What are the best apps for RV Travel? There are numerous contenders – and just about as many experts weighing in on the matter. I’m going to do something different today and try to not re-invent the wheel. This post will list some of the apps that hit almost every list – and then provide a roundup of other discussions of best RV travel apps and pull out a few hidden gems that you might not have heard of yet!
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RV Travel is Back on the Menu
This is it! After two years, we are finally making a trip south from Canada to Arizona and all the places along the way – can’t wait to see you again Utah! If plans go according to schedule – what are the odds? – we’ll even take a couple weeks to head back down to Baja, Mexico.
With this in mind, I’m doubly excited to share this informative post with you. RV travel is back on the menu – and I for one am ecstatic! Let’s get this show on the road. Here are some of the best RV travel apps you should check out before the wheels start rolling.
These Apps Show Up on Almost Every ‘Best’ or ‘Top’ List
There are some apps for RV travel that show up time and time again. And there’s a reason. It is because they’re useful! In no set order, here are just a few of the ‘best’ or ‘top’ apps worthy of investigating.
Roadtrippers
This free app (paid version available if you can’t handle ads) with detailed trip guides. It will even calculate driving time and estimate gas cost based on your vehicle’s gas mileage. The app has destination guides or themed adventures (such as top things to do on major interstates or where to find big and little screen filming locations) as well as a map feature which allows you to locate nearby campgrounds, attractions and restaurants along your route.
iOverlander
iOverlander will help you find everything from RV parks to boondocking locations to dump stations, water, propane… Need I say more? Wait, there is more. This app cover over 100 countries around the world – in case you fancy a longer road trip 😉
Heading across Canada specifically?
Check this post for Canada-centric links and apps
Campendium
This gem dishes up details on RV Parks, free camping, National Parks, National Forests and State Parks. It also has camping and gear guides, a blog and a shop with related gear. First and foremost, it’s a useful tool for finding a location by name, near you, by rating or review. You can also filter by categories such as public (State Parks, BLM…), private (RV Parks), parking (rest stops, stores…) and even dump stations. And if that isn’t enough, filter by price, type of hookups available, elevation, facilities (playground, swimming pool…) or policies (pets allowed, adults only…).
Harvest Hosts
Harvest Hosts includes a list of over 2,500 host sites across the U.S. and Canada where you can stay free for a night. Of course the catch is that you need to sign up for an annual Harvest Hosts membership in order to take advantage of the offers. On the positive side, pulling up to winery and spending the night in the quiet vineyards or settling in next to a brewpub after enjoying a bottle of the hosts best offerings is worthy of consideration. Note: RVs need to be completely self-contained with bathrooms and grey & black water tanks.
Boondocking
This low-cost app for people who enjoy discovering interesting and free places to camp. You can check weather, driving time, filter your search and choose from a variety of map types. Best of all? The app can be used offline.
AllTrails
This one’s certainly a fave for anyone who enjoys a good hiking adventure. The app allows you to peruse over 50,000 trails all across North America. There is an interactive map with filters that allow you to choose the best route for your boots – hike on!
Give the gift of adventure – gift AllTrails Pro!NOAA Weather Radar Live
It has weather forecasts – of course! – but one of its most useful features is the ability to set your phone to receive alerts. However, if there’s a severe thunderstorm, mountain pass snowstorm or tornado along your route, it’s nice to have an app looking out for your safety.
Weather Radar
Weather Radar includes local forecasts as well as useful information such as the daily UV index and air quality reports. In addition, the forecaster looks ahead two weeks to help you plan your trip based on weather.
A Few Places Reviewing Apps Outside the Norm
Ever heard of RV Parky, The Dyrt, or HipCamp apps? Me neither. Thanks RVing Know How for putting them on my radar in your post on the Best RV Road Trip Planner Apps and Tools for Route Planning – these are great options for finding a place to park for a night or two or three!
Beyond the usual suspects, RV Lifestyle dishes up a host of rarely reviewed apps in 41 Really Helpful Apps for RV Travel. Even better, the post breaks down the list into categories. These categories range from the ubiquitous selection of apps related to ‘finding a place to overnight’ to the more unusual collection of apps focused on ‘connecting with a physician while on the road’, ‘getting help in the kitchen’, ‘petcare on the road’ and more! Check out Waze, Doctor on Demand, Tasty and Pet First Aid for starters.
While the Washington Post article ‘Planning an RV trip? Download these apps before you hit the road’ only reviews 9 apps, there are a few in the list that are seldom selected for ‘top’ lists. If you’re looking into doing more trip planning while on the road or hope to work remotely, read up on ‘Coverage?’ Also check out their review of these niche apps: ‘Bring Fido’ and ‘US Public Lands’.
Which RV travel apps do you really need?
It’s simple. You need the ones you will use. Don’t stuff your phone or iPad with hundreds of RV travel apps you’ll never look at again. Start with 5 or 10 that really resonate and learn to use them effectively, efficiently and often.
My ‘Top’ Choices of Best RV Travel Apps
I’m far from an expert on this, but I’ll be using these 12 RV travel-related apps as we head south and explore off-the-beaten path once again. I promise to follow up with a review of how they all performed when we’re back to home base again in a couple of months.
- Roadtrippers
- iExit (offers detailed interstate exit on everything from cheapest gas to – more importantly – where to find coffee on our way to and from the south!)
- Boondocking (love this one because we’re planning on a lot of boondocking on this trip)
- Campendium
- iOverlander
- US Public Lands (this is the only paid app I have on my list, but it offers offline access to BLM lands for free dispersed camping)
- GAIA GPS (navigating app with maps for backpacking, hiking, camping and exploring backroads – all things we personally love to do!)
- AllTrails
- Trailforks (always on my phone, it’s an excellent resource for finding mountain biking trails)
- GasBuddy (again always on the phone, this free app lets us find the cheapest local gas prices around when it’s time to fill up)
- NOAA Weather Radar Live
- Day One (thx RV Lifestyle for the tip on this digital journal app!)
What are the best RV travel apps are on your phone or iPad? Of these, which ones do you use on every trip? Share in the comments below!
P.S. Gift one of these apps for the holidays – or check out our Best RV Camping Gift ideas!
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Great information for us to use here Megan and I have also forwarded it on to friends. I will be looking into all of these apps and am quite sure will be downloading them. The Harvest Hosts app has really caught my interest. Sounds like you guys will shortly be back on the road so looking forward to reading about your (new) southern RV adventures.
I use Fuelbook to find the best price of diesel fuel on our route. We have saved thousands of dollars using this app.
Sometimes the directions are wrong, so we put the station in our GPS instead of relying on them.
Great tips – thx Theresa!