The 5 Best RV Road Trips in the United States

If you are an avid RVer, there is a good chance you surround yourself with itineraries, maps and travel guides just as winter starts to thaw. You may have even changed the oil, broken out the cleaning supplies, stocked the fridge and assembled your outdoor gear from the ranks of its self-storage hibernation. If you have done all of this, then only one question remains to be answered: which unforgettable road trip will you embark on first?

Warning: reading about the best RV road trips may cause sudden and uncontrollable Willie Nelson incantations: “on the road again, just can’t wait to get on the road again.” If you do find yourself in this familiar position, remain calm and remember you are just about ready to hit the road.

At this point, you may be torn between two hotspots or completely undecided. Either way, this guide will help you finalize your decision as we take you on a quick tour of some of the best road trip routes our nation has to offer. So, let’s pull off the blocks, set this blog in gear and get on the road again.

5 Best RV Road Trip Destinations in the United States

From shining seas to tree-lined mountain tops, this list of road trip ideas spans the entire United States. If you are looking for your next RV trip idea, look no further.

1. Blue Ridge Parkway: North Carolina to Virginia

The Blue Ridge Parkway is one of the most popular RV destinations in the country. In total, the parkway spans 469 miles as it twists and turns throughout the mountains of Virginia and North Carolina. The parkway was originally constructed to connect Shenandoah and Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and it now serves as a popular corridor between the two parks.

START	Harrisonburg, VA or Cherokee, NC
FINISH	Cherokee, NC or Harrisonburg, VA
TIME	4 – 7 Days
POPULAR ATTRACTIONS	Shenandoah National Park, Humpback Gap, Natural Bridge State Park, Mabry Mill, The Blue Ridge Music Center, Craggy Gardens, Biltmore, Great Smoky Mountains National Park
NOTABLE CITIES	Charlottesville, Roanoke, Boone, Asheville, Cherokee

An RV camping road trip on the Blue Ridge Parkway is the perfect trip for families. You can start your road trip in either Harrisonburg, VA or Cherokee, NC. From either of these two destinations, the possibilities are seemingly endless. A sample Blue Ridge Parkway itinerary is included below. You can use this to plan out your own RV road trip!

Blue Ridge Parkway RV Road Trip Itinerary

• Day 1: Explore Harrisonburg and Shenandoah National Park. Then, head to the northern entrance of the Blue Ridge Parkway. See on Google Maps.
• Day 2: Hike Humpback Gap, stop in to see Natural Bridge State Park, and explore Roanoke, VA. See on Google Maps.
• Day 3: Head from Roanoke, VA to Boone, NC. Stop at Mabry Mill, The Blue Ridge Music Center and other attractions along the way. See on Google Maps.
• Day 4: Drive from Boone, NC to Asheville, NC. Hike at Blowing Rock, Grandfather Mountain, Craggy Gardens and Linville Falls. See on Google Maps.
• Optional Day 5: Explore Asheville: The Biltmore Estate, downtown shopping and dining and historic breweries. See on Google Maps.
• Optional Day 6: Drive to Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Stop and explore Mount Pisgah, Graveyard Fields and the Museum of the Cherokee Indian. See on Google Maps.

2. Route 66: Chicago to Los Angeles

Nothing screams “Americana” more than an RV road trip down Route 66. The mother of all roads, Route 66 is by no means the longest or oldest highway, but the route is one of the most important.

The first automobile may have been invented in 1886, but it wasn’t until the 1930s and 1940s that this new method of transportation became widely accessible to humble American families. Shadowing this new dawn of automobile popularity, Route 66 was constructed and quickly became a symbol of American freedom.

START	Chicago, IL
FINISH	Los Angeles, CA
TIME	2 Weeks
POPULAR ATTRACTIONS	Gateway Arch, Meramec Caverns, Cadillac Ranch, continental divide, Homolovi State Park, Meteor City, Grand Canyon National Park, Havasu Falls, Joshua Tree National Park
NOTABLE CITIES	Chicago, IL, St. Louis, MO, Amarillo, TX, Santa Fe, NM, Flagstaff, AZ, San Bernardino, CA, Los Angeles, CA

While a Route 66 road trip can be completed in less time, to truly see and experience the entirety of this quintessential American road, you will need roughly two weeks. Starting in Chicago, IL is your best bet. From there you can head across the United States to the state of California. While the exact end of Route 66 has changed since its inception, the historic western terminus is in downtown Los Angeles.

Route 66 RV Road Trip Itinerary

• Day 1: Explore Chicago, IL, then head to the “unofficial start” of Route 66 in Joliet. Next, drive to Springfield. See on Google Maps.
• Day 2: Drive towards Sullivan, MO and stop at Doc’s Soda Fountain and the Gateway Arch in St. Louis along the way. See on Google Maps.
• Day 3: Start the day by exploring the Meramec Caverns, then head to Carthage where you can catch a flick at the Route 66 Drive-In. See on Google Maps.
• Day 4: Head to Tulsa, stop by several small towns and attractions along the way. Carterville, Riverton and Baxter Springs are all popular stops. See on Google Maps.
• Day 5: Continue through Oklahoma, stop in Clinton for the night. Take time to explore Oklahoma City. See on Google Maps.
• Day 6: Cross over to Texas. Explore Alanreed, Conway, and downtown Amarillo. See on Google Maps.
• Day 7: Halfway point! Check out the Cadillac Ranch, then head into New Mexico; stop in Vegas, Tucumcari. See on Google Maps.
• Day 8: Explore New Mexico’s main cities: Albuquerque and Santa Fe. See on Google Maps.
• Day 9: Leave Albuquerque and head towards Gallup. Stop in Milan and Bluewater and cross over the continental divide. See on Google Maps.
• Day 10: Reach Flagstaff, Arizona. Explore Homolovi State Park, Meteor City and the Raymond Wildlife area along the way. See on Google Maps.
• Day 11: Detour to Grand Canyon National Park and then drive towards Seligman. See on Google Maps.
• Day 12: Enter California. Hike the Havasu Falls Hike and experience Oatman and then stop in Needles. See on Google Maps.
• Day 13: Detour to Joshua Tree National Park and then drive towards San Bernardino. See on Google Maps.
• Day 14: Drive from San Bernardino to downtown Los Angeles. Explore California along the way. See on Google Maps.

Pro Tip: Remember to pack tools, extra oil, spare tires and other supplies when embarking on such a long road trip. View, download, or print our RV road trip packing list here!

3. California Coast: Crescent City to San Diego

The coast of California has much to offer its visitors: towering groves of ancient trees, idyllic beaches and unforgettable road trip experiences. Following Pacific Coast Highway 1, from Crescent City to San Diego, is the best way to capitalize on all three.

START	Crescent City or San Diego
FINISH	San Diego or Crescent City
TIME	6 Days or Longer
POPULAR ATTRACTIONS	Humboldt Redwoods State Park, Big Sur, Half Moon Bay, Limekiln State Park, Disneyland
NOTABLE CITIES	Crescent City, San Francisco, San Bernardino, Montecito, Los Angeles, San Diego

Driving along the California Coast is a worthy trip in any season. However, the best time to complete such a road trip is late winter or early spring. The rainy season normally ends in California around the middle or end of February.

California Coast RV Road Trip Itinerary

• Day 1: Start in Crescent City, explore Humboldt Redwoods State Park and then head towards San Francisco. See on Google Maps.
• Day 2: Spend half the day sightseeing in San Francisco, then head south to Big Sur. Stop and check out Half Moon Bay or Santa Cruz if you have extra time. See on Google Maps.
• Day 3: Enjoy a day in Big Sur. Hike the Salmon Creek Trail, explore Pfeiffer Beach and visit Limekiln State Park. See on Google Maps.
• Day 4: Depart from Big Sur, head towards San Bernardino and explore Montecito. See on Google Maps.
• Day 5: Drive from Montecito to Los Angeles. Explore the city, visit Disneyland or relax on the beach. See on Google Maps.
• Day 6: Complete your drive to San Diego. Visit the San Diego Zoo as a final hurrah. See on Google Maps.

4. Mid-America National Parks: Jackson, WY to Glacier National Park, MT

The National Park Service protects some of the most unique, beautiful and breathtaking wild spaces in the United States. These parks often offer visitors the opportunity to do most of their exploring by foot via hiking trails, nature walks and other outdoor recreation opportunities. However, the best way to see a few of our nation’s most popular national parks during the span of one trip is by traveling in a RV.

START	Jackson, WY
FINISH	Glacier, MT
TIME	At Least 7 Days
POPULAR ATTRACTIONS	Grand Teton National Park, Yellowstone National Park, Glacier National Park
NOTABLE CITIES	Jackson, WY, Helena, MT, East & West Glacier, MT

Taking an RV road trip from Jackson, WY to Glacier, MT is a great way to see Grand Teton, Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks. If you want to drive on historic and scenic highway 191, make sure to plan your departure after mid-May. If you wish to leave sooner, you will have to bypass HWY 191, as it will most likely not yet be open for the year.

Grand Teton, Yellowstone, & Glacier National Park RV Road Trip Itinerary

• Day 1: Start in Jackson, WY. Grab breakfast and then head towards Grand Teton National Park. Spend the rest of the day exploring the park. (Note Teton Park Rd is closed November to May). See on Google Maps.
• Day 2: Spend the entire day exploring the rest of Grand Teton National Park. Make sure to check out Signal Mountain, Hidden Falls, Jenny Lake, Mormon Row and Taggart Lake.
• Day 3: Wake up early, drive to Yellowstone National Park. Eat lunch and explore the park for the rest of the day. See on Google Maps.
• Day 4: Explore the remainder of Yellowstone National Park. Make sure to check out Old Faithful, Lamar Valley, Roosevelt Arch, Boiling River Hot Spring and the Fountain Paint Pot Trail
• Day 5: Wake up early, complete a long day of driving to Glacier National Park. See on Google Maps.
• Day 6: Hike Glacier National Park. The Highline Trail, Grinnell Glacier, Iceberg Lake, Hidden Lake and Ptarmigan Tunnel are all popular trails. 
• Day 7: Explore the remainder of Glacier National Park. Visit East Glacier, check out the Trail of the Cedars or take part in a nature walk with a park ranger.
• Optional Day 8 – Day 10: Spend an extra day or two in any one of the three national parks.

Pro Tip: The KOA website has its own campground finder you can use to locate KOA RV parks across the nation.

5. New England: New Haven, CT to Bar Harbor, ME

Somewhat overshadowed by other parts of the country, New England offers a unique and beautiful look into the culture and landscape of the eastern United States. While RVing through this section of the country, families, adventurers and explores alike can expect to find plenty of campgrounds, outdoor attractions, history and good times.

START	New Haven, CT
FINISH	Bar Harbor, ME
TIME	5 Days – 7 Days
POPULAR ATTRACTIONS	Yale Campus, Cape Cod National Seashore, Boston Tea Party Museum, Portland Head Light, Acadia National Park
NOTABLE CITIES	New Haven, CT, Cape Cod, MA, Boston, Salem, MA, Portland, ME, Bar Harbor, ME

Starting in New Haven, Connecticut, is a great way to begin any New England road trip. The city is home to Yale’s historic campus and serves as a gateway to the rest of New England. From here, you can travel to Cape Cod and then head north on your way to Acadia National Park and Bar Harbor, Maine.

New England RV Road Trip Itinerary

• Day 1: Start in New Haven, CT. Visit the historic Yale Campus, then head toward Cape Cod. See on Google Maps.
• Day 2: Spend the day visiting Cape Cod. Explore Cape Cod National Seashore, lounge on the beach and grab some tasty seafood. See on Google Maps.
• Day 3: Leave the cape and drive to Boston, MA. Explore the city, grab lunch, visit the Boston Tea Party Museum. Then, visit Salem, MA and head towards Portsmouth. See on Google Maps.
• Day 4: Drive to Portland, ME. Go see the Portland Head Light and the Portland art district. See on Google Maps.
• Day 5: Drive to Bar Harbor, ME. Grab lunch, and head to Acadia National Park. See on Google Maps.
• Optional Day 6 – 7: Explore Acadia National Park and the surrounding area.

Bonus Trip: RV Tours from Good Sam

Good Sam, the leading RV travel assistance company, has long been bringing members together by planning several RV road trip opportunities. These group RV tours vary in distance and location but are all sure to offer lasting memories and endless entertainment. Looking to get started planning for one of the best RV road trip routes in America? Check out Good Sam’s entire list of upcoming RV tours!

FAQs: RV Road Trips

Are RVs good for road trips?

RVs are the best vehicle option for road tripping. While a standard car or truck can also be a great road trip option, RVs allow users to travel longer distances simplistically. Most RVs are equipped with a sleeping area, kitchen and entertainment area. These areas not only allow road trippers to sleep and rest within their vehicle, but road trippers can also enjoy meals, hang out and take a break during a long drive with ease.

What are the best RV road trip routes?

There are many great RV road trip routes in the United States. Some of our favorites are The Blue Ridge Parkway, California Coast and Route 66. For more information regarding these routes and others, check out our blog.

How much does a cross-country road trip cost in an RV?

An RV road trip across the United States can cost upwards of $2,500 to $3,000. When calculating the cost of a road trip remember to account for gas, food, campsite fees, recreation fees and other expenses.

How much does it cost to rent a RV?

The exact cost of an RV rental will vary based on the rental company, time of year, availability and length of rental. A ballpark rental estimate per night for various RV types can be found below:

TYPE OF RV RENTAL	COST PER NIGHT
Class A	$175 – $275
Class B	$100 – $200
Class C	$150 – $200
Travel Trailer	$50 – $125
Fifth Wheel	$60 – $150
Pop Up Camper	$50 – $100

*Average prices sourced from The Wandering RV

Go in Your RV and Get On The Road!

We may have included a list of what we thought were the five best RV road trips in the nation, but honestly, the best RV road trips are the ones you are excited about embarking upon. For a lot of families, RVing and road tripping around the United States are effective ways to feel more connected to each other and the world they live in. If you are looking for a road trip checklist, check out our 70 road trip essentials checklist.

At Store Space, we understand your RVs are special to you. They allow you to visit breathtaking spaces such as Yellowstone National Park or Cape Cod, and they also allow you to form unforgettable memories with the people you love. Therefore, we are committed to offering affordable vehicle storage and to helping you safely and securely store your RV during the off-season or winter.

Check out our storage finder to find the professional Store Space facility nearest you and remember…

Store Space is STORAGE THAT CARES about YOU and YOUR RV!