We've received numerous questions and comments about RV trip planning. Is it stressful? Are we ever frustrated with the uncertainty of not knowing where we'll be next? In this episode, we'll share our favorite tools and apps, offer helpful tips, and guide you through planning an unforgettable RV adventure.

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šŸžļø Safe travels, and see you down the road!

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Why is RV trip planning

RV trip planning can be the key to a stress-free and unforgettable adventure. Planning makes you less likely to run into surprises like closed roads, full campgrounds, or parking spots that won't work. Being familiar with your route and the weather forecast ahead of time is important for keeping everyone safe.

Planning ahead also helps you know what you will spend on fuel, campgrounds, attractions, and those unexpected expenses. You'll also make the most of your time by deciding in advance which attractions you want to visit. That way, you will save time searching for a place to camp or looking for amenities like laundry, waste disposal, and Wi-Fi.

Part of RV trip planning is ensuring your RV is ready to hit the road. That means checking everything from tire pressure to making sure your generator is in good shape. But the best part of planning? You get to relax and enjoy the ride, knowing you're ready for whatever comes your way.

RV trip planning is important
RV trip planning with RV Trip Wizard

Our favorite apps

We use several tools for planning our RV trips. RV Trip Wizard is a popular online tool that lets you create a detailed travel plan, including stops, mileage, fuel costs, and potential campsites. It offers an integrated map feature, campground reviews by real RVers, data points related to parks, points of interest, and the ability to rank your memberships to find the best value parks. It's our favorite tool, available for $59 per year with a one-week free trial.

Roadtrippers is a web-based and mobile app that provides an intuitive platform to plan your route, highlighting attractions, scenic points, and campgrounds. The free version lets you plan a trip with up to 7 waypoints. We use this for finding points of interest. We use Roadtrippers to find fun things to do along our route. Campendium offers comprehensive reviews of nearly every campground in the USA, including photos and details about amenities and cell signal strength. We also use Campendium to find dump stations. It's a valuable resource for choosing the best spots to stop and rest.

GasBuddyĀ is a handy tool for budgeting your fuel costs, letting you find the cheapest gas prices along your route.Ā WindyĀ provides real-time weather forecasts and wind conditions, which can be vital when planning your RV journey. The National Weather Service provides detailed weather forecasts to help plan your trip around favorable weather conditions.Ā 

Steps to take when planning

  1. Choose the beginning and ending locations using a route planning software like Rv Trip Wizard.
  2. Choose any locations in between your starting and ending points that you want to do. 
  3. Consider things you want to avoid, like mountain passes and low bridges. 
  4. Add enough points to form the route you want when using a tool like RV Trip Wizard. Consider scenic routes and weather conditions.
  5. After creating your rough route, start adding stops and campgrounds. Research major attractions along your route, consider your preferences and select campgrounds based on their proximity to attractions, amenities, availability, price, and reviews. Consider memberships you already have to save on budgets.Ā 
  6. Don't forget to plan Science and Technology Centers (ASTC), Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), and Childrenā€™s Museums (ACM). This is a great membership that allows you to get discounts on admission.
  7. Be open to discovering new attractions or spending extra time in places you love. 
  8. Decide how long you want to drive between stays and ensure you have planned enough stops.   

What are your favorite tools for RV trip planning? Do you plan the entire year or small sections? Leave us a message by clicking our website's “Leave us a message” button. Hopefully, these tips will help you plan your next route.