The 5 Best Free RV Route Planner Tools

Whether you’re new to RV life or a seasoned pro, planning your route is important. But who has time to look at the maps, estimating turns and clearances? That’s where an RV route planner tool comes in.

I’ve used a few different ones over the years and found a few best free RV route planner tools. They make routing a breeze by showing you gas stops, rest areas, RV parks, and campgrounds along your journey. You can even filter for hookups, amenities, and reviews. 

No more guessing if that countryside road can handle your coach. I’ve reviewed the best RV trip planner tools, so you can plan for worry-free travels. 

Best Free RV Route Planner Tools: Take Your Pick

Options are quite limited for the best free RV route planner. Most tools are paid and require a monthly or one-time fee. However, I’ve searched for hours and found these planners that offer a free version. 

Pick your best RV route planner app or tool from the following list: 

1. Roadtrippers

When you’re traveling in a big rig, you need to be sure your route is RV friendly. Not all roads are created equal for large vehicles. The last thing you want is getting stuck somewhere with no way to turn around. Roadtrippers, a free RV trip planner, helps solve that problem.

You start by entering your RV size and tow vehicle. Then put in where you’re starting from and headed to. This app analyzes the information and generates the best route for your vehicle. It only sends you down roads that can properly accommodate your rig.

This is a big advantage over navigation apps like Google Maps. Those are great for cars but don’t account for an RV’s needs. Roadtrippers was designed with RVers in mind. You can feel more at ease following its directions.

You can also compare gas prices along your route. This helps budget fuel costs for the trip. And scheduling overnight stops is convenient when campground spots book up fast.

The free app limits you to 5 stops maximum when planning a trip. There is a paid version that offers more features. 

2. The Dyrt

If you’re in need of a reliable resource for finding great campgrounds across North America, The Dyrt should be your go-to cross country RV trip planner. With its massive database of places to pitch your rig, route planning becomes a breeze.

Whether browsing on their well-designed website or easy-to-use app, the wealth of details, photos, and reviews on each location takes the guesswork out of where to spend the night. Want to find a spot with a certain hookup? Just filter for it.

Beyond campground listings, The Dyrt treats users to an online magazine packed with tips, destinations, and gear roundups. As if that wasn’t enough, they regularly run contests where you can score everything from coolers to camp chairs.

For serious route mapping, The Dyrt’s PRO upgrade delivers. Its innovative Trip Planner builds customized itineraries factoring your rig size and route preferences. Simply enter start/end points and vehicle specs, and the app will plan a route for you. You can also download maps for offline use, so you’re never lost without a signal. 

3. KOA RV Trip Planner

KOA offers one of the best free RV route planner tools. With this tool, it’s easier than ever to get your next RV outing on the calendar without stressing over the details.

All you need is an internet connection and a few minutes of your time. Create a personalized account on the Trip Planner site and start adding your favorite KOA locations along your proposed route. You can search by area or campground name, filter by amenities like Wi-Fi or pools, and view all the key details like rates and policies. Save your selections to view later or book right from the site.

While it’s not an app, the Trip Planner works great from any device. Everything syncs seamlessly between devices, so you stay organized wherever you go.

Once your route is planned, making reservations is just a click away. No more calling individual parks or trying to piece together dates. The Trip Planner takes care of booking your whole trip at once. You’ll even get an itinerary emailed to you for easy reference on the road.

4. RV Life

The RV Life is undoubtedly one of the best free RV route planner tools. Although the free version is quite limited, you can still make good use of its various features. 

Within the app, you can search thousands of campgrounds across North America. Fellow RVers have left reviews for most spots, sharing details on amenities, noise levels, and even wifi reliability. These reviews have saved me from more than one disappointing night. You can also browse pictures to get a sense of each campground.

I’ve also found great discussions on the built-in RV forums. Folks ask questions about certain areas or campgrounds all the time. It’s easy to search old posts too if you have a similar query come up.

5. Recreation.gov

If you’re looking for an easy way to plan your trail and book campsites along the way, Recreation.gov is a perfect free tool. It lets you search over 3,600 campgrounds nationwide. You can filter by location, amenities, and more. It’s especially great for finding spots in our National Parks and Forests. Just type in the area you’re headed to see your options.

Once you’ve picked out the route, you can book sites right on the Recreation.gov app or website. It’s an easy one-stop shop to get your camping reservations in order. I really appreciate how it shows all the key details like electric hookups, bathroom facilities, and pet policies.

If any destinations along your route are first-come, first-served, don’t worry. The app lets you claim those sites right from your phone when you arrive. No need to scramble for a spot or wait in line at the ranger station. Just scan and pay. It’s perfect for spontaneous explorers like me.