Unlocking the Road: Here is a Comprehensive Guide to the best travel planning apps and websites. Don’t struggle not knowing how to book or plan your travels. Just click download, and plan away.
Embarking on a road trip can be an exhilarating adventure, especially when exploring the vast and diverse landscapes of the United States. Thanks to technological advancements, planning the perfect RV trip has become more accessible than ever. In this guide, we’ll delve into the importance of planning ahead and explore a curated list of nine top-notch websites and apps tailored for RV travel.
The Value of Planning Ahead
While planning may seem tedious, it significantly enhances the safety, ease, and overall enjoyment of your journey. Efficient route selection, avoidance of obstacles like low clearances, and accessing crowdsourced reviews for campgrounds are just a few benefits. The following apps and websites are designed to make road-tripping, especially in RVs, a breeze.
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RV Trip Planning Apps and Websites
Maps
Google Maps:
Google Maps is a versatile tool for general planning. It provides an overview of your travel region, helps select destinations, and offers reviews. While not RV-optimized, satellite imagery and route options help assess road quality and elevation changes.
Maps.me:
This free app allows offline map downloads, crucial for rural or remote areas with weak navigation signals. Maps.me excels not only in RV navigation but also serves as a valuable resource for hiking trails.
Camping
Campendium:
With Campendium you get a user-friendly interface and a mobile app. It categorizes sites and filters searches for various RV-related needs.
iOverlander:
This free app provides a diverse set of filters, enabling searches for camping, fuel stations, mechanics, and more. Especially valuable for international travel, iOverlander ensures you’re well-equipped on your journey.
Harvest Hosts:
A membership-based app that opens doors to unique overnight stays at wineries, breweries, farms, and more. While requiring a $79 annual fee, the experience of staying at diverse locations makes Harvest Host a worthwhile investment.
Hipcamp:
This Airbnb-style app connects RV travelers with private landowners offering parking spots. From full hook-ups to basic space, Hipcamp caters to various preferences.
If you happen to be traveling to Minnesota, I offer Hipcamp at my home. Check out Sunset Bay Getaway.
Campspot:
At Campspot you can find the best RV spots, campgrounds, cabins, glamping and more.
RV Parky:
With over 30,000 listings for places to overnight park or camp, RV Parky is a must when traveling. We use this one all the time to find places to park for the night. Many truck stops or wayside rests fill up by 6pm with big trucks, so it’s nice to have this app when we need to just get some sleep.
Attractions and More
Roadtrippers:
The Roadtrippers free platform helps plan routes while suggesting offbeat attractions. Roadtrippers Plus, a paid version, allows longer itineraries and ad-free usage for $29.99 per year.
Trip Planning
RV Life:
With a $39 per year subscription fee, RV Life provides a comprehensive trip planning service. It factors in RV specifications, avoiding low clearances and steep grades, while offering campground reviews and cost estimates.
TripAdvisor:
Not only is TripAdvisor for researching trips, but you can book just about anything with it. Find hotels, restaurants, excursions and attractions all in one place.
Gas and Fuel
GasBuddy:
A free app assisting in finding the cheapest fuel along your route. Plan fuel stops in advance to save money, a crucial aspect for RVs known for their fuel consumption. GasBuddy is an app that you need to set up with your bank account as the gas purchases come right out of your bank. Excellent app for RVers.
UpSide app:
Ideal for gas and diesel, this app offers cashback rewards and is accepted at numerous stations across the USA. Save money on fuel and earn rewards while exploring the open road. On our travels we rack up a nice chunk of change using our Upside app. Use that link to join and code 4S5EN to get an extra 15 cents per gallon bonus on your first purchase.
Pilot Flying J:
When you stop at a Pilot Flying J you not only can save on gas but they have other great perks of using the app. Every day they have many different offers you can grab in the store. Lots of freebies or BOGO or massive discounts. Perfect for road snacks.
Love’s:
Another great place to stop for gas and snacks is Love’s. Use the app and get 10 cents off every gallon on the gas and auto diesel pumps. They offer lots of great deals inside the store as well. Snacks at discounts, for the road. Some Love’s stations also have RV Hookup available.
Rest Stops
USA Rest Stops:
Not only is the USA Rest Stops app great for the need to stop and go potty, or let the dogs go potty. It’s also great for stopping to have lunch, stretch a bit or even park overnight to rest those tired eyes.
We use rest stops every single day when on the road to and from our destinations.
Best Travel Planning Apps and Websites Final Thoughts
Incorporating these apps and websites into your RV trip planning toolkit ensures a seamless and enjoyable journey. The convenience of technology, coupled with the wealth of information these tools provide, makes planning and executing the perfect road trip a delightful experience. So, gear up, plan ahead, and let the open road beckon you to new adventures!
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