What’s the best way to see the country? Get out and RV America! You can explore from coast to coast, all at your own pace and from the comfort of your own home on wheels. Planning a trip of this magnitude can be a bit overwhelming, but in this guide, we cover everything you need to have a successful cross-country road trip.
Cross-country road trip routes
There are a lot of great RV routes across America. Which you choose will depend on how much time you have and the kinds of things you want to see and do.
Planning your American road trip
There are RV trip planner apps that help plan routes, estimate fuel costs, and even find campgrounds.
Some of the most popular apps are:
Popular RV destinations in America
When you RV America, make sure you stop at these iconic places:
- Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona — You can go rafting, hiking, or you can visit the many scenic overlooks.
- Everglades National Park in Florida — See all kinds of animals and plants as you hike, bike, and kayak around the park.
- Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument in New Mexico — The cliff dwellings were built in the late 1200s, by people of the Mogollon Culture.
- Denali National Park in Alaska — Denali has the highest peak in North America.
- Yellowstone National Park — It is the world’s first national park and spans Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho.
Popular American highways
Certain highways are also iconic and should be included in any RV America trip:
- California’s Pacific Coast Highway — It’s a popular route because there are so many great places to stop. Start at Dana Point and make your way north to San Francisco. You’ll pass fun beach towns, the city of San Luis Obispo, and the area of Big Sur.
- Route 66 — It is the classic American road trip. Crossing eight states, this road trip is over 2,000 miles. Start in Chicago and head southwest to Los Angeles.
- US Highway 2, aka the “Great Northern” — Explore the northern states of the country from Maine to Washington. This route is over 3,000 miles but passes through some incredible places like Acadia National Park in Maine and Glacier National Park in Montana.
Where you camp along your cross-country road trip will obviously depend on the route you choose and how many days you plan on spending at each location. Luckily, many national and state parks have campsites within their grounds or just outside of the parks.
How to choose the best RV America rental
American RV rentals can vary greatly. Which RV you choose for your cross-country road trip will depend on how many people you’re traveling with, the amenities you want, and your budget.
Below you’ll find average rental prices per night on Outdoorsy, based on RV type.
| RV Type | Average Rental Price (Per Night) |
| Class A Motorhome | $175 to $275 |
| Class B Motorhome | $100 to $200 |
| Class C Motorhome | $150 to $200 |
| Toy Hauler | $100 to $200 |
| Fifth Wheel | $60 to $150 |
| Travel Trailer | $50 to $125 |
| Pop-up Camper | $50 to $100 |
Besides rental cost, other trip costs to consider are gas and campsite fees, both of which are affected by the type of RV you rent. For example, a large Class A Motorhome will take more to fuel up and might not fit at all campgrounds.
Some of the best RV rentals in every state can be found on Outdoorsy, so when you’re ready to RV America, you’ll have plenty of options to choose from. For example, you could rent this 2015 Ford Transit camper van outside in Phoenix and drive north to the Grand Canyon. Or, if you’re on your way to the Florida Keys, you could rent this 2016 Winnebago Trend in Miami that sleeps six people.
How to save money when you RV America
There’s no question that an RV America rental will save you money compared to staying in multiple hotels. However, costs during a cross-country road trip will still add up, whether you have a $500 budget, a $1000 budget, or a $2000 budget. The good thing is that there are ways to save money.
Boondock
One way to save money on your trip is to boondock. But what is boondocking? It is when RVers stay in free places without amenities such as sewer, water, or electric hookups. This can be on public land, at RV-friendly businesses like Walmart, or even in a friend’s driveway.
Join RV discount clubs
Another way to save money on your cross-country road trip is to join an RV discount club. How does it work? You pay a yearly membership fee and the club promotes a select network of RV parks for you to stay in, which will offer you a discount on your stay. There are different clubs out there, each with their own pros and cons, so make sure you do some research before deciding on one.
Pack what you’ll need
The last thing you want to spend money on is something you already have but left at home. That’s why having an RV essentials checklist is so important. Head out to RV America confidently knowing you have everything from toothpaste to jumper cables.
Of course, some of what you pack will depend on your RV type. For example, if you don’t have a bathroom, you want to make sure your packing list includes wet wipes, dry shampoo, and portable toilet bags that naturally decompose in the soil within a few days.
If you’re boondocking, remember to pack plenty of extra water for cooking, cleaning, and brushing your teeth.
Cook your own RV meals
Eating out every day is not good for your wallet (or your jeans), so try cooking most of your own meals. You may have to get creative when it comes to cooking and storing food in smaller RVs, but it is possible. You can pack a cooler, portable grill, and dry goods that don’t require refrigeration like pasta, rice, crackers, pretzels, and nuts.
Buy a National or State Park Pass
If you plan on visiting multiple National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands, it’s a good idea to purchase an America the Beautiful annual pass. They cost $80 a year and cover entrance fees at national parks and national wildlife refuges as well as standard amenity fees (day use fees) at national forests and grasslands, and at lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation, and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
States have their own state park passes. Costs vary by state, but they are well worth the purchase.
Ready to RV America?
We hope this guide has gotten you excited for your next cross-country road trip. Once you rent an RV, head out and see the many natural wonders that the country has to offer. From mountains to deserts and beaches to forests, America has it all.
