Embarking on a north-to-south RV road trip offers a unique opportunity to explore the landscapes and cultures of the United States from the comfort of your home on wheels.
That said, planning this kind of trip can be a daunting undertaking! Luckily, we know a thing or two about taking an RV trip across the country.
In this blog, we’ll cover the following:
- Key steps to planning an RV road trip
- Popular north-to-south RV route options
- Must-sees and popular stops across the country
Before we get into the fun of planning your north-to-south route, let’s go over some basic RV trip planning tips to keep in mind.
Steps to Planning a North-to-South RV Trip
You should take the time to plan for any road trip you embark on— but this is especially true for cross-country adventures.
1. Determine your budget.
Before doing anything else, you should first account for all costs that come with RV travel and determine how much you are willing to spend.
Costs to consider when traveling in an RV include:
- Fuel
- RV resorts and parks
- Food
- Entertainment and recreation
- RV rental costs (if you don’t own an RV)
To get a rough estimate of the total cost, try using a trip calculator. Once you’ve got an idea of how much a trip will cost, you can dive deeper into planning.
2. Set your timeline.
The amount of time you are able to spend on the road can be impacted by a few factors, like PTO or your above-determined budget.
If you are on a tighter budget, you may consider a shorter trip or even a more extended stay in the same area to save on costs—maybe a cross-state trip instead of cross-country.
3. Know your travel goals.
Is there a specific destination that has been on your must-see list? Are you looking for strictly dog-friendly resorts and campgrounds? Is your goal to hit as many national parks as possible? Before you get to mapping your route, figure out what is most important to you.
With a general idea of your plans in mind, you can begin choosing destinations and planning your route. Of course, with so much to see, this can be an overwhelming task— so we picked out some of our favorite routes.
Choosing Your North-to-South RV Route: The Appalachian Trail
You don’t have to hike the Appalachian Trail to enjoy what it has to offer. Following along the ever-popular hiking trail from North Maine to the South of Georgia, this route takes your RV across fourteen states if you follow it closely.
Popular stops include:
Kancamagus Highway, New Hampshire
Traverse the breathtaking Kancamagus Highway in New Hampshire, often celebrated as one of the most scenic drives in the U.S. This 34-mile route offers unrivaled views of the White Mountains, covered bridges, and vibrant foliage in the fall.
Delaware Water Gap, New Jersey and Pennsylvania
Straddling the border between New Jersey and Pennsylvania, the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area is a stunning natural retreat where the Delaware River carves through a large ridge of the Appalachian Mountains.
Shenandoah National Park, Virginia
Experience the tranquil beauty of Shenandoah National Park with its rolling hills and rich hardwood forests. The park’s Skyline Drive runs along the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains, offering easy RV access to sweeping vistas, wildlife sightings, and peaceful picnic areas.
Blue Ridge Parkway, North Carolina
Known as America’s Favorite Drive, the Blue Ridge Parkway stretches through North Carolina’s Appalachian Highlands. This road features stunning vistas and views of the rugged mountains of the Appalachian region, perfect for a leisurely RV journey. Traversing the Blue Ridge Parkway will also take you near one of our favorite towns— Asheville!
Pigeon Forge, Tennessee
Nestled in the Smoky Mountains, Pigeon Forge is a vibrant destination for RV travelers looking for both entertainment and outdoor activities. This town is the perfect place to hang your hat for a while after a few long days on the road. With a plethora of attractions from Dollywood to fun-filled dinner theaters and museums, Pigeon Forge can keep the whole family entertained for days.
Camping here also means easy access to nearby Great Smoky Mountains National Park— another must-see stop on the list. There’s a reason that this national park is the most visited in the nation, so it’s worth spending a few extra days here.
Other North to South RV Routes
There’s no one right way to traverse the country. Here are some other routes to consider:
Highway 83
Also known as the “The Road to Nowhere,” US-83 takes you from North Dakota all the way down to South Texas. This route will take you beyond any conventional touristy stops! Expect to traverse miles of quiet farmland and quaint communities.
Popular stops include:
- Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site, North Dakota
- Sitting Bull Memorial, South Dakota
- Wall Drug, South Dakota
- North Platte, Nebraska
- Nebraska Sand Hills
- Liberal, Kansas
- Monument Rocks, Kansas
- Paint Rock Pictographs, Texas
- Texas Hill Country
- South Padre Island, Texas
There is one RVC site along this trek: Medina Highpoint Resort in the Texas Hill Country.
The Atlantic Coast
Toggling between beach resorts, coastal wilderness, and cozy seaside towns, the Atlantic coast route is filled with popular beachy stops.
Popular stops include:
- Statue of Liberty, New York City
- Atlantic City, New Jersey
- Assateague Island National Seashore
- Ocean City, Maryland
- Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge
- Ocracoke, North Carolina
- Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge
- Cumberland Island National Seashore
- Savannah, Georgia
- St. Augustine, Florida
- Cocoa Beach, Florida
The Pacific Coast
If you’re starting from the western portion of the country, the Pacific route may be your go-to. This drive begins in the forests of Western Washington and follows along the Pacific Coast highway to sunny San Diego, California.
Popular stops include:
- Seattle, Washington
- Olympic National Park
- Astoria, Oregon
- Three Capes Loop
- “Dune Country”, Oregon
- Redwood National Park, California
- Mendocino, California
- San Francisco, California
- Monterey, California
- Hearst Castle
- Los Angeles, California
- San Diego, California
There is one RVC resort near this route: Yosemite RV Resort.
Take Your RV North to South
Planning a trip can be intimidating— but you now have the basic knowledge to take your RV countrywide. Wherever you go, be sure to look for an RVC Outdoor Destinations resort. With eleven destinations across eleven different states, you’re never far from a comfortable stay.
