The snow is thawing, and the national parks are gearing up for another season, which means it’s time to de-winterize your RV and prepare for your next RV road trip. And this year isn’t going to be like last year.
No more last minute campsite booking for you. No more putting up to the narrow sardine parking spots because that was the only spot left. And you’re definitely not skipping pitstops and must-see attractions–just because you can’t fit an extra stop in your schedule.
Nope, this time, you’ll do a little more research and plan your road trip with an RV trip planner. And we’ve got the best options for you right here!
Top RV Trip Planner Tools
RV trip planners are digital tools that make it easy to plan your next road trip. They provide a space where you can:
- Map out your route
- Find awesome campgrounds
- Research points of interest along your route
- Estimate your travel costs
Here are some of the top RV trip planner tools available today. We’ll delve into the features and benefits of seven of these tools:
#1: The Dyrt PRO
The Dyrt PRO offers a bundle of benefits for its subscribers. With the Dyrt PRO, you can lay out the best route to take, and then find the best campgrounds and sightseeing along that route.
With a database of over 45,000 campgrounds across the United States, and access to over 5,000 campsites that are absolutely free, you’re sure to find the perfect spot to park your RV for the night.
But the Dyrt PRO is more than just a campground finder. It also pinpoints overnight parking spots, dump stations, and water stations along your route.
Add to that the additional discounts, no booking fees, and alerts for when a popular campground has a spot open up, and the $34.99/year is totally worth it.
The Dyrt PRO: Camping maps, discounts & reservations at sold-out sites
#2: RV LIFE Trip Wizard
RV LIFE app covers all of your RV trip planning needs.
- Plan Routes Using an RV-Safe GPS: The app’s navigation system is designed to provide safe RV routes, taking into account height, weight, and other restrictions for safe, turn-by-turn GPS-guided routes.
- Find Campgrounds: over 20,000 campgrounds with favorable campground reviews from Good Sam and Passport America.
- Locate Points of Interest: Stop by all the best sightseeing locations on your route, and plan out how long you’d like to stay.
- Set Your Own Driving Preferences: You decide when to start and how long you want to drive per day.
- Calculate the cost of your trip: Add up the amount of gas you need and what your campground fees will be.
You can complete all of these tasks in one centralized place (your computer, tablet, or phone)—all for the small price of $65/year.
RV LIFE Trip Wizard – RV Trip Planner & RV Safe Routes
#3: Allstays RV Trip Planning Resource
With more than 60,000 pins for…
- RV parks,
- truck stops,
- campsites,
- LP dealers
- Weigh stations
- Dump stations
- Walmart parking
- Rest areas
- Moose and Elk lodges
- RV Service centers
- RV washes
- and more…
…across the United States and Canada, Allstays offers a wealth of information for RV travelers to plan their trip. It also features a community-driven feedback system with baked-in user reviews and ratings–all of which provide valuable insights into the quality and amenities of each location.
Pro Tip: Allstays gives you the information to plan your route, but it’s not a trip-planning tool in and of itself. Plug this information into an RV trip planner tool for the perfect RV road trip.
Allstays LLC Apps on the App Store (apple.com)
Is There an App for RV Routes?
Driving an RV requires another level of awareness. You have to be aware of your height, your RV’s weight, the grades ahead, and the routes that accommodate your RV.
Now, if you have a class B RV or camper van, then RV routes aren’t as important to you–as most highways, bridges, etc. can support the weight of your Class of RV.
However, owners of larger RVs need to be aware of them, and an RV route planner is a great tool to bring peace of mind on the road.
Yes, the Garmin RV GPS
If you’re tired of having to navigate through another app on your phone while you’re driving, then Garmin has something for you.
The Garmin RV GPS has a large, 7” display that is readable in landscape or portrait mode. No more straining your eyes or having to zoom in and out of Google Maps while driving. The GPS provides custom RV routing that takes into account the size and weight of your RV. You can also save profiles for different vehicles or trailers.
On top of large-RV-safe routes, the Garmin RV GPS includes:
- Road warnings for upcoming steep grades and sharp curves
- A preloaded directory of RV parks and services
- Compatibility with backup cameras
- Control for vehicle accessories
- The ability to pair with the Garmin Drive app for easy trip planning
And this isn’t a subscription that you have to pay for every year. You’re purchasing a device, so it’s a one-time cost of $449.99 that you can use for years to come.
Garmin RV 795 | RV GPS Navigator
Bonus: RV Parky
When planning a road trip, you always want to have a backup plan for when the unexpected (inevitably) happens–be it a tire blowout or engine trouble. That’s where RV Parky is a lifesaver.
For last-minute route planning and finding places to park close by, RV Parky you can find a place to park your RV quickly.
The best part? Its free version of the app is all you need.
RV Parky – Parks & Campgrounds on the App Store (apple.com)
RV Parky – Apps on Google Play
Before You Go
When your road trips come to an end, there’s one more thing you have to plan for…a place to store your RV (at least until your next road trip).
You want your rig to stay in good condition, so it’s ready to use for the next excursion. For this reason, you’ll want to store it properly, undercover, and away from the elements.
So where can you find covered or enclosed RV storage in your area?
I’m glad you asked because that’s where Neighbor can help.
Neighbor is a peer-to-peer RV storage marketplace that offers RV storage that’s up to 50% cheaper than traditional storage options.
With Neighbor, you can find RV storage options in all 50 states, and you may even find storage spaces in your very own neighborhood.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is RV Trip Wizard Worth It?
Yes, RV Trip Wizard is worth it for planning RV group trips, as it provides detailed park listings and reviews.
What Are Some Essential Features to Look for in an RV Trip Planner?
When looking for an RV trip planner, make sure it includes RV-safe routing, a campground database, fuel and water station locators, and weather data.
How Can I Avoid Potential RV Hazards on My Trip?
Use RV trip planners and navigation apps to route based on your RV’s height and weight. These tools will help you avoid low clearances, propane restrictions, steep grades, and toll roads.
