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The 10 Best Road Trip Planner Apps for 2024

Save time, money, and energy with these apps so you can focus on the fun instead

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We love road trips! Planning them can be fun but, let's be honest, also stressful. The right road trip planner apps can take some of that stress away by helping you plan, organize, and manage travel before and during your trip. We've researched and tested these apps to help give you peace of mind so that you can spend more time enjoying your trip.

The Ultimate Map App for Planning Your Route: Roadtrippers

Access to free and convenient travel guides.

Share-ability so friends can join in on the planning process and suggest places to visit.

The app can use up the battery life of your device quickly. Take a car USB charger with you.

Built for travelers, Roadtrippers helps you create your route while allowing you to discover great places as you plan it out. Add a new place to your itinerary to work it into your trip.

The app features an easy-to-use interface. In addition to covering the U.S., it also covers Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

Download For:

Automate Your Trip Planning and Organization: Google Travel

Automatic trip organization via Gmail integration. 

Offline access so you can see your trip information even when you don't have an internet connection.

Limitations with customizing some day trips exactly the way you want.

You can count on Google to make your trip planning a breeze. Pre-constructed day plans are available for hundreds of the world's most popular destinations, which you can customize to your liking.

It's one of the most versatile travel planner apps out there, giving you one convenient place to see your hotel, rental car, and restaurant bookings.

Find and Book a Last-Minute Place to Stay: Hotels.com

A fast, easy-to-use booking feature.

For every 10 nights you book through Hotels.com, you get one night free, provided it's the average daily rate of those 10 nights.

No option to easily cancel if you change your mind.

Whether your road trip itinerary changed, or you haven't decided on a place to stay yet, Hotels.com can help you find a place and book it when you're on the go, even when it's super last-minute. You can sort and filter hotels, see the amenities they have to offer, compare prices, and catch a glimpse of how many rooms are available.

This is the app you'll want to have handy if you want to see in-depth hotel details at a glance and need to find a place to crash ASAP without breaking the bank.

Find Local Restaurants, Read Reviews, and Make Reservations: OpenTable

Lots of great filter options and suggestions.

Access to gorgeous, high-quality images of menu items and informative reviews from other users.

Reported problems and inconveniences with their built-in reward system.

Searching for specific restaurants is more difficult than simply looking at what's around in the area.

Deciding on a place to eat in a new area is quick and hassle-free with OpenTable. See what's nearby, filter restaurants by cuisine, see photos of what's on the menu, make reservations, and get personalized recommendations based on your preferences.

OpenTable is known to be one of the top  location-based food apps  available, so you know you can trust its information when you're dying for something to eat.

Navigate Like a Local: Waze

Hands-free navigation with voice commands.

Alerts-only mode for road hazards and police.

Share up-to-date ETA with friends.

Spotify and Apple Music widgets get in the way.

Cluttered maps can be confusing.

Higher battery usage than Google Maps.

Waze  is a community-driven travel app that shows you the shortest possible route to your destination. Like Google Maps, Waze makes real-time adjustments for traffic jams and other obstacles—but Waze is often more accurate since it caters specifically to drivers.

The app syncs with your Google Calendar and can tell you when you should leave for appointments based on traffic. There's also a cool option to record your own voice and use it for directions .

Know Exactly When and Where to Make a Pit Stop: iExit Interstate Exit Guide

Access to detailed summaries of what's at the next exit (including gas prices at nearby gas stations).

Search for the next 100 exits from your location.

The app can only be used on major U.S. exit-based highways.

No offline access, so you'll use your data plan while you're on the road.

Making a pit stop for food, gas, or a bathroom break is easy when you have the iExit app. Using your device's GPS, the app offers helpful suggestions for when and where to stop based on your location along the highway.

Whether you're looking for well-known franchises like Starbucks and Walmart to convenient amenities like free Wi-Fi and truck or trailer parking, this app has you covered.

Find the Cheapest Fuel Nearby: GasBuddy

An in-app gas payment feature.

Opportunity to save 10 cents per gallon on your first fill-up and five cents per gallon on every fill-up after.

The app can take up a lot of data and battery life as it runs in the background.

GasBuddy is an app specifically designed to find nearby gas stations and save money on gas. Use it to find the cheapest gas in your area and filter gas stations by amenities like car washes, restaurants, and bathrooms.

It's the app you want to have if you're serious about finding the cheapest gas around. Information comes from users like you, so you have the most up-to-date prices.

Download For :

Never Forget an Item: PackPoint Premium Packing List

Access to a built-in library of items to pack with the ability to add or remove items as needed. 

An elegant, intuitive app interface.

Can't input multiple destinations for a single trip.

Not a free app.

PackPoint helps you make sure you have everything you need based on where you're going and what you're doing. In addition, the app takes into consideration the length of your trip and the expected weather conditions. Perhaps best of all, this app turns a mundane chore into something that's actually quite fun.

Find Out Where to Park and How Much It Will Cost: Inrix ParkMe

ParkMe is the only app that also includes street parking and parking meter rates where available, in addition to parking lots.

Real-time updates on available parking spots.

Rates and hours may be inaccurate in some areas.

ParkMe claims to be the world's largest and most accurate parking database. It allows you to purchase your parking spot through the app and compare prices across parking providers to help you save more money.

If you're road tripping around major cities in the U.S., Canada, or Europe, this app can be a huge help. You can even compare parking options and prices so that you always get the best deal.

Automate Your Itinerary: TripIt

Automatically creates itineraries from your inbox.

Widget displays trip details on your home screen.

Annoying amount of alerts by default.

If you're planning a trip, you'll likely have a lot of confirmation emails for hotels, appointments, restaurants, and attractions. TripIt syncs with your inbox and uses that information to compile an itinerary so that you don't have to scramble for it.

The free version is fine for road trips, but if you ever fly, the premium version gives you the option to upgrade seats and track reward miles.

In addition to your phone, laptop, and tablet, other travel tech essentials include chargers, headphones, travel adapters, cameras, luggage trackers, and off-grid communications

Yes. You can use Google Maps as a trip planner through the “Places” and “My Maps” features. Both the Google Maps website and app let you save locations to lists and get directions.

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• Road Trip Planner

Road Trip Planning Made Easy

Create custom day trips, weekend getaways, and cross country adventures worldwide

Powerful features for planning your epic road trips (and the shorter adventures in between)

Unlimited stops.

Add unlimited stops and sub-stops. Combine your own stops with our pre-planned routes and recommended places of interest.

Smart Scheduling

By the minute, hour, or overnight, set preferences for each stop. Export your trip to your own Calendar.

Set Vehicle Type

Car, RV, camper trailer, truck, motorcycle, pulling a boat? Get a realistic estimate of driving time. Adjust travel speed by percentages for each unique situation.

Divide Trips Into Days

Divide your trips into manageable driving days based on your custom settings by time or distance. And of course you can customize each day differently.

Route Preferences

Configure route preferences such as avoiding highways or tolls for each day or any segment of your trip.

Use Any Device

Plan trips from your desktop computer, iPad, Android tablet, and mobile phone with the same easy-to-use interface. No app to download or software to install.

Automated To Do List guides you through the road trip planning process.

Manage Your Budget

Track expenditures before you go and along the way. See a summary of expenses for entrance fees, activities, restaurants, and lodging, etc.

Gas Calculator

See the estimated fuel cost for your vehicle type.

EV Charging

Find EV charging stations along your route. Get reminders to recharge. Use Charging Ranges to display icons on the map where your vehicle will require recharging.

Export Options

We support Google Earth (KML), Garmin Communicator, BaseCamp and MapSource (GPX), Co-Pilot Live (TRP), Microsoft Streets and Trips, TomTom itineraries (ITN), TomTom Places of Interest (OV2), Comma Separated Files (CSV), and Tab Separated Files (TSV).

Directions on paper come in handy. Print your road trip with turn-by-turn maps and full directions, divided into your day-by-day itinerary.

Is This Really Free?

Yes! It is free to use our Scenic Drive Itineraries and Road Trip Planner. Please consider purchasing your National Park or National Forest passes on myscenicdrives.com.

Why Do I Need An Account?

A free account is only required for the Road Trip Planner, enabling you to create, edit, and save your trips. Your account is secure. We never share your information.

Do I Need to Download An App or Install Software?

No app or software is needed. myscenicdrives.com works in any browser. Simply go to myscenicdrives.com

More Resources

Documentation, myscenicdrives.com, how it works.

Plan your trips like a pro .

VagabondBase is the the all-in-one platform for road trip planning, trusted by thousands of travelers. Itinerary builder, route optimization, 3D maps, packing checklists, travel expenses tracker and more.

Plan every inch or your next trip.  Get started for free.

The smart way to plan your trips.

Get rid of messy spreadsheets and random notes for organizing your trips.

• No credit card required
• Free plan available
• Cancel anytime

All-in-one platform for trip planning.

Itinerary builder..

Plan every inch of your travel itinerary.

Beautiful maps.

Explore the itinerary with beautiful maps.

Itinerary optimization.

Plan your route with automated waypoints optimization.

Baggage checklists.

Create and manage packing checklists.

Real-time collaboration.

Collaborate in real-time with your friends.

Money tracker for travelers.

Keep track of all your travel expenses.

Travel documents manager.

Store all your travel documents in one place – photos, QR codes, PDFs.

Link organizer

Simplify your journey's planning by gathering all your important links in a single place.

Connected with travel apps you already love.

• Google Maps

Build your trip itinerary.

Plan every detail of your trip, explore with ease, and make memories that last a lifetime.

Track your trip expenses.

Plan, track, and manage your expenses with ease, so you can enjoy your travels without financial stress.

Optimize your trip routes.

Stop guessing the optimal route. Calculate the best route with our automated waypoints optimization.

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• Mobile Apps

The Best Road Trip Apps That Help You Find Cheap Gas, Avoid Traffic, and More

Download these before you hit the highway.

Elizabeth Rhodes is a special projects editor at Travel + Leisure , covering everything from luxury hotels to theme parks to must-pack travel products. Originally from South Carolina, Elizabeth moved to New York City from London, where she started her career as a travel blogger and writer.

Carmen Martínez Torrón/Getty Images

Technology has revolutionized the way we travel in countless ways. Paper maps and GPS navigation systems have been replaced by Google and Apple Maps, old-school CDs by music streaming services, and guidebooks by apps that can notify road-trippers of roadside attractions in real time. One thing is certain: the smartphone has made road trips infinitely easier and, arguably, cheaper.

Whether you need a digital road trip planner to map out your next journey or something to help you avoid traffic jams, here are 11 of the best road trip apps to download ahead of your next adventure.

Roadtrippers

Roadtrippers is one of the most practical and popular road trip planning apps out there. Maybe you want to see national parks or the quirkiest roadside attractions. Perhaps you want to stop for the night at an iconic or underrated hotel. You can plan your stops right in the app, adding up to three waypoints for free or 150 with a Roadtrippers Premium account. There are also Basic and Pro memberships that allot you 20 and 50 waypoints per trip, respectively. The higher-tier memberships allow you to collaborate with friends and family and use navigation. The app features lodging, sights, outdoorsy destinations, restaurants, activities, shopping, fuel, and more all around the U.S., Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

The app is free, but you have to upgrade to a membership plan to enjoy all the bells and whistles. The Basic plan costs $40 a year, the Pro plan $50 a year, and the Premium $60 a year. It's available on iOS and Android .

Google Maps

Every road-tripper needs a trusty navigation app in their arsenal, and Google Maps is consistently one of the most — if not the most — downloaded in the U.S. every year. Its dominance can be attributed to how comprehensive its data is, which allows it to generate the very best directions based on distance, road conditions, and traffic patterns.

Google Maps gives you route options and provides accurate estimates of how long it takes to get from A to B. Plus, you can plot several waypoints along your route — be it a mid-morning coffee stop or a hotel for overnighting (you can see reviews right in the app).

Google Maps is free and available on iOS and Android .

Waze is another one of the top navigation apps. With real-time updates that help you avoid traffic jams, construction, and more, it will have you navigating new cities and unfamiliar streets like a seasoned local. It's perhaps a little more proactive than Google Maps in changing up a route when problems arise, and that means Waze users should prepare for their drive to be a little unpredictable.

No one wants to spend hours sitting in traffic instead of exploring, so the fact that Waze collects data from other drivers to streamline the driving experience is a huge help. The app is free and available on iOS and Android .

Paying for fuel can eat up a good chunk of your road trip budget, but GasBuddy can save you a few bucks. The app crowdsources up-to-date fuel prices for more than 150,000 gas stations around the U.S. and Canada. The app also tells you how recent the submission is so you know whether it's outdated.

GasBuddy is not just helpful for finding cheap gas but also for finding gas stations in general (and parking), which can be difficult in foreign territory. The app is free and can be downloaded on iOS and Android . While using it, be a good road-tripper and submit gas prices you see as you travel.

Roadside America

Barry Winiker/Getty Images

The offbeat and kitschy roadside attractions you can find throughout the U.S. are often some of the most delightful parts of a road trip. The Roadside America app helps you find the most unique attractions worth stopping for, like the large sculpture of a cartoon mouse holding a cheese platter in Plain, Wisconsin — where else? — or the decidedly odd larger-than-life-sized three-way electrical plug that rests on a lawn in Philadelphia. The app features museums, murals, tours, quirky restaurants, and photo ops.

Roadside America costs $3 to download, which gets you access to one region in the app. You can purchase more regions for $2 or get access to all of the U.S. and Canada for an extra $7. The app is available only on iOS .

iExit Interstate Exit Guide

Knowing where to stop for road trip snacks, a drive-through latte, or a public restroom can be challenging with all the exit signs whizzing by at 70 mph, but iExit Interstate Exit Guide takes the guesswork out of it. The app will list which exits are coming up on your route, what's there, and what they offer — including food, lodging, fuel, and even hospitals. It pulls fuel prices from OPIS (the Oil Price Information Service) and displays Yelp reviews for businesses.

The app is free to download. Find it on both iOS and Android .

HotelTonight

Even if you've planned out all your stops ahead of time, you might find that you need to pull over for a night unexpectedly. Driving is tiring, and unplanned naps can be life-saving. HotelTonight can help you find accommodations in a pinch. The app offers day-of deals on unsold rooms, and the user-friendly interface means you can book a discounted room in minutes. There are well over 1,000 properties to choose from in cities all over the world, from Mexico City to Jakarta (in case you happen to take your road-tripping global).

It's free to download and available on iOS and Android .

If staying in a tucked-away A-frame cabin, a yurt, or a private guest house in someone's garden is more your travel style than bouncing between hotels, then Airbnb is the ticket. On the Airbnb app, you can search properties (millions in the U.S. alone) on a map and read reviews before you book, which you can do in advance or at the last minute.

The app features not just vacation homes but also activities, so if you're keen to experience a city like a local you can do so via a pottery class or a guided walking tour, for example.

The Airbnb app is free. You can download it on iOS or Android .

Patchareeporn Sakoolchai/Getty Images

Travelers who dream of camping out under the stars should download The Dyrt , a free app that helps you find tent, RV, and cabin sites across the U.S. One of the top camping apps on iOS and Android , it has more than a million registered users who submit reviews, pictures, and tips. On The Dyrt, you get real intel on campsites and a built-in community that makes camping on a road trip especially fun and safe. You can even book some of the campsites right on app.

The app is free, but there's a premium version for $36 a year that allows you to plan trips and search campsites while offline — convenient for remote regions.

What is a road trip without a perfect playlist? Whether you're keen to create a soundtrack of nostalgic singalongs, modern pop songs, or music inspired by your destination, you'll find even the most obscure tunes on Spotify , a catalog of more than 100 million tracks. When you tire of Taylor Swift, you can turn to podcasts or an audiobook to keep you company. Road trips are a great opportunity to delve into a docuseries like "Serial," an all-time favorite.

Spotify is free to download and listen to, but the ad breaks are annoying and streaming can chew through your phone data. A better option is to purchase a premium membership for $11 a month. It's ad-free and you can download music to listen to offline. The Spotify app is available on iOS and Android .

Electric vehicles are increasingly commonplace and great for more environmentally friendly road-tripping. The problem is often finding charging stations, as most EVs can go 100 to 300 miles before they need to be plugged in. PlugShare lists 700,000 charging stations across North America, Europe, and beyond. Users share their reviews of the stations, helping to guide EV drivers to the best, fastest, and most reliable charging spots.

PlugShare is free and available to download on iOS and Android .

Related Articles

41 Best Road Trip Planning Tools and Apps in 2024

Is a road trip in your future? These road trip planning tools will help you choose destinations, find a place to stay, get there, and so much more.

Planning a road trip is one of the most exciting parts of the experience. When you first decide to go on this adventure, you’re filled with anticipation and possibilities.

But it can also be overwhelming. Where do you start? How do you find interesting places? How do you keep everything organized?

Don’t fret; I’ve got you covered. I’ve found the best road trip planning tools to help make the process fun and easy.

I’m somewhat obsessed with road trips, and have written a few books about them (including Planning Your Perfect Road Trip ) as well as dozens of articles.

With the help of the right road trip planning tools, you can make the process much simpler, more organized, and fun!

Below are some of the best road trip planner apps, websites, and real world tools to help you plan your next road trip. They’ll help you find great places to explore, figure out how to get there, and keep track of it all.

Ready to plan a road trip?

FREE Road Trip Packing Lists

Best road trip planning tools and apps.

There may be affiliate links in this post, which means we may get a small commission. It’s at no extra cost to you and helps keep TLT free. Everybody wins!

Before you go, check out this road trip packing list .

15 Useful Websites for Road Trippers

There are approximately 1.3 gazillion travel websites, give or take a few bazillion. There’s no way to keep up with all of them. I’m not even going to try. Instead, I’ve curated some useful favorites.

This selection of trip planning websites is by no means comprehensive (because that would be impossible), but these should provide a plethora of ideas.

America’s Byways

fhwaapps.fhwa.dot.gov/bywaysp/

If you’re looking to drive a scenic route that’s been designated as such by the Federal Highway Administration, visit here first.

National Scenic Byways & All-American Roads lists a collection of 184 “distinct and diverse roads.”

To be officially designated, a National Scenic Byway must be considered regionally significant, and an All-American Road needs to be a “destination until itself.”

For example, the Santa Fe Trail follows one of the country’s early trade routes and is a National Scenic Byway.

Beartooth Highway , which provides access to the northeast entrance of Yellowstone National Park , is an All-American Road.

America’s State Parks

stateparks.org

Our National Park System gets lots of love, and rightfully so, but you know who else deserves your outdoor affection?

State parks.

The America’s State Parks website, hosted and developed by the National Association of State Park Directors, is exactly what it sounds like. It’s a resource to help you find every state park in the country.

Their Locate a Park function links to each state’s official parks system website.

Atlas Obscura

Welcome to the atlas of the obscure . If you’re looking for interesting places, this is the site for you.

A cool function is to search nearby. Let the site use your location and it’ll pull up attractions close to you.

For example, near me there’s a funeral home with a mini-golf course inside and a house without corners – because the owner wanted spirits to feel more comfortable.

Back Road Ramblers

Back Road Ramblers focuses on family-themed travel in the US, emphasizing slower-paced journeys and off-the-beaten-path adventures.

If you want to visit someplace new and know how far you’re willing to drive, CalcMaps will show you what’s within that distance.

Draw a circle and it’ll show the radius in miles, or enter an address and the miles you’re planning on driving. A circle overlay will display on the map, which you can resize with the drag of a mouse.

You can then browse within that circle and start researching potential cities, towns, parks, and attractions. It’s important to note that mileage is based on straight lines and not the routes you’ll take.

For example, from my home to Des Moines, Iowa, is less than 280 miles as the crow flies. To drive it would be around 320 miles. However, you can at least get a rough idea.

Find Your Park

Find Your Park is a collaboration between the National Park Service and the National Park Foundation to help plan visits to NPS sites.

You can choose from a range of activities, including geocaching, off-roading, and whitewater rafting.

Historical Marker Database

If you’re the type of person who pulls over at every historical marker, Historical Marker Database is going to be your new best friend.

You can browse thousands of listings or you can plug in an address. If you give it permission to see your location, it’ll show markers near you.

Individual listings display an image of the marker, a transcription of the inscription, and usually an audio recording. They include the latitude and longitude so you can plot the exact location.

Topics are also listed, which comes in handy when planning a road trip themed around Native Americans or the Civil War, for example.

National Park Service

If you plan to visit any of the 423 units of the National Park System , start at the source. NPS.gov includes all their sites, including National Battlefields, National Monuments, National Historic Sites, National Scenic Trails, National Seashores, etc.

They also help you plan your trip with lists of ideas. There are trip ideas by park, activity, topic, duration, and more.

You can also purchase your America the Beautiful Interagency Pass, which provides admission to every fee-based NPS unit.

National Register of Historic Places

History geeks rejoice! Part of the National Park Service, the National Register of Historic Places offers tools and resources for researching historical sites deemed worthy of preservation.

RoadTrip America

Online since 1996, RoadTrip America is one of the original sites for online travel planning. In addition to tons of road tripping advice, there’s also a route planner.

It’s free, and if you want to save, print, or modify your route, you’ll need to register. That’s also free and provides access to their Great American RoadTrip Forum where you can connect with other road trippers.

Roadside America

Roadside America ‘s also been around since the 1990s, and in all that time it’s amassed a giant collection of curiosities. Or, as they say, “little pushpins of peculiarity.”

Browse by state or search by keywords or city to find your road trip inspiration, like a giant ball of twine or a 30-foot-tall old-fashioned bicyclist.

See something intriguing? Save it to “My Sights.” When you’ve accumulated the ones you want, you can create a route that includes them all.

There’s a Roadside America app, but sadly for us Android users, it’s only available for Apple devices. 

The Local Tourist

I’d be remiss if I didn’t include my own website. It has been around since 2002, after all.

The Local Tourist is a good resource for outdoors, culture, history, kitschy attractions, and road trips (duh).

As of 2024, destinations are primarily in the Midwest and Western United States. But, I’m working on covering the whoooole country, and eventually, the world! Muah ha ha.

TV Food Maps

Want to eat at a place you’ve seen on the telly? TV Food Maps not only has a searchable database, but they’ll also show you results based on your road trip route.

Shows include the obligatory Diners, Drive-ins and Dives and Man vs Food . There’s Cheap Eats when you’re on a budget. Chopped fans can find the winners’ restaurants.

It’s a veritable smorgasbord of places to eat.

Related: check out all my tips on eating on the road .

Visit the USA

visittheusa.com

Visit the USA is the official travel site of the United States. There’s a ton of information for people traveling internationally, but it’s also good for US residents.

Browse iconic landmarks, trip ideas, and experiences. You can search geographically. There’s also a cool “this or that” quiz that provides recommended trips based on your answers.

In addition to the site, there’s a trip planner, too. Put in your starting point and your final destination and the dates you’ll be traveling and you’ll get a suggested itinerary.

Not every place is listed, however. My hometown is missing, so I entered the closest bigger city.

Want more road trip tips? Download Planning Your Perfect Road Trip, a Step-by-Step Guide to Hittin’ the Road

World Waterfall Database

If you love waterfalls (and who doesn’t?), you’ll love World Waterfall Database . It’s a comprehensive resource that ranks waterfalls and allows users to browse by state and country.

6 Online Trip Planners

Trip planners are fantastic tools for, you guessed it, planning your trip.

Road trip planners are especially useful when you have an idea of where you want to go. You plug in your start and end destinations and fill in “waypoints,” or stops.

With their interactive maps, you can experiment with alternative routes. Each tool has a different interface and offers different features.

I recommend experimenting with each to see which works best for you.

Furkot is an online road trip planner that offers a range of features to help you plan and organize your trips effectively.

To begin, you enter your starting and ending destinations, what dates you’ll be traveling, how long you want to travel each day, and more.

You can also enter what type of accommodations you like and whether you prefer to drive highways or toll roads. Traveling with pets? You can include that, too.

If you’re not sure where you want to go, you can click on “Inspire me” for suggestions.

Google Maps

Did you know you can use Google Maps as a trip planner? When you find a place that looks interesting or you know you want to include on your itinerary, you can save it.

For example, search for Rocky Mountain National Park. Then tap the “Save” icon. From there, you can add it to Favorites, Want to go, Travel plans, or Starred places.

You can also create your own lists, which will make it easier to plan an entire trip.

Once you add a place to a list, you can add a note.

Maybe Aunt Sue recommended the peach pie at a diner. Write it down in the notes. Then when you’re planning your itinerary, you’ll know why you added that diner to your list.

You can keep your list Private or you can choose to share it. This comes in handy when there are multiple people planning the trip.

Google My Maps

Google My Maps is a powerful tool that can be extremely useful for planning a road trip. It allows you to create custom maps with your own locations, routes, and markers.

One of the most useful features of Google My Maps is the ability to create custom routes. You can add as many locations as you want to your map, and then easily connect them to create a custom route.

This can be helpful when planning a road trip with multiple destinations, as you can see the entire route and estimate the time and distance between each stop.

You can add markers to your map, which can be used to indicate points of interest, hotels, gas stations, rest areas, or other places you want to visit or stop at during your road trip.

You can add notes, photos, and videos to the markers, which can be helpful for remembering more details about a place.

Google My Maps also allows you to share your maps with others, which can be especially useful when planning a road trip with a group of friends or family.

You can share a link to your map, and others can view and edit it, making it easy to collaborate and plan your trip together.

Another useful feature of Google My Maps is the ability to export your map to a GPS device, which can be helpful when you are on the road.

This allows you to use your custom map offline, without an internet connection and navigate with turn-by-turn directions even in areas with limited cell service.

Overall, Google My Maps is a powerful and versatile tool for planning a road trip. With its custom route and marker features, collaboration options, and offline capabilities, it can help you plan and navigate your road trip more efficiently and enjoyably.

Roadtrippers.com

Roadtrippers.com allows you to plug points into a map, but it’s so much more than that.

Once you’ve added your starting point and your destination, Roadtrippers displays attractions along your route. The more you zoom in, the more attractions you’ll see.

You can add the type of vehicle you’re driving and its estimated fuel efficiency and Roadtrippers will calculate your approximate expenses.

Besides plotting the route itself, there’s a ton of user-generated content offering recommendations for attractions, restaurants, places to stay, and great photo ops.

Previously you could specify whether you wanted to drive interstates or not per segment of your trip. That’s no longer the case, and to choose any routing options you’ll need to upgrade.

However, upgrading enables you to collaborate with other users and increases the number of waypoints from three in the free version to up to 150.

There are three levels of membership, with Premium getting you the most benefits with downloadable maps, live traffic, and special discounts.

At time of publication, Roadtrippers membership ranges from $35.99 to $59.99 per year, and there’s a seven day free trial. If you upgrade, you can save $5 off your first year with code BTR5QTP. Click here to start your free trial .

TripTik by AAA

triptik.aaa.com

AAA’s TripTiks have come a long way since the spiral-bound guides of my youth. Today you can plan your trip online or on your phone.

Plug in your starting and ending points and add up to 25 stops. Specify how often you’d like to stop and it’ll build breaks into your turn-by-turn directions.

You can choose to display gas stations, attractions, campgrounds, hotels, restaurants, AAA savings, and rest areas.

My Scenic Drives

myscenicdrives.com

My Scenic Drives is a completely free trip planner that lets you add as many stops, or waypoints, as you like. After you create an account, you can plan away.

Plan road trips either by adding your own locations or by choosing one of their existing scenic drives. Those are somewhat limited.

At time of publication, only Great River Road and Stagecoach Trail are listed for Illinois, skipping Route 66 , the Ohio River Scenic Byway, the National Road, and Lincoln Highway.

Depending on how many miles your trip will be, My Scenic Drives may split it up into days. You’ll also see an estimated fuel cost, although I’m not sure how accurate that is.

If you’re planning on visiting any National Park Service sites, you can buy an annual pass through My Scenic Drives.

The interface is a little awkward and they don’t have an app, although their site is mobile friendly.

16 Best Apps for Road Trips

From before you go to when you’re on the road, there are tons of tools to help get the most out of your road trip. Because of the fluidity of online tools, I’m only recommending a few that I know are likely to continue.

You can learn more about these apps in our Best Road Trip Apps guide.

Search the Apple or Google Play stores to download them to your device.

Like to hike? Bike? Go for a walk? AllTrails is a great app to help you discover hiking and biking trails based on where you’re located.

You can read reviews, store trails you’d like to explore, and record the hikes you do take. You can choose to make your hikes public, or keep them private.

There’s also a premium version, which allows you to download offline maps.

With Expedia , you can easily search for and compare prices on rental cars, hotels, and activities along your route. Rates are often discounted, and you have the opportunity to earn rewards.

When you sign up for an Expedia Rewards account, which is free, you also get access to member prices.

The app is easy to use and keeps an itinerary with your confirmation numbers.

Until electric cars have battery life that will take you through the country’s most remote stretches, gas is a necessary evil of the road trip.

GasBuddy uses crowd-sourced data to provide real-time information on gas prices at different stations.

With GasBuddy, you can easily find the cheapest gas prices near you, as well as see which gas stations have the best deals on certain days of the week or at certain times of the day.

In addition to displaying fuel prices, you can save more when you sign up for Pay with GasBuddy.

Pay with GasBuddy also gives you access to Deal Alerts, which knock the price down even more.

Check out our complete guide to saving money on gas with GasBuddy .

I almost feel like this goes without saying—but I’ll say it anyway (obviously): if you have just one road trip app, make it Google maps.

Not only can you get directions and the best routes, but because it’s Google you can find anything around you, too.

One of the route options you can choose is which is most fuel-efficient, and you can even select the type of fuel: Gas, Diesel, Electric, and Hybrid.

Another great feature of Google Maps is the ability to download maps for offline use.

This is helpful if you’re planning a road trip to a rural area or somewhere with limited cell service.

By downloading the maps in advance, you can still access them and navigate even if you don’t have an internet connection.

Google Maps can also be used as a trip planning tool, and there’s more on that in the Online Trip Planners section.

HotelTonight

If you’re looking for a last minute hotel room, HotelTonight wants to help. Primarily in larger towns and cities, the website and app can help you find same-day and next-day hotel stays at discounted rates.

The app will find accommodations near you, and you can also search for hotels by location. You can filter your search by price, star rating, and neighborhood.

Taking the interstates? iExit shows you what’s available at each exit, including dining, shopping, restrooms, and attractions. It also pulls up gas stations and gas prices.

The app uses real-time data to provide information on the services and amenities available at upcoming exits on the highway, making it an ideal tool for planning rest stops, gas fill-ups and meals.

You’ll see a list of services such as restaurants, hotels, gas stations, and rest areas along with their distance from the exit. You can filter your search results by categories such as fast food, lodging, and gas stations.

NPS (National Park Service) App

Not only does the official mobile app of the National Park Service show you where to find National Parks, it helps you discover every site in their system. It’s free to use and you can explore by topic, by activity, by state, or near your location.

The app provides information on park hours, fees, and regulations, as well as maps, trail guides, and other resources to help you make the most of your visit.

The commercials ain’t lyin’— Priceline Express Deals are amazing. What’s the catch? You have no idea where you’ll end up. You can see a general area and a star level, but that’s it.

While they no longer give you the option to Name Your Own Price, in addition to Express Deals, they also have pricebreakers. They pick from one of three different hotels.

While you won’t know which one you’re getting until you pay for it, you’ll be able to see in advance what your options are.

Like Expedia, you can search for hotels by location, price, and amenities. You can also search by brand and star level, making it easy to find a hotel that fits your budget and preferences.

Priceline VIP is a rewards program that provides discounts, add-on deals, and Express Deal coupons after your trip is complete.

The app will show you deals on hotels near your location. You can also book rental cars, flights, and cruises.

Knowing what’s happening weather-wise is kind of important when you’re on a road trip. My favorite way to see whether I’ll stay dry or will need to break out the slicker is Rainy Days.

This free radar app has helped my anxiety level on several occasions, especially while driving in North Central Nebraska. It was good to know we were driving the opposite direction of an intense storm.

Recreation.gov

Recreation.gov is the official website and app for making reservations for recreational activities and facilities managed by the U.S. federal government.

You can find campgrounds and lodging, tours and activities, sign up for lotteries for the most popular things to do, and find information on what permits are required near you.

Once you do make reservations, they’re stored in the app.

This is the site and app to use when you plan to visit parks that require vehicle registration, like Glacier National Park, or want a permit to hike Angels Landing in Zion National Park .

You can reserve campsites on the website and app. We did, while sitting at the entrance to a campground in Mississippi. We didn’t realize the park was a NPS site when we drove up, and the kindly gent in the booth directed us to make our reservations through the app.

There’s also a trip planner. Plug in your dates, number of people, your starting location, and your potential destinations.

You can then see all the available options on a map, add them to your road trip itinerary, and then make any necessary reservations.

ReserveAmerica

If you’re planning to camp on your road trip, you’ll want this app. ReserveAmerica enables you to make reservations for campsites all over the country.

Some state park systems use the site, and you can find KOA campgrounds.

Apex Club is ReserveAmerica’s membership. Members get a rebate for a free night of camping (up to $25) at eligible state and regional parks. There are also discounts on gear, accessories, apparel, and activities.

Restaurant.com

Eating where the locals eat is a great way to get a real “taste” for a town. If you want to save some dough on your dining, sign up for restaurant.com .

This app provides discounted certificates, and I’ve found participating restaurants in towns with fewer than 10,000 residents.

You’ll have to spend a minimum amount to use your certificate, and it’s usually double the face value. For example, if you get a $10 certificate for $4, you’ll have to spend at least $20 and you’ll save $6.

You can search for restaurants by your current location and by zip code. You can also choose larger cities, including Chicago, Seattle, and Austin.

Once you’ve narrowed down the location, look at the menu and the ratings. I’ve found several real gems using this app, and they’ve been places I never would have known about or tried without it.

If you’re going to be in any urban areas on your road trip, you’ll definitely want this app.

SpotHero has probably saved me thousands over the years. I’ve been using it since it launched over a decade ago (and the founder used to write articles on Chicago parking for me!).

I found a spot three blocks from the Los Angeles Convention Center on the day of the Grammys and paid $10 for seven hours. The day of the Grammys, y’all!

Driving highways or in urban areas? TollGuru provides detailed information, including pricing, methods of payment, and which transponders (E-ZPass, SunPass, FasTrak, TxTag, etc.) are accepted at tolls.

It will also give you an estimated fuel cost if you include the type of vehicle you drive and the average gas prices.

While Google Maps now provides toll price information, TollGuru gives you more detail.

Upside is a free app that gives you cash back on gas, groceries, and restaurants. Brands include most of the big fuel chains (Shell, Marathon, Valero, BP, etc.).

Upside works similarly to Pay with GasBuddy in that you get cents off per gallon, but you get it in the form of cash back.

For example, at the Casey’s near me I can get eight cents per gallon cash back. To get the discount, I claim the offer, pay with a credit card, and then check in or take a photo of my receipt to upload it.

Once the cash back processes, which is usually within a couple days, I can transfer it to my bank account or use it to buy gift cards for places like Domino’s, H&M, and Starbucks.

Upside also offers cash back at restaurants and grocery stores. The offers vary, and when you first sign up there’s an increased discount.

The app saves you a few cents here and there, but they add up, especially when you’re on long road trips.

Download Waze for an alternative to Google Maps. Beyond turn-by-turn navigation, one of the key features of Waze is its crowd-sourced traffic information, which allows users to report accidents, road closures, and other incidents in real-time.

This helps you stay updated on the latest traffic conditions and avoid any delays on your route.

You can set your type of vehicle for preferred routes, including Motorcycle, Electric, and Taxi. You can also add your Toll and HOV passes, and you can tell it to skip unpaved roads.

I can think of a few trips I’ve taken where that option would have come in handy.

In addition to its routing and traffic features, Waze also offers a number of other useful tools for road trips.

For example, the app allows you to find the cheapest gas prices along your route, restaurants, and parking at your destination. If you connect your calendar, the app will tell you when it’s time to leave.

4 Real World Trip Planning Tools

While online discovery tools are wonderful, don’t forget to check out these real-world tools, too.

Travel Shows

Travel Shows are a fun and interactive way to find new destinations. While many people attend hoping to connect with someplace exotic (a.k.a. a place requiring several hours in a plane), travel shows are a wonderful way to find someplace a little closer to home.

I’ve exhibited and spoken at the Travel & Adventure Show for years. At each show, I’ve found new road trip destinations.

Places I’ve visited as a direct result of these shows include Cottonwood, Arizona; Ridgeland, Mississippi; Bishop, California, and Traverse City, Michigan.

The people working the booths at travel shows are, generally speaking, from that destination. They know more than anyone about their home and it’s their job to entice you to visit.

Libraries & Bookstores

Libraries and bookstores are fantastic resources for helping you plan your destinations. It’s fun to browse the stacks to see all the possibilities.

When it’s time to narrow down your choice to specific destinations, you might be able to find a guidebook.

If a book you want isn’t available at your local library, it could be available through a reciprocal lending program, and booksellers are usually happy to special order books they don’t stock.

It’s also fun to read travelogs and travel memoirs for ideas and inspiration.

As an author , one of my biggest thrills is when someone tells me my books provided inspiration for their trips, especially when they go somewhere they never would have considered or had never heard of before.

One of my road trip rules is to always visit AAA before heading out when I’m planning on visiting a new state.

Why? One word: Maps.

Even though GPS is great, sometimes, like in the canyons of Utah or the middle of the Mojave Desert, it doesn’t work. That’s why we always have paper maps.

AAA’s app is also a good resource on the road, if you do have a connection, for finding attractions and restaurants. PLUS, don’t forget their roadside assistance.

If you’re of a certain age (cough cough) you probably remember those spiral-bound TripTiks. When I was growing up, mom and dad would pick up their custom‐made travel guides from our local AAA.

Guess what: the association still offers these route‐planners, only now they’re online.

One of the coolest features is the ability to specify how many hours you want to drive before taking a break and it will suggest locations to stop.

It also shows places that offer discounts to AAA members, including hotels and restaurants. It’s a handy overall tool for any road trip planning.

Local Visitors Bureaus

My favorite part of travel is the people. On our road trip to the Oregon coast and back, not a whole lot was planned. We relied on the kindness of locals to point us in the right direction, and we were richly rewarded.

People who live where you’re going are always your greatest resource.

While you could drive by the seat of your pants, like we did, there’s an easier way:

Visitors Bureaus .

These gems are my (not so) secret weapon.

When you’re planning your trip, make sure you contact these founts of regional knowledge.

In the “biz” we know them as CVBs—Convention and Visitors Bureaus—and DMOs—Destination Management Organizations. These are the Mother Lode of local info.

Once you’re at your destination, ask the people you meet—the gas station attendant, the cashier at the grocery store, the concierge at your hotel, the host of your B&B—where they go to lunch.

Where do they take friends and family when they come to visit? I’ve never been steered in the wrong direction, and have found some real gems just by asking the locals.

I hope you’ve found these road trip planning tools useful. If you want the ultimate guide to how to plan a road trip, get Planning Your Perfect Road Trip, a Step-by-Step Guide to Hittin’ the Road .

Join our Adventure: Get all my insider tips for motorhoming & road trips

21 of the BEST Road Trip Planner apps to get before you go

Looking for the best road trip planner apps , tools and hacks to help you plan your perfect road trip? Look no further! We’ve compiled all the essential road trip apps you need- including ones to help with planning a road trip , apps to use whilst on your road trip and tools we couldn’t (and wouldn’t) road trip without!

Before we found these tools, road trip planning and organising used to take HOURS. Or even days. Now, we’re a lot quicker- partly because we’ve compiled road trip checklists and gear, but partly because these apps make it easy. Promise.

Whether you’re roadtripping in the USA with friends, exploring Europe in a camper or setting off on a road trip with kids *gulp*- these are the only road trip planner tools you need.

Pssst- want to travel healthily on your road trip? Check out these awesome, easy and HEALTHY snacks for road trip travels! 

JUMP AHEAD TO...

The BEST Road Trip Planner Apps and Tools to plan your road trip

Google maps.

I’ve said it before ( Here in fact ), Google Maps is amazing for planning a road trip . And it’s free. (Actually, many of these road trip planner apps and tools are free- we’re thoughtful like that!)

We use Google maps to put together a visual guide to places we want to visit- and then we use it to plan a route. You can see how we do it here

Another option is using Guru maps for offline navigation

Pinterest is an AMAZING road trip planne r resource! There are destination guides, things to do, road trip kit reviews and everything else you need! I never used to use it for anything other than recipes- what a mistake! Now, it’s the first place I go to look for new ideas when we’re heading off.

You’ll be pleased to know Wandering Bird is on Pinterest too, sharing destination guides, travel tips and yep- road trip planner tools!- You can follow us on Pinterest here

Roadtrippers

This is another site I think we underuse in Europe, but it’s a great road trip planner. Use it in the same way as Google maps, but there are also many other cool features; it estimates how much money you’ll spend on fuel and how far you have to drive, among other things.

Instagram is a road trip planner’s paradise! So many amazing destinations, secret locations and beautiful places are shared every single day. Just search the hashtag #roadtrip or your planned destination and see what comes up!

Facebook might not be your first thought for road trip planning apps, but if you ask a question on a relevant facebook group, you’ll get LOADS of ideas and info to help you plan your trip. I love asking advice from real people who’ve been there- and I find people are more likely to respond on Facebook, rather than Instagram.

You can find us on Facebook too- sharing tips, destination advice or general silliness- check out our page HERE

Road Trip Travel Blogs

Not an app, but travel blogs are a fantastic road trip planning tool. To find one for the area you’re planning to road trip to, just search ‘Road Trip Blog ________’ You’ll find people have road tripped all over the place and you can use their suggestions and favourite places in your road trip planner.

I hope if you’re heading to Europe you’ll find a certain road trip blog especially useful *cough cough * Feel free to sign up to our resource library so you can get useful road trip checklists, travel planning tips and destination guides.

Road trip forums are a great source of information- if you use them correctly and accept that there are many people in there who talk a lot, but haven’t necessarily DONE a lot.

That said, there can be some really good road trip planner advice and info- again, type into Google ‘Road Trip Forum for _____’ or even travel forums if you’re looking for destination advice for a particular location. The only downside to forums is you often have to sign up/ register before you can get access.

Other awesome Road Trip planner tools we recommend

Ok, so you’ve planned your road trip destination and started plotting places into your chosen road trip planner- but now WHAT??

If you don’t have a vehicle for your road trip, check out:

I LOVE this site. What a brilliantly awesome idea to help you plan and cut your costs for a road trip. Basically, people just like you and me list their RVs, campers and even trucks- and other people rent them out! Seriously, there are a HUGE number of vehicles on there, all over the world, available for rent at really reasonable prices.

If you’re looking for low-cost vehicle rental, this is a great place to start! Just please be aware that, as with many sites like this, there is the potential for unscrupulous people to take advantage. If in doubt, pick another van or hire through an approved rental agency.

So, now you’ve got a road trip destination, an overflowing road trip planner and a vehicle! Last planning tip- get some:

Packing Checklists

A packing checklist can be invaluable- especially if you’re roadtripping and moving around regularly. It is SO easy to forget something silly as you travel – so get yourself a packing checklist to make it easier.

You can either use a FREE app like My Trip List, which allows you to customise a packing list.

Useful Road trip planner apps whilst ON your road trip

The fun doesn’t stop just coz you’ve started travelling! Oh no, if you’re anything like us, you’ll keep planning your road trip as you’re on the road! After all, what’s the point in having an adventure if you can’t be adventurous?!?

Navigating is hard enough on a road trip- without getting your camper stuck down a narrow street! This app works on any iPad or phone with GPS and allows you to input the dimensions of your vehicle so you can avoid streets and bridges which are too small. Read our full review of CoPilot here.

>>Looking for other sat-navs. These are the best on the market<<

Google translate app to convert languages.

Road tripping to another country? Get the Google Translate app. This is one of our favourite road trip planner apps- because it’s so darn useful. Just open the app and hold it up to a sign, menu, paper, whatever- and Google Translate will translate the words into your chosen language! This is BRILLIANT for roadtripping Europe where the languages change constantly and we don’t always speak them very well.

Recipe Book

I LOVE this app. I use it all the time and it’s so freaking easy- and FREE!! Find a great recipe on Pinterest or Google, make it, and then save the recipe to your recipe book app, so it’s there for the next time you want to cook it. The app syncs between ipad and phone, which is great- I can grab whichever is closest to hand. I prefer following a recipe from a larger screen, but having the app on the phone is SO useful when I’m shopping and can’t decide what I want to cook for dinner.

DroneAssist

The BEST app in the UK for telling you where you can safely and legally fly your drone. It’s a brilliant and easy-to-use app and we use it whenever we want to get our drone out… or at least we did, until we lost our drone in Lake Annecy *sob* Hopefully by the time you read this we’ll have another one ready to go! We haven’t found a similar app for use in Europe or North America- if you know of one, please let me know and I’ll update this list.

Find fuel with these great road trip planning apps:

If you have refillable LPG gas installed on your motorhome (one of our Road Trip essentials!), this app is brilliant for finding places where you can fill up. Most of the locations are current and the app/ website are updated frequently.

This is one for my American friends- find the cheapest gas along your route. (To avoid confusion, by gas I mean petrol. Or diesel. Not gas for cooking.) I asked my group of road tripping RVers which app they recommend and this one was top of the list!!

Road Trip planner apps to help you find somewhere to stay

If you haven’t booked a campsite or a hotel, you’ll need to find places to stop as you road trip. Here are some of the best apps to help with finding somewhere to stay as you road trip:

If you’re exploring Europe, this is THE app to have to help you find free or cheap parking spots. You can even use this in advance as a road trip planner- find suitable looking spots and add them to your itinerary or Google maps before you go. I’m pleased to see Park4night is now coming to the US and Canada too- more and more overnight spots are popping up.

Campercontact

Campercontact is another overnight stop app, but what I love about this one is that you can set your vehicle height and length in order to find appropriate spots. We use this app a LOT when we have a trailer, as many aires or free spaces are too small for us.

>> Read our complete review on apps for navigation here<<

Allstays has a range of campgrounds, rest stops and free camping spots across the US. I believe most of the free places are only available if you buy the Pro version, but there seems to be a LOT of options on there, which would be a great way to help plan your road trip. iOverlander is another option to find places to stay.

Road Trip planner apps to make the miles go faster!

I have become a huge podcast fan over the last few months. They are perfect for driving- and there’s a HUGE range to choose from. Even better- they’re free! I like educational podcasts- learning things helps keeps me awake as I drive, but there are all sorts of different road trip podcasts to choose from and make the miles fly by. Jump onto your podcast app and see what appeals!

Another awesome app. Find and download audio books, listen to them, then return them! I’m slowly working my way through the Harry Potter books- Stephen Fry’s voice is just magical and it’s one the whole family enjoys listening to. Sign up to Audible here and get a FREE TRIAL!

Spotify/ iTunes

Whether you are a die-hard spotify user or an iTunes convert, I think most people agree that all good road trips need an awesome playlist! This section should probably be in road trip planning- creating the perfect playlist takes time, you know!

Want some ideas to get you started? Here are 150 of the BEST Road Trip songs!

Kindle Unlimited

There are very very few books I can read more than once. Even if it was a good one- once I know the end, it’s dead to me. (Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter are notable exceptions to this rule!)  What I LOVE about Kindle Unlimited is you can read a book and then return it- and there are some BRILLIANT, well-known books and authors on there. It’s a proper library, ready for you to explore, for only a few pounds (or dollars!) a month. See what you could be reading on your road trip HERE (there’s even a 30-day free trial!)

Notes for Budgeting

Yep, notes. This is what I use for all our budgeting and diary for our road trips. Heck, sometimes I use it as a road trip planner before we even leave!

No, it’s not sexy and yes, there are apps out there which do budgeting and diary entries and everything else- but I find it so easy to grab my phone every time we stop for fuel/ shopping/ an attraction and make a quick note on what we spent and what we thought!

I’ve used notes for years to keep track of our spending as we travel- then I can write it up into a spreadsheet when we return or when we’re stopped in one place for a few days. Whatever you choose, definitely get a way to keep track of your spending!

PSSNGR for Splitwise

You’ve heard of Splitwise, right? It’s a brilliant app which allows friends to split the bill on things like meals out, rent, bills, etc. PSSNGR is an extension of that- but it’s designed for car shares. It can calculate and split the cost of a road trip, with fuel costs, snacks, meals etc- perfect for when you’re road tripping with friends!

Accuweather

Does anyone else have 3 different weather apps on their phone… and they look at all of them until they get a forecast they like? I definitely do that, but then I tend to believe what Accuweather says! The app is a great road trip planner tool as it can help you prepare for the weather ahead- essential for road trip safety.

Star Gazing App

One of my favourite things about road trips is getting far enough away from the world so we can enjoy the night sky in all its glory. I have only seen the Milky Way ONCE- and I plan to see it again as often as possible because it was breathtaking.

There are several star apps available, which will show you which stars and planets you are looking at as you gaze in wonder at the sky. There’s also one called Photopills, which will help you line up the perfect shot of the Milky Way (it also works for sunrise/ sunsets.)

Can’t go on your own road trip?

Check out ‘Roads by Porsche’- a road trip app filled with videos of other people driving some of the most beautiful roads on this planet! It’s a perfect road trip planner app- but it’s also a lovely way to while away a rainy afternoon, dreaming about your next adventure!

I hope you find these travel apps useful. Is there one you LOVE which I’ve missed? Let me know! If you enjoyed this and think others would find it useful, please share on Facebook or Pinterest.

Safe travels!

More road trip tips:

Best road trip gadgets you need, amazing destination ideas for a european road trip, how to plan a road trip to europe.

Kat never planned to buy a motorhome. She also never planned to quit her job as an air traffic controller, go touring around Europe in said motorhome, start one of the UK’s largest motorhome travel websites… or get a cocker spaniel.

Find out how she went from stuck in the rat race to being a digital nomad and inspiring thousands of people to have their own epic adventures here.

If you’d like to connect with Kat, send her an email or follow her adventures on social media.

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Nice post! Thanks for sharing this wonderful post with us. These apps sound interesting definitely gonna very helpful planning road trips. I really found this post very helpful for me. I bookmarked this for future. Thanks a lot for sharing.

Absolutely stunning! Thank you on a detailed impressive guide!

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Dates, distances and directions

Always wanted to travel across US but were not sure if you have enough time for that? Did you ever try to figure out how long it takes to drive from Yosemite to Yellowstone or from Lisbon to Rome?

Start clicking on the map. Choose your destination and have Furkot calculate how much time you need to get there. Set daily limits on the travel time so none of your sightseeing has to be done under moonlight — unless, of course, that's what you want.

Don't worry about putting stops in order. Furkot attempts to plan a route for your trip in the most efficient way. If you don't want efficient, you can drag your stops around or even reverse your itinerary .

Tell us how long you want to drive every day, and we will show you where to stop for the night Furkot suggests overnight stops along the route based on your schedule and preferences.

Furkot can help you with all your travel plans: a day trip, a weekend getaway, or a continent-crossing road trip. And driving is not the only option . You can also schedule motorcycle rides, biking excursions and walking tours with Furkot.

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It's not just about driving

It's also about all the things you do on the way. Leave your car parked for a couple of hours and hike one of the trails from the vast Everytrail collection.

Need some hints? Make sure to check interesting places described on Wikipedia . They are one click away from ending up on your road trip stop list.

If your car resembles ours you can't drive on water, but Furkot will route you to the closest dry land point for those spots that do require a boat ride. You can drive and dive with Furkot.

Are you after fresh powder? Or maybe shredding corduroy is your thing? Trees or bowls? Skis or snowboard? Regardless of the answer, you can use Furkot to find ski resorts — courtesy of Liftopia .

You can even plan meal stops and add gas stations to your itinerary. Not to mention biking paths, museums, monuments, climbing routes , national parks, scenic views — add as many as you want. Furkot will keep you on track. You just need to show up.

Campgrounds? Motels? Hotels? Staying with friends?

Whatever your lodging preference is — hotel, campground, apartment — Furkot will show you scores of accommodations on the map and will help you find the perfect place for every night of your trip.

Furkot makes it easy to decide which hotels offer the best combination of cost, amenities and convenient location. Whenever available, Furkot displays exactly what you are going to pay (including taxes and service fees). You are in charge of what they charge.

When you are ready to book, Furkot will take you directly to your favorite booking site and pre-fill the check-in and check-out dates so that you don't have to worry about reserving that hard found lodging on the wrong night.

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15 Useful Road Trip Planning Tools + For Surprisingly Easy Adventures

Post Summary: Road Trip Planner tools and apps to make your trip a breeze!

Where to next, driver?!

Whether you’re going on spring break with your friends, that long-anticipated family road trip, or that bucket list drive down the Pacific Coast Highway , any successful road trip requires proper planning and execution.

Before we had all these road trip planner tools, Berty and I would frantically piece together routes and spend way more time than necessary researching information instead of enjoying our time on the road.

Since then we’ve mastered our tools, and we’re writing this post to save you the road trip planner learning curve. 

We’re spilling all the details on our favorite road trip planner tools and apps so that you can spend more time having fun and less time stressing about it!

Psst..want some tips on taking great travel photos on your phone? Read our favorite photo editing apps for smartphones here!

15+ Insanely Useful Road Trip Planner Tools And Apps (Best Route Planners + Interactive Maps)

1. instagram.

Okay, yes, we get it. Technically Instagram isn’t a road trip planner, but it sure helps get us inspired to plan our road trips!

Of all the online trip planners our there, Instagram is actually a really great base to finding amazing locations to see along our road trip routes.

Sometimes all it takes is that ONE photo to spark your desire to see a destination, and we think that’s an amazing thing!

We especially  like to use the Save Feature  and  categorize photos into different folders  that we can look back to later.

Some of our current folders are “ Washington Hikes “, “ Oregon Photo Locations “, “Southwest Road Trip Inspo”, and more!

Join us and over 23,000 adventurous travelers  as we connect and share more inspiration on  Instagram !

2. The Dyrt

The Dyrt is the #1 rated app for camping , and quickly becoming a new star in the road trip world too! Their road trip planner tool is desktop AND mobile-friendly to help you create the perfect adventure on the go, with the largest reviewed collection of campgrounds in the US. (This includes everything from FREE campsites to RV resorts!)

Berty and I have been using this road trip planner tool religiously this season, from our Pacific Coast road trip , a scenic loop around the Olympic Peninsula , and a recent trip to see all the National Parks in Utah .

We love the fact that we can find campsites on the go, especially with their downloadable map feature that can be used offline! Pro members get access to features like offline browsing, national forest and BLM maps, and road trip planning apps to find campsites along your route!

Get a 30 Day Free Trial to The Dyrt’s Pro Membership by signing up here, make sure to use the code Mandagies .

3. Outdoorsy

Do you want to hit the open road for an epic adventure…but just need the vehicle part? 

Outdoorsy is a company that is kind of like an RV road trip planner. You type in where you want to pick it up, your trip dates, and the site will provide you with tons of options of RVs , Vans, and campers to rent!

This site isn’t just for people searching to rent a camper. Do you have your own RV just sitting in the lawn? It can make you some money when you’re not using it! Listing your RV on Outdoorsy is quick, easy, and safe!

Don’t let a lack of a proper car prevent you from planning the best road trip. Give Outdoorsy a try! We went through them to rent our Sprinter van on our latest trip to Sedona and it was so much fun!

Read More: The Complete Guide To Backcountry Camping For FREE 

4. Google Maps Is Probably The Best Road Trip Planner Tool Out There!

Yes, road trip navigation is essential. But here are a few extra tricks we like to use with Google Maps…

Google Road Trip Hack #1 (Offline Maps In A Pinch)

Start your navigation/directions and keep the app running even when you are stopped.

This way, if your phone gets out of cell-service range, the GPS tracker will still run. This ensures that you can get where you’re going even in the middle of nowhere. Just make sure you keep that phone charged!

Google Road Trip Hack #2 (Download Offline Maps Ahead Of Time)

Do you know you’ll be out of service when planning your next road trip? Download offline maps to stay in touch!

Here’s How To Download a Google Offline Map:

• Open the Google Maps app on your phone
• Click the menu and find the “Offline Maps” icon (it’s a cloud with . a line through it)
• Click Custom Map
• Zoom in or move around the map to your desired area. Click download.

Now you’ve got a complete offline map! Use it whenever you don’t have cell service and know exactly where you are on those forest roads.

Once we get plan a road trip route, this is probably one of the first things we do. It’s important to have navigation at all time!

Offline Maps and free camping go hand in hand. Click here to read our guide to finding free camping spots all over the US!

Google Road Trip Hack #3 (Use The Save Feature For Your Road Trip Bucket List)

Every time you get a suggestion about a place, star it on your map!

Berty and I get a lot of suggestions when visiting new places and we constantly pulled out our notepad to write locations down.

Now with Google Maps, we can quickly mark a location for a visual reminder! To do this, you look up the location’s name or address and add it to your “saved” folder so it appears as a star on your regular Google Map .

If you want to get even more detailed, you can mark them separately to categorize them into “favorites”, “want to go”, and “already gone” places for a nice clean visual.

Here’s a picture of our google maps LITTERED with beautiful places to check out!

5. TRAVEL BLOGS Are The Best For Road Trip Tips

Travel blogs are a great resource for detailed information and personal stories about road trip ideas all over the world. When researching places to see on a road trip, we read tons of articles and blogs to get many perspectives and opinions.

While there are obvious benefits to actual travel guides, we like the personal touch of a blog the best. This way, we hear stories from a unique perspective and first-hand advice from people who have experienced a road trip route.

Here are some of our favorite blogs for consistent and quality travel information and inspiration for road trip inspiration.

• ReneeRoaming.com for beautiful photography and inspirational locations – especially for road trips to US National Parks!
• LocalAdventurer.com for detailed road trip travel information and practical tips.
• AdventureofAplusK.com for fun stories about van life, including their fun Youtube channel about their adventures on the road!

6. Pinterest Is Essential For Road Trip Inspiration!

Most of our road trip location research happens on Pinterest. Heck, we even have our own boards with tons of road trip resources !

We love coming to Pinterest to help us plan our road trips, especially for route plans and stops along the way.

We love Pinterest because it gives you the ability to save pins to read later and collect inspiration as you plan the ideal road trip route.

You can even categorize your saved pins into separate boards to keep track of things like routes, road trip packing lists, and location inspiration.

Click here to visit (and follow!) our Pinterest profile for more road trip planner information!

7. Trello  Is The Perfect Tool For Pre-Planning And Keeping Checklists

This program is pretty much a virtual checklist  for all those list lovers out there!

You can create checklists, upload files/pictures, and leave notes to yourself, among many other features.

Looking for a road trip packing list? Click here to see our road trip essentials , OR you can make your very own checklist in Trello!

In checklists, you can visually see the progress you have made on different lists which is helpful for a visual learner like me (Emily).

This road trip planner tool is desktop AND mobile friendly, so you can take it on the road!

We actually use this app to organize our blog business, but it can be used for any personal projects as well. Home improvement, school work, as a road trip planner, you name it!

Read More: 8 Steps To Planning A Flawless Weekend Trip

8. Allstays  Is A Great Free Apps For Finding Some Resting Spots Along The Way

If you are on a tight road trip budget, this is the website for you.

Allstays is a site that was originally created for truck drivers and RV campers, but it’s quickly growing in popularity among the nomadic van life community.

The site provides extremely useful information about where to sleep for the night , all the way from paid motel rooms to free wilderness sites in the forest.

You can easily search by state, and filter any kind of camping location you prefer. In the more popular areas like Utah, people frequently leave helpful reviews and pictures so you can get an idea of what to expect.

You can also narrow your search even more to locations with things like showers, laundry, hookups, and even internet!

Click here to discover your next epic camping spot!

Planning a West Coast Road Trip: Read Our Tips For Sleeping In A Car / Car Camping

9. Facebook

Simply asking people for road trip advice on our Facebook page has been a huge help to us!

If we are looking for places to go or things to see on a certain road trip route, we like to turn to Facebook for suggestions from our followers and audience.

People love an excuse to bring up their own vacation experiences (us included!!) and who better to trust than your family and friends?

You’ll be surprised at how helpful and considerate people can be. You might even be able to re-connect with a friend or two along the way!

Read More: 101 Fun and Random Road Trip Questions To Ask Your Friends

10. Gasbuddy

Tight on your road trip budget but still want to take that epic adventure this Spring Break? Don’t fret – we know the solution!

Gas Buddy is a desktop and mobile road trip app that helps you find the cheapest gas prices along your route so you save the maximum amount of money.

Type in your starting point and destination, and it will calculate the fastest/quickest route and search for the money-saving stops throughout.

Gas Buddy has a trip cost calculator, a directory of local gas prices – even down to the specific gas stop along your route to save you the most money!

You can even add the make, model and year of your car to get a crazy accurate estimate of how much you should be budgeting for gas.

Looking for road trip inspiration? Here are 19 West Coast Road Trips To Take This Season!

11. Mint – A Road Trip Budgeting Tool (Among Regular Budgeting Too!)

Speaking of budgeting, if you are detail-oriented like me (Emily), Mint is going to change your life on those long road trip routes with complicated expenses.

While the picture below isn’t the exact interface (you can understand why I wouldn’t want to take a screenshot of our personal information…) it’s actually updated and has more features to play with.

You can add everything from your bank accounts, credit cards, and even your car or house.

It also has a goal setting feature, which helps you stay on track for saving for your next road trip adventure!

The combination of their visually appealing tools, easy to read information, and responsiveness to multiple devices means that this road trip planner tool can actually make budgeting fun!

Don’t think you need a road trip budget?

Here are some examples of some expenses you WILL get charged! Consider this a list of reasons why you should keep track of your expenses on the road!

• Gas for your car
• Maintenance (oil changes, new tires, dead batteries, emergencies)
• Food (you will need to eat every day! Here’s our easy camping meals list if you’re looking to save some money!)
• Shelter. This can look like camping, Airbnbs, hotels, or finding free camping on the road .
• Entry fees and permits to federal/state/national park land.
• You’ve still got to pay your bills at home! (Phone, Rent, Utilities, Internet, Phone, etc)

Read More: How To Save Money While Traveling

12. We Made a Guide To Finding Free Camping On The Road!

Did you just read the Mint road trip tip and get overwhelmed by the amount of money road trips costs?

Don’t fret! One of the biggest expenses on a road trip is the accommodations. If you’re like us, all we really need is a safe place to lay our head at night.

No frills, no fancy in-room bars, a sleeping bag will do just fine thank you! Plus, it’s more fun to sleep under the stars!

If you’re ready to find free camping spots and sleep in your car, we’ve written a TON of resources to help you do just that!

Click on any blog post to read more about planning a road trip with free accommodations!

• How To Find Free Camping Spots In The USA
• 30+ Things You Need On Your Road Trip Packing List

Car Camping 101: The Complete Guide To Sleeping In Your Car

• 20 Easy Car Camping Hacks For A Safe and Comfortable Sleep
• 10+ Easy Camping Meals To Make (Simple, Fast Recipes)

13. iOverlander

Like Allstays above, this is another road trip tool that helps you find free campsites, especially around National Forests, parks, and other popular wilderness areas!

We loved it because it works offline (for us at least!), and it helped us find many spots to camp for free right outside of Sedona, Arizona  on our latest southwest road trip .

Many of the places listed are vouched for by other experienced campers, so you can see when someone posted about the spot and its current condition. It also lists helpful information like GPS coordinates, description of amenities, and whether it’s still open.

14. Spotify

We can’t finish this list without some good ‘ole tunes!

Absolutely no good road trip is complete without great music. Make sure to add in some of your favorite podcasts too for a good mix of tunes and stories.

To give yourself a good mixture of tunes, try and create a few playlists with different genres so that you can match your music with your mood.

Even better, encourage all your road trip mates to make some so everyone has a chance to listen to music they love!

Here’s a playlist we’ve created especially for this road trip planner post. (We hope you like lo-fi surf rock!)

Note* It’s absolutely essential that you download your road trip playlist ahead of time on wifi! You don’t want to music to cut out just as you are driving 5 hours on that long open road.

Read More: 101 Fun And Random Road Trip Questions To Ask Your Friends

15. Audiobooks and Podcasts

While most people wouldn’t exactly put road trip podcasts down as a road trip tool, we think it’s actually one of the most important steps of planning a road trip!

You’ll be passing the majority of time in the car, so once you’ve already gone through all of our funny 101 road trip questions , you’ll need some other form of audio entertainment.

Here are some of our current favorite podcasts for a roadtrip , tunes, and audiobooks for road trips.

• My Favorite Murder Podcast
• Crime Junkie
• No Small Thing (Deep diving into topics)
• Sleeping At Last Podcast
• Reply All (Stories About The Internet)

16. Make An Road Trip Emergency Tool Kit

Are you planning a road trip in the winter? First of all, you brave soul, you.

Secondly, you probably already know that creating a road trip tool kit is absolutely essential for those cold months!

Click here for our entire Car Emergency Kit Checklist , and read below for the absolute must-haves in any car trunk!

• First Aid Kit
• Extra Blankets
• Jumper Cables

Taking a USA winter road trip ? Read our winter car emergency kit to be prepared for more snowy adventures!

17. Photo Pills (For Sunrise/Sunset + Starshooting)

Ever wonder where the sun will be in the sky during any given time of day? What about if you’re planning your road trip to shoot the Milky Way at night?

PhotoPills is a one-time paid app ($10 and totally worth it!) that provides you with loads of information, including trip planning, augmented reality, and time-lapse information tables.

There’s so much we haven’t utilized in this app, and if you’re serious about photography on your road trip you should go and download this now!

Read More: The Complete List Of Photo Editing Apps For Busy Travelers

What are some other road trip planner tools that you like to use? Tell us in the comments below!

Read more road trip planner posts.

101 Fun And Random Road Trip Questions To Ask Your Friends

9 Lessons We Learned Living In A Van For 9 Days

20 Car Camping Hacks For Your Best Trip Yet

30 Necessary Road Trip Essentials You Need To Be Packing

The Ultimate Pacific Coast Road Trip Route

Is there a tutorial somewhere (YouTube) where you can see how to use Roadtripper? I downloaded it two roadtrips ago and there is no FAQ or anything within the app or the website to help. For me it just hasn’t been intuitive… how to insert stops in an already mapped out route etc…. If there is an online tutorial that you know of and can point me in the right direction I would greatly appreciate it.

Hi Charlene! Yes! There are youtube tuturials to show you how to use Roadtrippers. In fact, they even have their own channel on Youtube! Here’s a link to their video on How to Plan A Trip: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x9si-fZzDvI

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16 Best Road Trip Apps to Plan Your Adventures 2024

F rom before you go to when you’re on the road, there are tons of road trip planning tools to help you get the most out of your adventure.

The number of tools can be overwhelming, so I’ve narrowed it down to the best road trip apps.

These are the best apps that I personally use to plan road trips, to save money, to book hotels, to find trails and activities, and more.

I’m an Android user, and I’ve only included the best road trip planner apps available on both Apple’s app store and Android’s Google Play.

Visit the respective stores to download these apps to your device.

If you’re ready to plan your next road trip, check out these amazing tools.

Want more road trip tips? Download Planning Your Perfect Road Trip, a Step-by-Step Guide to Hittin’ the Road

16 Best Road Trip Apps

1. alltrails, 3. gasbuddy, 4. google maps, 5. hoteltonight, 7. nps (national park service) app, 8. priceline, 9. rainy days, 10. recreation.gov, 11. restaurant.com, 12. roadtrippers.com, 13. tollguru.com, 14. triptik by aaa.

Like to hike? Bike? Go for a walk? AllTrails is a great app to help you discover hiking and biking trails based on where you’re located.

You can read reviews, store trails you’d like to explore, and record the hikes you do take. You can choose to make your hikes public, or keep them private.

The basic app is free. Upgrade to the pro version for access to these premium features:

• Download offline maps to stay on track without service
• Never miss a turn with off-route notifications
• Keep friends and family informed with Lifeline
• Know what to expect with real-time map overlays
• Offset your environmental impact; 1% of every subscription goes back to the planet.

Expedia is an aggregator app that makes it easy to search for and compare prices on rental cars, hotels, and activities along your route. Rates are often discounted, and you have the opportunity to earn rewards.

When you sign up for an Expedia Rewards account, which is free, you also get access to member prices.

Their hotel search function is robust, making it easy to find a hotel that fits your budget and preferences.

You can filter your search by location and price, of course, but you can also search specifically for places that include breakfast, which is a way to save money on your road trip.

Related: how to budget a road trip

You can also search for pet friendly accommodations, hotels with hot tubs, and places where parking is included.

One of my personal favorites is the ability to search for places that “pledge to make all guests feel safe, welcome, and respected.”

If you’re a member of travel loyalty programs, add your account numbers to your Expedia account, and not only can you earn rewards with Expedia, you can also earn them with the other travel companies.

You can also purchase tickets to attractions directly through the app. For example, in San Diego you can book a hop-on, hop-off trolley tour, a harbor cruise, and get tickets to the San Diego Zoo .

Booking in advance can be especially useful if you’re planning a road trip to a popular tourist destination and want to make sure you don’t miss out on any must-see sights or experiences.

The app is easy to use and keeps an itinerary with your confirmation numbers.

Until electric cars have battery life that will take you through the country’s most remote stretches, gas is a necessary evil of the road trip.

It’s a big expense. On one of our epic road trips, we spent more than $600 filling up a vehicle that averaged 27MPG. Fortunately, we had GasBuddy or we would have spent even more.

GasBuddy uses crowd-sourced data to provide real-time information on gas prices at different stations.

With GasBuddy, you can easily find the cheapest gas prices near you, as well as see which gas stations have the best deals on certain days of the week or at certain times of the day.

The prices are updated by users and in the years I’ve been using it I’ve come across incorrect information infrequently (which I promptly correct).

Seeing prices means you can skip the station by the interstate that’s charging fifteen cents more than its counterpart a quarter mile away.

You can search for the best gas prices by location by entering your current location or a specific address and see a list of gas stations near you, along with their current prices for regular, mid-grade, and premium gas.

You can also filter your search results by brand or location type.

One of the ways GasBuddy is particularly useful for road trips is that it allows you to see the location of rest areas, truck stops, and other services, such as restaurants and parking areas, on the map.

This can be particularly useful if you’re driving on a long trip and need to take a break or find a place to refuel.

In addition to displaying fuel prices, you can also save when you sign up for Pay with GasBuddy.

To do this, you’ll add your bank account information to your GasBuddy account. They’ll mail you a card for use at the pump.

Swipe it and enter your access code, and you’ll save a few cents per gallon.

Pay with GasBuddy also gives you access to Deal Alerts, which knock the price down even more. Pay with GasBuddy doesn’t work at warehouse clubs or stations on reservation land.

But, it works with most major brands and we save an average of five cents a gallon by using our card.

I’m such a fan I’ve written a full guide on how to use GasBuddy .

I almost feel like this goes without saying—but I’ll say it anyway (obviously): if you have just one road trip app, make it Google maps.

There are many, many reasons it’s the most popular navigation app.

Not only can you get directions, but because it’s tied into Google you can find anything around you, too.

With Google Maps, you can easily plan the best route, get turn-by-turn directions, and see real-time traffic updates.

The map will also show you the location of gas stations, rest areas, and other points of interest along your route, so you can plan for pit stops or find things to do.

The real-time traffic updates are a life-saver. If you’re about to run into some heavy traffic, the app will offer to reroute you, if a faster route is available.

If you prefer two-lanes, you can set it to avoid Highways. You can also choose to avoid tolls, but if that’s unavoidable, Google Maps will show you how much those tolls are.

And if you’ve got a toll pass, it’ll display those prices, which are often discounted from cash.

One of the route options you can choose is which is most fuel-efficient, and you can even select the type of fuel: Gas, Diesel, Electric, and Hybrid.

Another great feature of Google Maps is the ability to download maps for offline use. This is particularly useful if you’re planning a road trip to a rural area or somewhere with limited cell service.

By downloading the maps in advance, you can still access them and navigate even if you don’t have an internet connection.

Google Maps can also be used as a road trip trip planner .

When you find great places and quirky roadside attractions that look interesting or you know you want to include on your itinerary, you can save them.

For example, search for Rocky Mountain National Park. Then tap the “Save” icon. From there, you can add it to Favorites, Want to go, Travel plans, or Starred places.

You can also create your own lists, which will make it easier to plan a whole trip.

Once you add these amazing places to a list, you can add a note. Maybe Aunt Sue recommended the peach pie at a diner. Write it down in the notes. Then when you’re planning your itinerary, you’ll know why you added that diner to your list.

You can keep your list Private or you can choose to share it. This comes in handy when there are multiple people planning the trip.

BONUS: Google Maps shows you how much tolls will cost.

If you’re looking for a last minute hotel room, HotelTonight wants to help. Primarily in larger towns and cities, the website and app can help you find same-day and next-day hotel stays at discounted rates.

The app will find accommodations near you, and you can also search for hotels by location. You can filter your search by price, star rating, and neighborhood.

Frequent users can take advantage of HT Perks, HotelTonight’s rewards system. The more you spend, the more you save. HT Perks are available only from participating hotels.

One cool feature is if you see a deal but don’t want to use it immediately, you can choose to save it for later credit. You’ll then have a year to use it.

Taking the interstates? iExit is a free travel app that shows you what’s available at each exit, including dining, shopping, restrooms, and attractions. It also pulls up gas stations and gas prices.

The app uses real-time data to provide information on the services and amenities available at upcoming exits on the highway, making it an ideal tool for planning rest stops, gas fill-ups and meals.

You’ll see a list of services such as restaurants, hotels, gas stations and rest areas along with their distance from the exit. You can also filter your search results by categories such as fast food, lodging, and gas stations.

iExit also allows you to search for specific chain of restaurants or hotels, which can be helpful if you have a loyalty program with a particular brand.

It also provides pricing information on gas prices so that you can plan your fill-ups to save money. Fuel prices are updated in real-time by OPIS.

Another feature that makes iExit a useful app for road trips is that it allows you to see the location of rest areas, truck stops, and other services, such as parking areas and restrooms, on the map.

One more feature that iExit offers is the ability to save your favorite exits, so you can quickly access them later. This can be especially useful if you frequently travel the same route and want to quickly find your favorite rest stop or gas station.

With its real-time information on services and amenities, search filters, and other helpful features, iExit can help you plan your route more efficiently and find the services you need while on the road.

It also displays gas stations, and a premium version includes gas prices. Don’t let the word premium fool you: it’s only $1.99.

Not only does the official app of the National Park Service show you where to find National Parks, it helps you discover every site in their system.

It’s free to use and you can explore by topic, by activity, by state, or near your location.

The app provides information on park hours, fees, and regulations, as well as maps, trail guides, and other resources to help you make the most of your visit.

You can save sites to your favorites and make the information available offline. That way when you’re in Yellowstone National Park and you’re blissfully disconnected, you can still access the information.

It’s downloaded to your phone, so make sure you have storage space.

Features of the NPS App include:

• Interactive maps
• Amenities, like food, shopping, and restrooms
• Accessibility, including audio descriptions
• Things to do
• News, alerts, and events

You can also keep a list of all the National Park Service sites you’ve visited.

Related: Don’t miss these National Park tips and printable checklist .

If I had a dime for every dollar Priceline has saved me I could start booking three- and four-star hotels.

The commercials ain’t lyin’—their Express Deals are amazing. What’s the catch? You have no idea where you’ll end up. You can see a general area and a star level, but that’s it.

When a glitch caused our camping plans to fall through (nobody wants to set up camp at 8:30 at night—I’ve done it, and it’s not fun), I found an Express Deal in Jamestown, ND, for $41.

Once the transaction completed, I learned what hotel we’d booked. It was clean and offered free Wi-Fi. We had a refrigerator and microwave, breakfast was included, and I could even register the stay with my rewards account.

While they no longer give you the option to Name Your Own Price, in addition to Express Deals, they also have pricebreakers. They pick from one of three different hotels.

While you won’t know which one you’re getting until you pay for it, you’ll be able to see in advance what your options are.

Like Expedia, you can search for hotels by location, price, and amenities. You can also search by brand and star level, making it easy to find a hotel that fits your budget and preferences.

Priceline VIP is a rewards program that provides discounts, add-on deals, and Express Deal coupons after your trip is complete.

The app will show you deals on hotels near your location. You can also book rental cars, flights, and cruises.

TLTip: If you use Priceline to book your hotel rooms, it is very important to read the reviews. Sometimes there’s a reason that hotel with free breakfast is only $40.

Related: how to save money on a road trip .

Knowing what’s happening weather-wise is kind of important when you’re on a road trip. My favorite way to see whether I’ll stay dry or will need to break out the slicker is Rainy Days.

This free app has helped my anxiety level frequently, especially while driving in North Central Nebraska. It was good to know we were driving the opposite direction of an intense storm.

Another time, a tornado warning popped up on the navigation system… in Montana. If you’ve never driven through central Montana, let me tell you, this is the reason jerry cans were invented.

Related: unique things to do in Montana

It’s big and beautiful and feels like you’re the only one for miles – and you probably are. The rest area near Musselshell was so quiet I could hear a cow call in the distance.

There were no bridges to hide under, no gullies, no shelter.

Just us, the road, and ominous clouds.

Incredibly, we had cell service, so I pulled up Rainy Days and discovered that the storm and its potential funnel clouds and golf-ball-sized hail were behind us and moving slower than we were. Whew!

Besides, it’s cool to see those weather formations.

Rainy Days doesn’t provide weather forecast. For that, I use the Weather.com app that came pre-installed on my phone.

Recreation.gov is definitely one of the best road trip apps. It’s the official website and app for making reservations for recreational activities and facilities managed by the U.S. federal government.

You can find campgrounds and lodging, tours and activities, sign up for lotteries for the most popular things to do, and find information on what permits are required near you.

Once you do make reservations, they’re stored in the app.

This is the site and app to use when you plan to visit parks that require vehicle registration, like Glacier National Park, or want a permit to hike Angels Landing in Zion National Park .

You can reserve campsites on the website and app. We did, while sitting at the entrance to a campground in Mississippi.

We didn’t realize the park was a NPS site when we drove up, and the kindly gent in the booth directed us to make our reservations through the app.

There’s also a trip planner. Plug in your dates, number of people, your starting location, and your potential destinations.

You can then see all the available options on a map, add them to your itinerary, and then make any necessary reservations.

Eating where the locals eat is a great way to get a real “taste” for a town. If you want to save some dough on your dining, sign up for restaurant.com .

This app provides discounted certificates, and I’ve found participating restaurants in towns with fewer than 10,000 residents.

You’ll have to spend a minimum amount to use your certificate, and it’s usually double the face value. For example, if you get a $10 certificate for $4, you’ll have to spend at least $20 and you’ll save $6.

You can search for restaurants in your current location and by zip code. You can also choose larger cities, including Chicago, Seattle, and Austin.

Once you’ve narrowed down the location, look at the menu and the ratings. I’ve found several real gems using this app, and they’ve been places I never would have known about or tried without it.

The mobile app has been acting pretty wonky lately, and there seem to be fewer selections than in years past. I suggest trying it out at home before taking it on the road.

Roadtrippers.com is one of the best road trip planning tools . It allows you to plug points into a map, but it’s so much more than that.

Once you’ve added your starting point and your destination, the Roadtrippers app displays attractions along your route. The more you zoom in, the more attractions you’ll see.

When you’re on the road, the app will show nearby points of interest, restaurants, and gas stations.

You can add the type of vehicle you’re driving and its estimated fuel efficiency and Roadtrippers will calculate your approximate expenses.

Besides plotting the route itself, there’s a ton of user-generated content offering recommendations for attractions, restaurants, places to stay, and great photo ops. There are also pre-made trip guides.

Previously you could specify whether you wanted to drive interstates or not per segment of your trip. That’s no longer the case, and to choose any routing options you’ll need to upgrade.

Check out our full guide on how to use Roadtrippers .

However, upgrading enables you to collaborate with other users and increases the number of waypoints from three in the free version to up to 150.

There are three levels of membership: Basic, Pro, and Premium with Premium getting you the most benefits with downloadable maps, live traffic, and special discounts.

At time of publication, Roadtrippers membership ranges from $35.99 to $59.99 per year, and there’s a seven day free trial. If you upgrade, you can save $5 off your first year with code BTR5QTP.

I’m an affiliate with Roadtrippers, so any purchase through that link gives me a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Driving highways or in urban areas? Download TollGuru.

This road trip app has detailed information, including pricing, methods of payment accepted at tolls, and which transponders (E-ZPass, SunPass, FasTrak, TxTag, etc.) are accepted.

It will also give you an estimated fuel cost if you include the type of vehicle you drive and the average gas prices.

While Google Maps now provides toll price information, TollGuru gives you more detail.

One of the best road trip planning apps is AAA’s TripTik .

These have come a long way since the spiral-bound guides of my youth. Today, you can plan your road trip routes online or on your phone.

If you want to plan your perfect road trip , plug in your starting and ending points and add up to 25 stops. Specify how often you’d like to stop and it’ll build breaks into your turn-by-turn directions.

You can choose to display gas stations, attractions, campgrounds, hotels, restaurants, AAA savings, and rest areas.

This road trip planning app is free to use, even if you’re not a AAA member. Joining is recommended, though. Not only do you get roadside assistance, you also get special discounts on hotel rooms and restaurants, as well as paper maps.

Upside is a free app that gives you cash back on gas, groceries, and restaurants. Brands include most of the big fuel chains (Shell, Marathon, Valero, BP, etc.)

Upside works similarly to Pay with GasBuddy in that you get cents off per gallon, but you get it in the form of cash back.

For example, at the Casey’s near me I can get eight cents per gallon cash back. To get the discount, I claim the offer, pay with a credit card, and then check in or take a photo of my receipt to upload it.

Once the cash back processes, which is usually within a couple days, I can transfer it to my bank account or use it to buy gift cards for places like Domino’s, H&M, and Starbucks.

Upside also offers cash back at restaurants and grocery stores. The offers vary, and when you first sign up there’s an increased discount.

The app saves you a few cents here and there, but they add up, especially when you’re on long road trips, making this one of my essential road trip apps.

Sign up for Upside here .

Download Waze for an alternative to Google Maps. One of the key features of Waze is its crowd-sourced traffic information, which allows users to report accidents, road closures, and other incidents in real time.

This helps you stay updated on the latest traffic conditions and avoid any delays on your route.

You can set your type of vehicle for preferred routes, including Motorcycle, Electric, and Taxi. You can also add your Toll and HOV passes, and you can tell it to skip unpaved roads.

(I can think of a few trips I’ve taken where that option would have come in handy.)

In addition to its routing and traffic features, Waze also offers a number of other useful tools for road trips. For example, the app allows you to find the cheapest gas prices along your route, restaurants, and parking at your destination.

If you connect your calendar, the app will tell you when it’s time to leave.

While there are definitely more road trip apps out there, these are the ones I consider essential. If you’re planning a road trip, don’t forget to get my book, Planning Your Perfect Road Trip !

3 AI Travel Planning Tools That Actually Work

Ai travel tools are popping up all the time, and some of them are starting to work. here are three we’ve tested, plus tips for how to make the most of them..

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We asked three AI travel tools to plan a weekend in Charleston, South Carolina.

Courtesy of Explore Charleston

I was slogging through the latest generation of artificial intelligence travel-planning tools when a stunning thing happened: I found one that pretty much did what it promised.

I was testing AI programs that purport to create instant, customized travel itineraries. Along the way I’d come across many of the hilarious, hallucinatory responses you might have read about or experienced yourself with AI tools like ChatGPT . (One sent me to an activity in Burlington, Vermont, instead of Charleston, South Carolina. Another recommended an EconoLodge as a historic hotel. And so on.)

But, against all odds and expectations, three programs proved capable of producing decent, coherent, first-draft itineraries within seconds in response to plain-language prompts: Mindtrip, Vacay, and GuideGeek.

Keep in mind, all of them produce travel plans that at best serve as outlines for you to modify and build upon. They provide some good ideas you might otherwise miss. They put a rough plan together much faster than you would using the “old fashioned” way of googling for information and searching through online booking tools.

That said, some information you get is dated, imprecise, or simply wrong. If you tried to follow the itinerary from one of these tools exactly, without checking anything before you left home, you’d wind up with a script for a Hollywood comedy: AI Family Vacation (actually that’s not a bad movie idea).

I put each of these tools to the same test: I asked them to plan a four-day visit for two to Charleston , where we wanted to eat at farm-to-table restaurants that reflect authentic South Carolina cuisine (including Gullah-Geechee food ), try a couple of rum bars, and stay in a historic hotel downtown. Then I threw a curveball to see if AI could hit it: I asked it to find activities that explore the city’s obscure historic connection to the island of Barbados (the city was founded by wealthy, white Barbadian plantation owners, and their impact on Carolina culture remains).

All three basically did what they were told. They all recommended the same hotel, and some of the restaurants, nearly all good choices, overlapped too. The Gullah-Geechee and rum recommendations checked out. And while the AI tools provided well-curated lists of things to do that would introduce me to Charleston history, they mostly swung and missed at the Barbados connection.

Overall, the three tools’ performance suggest that this vastly promising, often bewildering technology can already simplify the task of planning a vacation. But it’s also not a complete solution to the age-old problem every traveler faces: figuring out how to engage with an unfamiliar part of the world, and the people who live there, in an enriching, meaningful way. Only human intelligence can accomplish that. So how did they stack up?

mindtrip.ai

This tool is by far the slickest and most sophisticated of the bunch. Just type in the kind of trip you want to take, with as much detail as you can. Out comes a trip plan.

Highlights: The itinerary includes maps, so you can see how far apart things are. Each item has a live web link; hover your cursor over it and an image and summary pop up. You can view the plan as a printed itinerary or a calendar. Everything is shareable. You can ask additional questions easily and change and remove individual days. When the tool happens to recommend Mindtrip’s partners, a booking link pops up. In my case it recommended visiting Drayton Hall , a plantation built by Barbadians, and it picked the Mills House Charleston Curio Collection by Hilton , a perfectly located historic hotel, and offered a link to pick a room. (The company says partnerships do not influence itineraries, however.)

Lowlights: It hallucinated over Barbados, claiming two activities had Barbados connections when they didn’t. It incorrectly cited a Barbados connection to the City Market and sent me to a whiskey bar for rum.

usevacay.com

This tool asks for a few specifics about your trip (destination, duration, number of people, budget), then provides two open-text fields allowing you to tell it more in plain language.

Highlights: Itineraries include per-day, per-activity, and total budget figures, and they are clearly broken down by morning, afternoon, and evening activities. Travel plans are easy to download and copy, making Vacay the best for creating printable, portable draft plans you can manually edit as Word or Google documents. It also placed me at the Mills House. It also did the best job with Barbados, recommending a visit to the Charles Towne Landing state historic site, where the Barbadians landed in 1670, and the International African American Museum , which includes displays that explain how Barbados and Charleston are linked to the African diaspora.

Lowlights: The plans from Vacay lack maps and web links. To modify the itinerary, you can query again or consult with the Vacay chatbot, but those additional answers don’t update your original itinerary.

guidegeek.com

Created by the travel media brand Matador, GuideGeek is a chatbot available via Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp. Send an instant message to GuideGeek to get going, then input your requests as text. Out comes a plan.

Highlights: As a chatbot, GuideGeek invites continued conversation so you can ask for details, tweaks, and elaborations. It will provide live web links on request, though some are dated or broken. I found this to be the easiest pocket AI travel consultant. It also placed me at the Mills House!

Lowlights: GuideGeek works only on mobile devices. Itineraries are broken into arbitrary chunks based on the message length allowed by each platform, so the whole thing isn’t easy to download or copy. GuideGeek seriously whiffed on the Barbados connection; it recommended four activities that had nothing to do with it, and sent me to a contemporary distillery that doesn’t make rum.

Three tips for planning a trip on AI

Be very specific. All generative AI tools work better when you give them very detailed directions. Broad requests about a trip generate information drawn largely from the first page of Google search results.

Don’t like it? Change it. Once you have your itinerary, you can ask to update, dig deeper, or create another version.

Two (or three) neural networks are better than one. Use multiple tools to check the others’ work. Mix and match, verify all the information, and add your own knowledge and research from real humans you trust.

From saving on gas to driving with kids, here's your ultimate road trip planner

"Easy Travel” is a 10-part series focusing on how to reduce bumps during vacations, anticipate roadblocks and be ready when things aren’t going your way. If you'd like to contribute to our future reporting and share your experience as a source, you can click here to fill out this quick form .

Ina Daly has spent most of her life on the road.

“My dad was a truck driver and that led me to becoming a truck driver,” she said. “What we do in a day, on a daily job would be like a long road trip to most people.”

With nearly 40 years of driving for freight transportation services provider XPO and numerous industry accolades under her belt, including grand champion at this year’s Arizona Truck Driving Championship , Daly is a pro. She’s also a mom and a grandmother who’s happy to share her experiences to make everyone’s road trips better.

“Some of the things I'm telling you are what we truckers tell our family members,” she said. “I've had a lot of accomplishments in my career and going to the National Truck Driving Championships (this month) is a reward, but the bigger reward is being able to share some things … that have the potential to save lives.”

What to do before a long drive

“Make sure that your vehicle’s road trip ready,” Daly said. ”Really pay close attention to your tires, your coolant, your fan belt.”

She notes tire dealers often offer free inspections to ensure tires are properly inflated and undamaged.

AAA spokesperson Aixa Diaz advises getting the whole car serviced before hitting the road.

“If you're a car person and you can, do that yourself at home, by all means,” she said. Otherwise, she recommends getting the oil changed and battery and tires checked professionally. 

To save time and avoid stress, Diaz also suggests filling up on gas the night before leaving and making hotel reservations well in advance, noting that many hotels allow cancellations without penalty up until the day beforehand. 

What do you need before a road trip?

It’s always good to keep an emergency kit with supplies like first aid, a flashlight and extra batteries, and basic tools in the vehicle.

“You want to make sure that if you do have a tire issue, you have the proper tools and jacks in your vehicle to be able to change it,” Daly said. She said warning signals like reflective triangles can also warn other drivers to steer clear in the event of a breakdown.

For road trips, both she and Diaz recommend shelf-stable snacks like protein bars that won’t melt and plenty of water. “Don't think that a bottle or two for everybody is enough,” Daly said. “You've got to have, you know, five or six bottles for everyone.” 

Diaz also recommends wet wipes, blankets during the winter, and any time-sensitive medication or pet food that might be needed in the event of an extended delay.

“These things ideally wouldn't take up too much room in your trunk but they're just good to have in case of an emergency,” Diaz said. “Just think, ‘If I were stuck for a long time, what would keep me comfortable until I was able to (get) help?’”  

A printed map and a general sense of the route can also help in case there GPS hiccups or a phone dies.  AAA’s free TripTik planner can help travelers plot their trips in advance and find rest stops, lodging, food and gas along the way. And its free Gas Cost Calculator can help locate the cheapest average gas prices for drivers when it’s time to refuel.

'Get out there': This mom is using a never-ending road trip to inspire Black family travel

What I should know before a road trip?

“Everything can be a distraction in the car – the radio, the kids, etc. But the phone is a big one,” Daly advised. “When you’re driving, that thing should not ever be in your hand.”

More than 3,500 people were killed on U.S. roads in 2021 because of distracted driving, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration . 

Daly also recommends watching out for distracted drivers.

“You can tell a distracted driver by their fluctuating speed,” she warned. “They're drifting in their lane. Their head is looking down instead of focusing on the road. You want to give those people a wide berth.”

How long will a road trip take?

Road trips always take longer than expected because of traffic, construction and other things that arise en route.

Diaz says to expect at least an hour longer than whatever the GPS predicts. Daly recommends leaving at least two hours early.

“You don't want that stressful drive,” Daly said. “You’re hurrying. That lends to bad driving behaviors like tailgating and speeding, which leads to accidents. Don’t put yourself in that situation.”

How many hours a day should you drive on a road trip?

“It just varies so much from person to person, how long they’re comfortable driving,” Diaz said. “We want to err on the side of safety. We want people to be safe on the roads and drive the speed limit and not rush it, but everybody's different.”

Switching out drivers can lighten the load, but no matter who is driving, Daly said, “If you're starting to feel a little, less attentive, maybe a little fatigued, it’s time to take a break.”

What time is best to drive?

“We always recommend, especially during the holidays, leave early in the morning,” Diaz said. “The later you leave in the day, the worse it's going to be because a lot of times during the week … you're going to mix with those commuters on the road.”

“Some people enjoy night driving,” she added. “Once you get to like 8 p.m., 9 p.m. traffic comes down a lot.” 

However, she noted drivers who leave in the evening should watch out for fatigue and plan to drive less than if they started fresh in the morning.

How do you take a good road trip with kids? 

When possible, Daly recommends having a designated passenger to help with kids so the driver can focus on the road.  

Another important thing is to keep seatbelts on the whole way.

“Kids have a tendency to take those off,” Daly said. “Make sure they stay buckled up. I've seen some horrible things out there.”

'I just want to see more of us': The importance of seeing people like you while traveling

What do kids need on a road trip?

Entertainment helps pass the time, but it doesn’t have to be digital. There are all sorts of screen-free road trip games . 

Diaz recommends printing a map or list of sites or cities for kids to watch for along the way.

“You know, yell it out or mark it on your sheet,” she said. “Have some crayons in the car with them so they're following along on the trip, and they feel like they're part of it.”

“Point out historical landmarks and scenery; enjoy nature,” Daly echoed. “That's one of the things that we truck drivers love about our jobs is we get to see the country and nature.”

Stop at points of interest every few hours or simply for everyone to stretch their legs.

And for those times when kids are on screens, make sure to pack car chargers.

What is the best way to save gas?

Don’t speed. 

“Fuel economy peaks at around 50 miles per hour on most cars, and then it drops off as the speeds increase,” Diaz said. “You think, ‘OK, if I just go 70, I'm going to get there faster, and it'll be better,’ but essentially, you're just wasting gas at that point." Fuel economy can be increased by as much as 15% by reducing highway speeds by 5 to 10 miles per hour, she said.

Don’t idle unnecessarily either, like at rest stops.

“Your car engine consumes about a quarter to a half a gallon of fuel per hour while it's idling,” she said. “But a warm engine only takes about 10 seconds’ worth of fuel to restart, so if it's safe to do so, just shut off your engine.”

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What happens if my tire blows out?

“When you blow a tire, kaboom, it freaks you out. Do not panic,” Daly said. “Don't slow down abruptly or brake hard or jerk the wheel because that will cause you to lose control and have an accident.”

“Just focus on steering,” she added. “Slow very gradually, off to the side of the road in a safe area, and you won’t have any issue from your blown tire.”

How do you drive around semitrucks?

“Be aware of our needs and limitations,” Daly said. “You know we’re big. We need a lot of space around us. We have big blind spots. … If you can’t see the truck driver’s face in the mirrors of the truck, the truck driver can’t see you.”

She advised against passing on the right. 

“If you have to pass quickly, don’t linger over there. We see people driving over there for the shade (and it) puts us in a very dangerous situation,” she said. “And don’t cut in front of us and then hit your breaks. People don’t like to follow a truck because they can’t see around us, so they pass us and then cut in front of us.”

“It takes away that safety cushion we leave in front of us,” she added. “When you see all that space in front of a truck, that's not for your convenience so that you can pass us and cut into it. That’s for our safety and yours.”

By the same token, she advised fellow drivers to leave plenty of space in front of their own vehicles, so they have enough room to stop quickly in an emergency. If another driver cuts into that space, she suggested, “Take a break. Slow down again. Recreate that space. Bite your tongue and think pure thoughts.”

That last tip may not be so easy.

What has been your best or worst road trip experience?

Tips for Planning a Yellowstone RV Trip

The first national park in the U.S. offers spectacular sights and plenty of space. Taking an RV trip to Yellowstone can feel daunting—but with some extra planning, it’s absolutely worth it.

By Gretchen Holcombe & Roadtrippers

When approaching Yellowstone National Park from the east, your first view is of the vast, wild, and eerie landscape formed by ancient volcanoes. It’s shaped by thousands of years of thermal activity and scarred in more recent times by fire. As you drive farther into the park, the vastness is shared with visitor centers, traffic, and crowds. 

A Yellowstone RV trip can be overwhelming to plan and execute, but it’s absolutely worth it. Yellowstone offers spectacular landscapes with one-of-a-kind terrain and geological surprises at every turn. It’s a place every U.S. traveler should visit, but figuring out the best way to explore the park’s 3,472 square miles can be daunting. 

The good news is that much of the trip planning has already been done for you—just follow the park’s two big loops. RVers can cover ground at a decent pace by planning which stops to make along the loop each day. As you plan, keep in mind that you won’t be able to see everything (after all, the park spans three states), and it’s perfectly okay to just hit the highlights on a first trip and to save certain sights for another time.

Some General Advice for Visiting Yellowstone

It’s difficult to recommend an ideal trip length for a Yellowstone RV trip because there’s just so much to see. An RV trip to Yellowstone generally involves long days with lots of driving and crowds, which can cause exhaustion for even the most seasoned traveler. If you’re planning your first RV trip to Yellowstone National Park, you should give yourself at least five or six days, with a planned rest day where you stay close to the campground. This trip length is manageable for most people, but still allows for enough time to see many of the park’s best sights. 

If you only have a couple of days as part of a longer trip, you can still enjoy some of the sights and get a taste of the park. Pick just a few highlights, and leave wanting more. However long your trip, keep in mind that traffic—often caused by bison or bear jams or by road construction—is very common. Make sure you have the right gear to enjoy the park in all temperatures as Yellowstone’s weather can be temperamental at any time of year. 

If you’re looking to beat the crowds in Yellowstone National Park, rainy days can often bring a rare break from crowds at popular sights, so take advantage of them. Always get an early start to your day. Historically, the park is most crowded in July and August, so planning a trip outside of peak months will also yield fewer crowds. 

Getting to Yellowstone National Park in an RV 

Yellowstone National Park is larger than the state of Rhode Island, and your experience will vary depending on which direction you’re entering the park from.

Yellowstone has five entrance gates: north, south, west, east, and northeast. The biggest challenge for most people in getting to Yellowstone in an RV is figuring out which route to take coming through the mountains from the east, which can be a difficult entrance for RVers. Your three main options are U.S. highways 14, 14A, and 16. The conventional wisdom is that Route 14 is scary in an RV, Route 14A is terrifying, and Route 16 is reasonable. U.S. Route 16 is a well-maintained road with wide shoulders, passing lanes, and minimal steep drop-offs. It will still take you up to 9,666 feet at Powder River Pass and back down again via some long grades, so make sure to brush up on your mountain driving skills before attempting this route. 

The northeast entrance is perhaps the most dramatic and scenic, but can also be challenging in an RV. The route passes through the Beartooth Mountains on U.S. Route 212, which includes switchbacks and steep mountain grades, so it’s generally not recommended for large rigs. 

If you’re arriving from the north, you’ll travel on I-90, which connects to Yellowstone via U.S. Route 89 in Gardiner, Montana. This is the easiest entrance route for RV driving. For those arriving from the west, you’ll enter the park through the West Yellowstone gateway community and then choose either a north or south route. U.S. Route 191 travels north toward Bozeman. If you choose to go south, you’ll travel along U.S. 20 toward I-15, which includes the Targhee Pass—a long up-and-down grade with truck lanes and pull-offs. Both routes are manageable in an RV. Finally, the south entrance connects Yellowstone National Park and Grand Teton National Park via U.S. Route 89. You’ll see plenty of RVs on this scenic route, but pay attention to the grades in the Yellowstone section.      

Where to Stay in Yellowstone National Park with an RV

Yellowstone is massive, which means you have plenty of options when it comes to choosing a campground. You may decide on a single base camp to avoid having to pack up halfway through your trip, but that will mean some very long driving days if you want to hit all the highlights. By choosing two different campgrounds throughout the park, you can split the trip into more manageable segments. 

Another factor to consider on an RV trip to Yellowstone National Park is whether you want to stay inside or outside of the park. If you have a smaller RV and you’re set up for dry camping, there are several National Park Service campgrounds to choose from. If you need hookups, Fishing Bridge is your only in-park option. Outside the park, look to the small towns of West Yellowstone and Gardiner for campgrounds with hookups.

Fishing Bridge, Wyoming

Fishing Bridge is the only RV park with full hookups that’s actually inside Yellowstone National Park, which is the main reason to stay here. While it’s a bare-bones RV park, visitors note that it has a high price tag for national park standards. As long as you go into your experience with expectations in check, Fishing Bridge is an excellent jumping-off point for exploring close-by sites like Yellowstone Lake and the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. NOTE: Fishing Bridge is closed for renovations until the fall of 2021 with hopes that it will reopen with some upgrades. 

Yellowstone Grizzly RV Park, Montana

Yellowstone Grizzly , which is located just outside the western park entrance, offers manicured sites and full hookups right in the charming little town of West Yellowstone. The location is within easy walking distance of shops, restaurants, and other attractions like the Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center. 

Mammoth Campground, Wyoming

Mammoth Campground is an in-park option without hookups, look toward the beautiful Mammoth Hot Springs area, which is close to the town of Gardiner, Montana. This corner of the park is a long haul from most of the other popular attractions, so you will most likely encounter fewer crowds here. If you’re looking to visit off-season, it’s also the only campground in the park that’s open year-round. Note that the sites here cannot accommodate RVs longer than 30 feet. 

Other Great Campgrounds in Yellowstone National Park

• In West Yellowstone: Yellowstone Park/West Gate KOA , Baker’s Hole Campground (USFS)
• In Gardiner: Rocky Mountain RV Park 
• In Yellowstone National Park: Madison Campground , Grant Village Campground

What to Do on a Yellowstone National Park RV Trip

No matter where you go in Yellowstone, you’re bound to see plenty of strange and beautiful sights—the park alone is home to over half of the world’s active geysers, more than 500 in total. But of course, there are some standouts that shouldn’t be missed in this expansive national park. 

Old Faithful, Wyoming

If you only know about one thing in Yellowstone, it’s probably Old Faithful, the geyser that erupts with convenient regularity every 75 minutes or so. It’s not Yellowstone’s most impressive geyser, but it’s by far the easiest to see, both because of the predictable timing and because it’s right outside of the Old Faithful Visitor Center. Due to accessibility, it’s one of the more popular park attractions, so arrive early to beat the crowds. While in the area, make sure to explore the Upper Geyser Basin for even more geysers and other geothermal phenomena. For history buffs, the Old Faithful Inn offers free historic tours of the property, which is an impressive example of early “Parkitecture.” 

Related These 20 National Park Service lodges showcase ‘parkitecture’ at its finest

Midway Geyser Basin, Wyoming

If you continue driving clockwise around the Grand Loop Road, you’ll encounter Midway Geyser Basin just a few minutes away from Old Faithful. Here you’ll find the colorful Grand Prismatic Spring, the third largest hot spring in the world. A short boardwalk takes you past the spring to other thermal features nearby. 

Mammoth Hot Springs, Wyoming

Located in the far northwest corner of the park, Mammoth Hot Springs showcases a completely different landscape from anywhere else in Yellowstone with its steaming travertine terraces. You can get up close to the hydrothermal action via a boardwalk trail that winds through the area. This is also the site of Fort Yellowstone, where U.S. Army soldiers once protected the just-established national park from poachers and developers. It’s an interesting stop for those looking to learn about the park’s early days, as many of the original buildings are still standing. And, while you’re at this end of the park, make sure to visit the north entrance gate and the Roosevelt Arch. 

Lamar Valley, Wyoming

It’s easy to spot bison in Yellowstone as they roam freely all over the park. But the Lamar Valley offers a glimpse of some lesser-seen wildlife, like the 100 or so wolves who live inside the park. Here, you’ll also find the Lamar River Trail, which is a 20-mile out-and-back trail through an area that’s home to unique wildlife and fewer crowds. Don’t feel like you have to hike a marathon though, you’ll be able to enjoy some peace and quiet (and rare animals, if you’re lucky) even just a few miles in. 

Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, Wyoming

You may recognize the distant view of a waterfall pouring into the 1,000-foot-deep canyon from Artist Point as you approach the gushing falls. Just make sure you drive the North and South Rim roads for the best views. And don’t miss the Canyon Visitor Education Center for exhibits on the supervolcano that’s responsible for Yellowstone’s one-of-a-kind landscape. 

Yellowstone Lake and West Thumb Geyser Basin, Wyoming

Yellowstone Lake is the largest high-elevation lake in North America, with more than 140 miles of shoreline. Private boats are allowed, but the cold water temperatures and frequent, sudden winds make it suitable only for experienced boaters. A concessionaire offers an hour-long guided tour on an enclosed boat. At West Thumb Geyser Basin, you can walk along the boardwalk and see the lake and geysers at the same time, including at least one geyser that’s actually in the lake.

A trip to Yellowstone should be on every RVers bucket list as there’s really nothing that parallels its history and nature. With some extra planning and a well-devised itinerary, a trip here in an RV can be simple, fun, and sure to wow the whole family.

Related Everything you need to know to plan a national park road trip

Meet the Authors

Gretchen Holcombe

Gretchen is a blogger and homeschooling mom who lives in North Georgia with her husband, four boys, and assorted dogs, cats, and chickens. Her family spends as much time as they can exploring the U.S. and Canada with their Jayco toy hauler and a van called Big Blue. She blogs about their travels at Boxy Colonial on the Road.

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