RV road trips are the ultimate way to explore the open road, enjoy scenic views, and embark on adventures without leaving the comforts of home. But whether you’re a seasoned RVer or just starting, having the right tools at your fingertips can make a world of difference. That’s where RV travel apps come into play. These handy mobile apps streamline your journey, from finding the best campgrounds to mapping out the most scenic routes.
In this blog post, we’re covering the best RV travel apps in 2024 to enhance your road trip experience, making your journey smoother, safer, and more enjoyable.
1. Campendium
Best for: Finding campgrounds, RV parks, and free camping spots.
Campendium is one of the top-rated apps for RV enthusiasts. This app provides an extensive list of RV parks, campgrounds, and boondocking (free camping) spots across North America. With user-generated reviews, you can find detailed feedback on each location, including cell service quality, amenities, and more.
Key Features:
1. Filters for RV parks, free camping, and dump stations.
2. Reviews from fellow RVers about park conditions, prices, and WiFi quality.
3. Over 27,000 campgrounds in the database.
Why It’s Great for RVers:
The app allows you to find campgrounds that meet your needs, ensuring a comfortable and enjoyable stay.
2. RV Parky
Best for: Comprehensive RV park directory with real-time updates.
RV Parky is a community-driven app built by RVers for RVers. It’s designed to help you find campgrounds, RV parks, rest areas, and fuel stations. With a vast user database, the app constantly updates with new locations and reviews.
Key Features:
1. Access to over 25,000 RV parks and campgrounds.
2. Search for nearby gas stations and rest areas.
3. View site fees and amenities before booking.
Why It’s Great for RVers:
It’s easy to use and helps ensure you never get stuck without a place to park or refuel.
3. Roadtrippers
Best for: Planning scenic routes and discovering hidden gems along the way.
Roadtrippers is one of the most popular road trip planning apps, and it’s perfect for RV travel. It helps you map out your route, find interesting stops, and calculate distances. Whether you’re looking for quirky attractions, scenic drives, or must-see landmarks, Roadtrippers is your go-to tool.
Key Features:
1. Plan detailed routes with up to seven waypoints for free (and unlimited with premium).
2. Discover hidden gems, scenic byways, and off-the-beaten-path attractions.
3. Customize your itinerary and share it with fellow travelers.
Why It’s Great for RVers:
It’s more than just navigation—it’s a way to turn your road trip into an unforgettable adventure.
4. GasBuddy
Best for: Finding the cheapest fuel prices along your route.
When you’re on the road in an RV, fuel costs can quickly add up. GasBuddy is a must-have app for finding the best gas prices along your route. It provides real-time price updates from thousands of stations, allowing you to save money on fuel throughout your trip.
Key Features:
1. Find the lowest gas prices based on your current location.
2. View fuel trends and price fluctuations over time.
3. User reviews on station amenities like restrooms, cleanliness, and services.
Why It’s Great for RVers:
Fuel is a big expense for RVers, and this app can save you hundreds of dollars over a long road trip.
5. AllTrails
Best for: Discovering hiking trails and outdoor activities.
RVers love exploring the great outdoors, and AllTrails is an excellent app for finding hiking trails, biking routes, and other outdoor activities near your destination. With over 350,000 curated trails, AllTrails provides detailed maps, elevation profiles, and user reviews, helping you choose the best trail for your adventure.
Key Features:
1. Browse trails by difficulty level, length, and type of activity.
2. Save your favorite trails and track your progress.
3. Download maps for offline use when venturing off-grid.
Why It’s Great for RVers:
Exploring local trails and nature is a big part of RV travel, and AllTrails makes it easy to find new adventures.
6. CoPilot GPS
Best for: RV-specific navigation with tailored routes for larger vehicles.
Unlike standard GPS apps, CoPilot GPS is designed specifically for RVers. It accounts for the size and weight of your RV, ensuring that your route avoids low bridges, narrow roads, and other hazards. The app offers offline navigation, so even when you’re off the grid, you won’t lose your way.
Key Features:
1. Offline maps and navigation tailored to your RV’s dimensions.
2. Route planning with RV-safe roads.
3. Avoid low bridges, tunnels, and other RV hazards.
Why It’s Great for RVers:
CoPilot helps you avoid stressful situations by providing safe routes designed for larger vehicles.
7. iOverlander
Best for: Finding off-the-beaten-path camping and boondocking locations.
If you prefer boondocking or camping off-grid, iOverlander is your ideal companion. This app helps you find free or low-cost camping locations that aren’t crowded. It’s also great for finding essential resources like water fill stations, dump stations, and even repair shops.
Key Features:
1. Extensive database of wild camping spots, rest areas, and RV parks.
2. Access user reviews and tips for off-the-beaten-path locations.
3. Filter results based on amenities like water, toilets, and WiFi.
Why It’s Great for RVers:
For those who love camping away from busy campgrounds, iOverlander is the perfect tool to find hidden gems.
8. The Dyrt
Best for: Booking campsites and finding user reviews.
The Dyrt is one of the largest camping apps available, with over 1 million campsites, RV parks, and campgrounds listed. It’s a favorite among RVers due to its detailed reviews, photos, and campground ratings from other travelers. The app makes it easy to book campsites directly through the platform.
Key Features:
Search for and book over 1 million campgrounds and RV parks.
Filter campsites based on specific amenities like WiFi, hookups, and pet-friendliness.
User reviews and photos provide insights into each location.
Why It’s Great for RVers:
The Dyrt’s comprehensive campground listings and booking feature make it an excellent one-stop-shop for planning overnight stays.
9. Harvest Hosts
Best for: Unique camping experiences at wineries, farms, and breweries.
If you’re looking for a unique camping experience, Harvest Hosts offers a network of over 4,000 wineries, farms, breweries, and other small businesses that allow RVers to stay overnight for free. All you need is a self-contained RV, and in exchange for your stay, you support the company by purchasing something from their store or tasting room.
Key Features:
1. Access to unique overnight stays at farms, wineries, breweries, and more.
2. Download maps and directions for offline access.
3. Connect with local hosts for a more personalized experience.
Why It’s Great for RVers:
Harvest Hosts offers a unique alternative to traditional campgrounds, allowing you to enjoy one-of-a-kind experiences while supporting small businesses.
10. RV Life – Campgrounds & RV GPS
Best for: RV-specific navigation and campground directories.
RV Life is another excellent app designed with RVers in mind. It provides RV-safe GPS navigation, allowing you to avoid low bridges and steep grades. The app also includes an extensive directory of campgrounds and RV parks, complete with user reviews and ratings.
Key Features:
1. RV-safe GPS navigation that considers your vehicle’s size and weight.
2. Search for campgrounds, RV parks, and dump stations.
3. Access to user reviews and detailed site information.
Why It’s Great for RVers:
The combination of RV-safe navigation and campground directories makes RV Life a must-have app for anyone traveling in an RV.
Conclusion
In 2024, technology is transforming how we travel, and for RVers, having the right apps can make your road trip smoother and more enjoyable. Whether you’re planning your route, finding affordable fuel, or searching for the best campgrounds, these apps will be your essential tools on the road.
From apps like Campendium and iOverlander that help you find the best camping spots to GasBuddy saving you money on fuel, these are the must-have RV travel apps for any journey. No matter where the road takes you, these apps will enhance your RV adventures and ensure you make the most of your time on the road.
FAQs
Q: Do these apps work offline?
Most of the apps, such as CoPilot GPS and iOverlander, offer offline capabilities, so you won’t be stuck without directions or campground listings even when you lose cell service.
Q: Are these apps free?
Many of the apps listed have free versions, while some, like Roadtrippers and Harvest Hosts, offer premium features or require subscriptions for full access.
Q: How do I know which app is best for my RV needs?
Consider what aspects of RV travel are most important to you—whether it’s finding scenic routes, free camping, or affordable fuel—and choose the apps that best fit those needs.
With these powerful apps in hand, your next RV road trip is sure to be an unforgettable experience!
