The right tools can make all the difference when it comes to RV trip planning. With so many apps available, it can be overwhelming to figure out which ones truly help streamline your travels. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of the best travel apps to help you navigate, find unique destinations, budget, and stay safe. Whether you’re a weekend warrior or a full-time RVer, these apps will make your journey smoother and more enjoyable.
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Best Apps for RV Trip Planning
Navigation & Route Planning
Google Maps
Google Maps is a classic tool for a reason. It’s essential for RV trip planning, and while it’s not ideal for RV GPS navigation, it’s perfect for marking places you want to remember in the future.
We use Google Maps by creating lists of places we want to visit (or revisit). The list feature allows you to “pin” locations on a map, making it easy to see when we’re near that interesting restaurant, hike, store, or place we heard about years ago.
It’s where our dreams live until we can plan.
Adventure Genie
Adventure Genie is a fantastic RV trip planning app specifically for RVers. It offers AI-powered itinerary suggestions, campground recommendations, and scenic route planning based on your preferences.
For instance, we tell Adventure Genie that we like to travel no more than 3-4 hours per day and prefer staying at military base fam camps. Since we travel in a big loop each year, originating and ending in central Florida, the app helps us easily plan our stops and basic route by simply adding a few of the stops we know we will be making.
Additionally, the app suggests things to do and resorts to stay in (other than military bases).
The AI quicky plans the overall route and gives more activities suggestions.
Use our link to get a discount on your membership.
RV Trip Wizard
The RVers’ gold standard in RV trip planning. If you want detailed route planning on RV-friendly roads, RV Trip Wizard is a game-changer. It allows you to input your RV’s height, weight, and fuel preferences to avoid low clearances and tight turns.
Our finalized itinerary lives here. We input trips by year, and it calculates our total towing miles while keeping us on RV-safe roads. Many RVers solely use RV Life, but we like to expand our planning a bit.
Finding Unique & Safe Stops
Allstays Military
For veterans and military families, Allstays Military is an invaluable resource for finding military campgrounds, RV parks, and overnight parking at military bases. While Adventure Genie will find the camps and even RV Life has them listed, this is one map that helps you locate not only the camps but also the contact and booking information.
You need permission to be on the bases, and requirements can vary by location. Ensure you qualify before arriving.
We prefer the bases for the wide open spaces and unexpected but incredible locations.
Atlas Obscura
Love discovering offbeat and lesser-known attractions? Atlas Obscura highlights your route’s quirky roadside stops, historical sites, and hidden gems. This free app is a great way to add unique experiences to your RV trip planning.
Trip Organization & Safety
Notion
Notion is an excellent tool for organizing your entire trip. We use it to track reservations and expenses (Did we pay in full, deposit, or nothing for this reservation?) and create daily itineraries.
Even though it may seem counterintuitive to plan extensively while on vacation, it’s crucial to remember that if you have a packed itinerary with multiple destinations and activities, failing to plan can result in disappointment. For instance, you could miss out on a museum or restaurant because it’s closed on a particular day, like Monday, which happens to be your only available day at that location.
Everything lives here for us. It is the one place that we can check instantly and tell everything including dates we visited museums and any footage we shot there.
RV Weather
Weather can make or break an RV trip, so having a dedicated weather app designed for RVers is crucial. RV Weather provides detailed forecasts and alerts for wind speeds, temperature drops, and hazardous weather conditions that could affect your drive up to 10 days out. We have used it to reroute around severe weather in the past.
Simple to use novice radar to ensure you are not driving into severe weather.
Use code FITTINGINADVENTURE25 for a 25% discount on your membership.
Google Earth
Before heading to a new campground or boondocking site, check out Google Earth for a satellite view. This helps you visualize road pathways, potential tight turns or no-turnarounds, and the overall layout of an area before arriving.
Your eye in the sky.
Saving Money on the Road
Open Roads
Fuel is one of the biggest expenses for RV travelers. Open Roads offers exclusive fuel discounts at thousands of locations, helping you save significantly over long trips. This app is a must-have for budget-conscious RVers.
Savings vary by location and state, but we have saved more than $1 per gallon by using this free-to-join program. While currently the app only works for diesel users, there are rumors that they will be adding gasoline soon.
It’s free AND saves you a ton of money! Why not?!
The program is FREE. Sign up here.
Harvest Host
If you love the idea of staying somewhere other than a traditional RV park or need a quick overnight stay, Harvest Hosts offers a unique way to experience local attractions while RVing. This membership-based service provides access to thousands of vineyards, farms, breweries, distilleries, museums, and other small businesses that allow self-contained RVers to stay overnight for free.
How It Works:
- Sign up for a Harvest Hosts membership and browse thousands of available locations.
- Book your stay directly through the app. Many hosts allow same-day requests.
- Support the business by making a small purchase—whether it’s a bottle of wine, fresh produce, or museum admission.
FAQs About RV Trip Planning
What is the best app for RV trip planning?
For detailed trip planning with RV-friendly roads, RV Trip Wizard is highly recommended. If you’re looking for AI-powered itinerary suggestions and campground recommendations, Adventure Genie is a great option.
How do I plan an RV road trip route?
Start by mapping out your route using Google Maps or RV Trip Wizard. Use Adventure Genie to find campgrounds and Atlas Obscura to discover unique stops along the way.
What are the must-have RV apps for travel?
Navigation & Route Planning: Google Maps, RV Trip Wizard, Adventure Genie
Finding Unique Stops: Atlas Obscura, Allstays Military
Trip Organization & Safety: Notion, Google Earth, RV Weather
Saving Money: Open Roads, Harvest Host
How can I save money while RVing?
Use apps like Open Roads to save on fuel and plan efficient routes with RV Trip Wizard to avoid unnecessary mileage. Staying at military bases with Allstays Military can also be a cost-effective lodging option.
How do I avoid low clearances and tight turns in an RV?
Apps like RV Trip Wizard allow you to input your RV’s dimensions to avoid roads with low bridges, weight restrictions, and difficult turns.
Successful RV trip planning is all about preparation. By using these apps, you’ll have access to RV-friendly routes, budget-saving tools, and unique travel experiences. Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or just starting out, having the right resources can turn a simple road trip into an unforgettable adventure. So, before your next trip, download a few (or all!) of these apps and hit the road with confidence!