Plan Your Perfect RV Road Trip with Spot2Nite

RV road trips are an amazing way to get off the beaten path and see some beautiful places around the country. But planning a multi-destination road trip can be daunting, and booking multiple RV sites can get complicated. With so many things to consider, from choosing the best route to finding the perfect RV parks for the whole family, it’s easy to get overwhelmed.

So whether you’re a first-time road tripper or live a full-time RV life, keep reading for some helpful trip planning tips to get you started on your next adventure. Plus, a tool that allows you to conveniently book all of your RV camping spots in one transaction!

RV Trip Planning Tools and Tips

Choose Your Route

Choosing your destinations is often one of the more exciting aspects of a  road trip, but researching and booking campground stays along your route that have RV sites available to fit your rig can become time-consuming and overwhelming, especially for long-hauls. Here are some helpful tips to get you started:

What places are on your “must-see” list?

Are you interested in national parks, historical landmarks, or even big cities around the U.S.? Perhaps you prefer spending your days on the hiking trails or relaxing at a luxury RV park. Or maybe you’re interested in a brewery tour of the U.S.! You may also want to research different festivals and events that pop up along your route to add some extra fun to the trip! Whatever your idea of the perfect RV road trip, consider what you want your days to look like on your RV adventure, and then work backward to plan your route.

Check the weather

Weather will significantly affect your chosen route, particularly in the shoulder seasons. Be sure to check the weather forecast and plan accordingly. You may want to avoid big mountain passes that still have snow on the ground or hot deserts if you don’t have A/C.

And always be sure to keep seasonal road conditions in mind during the planning process. Some routes, like winding mountain passes, narrow roads, and low-clearance bridges, can be challenging to navigate in a motorhome. GPS tools and other RV-specific apps can tell you whether your route is RV-friendly.

Plan your stops

Map out everywhere you want to visit on your RV road trip, and then decide the most efficient way (or scenic way!) to get to those destinations. Keep reading to learn about the 3 3 3 rule for planning your road trip stops!

Be flexible

Sometimes the best RV trips are the ones with some room built in to enjoy whatever adventures pop up along the way. Having a plan and booking your RV sites before you leave is great, but some wiggle room in the schedule is always a nice way to leave room for spontaneous fun.

Choose the Best Time of Year to Go RVing

As you start figuring out which sites you want to see during your RV travels, you might wonder what time of year is best to hit the open road. Timing differs for everyone. For some, they prefer the shoulder seasons to avoid the crowds. For others, weather is paramount, and they can deal with some traffic if it means beautiful sunny days for swimming! Here’s a quick guide to help you decide what time of year might be best for you:

The Western U.S.

Summer (June to August) is a popular time for RVers to visit the western U.S. While you may face larger crowds this time of year, you also have the highest chance of avoiding the wet season that can put a damper on outdoor activities, which the Pacific Coast is famous for! Spring and fall can be pleasant, but check the forecast beforehand as these shoulder seasons are also prone to rainy bouts that last weeks at a time.

The Southwest

The deserts of the Southwest U.S. are perfect for shoulder-season RV camping in the spring and fall. The temperatures are milder than the scorching summer temps, and the crowds are sparse. The winter (December to February) can also be a great time to visit these southwestern deserts with pleasant daytime temperatures and unique winter activities like soaking in hot springs and enjoying stunning snowcapped mountains that provide a striking contrast against the dry and rocky terrain. Campgrounds and RV parks may offer lower campsite fees in the shoulder seasons, so this might be a good option if price is a major factor in your trip-planning process.

The East Coast

Fall in New England is a real-life fairytale. Explore world-famous mountain drives and stunning hiking views as the trees change from green to gold. The Southeastern states like Florida and Georgia are also great spots to visit in the spring as the weather warms up but before the humidity has a chance to settle in.

Midwest

Spring is an excellent time to take your RV on a Midwest adventure, with mild temperatures, blooming trees, and ample outdoor activities including hiking, fishing, and wildlife watching. This time of year is also ideal for visits to National Parks, roadside attractions, and other points of interest, as the crowds are still manageable.

Rocky Mountains

The Rocky Mountain region is stunning year-round. With snowcapped peaks, stunning wildflowers, and abundant wildlife, RVers flock here for outdoor adventure. This RV destination offers three distinct experiences depending on the season you visit, but you really can’t go wrong! The spring is a great time to catch the wildflowers blooming, and the wildlife is more active this time of year as they wake up from the long winter. The summer offers perfect hiking temperatures, warm enough to take a dip in an alpine lake at the top of a hike. And the fall is ideal for scenic drives through the steep valleys adorned with the golden hues of fall foliage.

The Yukon

Canada offers some of the most stunning landscapes, incredible wildlife viewing, and even a chance to see the famous aurora borealis. The summer months between mid-May and mid-October are the best months to visit the Yukon as the temps warm up and the wildlife is awake and active. If you travel to the Yukon in the winter, expect to be met with frigid temps and closed roads.

Overall, the best time for an RV road trip depends on your RV lifestyle and the activities you hope to enjoy in your destinations.

Use the 3 3 3 Rule for RVing

The 3 3 3 general rule of thumb used by RV trip planners to plan the best RV trip that allows you to hit all the spots you want to see while helping you avoid overexertion or exhaustion on the road.

The rule states:

• Drive at most 300 miles on travel days.

• Arrive at the campground or RV site by 3:00 pm.

• Stay for at least 3 days in each location.

While you’re planning out your 300 miles per day, we recommend using an app like Google Maps to plan out where the most ideal gas station pit stops are along your route that are easy to access with your big rig. This rule allows you to fully experience the places you visit and builds in time for relaxation when you arrive at a new location. It also makes trip planning a little easier with a formula to follow.

Plan Your Budget for Your RV Trip

Everyone’s budget will look different depending on where you are, how long you plan to stay, and how much you plan to spend on activities, food, and proximity to popular attractions. But if this is your first time heading out on a long-distance, multi-destination RV trip, here are some commonly overlooked costs to include in your budget.

Propane

If your RV has a propane system for functions like cooking, heating, or refrigeration, don’t forget to build the cost of propane into your budget.

National and State Park fees

Many of the parks in North America charge entrance fees ranging from $10 to $35 per day, which can add up for a weeklong trip. Some parks offer annual passes that allow unlimited visits for a flat fee, which may be a good option if you spend several days in one park. Some parks also charge for guided tours, backcountry permits, and equipment rentals for outdoor activities like rafts, snowmobiles, and fishing gear.

Dump Station Fees

Some campgrounds build the dump station fee into their overall fee, but not all do, so be sure to do your research beforehand to know how much you can expect to pay at each one to empty your RV’s waste, especially if you’re boondocking or camping in areas without easy access to these stations.

RV Maintenance and Repairs

Even if your RV is in good condition, you should plan to put aside money every year for routine maintenance and. unexpected repairs. A good rule of thumb is to budget around 1-2% of the purchase price of the RV for annual maintenance and repairs.

Tolls

While not super common, toll roads and bridges exist all over the country, and you’ll likely encounter a few along your journey. These typically won’t break the bank, but you may want to keep a small amount of cash on you for this reason.

Book Your RV Sites

Ready to hit the open road? Spot2Nite is a fantastic resource that helps you plan a cohesive itinerary for your trip by allowing you to research and book multiple RV stays from one centralized marketplace. Instead of making individual reservations on several different booking platforms and trying to keep track of various confirmation receipts and trip details, campers can book multiple destinations all at once in a shopping cart experience. This tool also offers a robust search function so you can filter parks according to your RV type and length, hookup accessibility, and even park features like pools, restaurants, and onsite activities. This takes the guesswork out of finding the perfect RV parks and allows you to make informed decisions about where you stay. Try this tool out for yourself today!