Picking where to go in an RV is mostly a matter of matching three things: the kind of trip you want, the time of year, and what your rig can physically handle. This guide walks through each, then points you to deeper articles on national parks, length limits, truck campers and crossing into Canada.
How to choose a destination
A few questions narrow the field quickly:
- How much time do you have? A long weekend favors places within a few hours of home. A month opens up cross-country loops.
- How big is your rig? Many older campgrounds and scenic roads were built for smaller vehicles, so length and height matter more than most first-time owners expect.
- What do you want to do? Hiking, beaches, history, cities and desert scenery lead to very different regions.
- What is your budget? Fuel, campground fees and park entry add up, and popular areas book up early.
Classic RV road trips
Some routes show up on nearly every RV trip list, and for good reason: they are well traveled and have plenty of campgrounds nearby.
- Blue Ridge Parkway (Appalachia): roughly 450 to 500 miles of mountain scenery. Summer weekends can be busy, and low tunnels and tight curves are worth checking against your rig height before you go.
- Route 66: the Southern California to Illinois classic, best taken at an unhurried pace with stops at roadside towns.
- Southwest desert: red rock country around the Grand Canyon, Zion and Bryce Canyon, with mild weather in spring and fall.
- Pacific coast highways: Big Sur and the Columbia River Highway are scenic, but narrow stretches and limited RV parking call for planning.
- New England and the Southeast coast: good for history, small towns and shoulder-season trips.
- Great Lakes and the Gulf Coast: often less crowded than the headline routes.
National parks and public lands
National parks are a common first goal, but their campgrounds can be tight for large rigs and reservations often fill well ahead. Our guide to planning an RV national parks road trip covers routes and timing, and camper length limits in national parks explains what size restrictions to check. Nearby national forests and Bureau of Land Management areas are often easier alternatives for bigger rigs.
Match the destination to the season
- Spring: Southwest and southern destinations are comfortable, and many northern roads and campgrounds have not yet opened.
- Summer: high-elevation and northern areas are at their best, but crowds and reservation competition peak.
- Fall: a good time for New England foliage, the Southwest and fewer crowds.
- Winter: most full-time travelers head south or to the desert. Check that your rig and water system are suited to freezing temperatures if you stay north.
Pacing a trip: the 3-3-3 rule
A popular rule of thumb among RVers is the 3-3-3 rule: drive no more than about 300 miles in a day, arrive by around 3 p.m., and stay at least 3 nights. It is a guideline, not a regulation, but it helps avoid burnout and arriving at a campground after dark.
Where you can sleep for free
Free camping is possible, but rules vary by location and change over time. Common options include dispersed camping on some national forest and BLM land, and some businesses that permit overnight parking with permission. Always confirm local rules, stay limits and any posted restrictions before settling in, and never assume a parking lot is allowed.
Is an RV cheaper than a hotel?
It depends. For families or groups on longer trips, an RV can reduce lodging and restaurant costs, especially if you cook your own meals. But fuel, campground fees, maintenance, insurance and rental or ownership costs can erase the savings on short trips or solo travel. Add up your own numbers for a specific trip rather than relying on a general answer.
Rig size and what to avoid
When people ask which RVs to avoid, the honest answer is that it depends on the trips you plan. Very large rigs limit access to older campgrounds, steep mountain roads and many national park sites. A smaller or mid-size rig usually opens more options. Whatever you drive, know your exact length, width and height.
Going farther: Canada and truck camper trips
If your plans include crossing borders, see taking an RV into Canada for paperwork and border basics. If you travel in a truck camper, truck camper destinations worth the drive covers places where a compact rig has an advantage.