Best Tips for Long-Distance RV Road Trips
According to the 2023 Campspot Annual Report:
48% of campers are open to traveling across the country
Of the different types of campers, RV campers are most willing to travel long distances, with 39% reporting they’ll travel any distance if they have time
Only 7% of campers took a flight for a camping trip in the last three years
Are you planning a long-distance RV road trip soon?
Whether you're traveling with family, friends, or solo, it's important to be well-prepared to make the most of your journey. We want to help you maximize your long-distance RV road trip experience with a few tips and tricks we have learned along the way. Plan your route, budget for gas and expenses, pack wisely, and prioritize comfort and safety. Invest in quality navigation and communication tools, and consider joining a campground membership program for added savings and benefits. With proper planning and preparation, your RV road trip can be a stress-free and unforgettable adventure.
Here are some of the best tips for successful long-distance road trips:
Plan your route in advance
Before setting out on your trip, it's important to plan your route and make a list of any stops you'd like to make along the way. This will help you stay on track and ensure that you don't miss any important landmarks or attractions.
We’ve all heard it’s about the journey, not the destination - to avoid burnout stick to the 300 or 3:00 rule - only drive 300 miles per day or arrive at the campground by 3:00. This is a good rule of thumb for planning your route.
Book the campgrounds along your route as soon as possible to avoid arriving at a full campground with no space for you. Campgrounds always have no-shows, but it’s not worth the risk.
Invest in an RV-friendly GPS - Google Maps is great when you’re driving a car, but not so much when you’re towing a travel trailer or driving an RV. A Garmin GPS like this one prevents you from making some costly mistakes on the road.
Use GasBuddy Trip Cost Calculator to help you find the best places to fill up along your route. Remember to pre-plan for RV-friendly stations as well.
Pack smart
Make a list of everything you'll need for the trip and pack your RV accordingly. It's important to bring essentials such as clothing, toiletries, medications (OTC and prescribed), and a first aid kit.
You'll also need to plan for activities or entertainment along the way. Road trip games like Mad Libs, On-The-Go Amusements, crossword, or bingo are fun with kids. Don’t overlook boredom at the campground - as much fun as you may have relaxing I can guarantee your 6-year-old will disagree. We have a Boredom Buster: Kid’s Activity Box For The RV post to help you get a few ideas.
Pay attention to weather changes, if you’re starting in Arizona and finishing in Wyoming (or visa versa) you’re in for a very different climate. Even if you’re positive you’ll never need that hoodie or umbrella or coat or jeans or shorts or swimsuit - just bring it anyway. With over 15 years of road trips as a parent, I can tell you there have been plenty of times when I got so mad at myself for leaving behind a coat or swimsuit. Or pajamas - we are horrible at remembering pajamas!
Evaluate needs: do you really need to bring an extra picnic table or grill if your campground is already providing them at your site? My kids never use their camping chairs even though we always bring them along. This summer for our big family camping trip I’m going to talk to them about how they prefer to sit, I’m guessing the answer is at the picnic table at our site, and ditch the chairs.
Stay hydrated and well-fed
It's important to stay hydrated and well-fed during your road trip to maintain your energy and focus. Pack plenty of water and snacks, and consider stopping at restaurants or grocery stores along the way to restock as needed.
Keep a small cooler in your vehicle for drinks and fresh foods. Another basket for snacks is also a good idea. Planning ahead with drinks and snacks prevents more gas station stops and allows you to control what your family is eating better.
Read our post on Road Trip Eats: Healthy and Delicious Snack Ideas for ideas of what we bring on our trips.
Pack lunch the night before you’re on the road to save time. You can keep the meal in your RV fridge and eat inside or grab a blanket and sit outside at a clean and pleasant rest stop.
Take breaks
It's important to take breaks during long-distance road trips to stretch your legs and give your eyes a rest. Plan to stop every few hours to rest and refresh, and consider staying overnight at a campground to get a good night's sleep.
We always plan ahead to find an appropriate rest stop for lunch. We prefer to look on Google Maps ahead of time to see if there’s enough parking and the best way to get to that spot. There is nothing more glorious than a playground at a rest stop when you’re road-tripping with toddlers and kids.
We also use rest stops instead of going to a gas station to use the bathrooms or for stretching - this always saves us time and money.
On a multi-day road trip, it can get quite cumbersome to keep stopping at campgrounds. We prefer the ease of Harvest Hosts for many of our overnights on the journey to our destination. It takes a little forethought to be without hookups for several days in a row, but if your rig is able to do it we highly recommend this alternative. Harvest Host has a route planner on their site to help you plan your stays. Learn more about how to save 15% on a Harvest Host membership by using our link.
Stay safe
Always follow the rules of the road and take necessary precautions to ensure your safety. RVs are safest at 65 mph and slower.
Make sure your vehicle and rig are well-maintained and consider bringing a roadside assistance kit in case of emergencies.
We never leave home without a proper toolbox outfitted with the appropriate tools for our truck and our travel trailer. Including emergency repair items for our RV water heater. In case you didn’t know a water heater is the number one thing that goes out on an RV, you can avoid the inconvenience by learning about your model and how to repair it.
Keep your RV doors locked at all times you’re not in or close to the RV. Double-check baggage doors before driving.
Put away and lock up anything valuable overnight. Unfortunately, our extended family experienced a massive amount of theft one night at a popular campground. Fortunately, this taught us never to completely trust our surroundings and we do everything we can to keep our stuff and ourselves safe.
Use walkie-talkies (we use these and love them) to keep in contact with kids at the campground or other members of your traveling party.
Have fun
Don't forget to have fun on your road trip! Whether you're listening to music, playing games, or chatting with your travel companions, the journey can be just as enjoyable as the destination.
Our kids love their electronic devices and we allow them to bring along their iPad or Switch on road trips. However, our rule is that they can only play while the trailer is hooked up to our truck and we’re driving. Otherwise, devices are put away. It keeps things civilized for everyone.
Audiobooks/Podcasts/Playlists - whatever you choose it’s a great way to help pass the miles.
Overall, long-distance road trips can be a great way to see new places and make lasting memories. With proper planning and preparation, you can have a safe and enjoyable journey.
Bring Along Autio - The Perfect Road Trip Companion
Autio is the perfect road trip companion that everyone needs to have on their next trip because it offers a network of stories told by master storytellers that bring the landscape, its people, and its history alive as you pass through it. The audio vignettes are professionally edited and narrated and provide answers to questions that you might have about the places you are passing through. Story subjects include history, sports, culture, music, geology, and more. Autio offers an invitation to discover and connect with the sum of our experience, to enrich our lives with the stories of today, and inspire the great storytellers yet to come. With Autio, you can start your next journey with a richer and more meaningful experience. Download it for iOS here.
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