the days of RV dealerships because, let’s be honest, RV dealerships are stinky butt-stains on the underpants of society! These days, the best RV rentals are found online.

There are two platforms (amongst many more) that cover this market demand excellently — Outdoorsy and RVShare . With these guys, there are zero dealerships and zero stinky butts involved. It’s peer-to-peer rental, or (in other words)…

You rent your RV straight from the owner. A good chunk of your RV packing will already be done for you, and you’re backed by a reputable rental organisation that isn’t going to take you for a ride.

Honestly, the differences between Outdoorsy and RVShare very minimal at most. They’re both kickass platforms with kickass reputations and kickass rentals!

Outdoorsy does have a higher number of raw selections (as well as a greater variety), but RVShare has the one-way rental system locked down. Customers on their first-time RV rental (or returnees to the RVlife) will be able to plan a monster of an RV trip with either of these guys.

Check them out and start planning your RV trip today!

And don’t forget to grab rental insurance either! You may get  some insurance coverage with your RV rental, however, not all insurance companies are created equal.

RentalCover.com has got your back. Their policies usually include all the common damages and come out cheaper than what you’ll get at the rental desk

Got your RV? Dope. Now, the next logical question for any RV vacation planning is logically…

And that means knowing how to plan an RV trip route. The list of things you’ll need to keep in mind for planning the route of your RV road trip isn’t exhaustive, however, it is comprehensive. The key aspects to focus on are:

• The timeline (how long you’ve got for your RV trip)
• The budget (how much moolah you’ve got for the road trip)

The route, though governed in large part by your timeline and budget, is also tied to a number of other factors:

• What you want to see.
• Campgrounds, RV parks, and other accommodations along the way to stop at.
• What roads you want to drive. (Not all drives are created equal.)

AND the other thing that you need to consider (now being the proud pilot of a large and cumbersome motorhome) is all the nitty-gritties that can ruin the camping trip of a first-time RVer. Things like:

• Passing through congested urban areas.
• Construction zones and road works.
• Crappy roads, low clearance, narrow bridges, and steep inclines/declines.
• And tolls (congrats—your toll fees just went up).

Sweet blimey hell—that is a motherload of things to keep track of! We’ll talk about your budget in a moment, but first, if you’re going to learn how to plan an RV road trip, you need to know how the bloody hell to keep track of all that nonsense!

Luckily, there’s a secret weapon up the sleep of all aficionados off the RVlife.

The Best RV Trip Planners – Apps and Websites

There are most certainly apps that are going to do the hard yards for you! If there’s an app for Icelanders to check that they’re not dating their cousin (yes, that’s a real thing), then there is definitely an app for planning an RV trip.

These babies are choice. One good app can cover most of your bases. Failing that, two should be more than sufficient.

They outline routes, list places to camp, track difficulties on the road (eg. low clearances), and they can even help you manage your gas budget! Here are a few of the best RV trip planning apps:

• RV Trip Wizard – One of the best RV trip planners out there! It’s cross-platform (PC, tablets, and smartphones) and tracks so damn much . RV campgrounds, points of interest, route planning, and even things like clearance and road hazards.
• iOverlander – Pretty similar to RV Trip Wizard except with more of an international focus. Whether this or another, having a few RV trip planning apps is smart to cover your bases.
• Roadtrippers – Ditto, basically. Experiment with these three platforms and see what you’re fave is.
• GasBuddy – A must-download for anyone planning an RV trip across the country. Not only does it highlight all the gas stations in the country, but it also tracks who’s cheapest and your own gas mileage. Use it to save some cash!
• AllStays Camp and RV – An extremely comprehensive app for finding campsites across North America. It’s one of the best apps for finding RV camping, BUT it’s not free and only on iOS. Cheapskates and my Android homeboys can instead try…
• RV Parks & Campgrounds – It’s free, also extremely comprehensive, and on platforms other than the platform that’s the worst platform.  

How to Plan an RV Trip Budget

Gas! Yeah, there are other things that factor in too, however, petrol prices and keeping your steed juiced up is going to be the main contention of your budget.

The trick to managing your budget when travelling the country in an RV is being keyed in what’s gonna get ya (and how to manage it):

• RV rental fees (if applicable)
• Insurance costs
• Travel costs (eg. driving or flying to the RV pickup)
• Food, drinks, groceries, and supplies
• Accommodation costs
• Tourist fees (visiting attractions, national park fees, etc.)

That’s the stuff you’ve got to consider and you’ve got to consider it BEFORE you embark on your great cross-country RV road trip. It’s either that or run out of money halfway through and resort to sub-letting your motorhome to make ends meet.

Some of this is basic budget travel 101 stuff. However, for a few RV travel tips for keeping your budget in check…

• Plan your route carefully – Going with the wind is for the vanlifers. When you’re lugging a heavy motorhome around, it pays to not have to double back.
• Camp for free! – RV parks and holiday resorts are great but so bloody expensive. By packing basic camping supplies and sticking to basic campsites and national/state park campgrounds can bring your nightly stay cost down to $10-$20 in a lot of cases. Better yet, 9 times outta 10, there are heaps of free campsites too! Amenities tend to be pretty bare-bones—sometimes it may be as little as a clearing in the woods—but the whole point of planning a motorhome trip is that you don’t even need amenities!
• Urban boondocking – ‘Boondocking’ is a term coined by the Americanos for what the rest of the world simply calls camping. It’s camping, for free, in an RV, somewhere without any serious electricity or water hookups. Thus, ‘urban boondocking’ is doing just that but in an urban setting. Sometimes the local RV parking laws allow it, at other times they do not, however, urban boondocking is both an art form and a time-honoured tradition. If you’re willing to risk it to get the biscuit, you can always save some money on an RV road trip by doing the sneaky!
• Petrol station coupons and loyalty program – Use ‘em and abuse ‘em. Sure, 5 cents off per litre may not sound like much, but by the end of your motorhome road trip, it’s gonna count for a lot.

Look, either you hate figuring how to pack your gear or you’re one of those weird nerds that love Tetris-ing things and constantly finding new ways to minimise your setup (i.e. me).

All the same, it’s important to get your packing list for your RV trip right. That means writing it down.

Use your phone if you want—personally, I’m a fan of old-school pen and paper—but put the work in. Forgetting an essential just means an unnecessary purchase (and an unnecessary headache) on the road.

Plus, nothing gets the ladies going like a good packing list! Chicks dig type-A personality traits.

RV Packing List

Much like planning your RV trip budget, there’s only so much I can do for you in this regard. I’m going to list the essentials—tools and gear that’s going to help keep your rig running smoothly—but the fineries in life? That’s on you.  

Getting your packing for a road trip on-point is always going to make the journey smoother. That just goes double for an RV. It’s such a sizable beast with so many moving parts and so many things that can go wrong that you really don’t want to stuff this up.

An RV rental is obviously going to come already fitted with a lot of the bits and boodles you need for a killer trip. But while your kitchen and pooping setup will already be ready to rock and roll, there are a few RV essentials—rental or not—that you shouldn’t be trekking out on any road trips without:

• Surge protector
• Electrical adapters
• Extension cords
• Electrical and duct tape
• Battery jumper cables
• Tire pressure gauge
• Levelling blocks
• Wheel chocks
• Extra cotter pins
• Extra motor oil and transmission fluid
• Water pressure regulator
• Drinking water hose
• Toilet chemicals
• RV-friendly toilet paper
• Fire extinguisher
• Emergency road assistance kit
• Large zip-close bag for documentation

And as an added bonus, here’s some excellent backpacking gear that our Broke Backpacker team adore suited for any trip… with or without wheels!

First Aid Kit

Even if you don’t plan on doing anything too extreme on your trip, you never know what could happen. Cuts, bruises, scrapes, third-degree sunburn: a first aid kit will be able to handle most of these minor situations.

Grayl Geopress Water Bottle

Always travel with a water bottle! They save you money and reduce your plastic footprint on our planet. The Grayl Geopress acts as a purifier AND temperature regulator – so you can enjoy a cold red bull, or a hot coffee, no matter where you are.

Petzl Actik Core Headlamp

Every traveller should have a head torch! A decent head torch could save your life. When you’re camping, RVing, or just heading into the woods, a top-quality headlamp is a MUST.

Sea To Summit Microfibre Towel

I dunno what to tell you—microfibre towels are the tits! They’re so compact, they dry lighting fast, and they’re just a real multi-purpose tool.

Hanging Toiletry Bag

Hanging toiletry bags are an efficient bit of gear for any travels. They keep all your unmentionables organised and they can be used anywhere—just hang it up and you’re good to go!

RV Road Trip Packing Tips

RV or not, always keep it light! Particularly because the lighter your motorhome is, the less you’ll spend on fuel!

Other than that, here are some tips and tricks for your RV packing:

• Pack evenly – As well as keeping it light, make sure not to stack your load all on one side or in one section of your RV. Similarly, pack your heavy items evenly across all four axles, and store them low too. An unevenly weighted RV is simply more dangerous to drive.
• Use clear plastic boxes for storage – The more translucent your storage boxes are, the easier it’ll be to find things on the go!
• Plan your meals – It’s tempting to just stock cupboards with tins like a rabid doomsday prepper, however, actually planning your meals ahead of time is way smarter. It’s lighter on the storage, the budget, and means way fewer trips to the grocery store.
• Don’t use breakable items – Crockery, for example, is a monumentally stupid possession in a rumbling, grumbling, and tumbling motorhome. Go for non-fragile alternatives!
• Keep the toolbox light – You’ll be wanting a fine selection of emergency tools and a well-stocked first aid kit (plus several rolls of duct tape), but stick to lighter implements. Leave the heavy-duty tools at home for your return.
• Don’t fill the water tanks – Unless you’re planning on heading out into the sticks properly. The more minimal you keep your water tanks’ capacity, the (much) less weight you’ll have. And that matters because…
• Pack light! – I mentioned this once, and I’m sayin’ it again because it’s number one of any and all RVing tips: the lighter your rig, the less fuel you’ll use. It matters.

Too right—more RV tips! Those were just packing tips; these are the real RV travel tips any slow-cruiser of the highways and byways needs to know:

• Drive slow and easy – RVs aren’t built for speed at the best of times, but driving at a consistent and slow pace (<90kph/55mph) is going to boost both your gas mileage and the overall longevity of your motorhome. And keep the days of driving short—less than 4-5 hours tends to be the sweet spot to still really enjoy the day (plus driving more than 8 hours a day is actually considered dangerous ).
• And skip the major roads – One of the greatest tips for first-time RVers in learning how to plan a road trip is to ditch the highways. Back roads, scenic routes, and the middle of bumflap nowhere is where you want to be. A slower, gentler, and prettier life.
• Boondock courteously – If you are boondocking—particularly in an urban or suburban area—be respectful. That means keeping the noise down, lights low, only staying in the same spot for one night (two absolute maximum), and, most importantly, leaving no trace. Travel respectfully and responsibly.
• Book campsites in advance – Wild camping notwithstanding, paid sites—even in national parks—should be booked well in advance as they do fill up (sometimes even months ahead). Plus, you should be calling to confirm your booking and that they’ll take an RV of your size and age. Some campgrounds are picky.
• And plan your RV parking in advance – Generally, just etching out all of your RV road trip planning well in advance is the way to go. However, do pay attention to parking. There’s nothing like showing up to a tourist attraction only to find you can’t fit in the car park.
• Practice makes perfect – Setup and pack-down will take some getting used to. Systems and lists are your best friend!
• Accommodate for mishaps – There WILL be days things go wrong. There WILL be days where you want to leave the backseat gremlins at the nearest gas station. Hell, there might even be days where you (momentarily) consider suffocating the ball-and-chain with a pillow. Just take a breath and take it in stride. That’s all part of the fun of life on the road. 🙂

Drink water from ANYWHERE. The Grayl Geopress is the worlds leading filtered water bottle protecting you from all manner of waterborne nasties.

Single-use plastic bottles are a MASSIVE threat to marine life. Be a part of the solution and travel with a filter water bottle. Save money and the environment!

We’ve tested the Geopress  rigorously  from the icy heights of Pakistan to the tropical jungles of Bali, and can confirm: it’s the best water bottle you’ll ever buy!

As I mentioned, driving an RV around is a whole new world of stress and exasperation. Imagine you’d been riding mules your whole life, caravanning across the desert wastes by way of ass. One day, suddenly, a mate asks you to park his woolly mammoth…

There are a couple of things you can do to make your RV road trip smoother. One is to key yourself in on how to drive an RV safely . Two is to make sure that it (and you) is insured!

Always consider travel insurance before ANY trip.

Obviously, your RV is going to need insurance, but please consider making sure your person is insured too! Travelling without insurance could be risky. Presenting The Broke Backpacker’s go-to insurer –  World Nomads Travel Insurance!

ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing .

They offer month-to-month payments, no lock-in contracts, and require absolutely no itineraries: that’s the exact kind of insurance long-term travellers and digital nomads need.

SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!

Click the button below to learn more about SafetyWing’s setup or read our insider review for the full tasty scoop.

Not sold on World Nomads? Then check out our roundup of the top insurance providers for travellers and see what floats your boat!

And now you know exactly how to plan an RV trip—smashing! Armed with this RV trip planning guide, there’s no reason you can’t go and bombastically boondock your way across the country’s greatest hits and most beautiful drives .

But before we tie this up, I have one final RV road trip tip for you—write a checklist! Seriously, write a checklist for your first RV trip. And perhaps purchase an RV lover’s gift for either yourself or a friend because why not.

Take the best parts of this guide (meaning, all of it), and think about what you need and need to do. Only you know your wants and needs, so it’s up to you to figure out the tricky stuff! Your personal RV packing list, buying or renting, your route and budget: this is the stuff you’ve gotta think about (and write down) when planning your motorhome road trip.

So no dilly-dallying! The open road is waiting, and all that stands between you and it is a whole bunch of dotted i’s and crossed t’s. Then, once the RV admin is attended to, there’s nothing left except for step 6…

Ziggy Samuels

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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 !

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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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40+ Helpful Tips For Planning An RV Trip

We have been living, working and traveling full time in an RV for the last 8 years with 4 kids. Below we share what we have learned as full time RVers to help you with planning an RV trip! Use our post as an RV trip planner to have the ultimate RV vacation!

Table of Contents

Renting The RV

The first thing you may need to do is rent an RV . If you already have one skip down to the next section.

Here are some tips for helping you figure out which one is best for your trip. 

Average cost

This can really range depending on what type of RV you want to get. 

The best way to figure out the costs is to visit RVShare or Outdoorsy and search for what you want.

Class A – these are the bigger, bus-looking, motorhomes where you drive them. They are great for travel days, but don’t offer as much living space as a trailer or 5th Wheel.

Check out Class A RV’s for rent. 

Class B – these are basically a step up from a van. Great for getting around if you are planning to travel with a couple or just 1 younger kid.

Check out Class B RV’s for rent. 

Class C – bigger than the Class B but normally smaller than a class A. Gives a lot of sleeping options in a smaller space and tend to be easier to drive since it is on a truck frame. 

Check out Class C RV’s for rent.  

5th Wheel – similar to a trailer, but a step up and the most like an apartment on wheels. This is also where you will find most toy haulers which are like garages at the back of the 5th wheel for motorcycles or a golf cart (you can sometimes find these in trailers and Class A’s, but it is more common in a 5th wheel). You would need a truck and the setup to tow it. 

Check out 5th Wheels for rent.

Truck Camper – similar to the Class B – could work really well if you just have a couple people or a small family/young kids.

Check out Truck Campers for rent. 

Travel Trailer – Usually the cheapest option. Offers a good amount of space with plenty of beds for larger families. You would need a vehicle and the setup to tow it.

Check out Travel Trailers for rent.

Camper Van – Craig and I always talk about how we want to get a van to travel the country in when our kids are grown and out on their own! It would be fun to travel in since you can get in anywhere with it! 

Check out Camper Vans for rent. 

Our recommendation is to always go as small as you can. We have found it makes it so much easier for traveling, getting gas and getting in and out of places. This can mean it is tight squeeze if you have rainy days or want to spend time inside as a family – so we would recommend thinking through how you see your trip going. 

Will you spend a lot of time in the RV? Or spend a lot of time outside? Will everyone have a bed in the RV or will you have to make the beds each night (by putting the table down – in the RV to convert it to a bed)? 

If your thoughts are that you are using the RV as a way to travel, a place to cook meals and a place to sleep at night then going smaller will be better. For a motorhome, class C or B, trailer or fifth wheel will depend on what you feel comfortable driving. 

If you want to spend a lot of time inside the RV, then you may want to look for something bigger. But just know this can make the traveling part more stressful – unless you have experience driving a big rig or towing a large trailer or 5th wheel. 

Another thing to keep in mind is that when you are at a location you will probably want to go out and explore. So you will want a car to do this with. When you have a really small drivable RV you can usually take it most places and find parking spots but this would be small like 23 feet or less. 

Or else, you will want to find out about towing a car or doing a fifth wheel or trailer that you tow with a truck. If you plan to just get to a campground and stay there this won’t be as much of an issue. 

Check out our post on RV Rental

Plan Your Trip

Where do you want to go?! There are so many great places to go on an RV road trip and lots of great RV trip planning tools and RV apps.

If you have an RVer in your life these make great Gifts for RV Owners.

Here is a post on our Top 15 RV Campsites You Will Want To Stay At.

Length of trip

We highly recommend at least 2 weeks to get yourself into the swing of RV travel and to allow you to cover a lot of ground yet still have down time to enjoy being in the RV.

There are a few different travel styles you could pick from – or do a combination of them:

Relaxing Trip

This means you find one campground and just go and stay there. I know for a lot of families this is exactly what they are looking for.

If this is what you want to do be sure to find a place that has a lake or pool along with basketball courts, bikes to rent, games to play, etc.

This is usually going to be more of your resort type of campgrounds. But be prepared, they can be VERY busy in the summer months. As in you won’t even want to go in the pool since there are so many people in it.

You could opt to do this trip at a State Park where you look to do more nature things like playing in the river, going to the lake, hiking, etc. It will be a little more roughing it then an RV resort, but if you accept that it can be very relaxing! 

Exploring Trip

This is where you plan to move a lot and see and do a lot of different things. It could mean moving every day or two. Or spreading it out and moving about every 3 – 4 days.

We recommend moving every 3 – 4 days. It will give you enough time to settle in and explore an area without feeling super rushed.

You could jump from RV resort to RV resort doing this. Or you could look for more state park and national park campgrounds or campgrounds by national parks or other historic sites and landmarks you want to explore.

Boondocking Trip

You would need to have the right rig and setup for this one. While boondocking, you wouldn’t have any hookups – so you would need power (preferably solar), larger holding tanks – so you can go longer between dumping, and a way to get potable water into your rig .

Then you go out and find BLM/free land to camp on! Part of this experience is enjoying just being out in the middle of nowhere. Or you can look for land to stay at around locations you want to go and explore.

You could easily pick one of the above or do a combination of 1 or 2 or all 3! But try to think about which kind of trip you want to have before you start deciding on what rig to rent and where to go.

For more information on boondocking, click here!

Recommended RV Trips In North America

National Park Road Trip  – Pick one of these routes to get out and explore our beautiful National Parks!

Glacier National Park – Our favorite National Park in the US! So much beauty and amazing hiking!

Yellowstone And Beyond – Spend a few days in Yellowstone National Park and the exploring the surrounding area north of it in Montana. 

Yellowstone National Park – You can spend a month here and not see and do everything! A huge and amazing National Park. Be sure to visit the Grand Prismatic, Grand Canyon of Yellowstone, Mammoth Hot Springs and all the cool things to do here.

Olympic National Park – There are a lot of great stops to make as you travel around the Olympic National Park in Washington. 

Florida Road Trip – Travel around the whole state of Florida to visit beaches, national parks and more!

Southern California – There is so much to do in California! These are amazing stops to make in the southern part of the state. 

Northern California – Northern California brings you to some amazing National Parks and a beautiful yet rugged coastline. 

Oregon Camping – Campground hop in Oregon! 

Oregon Coast Road Trip – Oregon is a beautiful state! Check out these great stops along the coast. 

Camping In Wisconsin  – Head up north to explore Wisconsin and stay at 1 or multiple campgrounds.

Tennessee Family Road Trip – Checkout Tennessee from Nashville to Chattanooga to Smoky Mountain National Park. 

Pick Your Campgrounds

Now that you know where you want to go you have to figure out where you want to stay and find campgrounds.

Things you will want to consider when looking for campgrounds:

Hook ups – does that campground have FHU (Full Hook Ups) – meaning you have sewer, water and electric at your site. Some sites will only have electric or only have water and electric. The easiest route to go is Full Hook Ups so everything you have in your RV works. 

30amp or 50amp – Make sure you know what kind of electric your RV needs. If it needs 50amp, you can make it work on 30amp but will need a specific adapter to step down your 50amp cord to the 30amp plug. This will mean that you will not have enough power to use everything in the rig. For example if you have 2 AC units then you would need 50amp for both of them to work. On 30amp only 1 would work. 

Pull through or back-in – A pull through site means you can pull right into the spot and then pull right out. Nice and easy – usually!

A back-in means you have to reverse into the site. This can be very challenging if you have never done it before, especially with a trailer type RV. But usually back-in sites cost less. . . and usually the campground will help you if you are having troubles getting into the spot. 

Pet Friendly – If you will be traveling with pets you will want to verify that the campground is #1 – OK with pets and #2 OK with the size and/or breed of dog you have. We had 2 labs for a long time on the road with us and we only ran into a handful of times where pets weren’t allowed at a campground. 

If you do plan to take your pet with you check out the post on RVing with dogs.

I know this sounds like a lot – but you got this!! Here are a few different kind of campgrounds you can look into:

Resort Campgrounds

If you are looking for simplicity and some luxury then a KOA campgrounds or similar campground is the way to go. Full hookups (meaning there is a hookup for sewer, water and electric – so assuming you have the right amp hookup for your RV everything in the rig will work.

Note some RV’s have 30amp hookups and some have 50amp. Usually the larger rigs have 50amp and if you are going somewhere hot where you will want to run both AC’s in the rig you will want the 50amp), nice concrete pad sites, pull throughs, nice bathrooms, amenities, definitely more a hotel feel then normal campgrounds.

State Park Campgrounds

Looking for more of a nature trip? Then a state park is a great option. But be prepared that these campgrounds don’t always have full hookups. Which means you have to watch your tanks and potentially pull out of your site to dump – depending on how long you stay.

National Park Campgrounds

If you are planning to visit the National Parks, try to stay in the National Park campground if at all possible! It takes the whole experience of visiting the National Park to another level when you can stay IN the park!

But like the state park, be prepared as there may be no hookups at all or just electric. This is all doable. You just have to prepare and fill up with water when you get there (they all have water fill stations) and then be careful with water and tank usage – or else you will have to move to dump and they all offer dump stations.

Harvest Host Stays

You have to join Harvest Host. Then once you do you can stay at wineries, farms, breweries and golf courses around the country for free! Most of them don’t have any hook-ups so you are boondocking and there can be size limitations so you need to call ahead to make sure you can fit and they have availability. 

It is a fun way to travel! You normally can only stay for 1 – 2 nights so we use it a lot when we are traveling from destination to destination, but it is too long to get there in 1 day of driving. 

Boondocking

Feeling really adventurous? Then give Boondocking a try! This is where you stay for FREE on BLM land with no hookups. So no power, water or sewer hookups – you definitely need to be prepared for this. 

You can also do this in National Forests and a few other places. There are a variety of Apps that help with finding these locations – Campendium, The Dyrt, Freecampsites.net. 

If your rig has a generator onboard, you can use that – but ideally you would want a solar setup on your rig so you don’t need any power or to run a loud generator. You have to know where you can fill up with water before you get to your spot and where you can get water while you are there. And again watch your tanks really carefully.

Thousand Trails Campgrounds

This is a membership site that a lot of full-time traveling families use. So if you are looking to find other kids that live the RV life – maybe you are considering it for yourself. This is a great way to do that!

They have some nice campgrounds, but some not so nice campgrounds . . . and they tend to be in the middle of nowhere. So . . . unless you are interested in the RV Lifestyle I wouldn’t look to stay at one of these.

Picking Your Spot At The Campground

Once you have your campground picked out, it is time to pick your site!

If you are looking for a site that is really scenic you will most likely pay more. Which means pay attention to the prices of the sites based on their locations.

A lot of RV parks charge more for different kinds of sites. You will also want to pay attention to if they are Full Hook Up (has a hook up for water, electric, and sewer) or not. The easiest way to camp is with Full Hook Ups or FHU. 

If that doesn’t matter then I would recommend deciding what you want to be closest too. The pool, the playground, a big field, the entrance, the clubhouse, the bathhouse or the lake?

If you plan to spend a lot of time at the amenities at the campground  it would make sense to find a site close to them. 

Prefer to be further away from people? Then you will want to look for sites that are larger and further away from the amenities and people. 

If you can’t tell any of this from the campground map be sure to call and let the campground know what you are looking for so they can help you find the perfect site for your stay. 

What You Need To Pack

Check out our post:  The Ultimate RV Packing List To Make Your Trip A Success  

Click here to sign up for your FREE RV Printables!!

Most RV Parks have a laundromat so you will be able to do laundry. Keep that in mind while packing.

For the most part packing for an RV trip is just like packing for any other trip with a few things to keep in mind:

The clothes will get dirty since you and your kids will be outside more. Bring clothes that you don’t care if they get ruined. Then you won’t be stressing when the kids are running around and getting rips or dirty knees.

Bring layers – you will most likely want to sit out at the campfire at night and it may get chilly, so bring pants and a sweatshirt. Also bugs can get bad around dusk so having pants and long sleeves on is really helpful.

Bring bathing suits and towels.

Bring running shoes for hiking or exploring. 1 pair of running shoes and 1 pair of sandals per kid should be fine. Unless you are thinking of going anywhere fancy where you want everyone dressed up.

Tools/Utility Items

If you are renting an RV they may have a few basic tools in the rig already – this would also be a good question to ask the person you are renting from. If not you should have your basic tool bag with you:

• Set of socket wrenches
• Screw drivers (Phillips and regular)
• First Aid Kit
• Flashlights
• Pocket Knife

RV safe – if you are bringing any important documents or a lot of cash with you – you may want to get an RV safe. Ideally one that is water and fireproof.

You don’t have to go crazy with toys, but I would recommend bringing a few things. If your kids are younger bring a few of their floor toys from home – MagnaTiles, blocks, etc. Or a little older – Legos, Barbies, Playmobile.

Things they can do on the floor in the RV or out on the picnic table.

Board games and card games.

Coloring book and markers.

If you have paddle boards or kayaks that you can fit somewhere, then bring them if you are planning to go anywhere with water. A lot of places also offer rentals so if you can’t fit it you can probably find a rental place somewhere.

Boogie boards if you are heading to the beach as well as sand toys. 

Pool toys – diving rings, goggles, etc. 

Depending on where you are going you may want to bring your bikes with – if you can fit them into your setup. Or maybe scooters for the kids. 

In an RV you have pretty much a full kitchen, so you will want to decide how much you plan to cook and also the size of the RV fridge (they can be pretty small).

We have a skillet and a large pot and then a pizza pan and baking dish and that is about it for cooking items.

We do have a coffee maker, toaster and a blender that we bring with as well.

If you are planning a longer trip and don’t want to have to buy bottled water you may want to consider buying a Berkey – we love our Berkey !

1 plate per person, 1 cup per person, 1 set of silverware per person. Coffee cups and wine glasses if you want those too!

Also if you rent an RV, they may have all of this stocked in the RV for you.

More on meal planning below!

RV Meal Planning

When you stay in an RV you have the option to cook similar to what you would do at home since you have a stove, microwave, etc. Or you have an option to do more campfire cooking. Living in our RV full time we don’t do a lot of campfire camping, but instead use our RV kitchen a lot but focus on keeping the meals simplified since it is a small kitchen area.

Another thing to remember is you will probably be out exploring for a lot of the day so the last thing you will want to do is come back and spend a lot of time in the kitchen. Another reason to focus on easy meals!

Easy RV Meals:

Cereal Pancakes Cinnamon Rolls Eggs, bacon and hash browns

Grilled Cheese (check to make sure your RV has a skillet or bring one from home) Buttered noodles and Parmesan Cheese Peanut Butter and Jelly Salads Hummus and Veggies Tortellini Mac and Cheese

Tacos Frozen Pizza Spaghetti Burgers Nachos

With a propane stove you can cook things in there, but if you run the stove a long time it heats up the whole rig and if you aren’t used to a propane oven, it does cook differently than a regular oven.

The above is basically our go to meals in our RV. Nice and simple with just a few ingredients!

Of course if you want, you can go all out with food, but I would just remember you will probably be out exploring and potentially going out to eat (there are lots of cool restaurants and breweries (most are family friendly!) around the country!) a lot so no reason to make food the focus.

An RV Road Trip is different than a camping weekend since you will be going with the intention to visit really cool places and not just to hang out – though hopefully you will have some of that time fit into your schedule too!

Here is a list of our top apps to help you on your RV Trip:

The Best Trip Planner Apps

Trip planning along with stopping points on your travels for gas or a break to stretch your legs. You can check out our post on 21 RV Apps That Are Super Helpful For Your RV Trip for more details. Below is a high-level list of RV trip planner apps, campground reviews and more.

• The Dyrt – a great way to find campground reviews.
• RV Parky – a great way to put your whole trip together.
• Hipcamp – unique and interesting RV stays that are usually off the beaten path.
• Harvest Hosts – stay in a winery, brewery, farm, etc overnight!
• Campendium – great for finding places to boondock.
• Google Maps
• RV Trip Wizard – great as an RV road trip planner tool.
• Mountain Directory – helpful when you are going to be driving through mountains.
• Passport America – a way to find discounted stays.
• Roadtrippers – great for adding roadside attractions to your trip plan.

Weather Apps for Planning Travels

• Accuweather
• The Weather Channel

Apps for Finding Activities

• Road Trippers
• National Parks Trail Guide

Perfect Apps to Use While Driving

• Sanidumps RV Dump Station Locator
• RV Dump Stations
• FreeZone Wifi

Great Apps for in the Campground

What you need to know how to do, hookup/unhook.

This can be very different depending on the rig that you have. If you are renting an RV be sure to have the owner walk you through step by step how to do this and make sure you give it a go yourself while they are there to make sure you got it!

You may even want to take your phone out and video the owner or yourself going through the process – verbally walking you through it. Hooking up will get way easier the more you do it but can be stressful the first few times. 

You can also YouTube this if you forget once you get to your campsite – but remember internet service isn’t always the best at RV Parks so you may want to download the video so you have it. 

Empty Your Tanks

Same as above – make sure to have the RV owner walk you through this. It isn’t that hard but can be confusing the first few times. 

Tip: Leave your gray tank open to just run into the sewer hook-up. Your gray tank will fill up way faster then your black tank. Keep an eye on how full your black tank is using the level indicator. When the black tank is getting full, then close the gray tank valve to accumulate some grey water in the tank.

When the black is full, empty that tank first until it is fully empty, close the black tank valve, then dump the gray tank. Having a full back tank before you dump sounds gross, but the force and suction that comes into play makes sure the tank gets empty. Also dumping the gray right afterwards will flush the sewer hose of any residual black tank mess out of the hose.

Parking The Rig

How to park the rig will depend on what type of rig you end up with. But no matter what, it is good to have someone get out and stand behind the rig to help you back in and make sure you don’t hit anything. 

You want to check up top to make sure there are no low hanging branches or anything else that could puncture the roof or damage the a/c unit. 

Then make sure the sides are clear and you have ample room to back in.

Then check toward the back to see what is at the back of the site and that you’ll fit properly in the site.

The person in the back walking should jump back and forth from each side of the rig as you are backing up to make sure it is all good on both sides. Also there is a chance that the person driving will be able to clearly see one side but not the other. So it is important to have walkie talkies – IF there won’t be cell service where you are. Or to call each other on your phones while you are back up. 

The #1 tip is to take it slow! Take your time – check all around you multiple times – and just take it slow. You got this! 

Level Your Rig

Once you are in the spot you will need to level the rig. Some rigs come with automatic levelers while others you do manually. If it all possible while you are backing in check how level you are – BEFORE unhooking. Sometimes if we just drive up a couple feet or move over a couple feet the rig is level and it makes it easier. 

Other times we need to put levelers down to get it to be level. 

Turn On Your Water Heater

This seems simple enough and it is! You just have to remember to do it. If you don’t turn the water heater on you won’t have hot water. If you want to take a shower and it hasn’t been on it will take a good 15 minutes to heat up the water. Some RV’s have either a gas option or an electric option (or some have both) to heat water. If you are plugged in to the campground, I recommend using the electric option so you’ll save on propane.

Light Your Oven

I am surprised they have not figured out an easier way to light an RV oven . . . but it is what it is. You will need a long lighter for this (the kind you would use to light a grill). What you need to do is bend down and turn the oven knob to the pilot setting and hold it down.

Then you stick the lighter in the oven under the rack toward the back there is a little pilot spot that primes the gas line for the oven. Light this while continuing to hold the knob down for about 20-30 seconds. After that, turn the knob to the temperature you want the oven set at. You will know it lights since the whole line where the propane comes out lights up. 

Let it preheat for a bit and you are good to go! Remember though most RV ovens are small and you can fit a 9″ x 13″ pan in them IF the pan doesn’t have any handles on the side or very small ones. 

You can fit a frozen pizza in it, but would be better if you have a round pizza pan to cook it on. The RV oven can take a few tries to cook things the way you want to. So be ready for that. 

Turn On Your Generator

If there is an onboard generator, this should be easy enough. Just ask the owner when you pick up the RV how to do this. Most have a button in the RV near the control panel you hold down until the generator fires up. Once on, your RV will have power to the 120v system.

RV Toilets . . . a love hate relationship. So great to have, but definitely not a house toilet! This means you have to be careful with how much toilet paper goes down the toilet and you have to make sure to only use septic safe toilet paper. It’s also very important to have enough water in the bowl before flushing solids. RV toilets don’t have a tank like household toilets do, so you have to hold the foot pedal down a few seconds to let water fill in the toilet.

Scotts brand septic safe is sold at Walmarts and most grocery stores. If you can’t find septic safe you will want to bring a garbage can to throw all used toilet paper into – you WON’T want to put non septic down the toilet – trust us! 

RV awnings are amazing to have and you will want to use it. BUT you can’t just open it and leave it out. Wind can damage awnings faster than you can imagine.

If you plan to sit out under the awning put it out! But if you leave or go inside to hang out then put it in every single time. 

For whatever reason internet and campgrounds just don’t mix . . . either the signal doesn’t work there or they have wifi – that would work for like 10 people, but not 100 people . . . 

For this reason either count on it not working or bring your own hotspot from home. You may also want to check with the campground when you book to find out if your cell/internet provider works at the campground. 

If you stay at a fancy RV park they will come around and pick up your garbage. The rest of the places you will need to walk it to the dumpster yourself. Just like with tent camping, don’t leave garbage bags outside or the animals will get into it. 

Packing Up To Leave

When it is time to go home or move on to your next location be sure you clear off the counters – the sink works great as a place to put things that are on the counter. Make sure there isn’t anything else sitting out that will fall. You’ll be traveling down the road and hitting all the bumps along the way so things have a tendency to fall.

Do a double check to make sure all ceiling vents are closed, windows are closed, the stove is closed, cupboards closed, toilet seat closed, and fridge is closed (and clicked shut). 

Driving Tips

If you have never drive, a big vehicle you are going to want to be prepared. Write down the height of the RV and put it on a sticky note near the steering wheel. That way when you approach a bridge you will know you are all good!

Before going you can check the route via an app like RV Trip Wizard (a great RV route planner tool). You can even mark off where you will stop for gas. If you have a larger rig this will be more important.

Google Maps is not the best option if you have a larger rig . . . we once followed Google maps which gave us the shortest route BUT it was also on a winding road with a bridge that couldn’t hold the weight of our rig . . . the shorter way isn’t always the best way!

Research the route and stick to main roads as much as possible. You can also look into getting an RV GPS for your tow vehicle or rig (we used the Good Sam one for a while). 

Getting Gas

If you have a smaller trailer (30 feet or less) or class B or class C you should be fine going to regular gas stations. With a fifth wheel or motorhome you may want to stop at truck stops.

Tolls will cost more if you have more axles. You will just stop at the pay station to pay and they will let you know how much. 

Check out our post: RV Checklist To Make Your Trip A Success

Estimated Costs For Your Trip

Like with everything this can vary so much based on what you are going to do.

If you plan to visit National Parks you will want to get the National Park Pass – which will save you a ton of money! The pass also gets you into the National Seashore, National Forest, National Monuments, all of the things that fall under the National Parks umbrella.

If you are in a state where you will be visiting a lot of state parks you may want to look into their state park pass.

Campground fees can vary based on where you stay anywhere from $25 a night to over $100 a night. Based on your budget you can figure out what type of campgrounds you want to stay at.

The campgrounds in the National Park/State Parks are usually pretty inexpensive but they don’t always have full hookups. . .

Places like KOA tend to be more expensive, but are also nice with cement pads, full hookups, nice bathrooms and laundry rooms. So if you are looking for the RVing part to be easy and cost doesn’t matter KOA’s would be a smart choice.

You can buy a KOA discount card that will get you 10% off each of your stays.

When you visit a National Park they do offer excursions you can do. We normally don’t pay for these but instead just do all the free things – like hiking and the visitor centers. But if you want to add more to your trip you can look into all of these excursions – things like horseback riding, rafting trips, wildlife tours, etc.

Whenever we have done these they have been really cool! So if your budget allows then go for it!

Eating costs will all depend on how much you want to eat out. If you are looking to save money not eating out is the easiest way to do it when you are in an RV – since you have a full kitchen.

If you are looking for this to be more like a typical vacation you will probably go out to eat a lot, visit attractions, etc. So it could cost very similar to what a “normal” vacation costs. If you are looking to have a less expensive vacation you can make it that way you just have to be intentional about it.

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4 Tips for Taking Your First Extended Trip in an RV

Last Updated on February 29, 2024

Planning your first extended RV trip is a liberating step, conjuring visions of open roads and the freedom to explore. Yet, as with any noble endeavor, its success hinges on preparation and savvy strategy.

So, what must you consider to transform this from daydream to smooth reality? Let’s cut straight to the chase: understanding the essentials will spare you the typical headaches of novice RVers and ensure your journey is remembered for all the right reasons.

Mapping Out Your Mobile Homestead: Route Planning Essentials

Before turning the ignition, chart your course with the precision of a seasoned captain. The art of RV travel isn’t just about where you’re heading but understanding the intricacies of your path. Begin by selecting destinations that ignite your interest while being realistic about distances.

Pinpoint not only your end points but also intriguing stopovers along the way. Use tools like reputable GPS apps that can also account for clearances and road restrictions to avoid unwelcome surprises. And remember to bookmark those campgrounds with essential amenities to ensure every night is spent in comfort.

In this endeavor, flexibility is an unsung hero. Plan routes with wiggle room for spontaneous detours or extended stays at locations that unexpectedly capture your heart. After all, an RV adventure is as much about the journey as it is about each unique destination on your itinerary.

Buying Your Own RV? Here’s What to Look For

Entering the realm of RV ownership is an investment in wanderlust. This step demands attention to detail and a clear understanding of your travel aspirations. When searching for your home-on-wheels, focus on size and layout. It should cater not just to the number of travelers, but also match your vision of life on the road.

Inspect the mechanical health with diligence. A reliable engine, recent maintenance records, and tires in good condition are non-negotiables. Inside, assess the living space for quality craftsmanship—think resilience over mere aesthetics.

Once you’ve got a sense of what you need, consider using RVezy’s marketplace to find your perfect RV. It’s a practical way to explore different models and features from a broad array of options, and buy at great prices.

Connectivity on the Go: Staying Plugged In Off the Grid

The romance of the open road doesn’t mean you have to sever ties with civilization. Whether for work, keeping in touch with loved ones, or streaming your favorite shows, internet connectivity is a modern RV traveler’s lifeline.

Start by outfitting your RV with a robust mobile hotspot — one that’s up to the task of sketchy coverage areas. Consider investing in an external antenna or booster for those times when you’re parked further from civilization than expected.

And what about power? Solar panels can be a godsend for maintaining charge on your devices without draining your RV’s resources. Pair this with a good quality power bank and you’ll find yourself comfortably connected even in the most remote landscapes.

Mastering the Mechanics: DIY Fixes for Common RV Issues

Venturing into the great outdoors with your RV is a bold statement of self-reliance, and this extends to handling mechanical hiccups that might arise. It’s like buying a vacation home , in that you need to equip yourself with basic repair knowledge, and make sure you get the pros in for the big jobs.

First, familiarize yourself with your RV’s manual — it’s your bible for troubleshooting. From there, compile a toolkit tailored to your vehicle’s needs. Must-haves include wrenches, pliers, screwdrivers, sealant, duct tape, and replacement fuses.

Learn routine maintenance tasks such as checking tire pressure and fluid levels or replacing air filters. It can make all the difference between an uninterrupted journey or an unscheduled pit stop.

And before departure? Perform a thorough inspection. Identify any potential issues and either address them or have them checked by a professional.

Final Thoughts

Embrace these strategies as your compass for the RV expedition of a lifetime. With meticulous preparation, the right rig, connectivity tools, and mechanical know-how in your arsenal, you’re set to navigate this voyage with confidence. The road ahead is yours—may it lead to unforgettable adventures.

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Essential Things To Check Before Traveling With An Rv

• Last updated May 11, 2024
• Difficulty Beginner

• Category Travel

Traveling with an RV can be an adventure of a lifetime, allowing you to explore new places and experience the freedom of the open road. However, before embarking on your journey, there are several essential things that you need to check to ensure a smooth and enjoyable trip. From checking the condition of your RV to stocking up on supplies, this guide will highlight all the crucial steps you should take before hitting the road with your home on wheels. So buckle up, and let's delve into the essential things to check before traveling with an RV.

What You'll Learn

Rv maintenance, safety precautions, essential supplies and equipment, trip planning and route research.

Before embarking on a road trip with your RV, it’s important to ensure that your vehicle is in proper working condition. Neglecting preventive maintenance can lead to breakdowns, costly repairs, and ruined vacations. To avoid these issues, here are some key areas to check before hitting the road:

• Tires: Start by inspecting the condition of your RV tires. Look for any signs of cracking, bulging, or uneven wear. Check the tire pressure and ensure it matches the manufacturer's recommended levels. Don't forget to inspect the spare tire as well.
• Brakes: Adequate braking is crucial for the safety of your RV. Have a professional mechanic inspect the brake pads, rotors, and calipers for signs of wear or damage. Ensure the brake fluid is at the correct level and consider having the entire brake system flushed if it hasn't been done recently.
• Fluids and Filters: Check the oil, transmission fluid, coolant, and windshield washer fluid levels. If any of these fluids appear dirty or low, have them changed or topped up as necessary. Additionally, inspect the air filter and replace it if it's clogged or dirty.
• Batteries: Examine your RV's battery and clean any corrosion from the terminals. Test the battery's voltage and ensure it's holding a charge. Consider replacing old batteries to avoid unexpected breakdowns.
• Propane System: If your RV runs on propane, make sure the gas lines and connections are free from leaks. Test the propane system by igniting the stove and checking for a steady flame. It's also a good idea to inspect the propane tanks and have them refilled if needed.
• Electrical System: Inspect all exterior and interior lights to ensure they are working properly. Test the battery charger and all outlets to ensure they're supplying power. Check the fuse box for any blown fuses and replace them if necessary.
• Plumbing System: Inspect the RV's plumbing system, including the water pump, faucets, toilets, and showers. Look for any leaks or weak spots in the system. Fill the freshwater tank and test the water heater to ensure they're functioning correctly.
• Exterior: Give your RV a thorough inspection on the outside. Look for any signs of damage, such as cracks in the fiberglass or loose seals. Check the condition of the awnings, slide-outs, and roof. Ensure that all doors and windows close and lock properly.
• Interior: Check the interior of your RV for any signs of water damage or pests. Inspect the appliances, such as the refrigerator, stove, and air conditioner, to make sure they're in working order. Test the smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to ensure they're operational.
• Documentation and Emergency Kit: Before hitting the road, ensure you have all the necessary paperwork and documentation for your RV, including insurance, registration, and driver's license. Additionally, put together an emergency kit that includes basic tools, a first-aid kit, a fire extinguisher, and other essential items.

By thoroughly checking these key areas before your trip, you can ensure a safe and enjoyable journey with your RV. Regular maintenance and attention to detail will not only prevent unexpected breakdowns but also extend the lifespan of your vehicle. Happy travels!

How to Spot a Fake Traveler's Check: Essential Tips for Travelers

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If you're planning to go on a road trip with your RV, it's essential to prioritize safety. Taking some precautions before hitting the road can help ensure a smooth and trouble-free journey. Here are some important safety checks you should perform before traveling with your RV:

• Inspect the Tires: Start by checking the condition of your RV's tires, including the spare tire. Make sure they are properly inflated and have enough tread depth. It's also crucial to examine for any signs of damage or uneven wear. Replace any worn-out tires before embarking on your journey. Additionally, check the lug nuts to ensure they are secure.
• Test the Brakes: Check the brake system of your RV to ensure it's in good working condition. Inspect the brake pads, rotors, and brake fluid levels. Make sure the parking brake functions correctly and doesn't have any signs of wear or damage. If you notice any issues, consult a professional for proper inspection and repairs.
• Check the Lights: Ensure that all the exterior lights on your RV are working correctly. Check the headlights, taillights, turn signals, and brake lights. Replace any burnt-out bulbs to ensure maximum visibility and safety while driving.
• Verify the Battery: Examine the condition of your RV's battery and make sure it's fully charged. Clean the battery terminals and ensure they are tightly connected. If your RV has a generator, check its battery as well. Consider bringing a battery charger with you to maintain the battery's charge during the trip.
• Test the Alarms and Detectors: Make sure all the smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors, and propane leak detectors are functioning correctly. Replace the batteries in these devices if needed, and test them to ensure they provide proper warnings in case of emergencies.
• Check the RV's Fluid Levels: Inspect all the fluid levels in your RV, including the engine oil, transmission fluid, brake fluid, coolant, and windshield washer fluid. Top up any low levels and get an oil change if necessary. Ensuring proper fluid levels is vital for the smooth operation of your RV's engine.
• Inspect the Hitch and Coupling: If you're towing a trailer with your RV, inspect the hitch and coupling mechanism thoroughly. Make sure they are secure and in good condition. Lubricate the hitch as needed to prevent excessive wear and ensure smooth towing.
• Test the RV's Appliances: Check all the appliances in your RV, such as the stove, oven, microwave, refrigerator, and air conditioning system. Ensure they are working correctly and have no signs of damage or malfunction. It's also essential to check the propane system and make sure there are no leaks.
• Review the Emergency Kit: Verify that your RV's emergency kit is complete and up to date. The kit should include essential items like a first aid kit, fire extinguisher, road flares, basic tools, and a flashlight. Replace any expired or missing items in the kit before starting your journey.
• Secure All Loose Items: Before hitting the road, make sure everything inside your RV is securely stowed away. Check that cabinets, drawers, and other storage areas are locked or latched properly. Secure any loose items to prevent them from shifting during travel, which can cause accidents or damage.

By performing these safety precautions before traveling with your RV, you'll have peace of mind knowing that you've taken the necessary steps to keep yourself and your fellow travelers safe. It's always better to be prepared and proactive when it comes to RV safety, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable trip for everyone involved.

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When preparing for a trip with your RV, it's important to make sure you have all the essential supplies and equipment on board. This will ensure a smooth and enjoyable journey. Before hitting the road, here are some things you should check and have in place:

Water and Sewer Supplies:

• Check your fresh water tank to make sure it is filled and ready for use. If you plan on camping at sites without water hookups, it's a good idea to carry extra water in containers or jugs.
• Ensure your RV's water pump is functioning properly and that you have a water pressure regulator to protect your plumbing system.
• Don't forget to check your sewer hose and connections. Make sure they are in good condition and have no leaks.

Electrical Equipment:

• Check your RV's batteries and ensure they are fully charged or replace them if necessary. It's a good idea to have a backup generator or solar panels for power in case you're not at a campground with electrical hookups.
• Inspect your RV's electrical system, including cords, adapters, and circuit breakers. It's important to have the right connectors for different campground power outlets.
• Ensure your propane tank is filled and in good condition. Check for any leaks or damage.
• Test your propane appliances, such as the stove, oven, refrigerator, and water heater, to ensure they are working properly.

Safety Equipment:

• Check your RV's fire extinguisher and make sure it is fully charged and easily accessible.
• Test your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to ensure they are operational.
• Have a well-stocked first aid kit on board, including any necessary medications and supplies.

Tools and Spare Parts:

• Carry a basic toolkit with essential tools like screwdrivers, wrenches, and pliers. These will come in handy for any minor repairs or adjustments.
• Bring spare fuses, light bulbs, and electrical connectors to replace any that may burn out during your trip.
• Have a spare tire and the necessary tools to change it, as well as a jack and lug wrench.

Camping and Outdoor Supplies:

• Pack camping essentials such as sleeping bags, blankets, pillows, and camping chairs.
• Don't forget to bring cooking equipment like pots, pans, utensils, and a portable grill or stove.
• If you plan on spending time outdoors, consider bringing outdoor gear such as hiking boots, fishing rods, and bicycles.

Navigation and Communication:

• Have a reliable GPS or navigation system to help you find your way to your destination and explore new areas.
• Ensure you have a fully charged cellphone and a backup portable charger for emergencies or when you're in areas with limited reception.

Personal Items and Documents:

• Pack clothing, toiletries, and any personal items you might need during your trip.
• Bring all necessary identification documents, including your driver's license, RV registration, insurance information, and any required permits or documentation for your destination.

By checking and having these essential supplies and equipment in place, you'll be well-prepared for your RV adventure. Remember to also follow any specific recommendations or guidelines provided by your RV manufacturer. Happy travels!

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When planning a trip with your RV, it’s crucial to perform some essential checks and research to ensure a smooth journey. Here are some important things to consider before hitting the road:

Review the RV’s Manual and Service Records:

Familiarize yourself with the RV’s manual, as it contains important information about maintenance, operation, and troubleshooting. Additionally, check the service records to ensure that routine maintenance has been performed and that all necessary repairs have been addressed.

Inspect the Tires:

Check the tire pressure and look for any signs of wear or damage. Make sure the tires are properly inflated according to the manufacturer's guidelines. Don't forget to inspect the spare tire as well.

Test the Battery:

Before embarking on your trip, check the battery's charge level and test its condition. Replace it if necessary and ensure that all connections are secure.

Check Fluid Levels:

Verify the levels of essential fluids such as engine oil, transmission fluid, coolant, and brake fluid. Top them up if needed to prevent any potential issues during your journey.

Verify the RV's Systems:

Test all the systems inside the RV, including the electrical system, plumbing, heating, and cooling. Ensure that all appliances, lights, and switches are in working order.

Pack an Emergency Kit:

Prepare an emergency kit that includes tools, a first aid kit, a fire extinguisher, flares, a flashlight, and any other items you may need in case of an emergency.

Plan Your Route:

Research and plan your route ahead of time using a reliable navigation system or RV-specific apps. Consider your RV's size and weight restrictions to avoid roads that may be unsuitable for your vehicle.

Check Campground Availability:

If you plan to stay at campgrounds along your route, check their availability in advance. Some campgrounds may require reservations, especially during peak seasons.

Research RV Parking and Dump Stations:

Look for places where you can safely park your RV, such as rest areas, truck stops, or designated RV parks. Additionally, identify dump stations where you can empty your waste tanks as needed.

Familiarize Yourself with Local Rules and Regulations:

Research the rules and regulations of the areas you'll be traveling through. Some cities and states have specific regulations regarding RV parking, camping, and overnight stays.

Create a Checklist:

Make a comprehensive checklist of all the things you need to pack and tasks you need to complete before leaving. This will help ensure that you don't forget anything important during the preparations.

By performing these checks and conducting thorough research, you can minimize the chances of encountering unexpected issues during your RV trip. Remember to plan ahead, stay organized, and enjoy the adventure!

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Frequently asked questions.

Before traveling with an RV, it is important to check the tire pressure, engine and fluid levels, brakes, lights, and electrical system. It is also advisable to inspect the propane system, generator, and water tanks for any leaks or malfunctions.

The maximum weight an RV can safely carry is determined by its Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR). This weight includes the vehicle's own weight, passengers, cargo, and any towing weight. It is crucial to never exceed the GVWR to ensure safe and efficient travel.

It is essential to have a well-stocked first aid kit, fire extinguisher, smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and a functioning emergency kit with items such as flares, road reflectors, and a flashlight. Additionally, having a tire pressure monitoring system and a backup camera can enhance safety on the road.

To prepare your RV for a long trip, you should conduct a thorough inspection of all the essential systems, such as the engine, brakes, and electrical system. Make sure to check the tire pressure and tread, fill up on necessary fluids, and top up propane and fuel tanks. It is also advisable to pack all necessary supplies, including food, water, and camping equipment.

• Kryms Kaya Author Traveller

• Arjun Yadav Author Editor Reviewer

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