How to Plan a Cross Country RV Trip

There are few vacations as enjoyable as one taken with the family in a Recreational Vehicle (RV). The main advantage is that you are basically taking your living quarters with you wherever you go, so no hotel fees, check-ins or worries about where you are going to spend the night. But of course, in order to make the most of your trip, you’ll need to do a little planning first.

Choose a Destination

The first step in your planning is choosing where you want to go. While the joy from an RV trip most often comes from the unexpected and unplanned moments that occur along the way, you still need to have a single destination in mind. So, if you are on a weekend trip, pick something that is local and interesting while a week-long vacation or longer should have a destination that can be reached about halfway to two-thirds into the time you have allocated for the trip.

Everyone will want to head straight home after you have visited the selected destination, but before it is reached you should set aside time to do a little exploring which is always part of the fun!

Map it Out

Now that you know where you are going, you’ll want to map out how to get there. Fortunately, it’s pretty easy when using online maps that plot the destination point for you. However, you’ll want to modify them somewhat by adding excursions that are off the main interstates and feature local attractions.

Set a Budget

Once you know where you want to go, the next step is creating a realistic budget. Naturally, you will need to account for RV rental fee (if you don’t own one), fuel, money for the events and food. However, you can save on food costs by cooking your own meals, although going to a restaurant or two along the way makes for a nice break.

Choose the Right RV

If you are renting an RV, you will need to strike the balance between having one that is large enough to carry your family, yet small enough to be maneuverable and use less gas. One option is to tow your vehicle behind the RV if it is a small car so that you can park at the RV sites. However, this will add a considerable amount to your trip.


For three or four people total, a standard size RV is the best and you should check out all the options first before making your rental agreement.

Leave Most of the Trip Unplanned

The real fun in an RV adventure is the spontaneous moments where you discover hidden locations and events along the way. While you should stick to your main destination, finding the little places of interest along the way adds real joy to the trip itself.



In fact, you should only use interstate highways when needed as many of the back roads lead to wonderful places.

Remember to stick to your budget and have emergency money available in case something unforeseen occurs. A little planning will go a long way towards making your RV trip one to remember.

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