The Ultimate Guide to RV Travel Across the USA

Traveling cross-country in a recreational vehicle is one of the most interesting and exciting ways to discover this great land. Many people travel for many purposes-the freedom that being on the open road brings, or the opportunity to leave the home to explore national parks; while there are other seekers who seek the comfort of a home–or their own “house on wheels” as they would refer to it, to enjoy traveling in their RVs as much as possible. Here is all about planning the perfect RV trip across the USA.

RV Travel Across the
Photo by Dino Reichmuth on Unsplash

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Choosing the Right RV for Your Trip

Choosing an RV for your type of adventure depends largely on your own needs, comfort level, and travel style. There are three major classes of RVs:

  • Class A. The largest and most luxurious RV type perfect for extended journeys and fitted with only the best comforts, fully-equipped kitchens, bathrooms, living rooms, and sleeping areas that can accommodate the entire family. A Class A motorhome is a perfect choice for long travel in the USA.
  • Class B. A compact driving and parking option for those traveling alone or with one other person who do not want all the luxuries of a larger RV. Their van-type structure allows these coaches to slip into easier parking spots or smaller roads and is short enough for a good weekend adventure. Class B is perfect for those flexibility seekers desiring easy navigation. 
  • Class C. A middle-ground option between the comfort of Class A and the easy drive-and-park approach of Class B. Class C RVs are great for families who want more space and amenities than those offered by Class B RVs but who wish to avoid the enormity of a Class A. They provide an excellent balance for family road trips with plenty of sleeping room and basic amenities.

Planning Your Route

Having settled for an RV of your choice, planning your route becomes next. The USA has quite a few famous road trips exhibiting breathtaking views, adventure, and the chance to encounter unique landscapes. Here are just some of the amazing routes to consider:

  1. Route 66-Chicago to Los Angeles. Called the “Main Street of America,” Route 66 beckons to you from the heart of the Midwest to the West Coast. This historic highway offers an incredible lens into the American culture- from small-town diners to quirky roadside attractions and scenic desert vistas.
  2. Pacific Coast Highway (California Highway 1)-California to Oregon. For stunning coastal scenery, this is the route for you. Driving along the Pacific Coast Highway offers incredible views of the Pacific Ocean, cliffs, beaches, and the rugged California coastline. Make sure to stop and appreciate sights like Big Sur, Carmel-by-the-Sea, and the Redwoods. 
  3. Great Smoky Mountains National Park-Appalachian Region. Great on the list for nature lovers! Beautiful views of mountains, hiking trails, and opportunities to spot wildlife await in the Great Smoky Mountains. It would make for a perfectly relaxing RV trip with some amazing nature views. 
  4. Utah’s Mighty Five-Arches, Bryce Canyon, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, and Zion National Parks. Certainly, Utah has some of the finest national parks in the country. Each park has to offer its own special views of dramatic canyon landscapes, red rock formations, and awe-inspiring desert vistas. The epitome of the adventure for those wanting to explore the wonders of the American Southwest.
  5. Florida’s Overseas Highway. The Overseas Highway is a lovely drive from Miami to Key West. A wonderful route for a relaxed tropical getaway, with turquoise waters surrounding you and islands chucking up all along the road.
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Finding RV Campsites and Parking

Knowing where they have to park for the night ranks among one of the biggest considerations for RV travel. Luckily, there are plenty of options for RV parking throughout the USA. 

  • National and state parks. Most parks offer camping at a more reasonable rate of between $10-$30 a night. These scenic campsites are often located right off hiking trails and other park amenities. 
  • BLM (Bureau of Land Management) Land. For those who want to find a more secluded camp option and don’t mind the grind, the BLM would be your best bet. There are many free or very inexpensive camping opportunities in the BLM areas, which let you get closer to nature. 
  • Boondocking (dry camping). This type of camping is completely free and offers RVers flexibility in choosing remote spots while still requiring self-contained RVs with supplies for freshwater and power and a method for waste disposal. 
  • Membership-based RV parks. Some RV parks are not members; they use membership to get a discount price for their members. These parks provide amenities such as electric, water, and sewer connections. Walmart & Cracker Barrel Parking: Some Walmart and Cracker Barrel establishments allow overnight parking for RVs, a convenient and free option for a quick stopover.

Managing Travel Expenses

There are several expenses involved with RVing, from gasoline to groceries and camping fees. Following some of these tips can help you save quite a bit of money: 

  • Fuel costs. Fuel is among the most expensive items on the list regarding RV road trips. Use apps for gas price comparisons, such as GasBuddy, to find the cheapest price on your route. Be mindful of planning your route in such a way as to avoid tolls. They add up fast! Travelling during off-peak seasons can further save you some bucks on fuel.
  • Cook in your RV. One of the pleasures of RVing is being able to eat home-cooked foods. Buy groceries and prepare food inside the RV, which will help save on eating out. Most RVs come equipped with full kitchens, where you can prepare anything from snacks to full-course meals. 
  • Avoid peak seasons. Do the best you can to plan for off-season travel if at all possible. RV parks and campgrounds will be less crowded, and you will likely escape paying their highest prices for everything from a campsite to activities.
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Stay Connected with Toosim eSIM

Long-distance road travel often proves to be a challenge for staying connected, more so in inaccessible areas of national parks with scanty coverage. Instead of hopping from SIM card to SIM card or paying steep roaming charges, prepaid eSIM plans for the US from Toosim can make your life considerably easier. Toosim’s prepaid eSIM gives you the flexibility to be online and always connected everywhere- parked in a national park or driving through a small town.

With Toosim, you can remain online to stay in touch with family or friends, post pictures from your journey, and access maps and travel guides, all without the hassle of a physical SIM card. Travel eSIM for the United States starts from 4.99 per GB. To learn more about prepaid eSIM plans for the US, visit the official website. 

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