The US is a large country, so one of the best ways to explore it is in an RV. Why worry about checking in and out of hotels when you can have everything set up just the way you like it in your own home on wheels? Of course, since it is a large country, there are a lot of options for RV trips across America.
RV travel routes can depend on many things:
- How much time do you have?
- What kind of landscape are you wanting to see?
- What outdoor activities do you want to do?
- Do you feel comfortable driving your RV in more populated areas?
Luckily, there are RV trip planner apps that help plan routes, estimate fuel costs, and find campgrounds. To help you get started planning your epic RV trip, we’ve put together a list of the ten best RV routes across America.
1. Arizona: Phoenix to the Grand Canyon
Phoenix itself is a top RV travel destination. There are plenty of state parks, monuments, and even a national forest nearby. Additionally, less than four hours away is the iconic Grand Canyon National Park. If you have time, consider stopping in Sedona along the way. The city offers great hikes, restaurants, and even wineries.
Once you arrive at the Grand Canyon, stay for a few days! You can go rafting, hiking, or you can visit the many scenic overlooks. A popular campground is the nearby Grand Canyon/Williams KOA. It has a variety of camping sites that fit RVs of all shapes and sizes.
Find RV rentals in Phoenix.
2. Colorado: Denver to Grand Junction
One of the best RV trips you can take is through the state of Colorado. Start in Denver and make your way west, passing through the towns of Salida, Crested Butte, and Paonia. These three towns are part of the Colorado Creative Corridor and are known for their artisan galleries.
You should also visit Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. You can camp there overnight and enjoy scenic vistas, breathtaking rivers, and beautiful night skies. When you arrive in Grand Junction, set up camp at the Grand Junction KOA. You’ll be impressed with its amenities and variety of RV sites.
Find RV rentals in Denver.
3. Oregon: Portland to Astoria
Another of the best RV trips in the US is in the Pacific Northwest. Start by heading south from Portland to Coos Bay and then travel north along US-101, also known as the Oregon Coast Highway. Along the way, you’ll be amazed by the beautiful forests, waterfalls, seaside dunes, and rocky coastlines. Give yourself plenty of time for hiking, biking, and exploring.
There are a lot of campgrounds in Oregon, so finding a place to camp along your route won’t be difficult to do. Where you stay will most likely depend on the outdoor activities you choose to do in the area.
Find RV rentals in Portland.
4. Florida: Miami to Key West
The Southeast region of the country is where you can have one of the best RV vacations. Just west of Miami is Everglades National Park, home to all kinds of animals and plants. From there, make your way south along US-1. Make sure to stop on some of the islands along the way to Key West, like Islamorada and Marathon. There are fun attractions that the whole family will enjoy, like museums and animal encounters.
A popular campground in Key West is Boyd’s Key West Campground. If you’d rather have a quieter place to park your rig and don’t mind a 45-minute drive into Key West, another campground option is Sunshine Key RV Resort & Marina.
Find RV rentals in Miami.
5. California: Dana Point to San Francisco
Another of the best RV trips you can take is along California’s Pacific Coast Highway. It’s a popular route because there are so many great places to stop. Obviously, you’ll have to stop at some of the scenic beaches like Huntington Beach, also known as “Surf City, USA.” The city of San Luis Obispo and the area of Big Sur, which has Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, are also must-sees.
Because this is a longer RV trip and you’ll most likely be making many stops along the route, you’ll want to plan stays at a few different campsites. Luckily, there are many campgrounds in California.
Find RV rentals in Dana Point.
6. New Mexico: Albuquerque to Las Cruces
Learn about Pueblo history, take in desert vistas, and eat all the green chile your heart desires on this RV trip through New Mexico. In Albuquerque, visit the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center to learn about Pueblo culture. The quirky town of Truth or Consequences has art galleries and a popular brewery that often has live music.
To camp, consider staying at the Silver City KOA. It’s just south of Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument, another stop to consider on your RV trip. The cliff dwellings were built in the late 1200s, by people of the Mogollon Culture. Another campsite option is the Las Cruces KOA which is surrounded by stunning desert landscapes.
Find RV rentals in Albuquerque.
7. Alaska: Anchorage Loop
One of our favorite RV road trip ideas is to explore the last frontier! Alaska truly has some of the most breathtaking landscapes in the country. Two places to experience the beautiful sites are Denali National Park and Wrangell–St. Elias National Park. Denali has the highest peak in North America but can get a bit crowded. Wrangell-St. Elias is the largest national park, but much quieter and a bit rawer.
A popular place to camp in Anchorage is Ship Creek RV Park. It’s easy to get to from downtown Anchorage and offers many many amenities. If you’d like to camp near Denali, Montana Creek Campground is also a good option.
Find RV rentals in Anchorage.
8. Maine: Portland to Lubec
Did you know there are 65 lighthouses all along Maine’s coast, inlets, and islands? Why not plan an RV trip to see some, if not all, of them! Travel along Route 1 and check out lighthouses, small towns, and rugged coastlines.
Be sure to visit Camden Hills State Park and hike to the top of Mt. Battie for some scenic views. You can camp at Camden Hills and also at the Bar Harbor / Oceanside KOA. It’s right on the water and a great place to watch the sunrise.
Find RV rentals in Portland.
9. Route 66: Chicago to Los Angeles
No conversation about the best RV trips in the US could not mention Route 66. It is the classic American road trip. And at over 2,000 miles and crossing eight states, you’ll have plenty of places to stop so make sure you do some solid planning.
Some of the most popular stops along Route 66 include:
- Gateway Arch in St. Louis, Missouri
- Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo, Texas
- Blue Hole in Santa Rosa, New Mexico
- Meteor Crater in Winslow, Arizona
- Petrified Forest National Park and the Painted Desert in Arizona
- Calico Ghost Town in California
Because this is one of the longest RV travel routes, you’ll be staying in multiple campsites. During your planning, you can look for RV parks and campgrounds by state and then decide where you want to stay based on attractions you want to visit.
Find RV rentals in Chicago.
10. Cross-Country: Bangor, Maine to Seattle, Washington
This is the most epic of all RV trips across America. Explore the northern states of the country as you drive along US Highway 2, also known as the “Great Northern.” Note that this route does take you through some of Canada, but you could always reroute if need be.
Some popular stops along US Highway 2 are:
- Acadia National Park in Maine
- Santa’s Village in Jefferson, New Hampshire
- Ottawa, Ontario – Canada’s national capital
- Apostle Islands National Lakeshore in Wisconsin
- Glacier National Park in Montana
- Space Needle in Seattle, Washington
As with the Route 66 route, you’ll have to plan for multiple stops along the 3,000+ miles of your RV trip. You can find RV parks and campgrounds by state and plan your stops based on places you want to see.
Find RV rentals in Bangor.
Ready to explore the US?
So what will it be? An RV trip to the beach, through the desert, or to the mountains? The US is large and has something for everyone, making it the perfect place to road trip.
Now that we’ve given you some inspiration with these RV routes across America, it’s time to start planning. The sooner you plan the better! Create your itinerary, a budget, and figure out what you’ll need to pack. Make sure to also have an RV GPS. They can help route your trip based on the kind of RV you’ll be traveling in.
So finish up those plans, rent an RV, and head out to explore the US!
