How to Plan a Cross Country Road Trip: Top Guidelines

Going on a road trip across the country opens the door to incredible adventures and unique experiences. You can experience the different views and tastes in various cities across your journey.

To fully enjoy your outing, follow our guide on how to plan a cross country road trip, which covers your route, essentials, and much more.

1. Choosing an Ideal RV

Your RV will be with you throughout the road trip, making it the essential vehicle to consider first. Below are the important factors that will help you decide on the right RV for your road trip.

Assess Your Space Needs

The number of passengers will determine if you need an RV to accommodate a family or just the driver and one passenger. Class C RVs, which tend to be like small motor homes, are ideal for families since they contain a large living area. On the other hand, class B RVs are like much larger SUVs with a small compact living areas.

Accommodation Plan

RVs are touted as your secondary home during your road trip. While accommodations are available on the road, there could be times when you need to drive across a route without a nearby hotel or inn, then you will want a class C RV to bring the hotel room with you.   

2. Selecting a Perfect Route

The first step on how to plan for a cross country road trip is to know your destination and how to get there. Memorable road trips can be made by planning the roads you traverse and the stopovers you will make.

Choosing Points of Interest

Your route should be based on the places that interest you. Are you a history buff who wants to learn how a small town turned into a thriving city or want to see the amazing Pacific Coasts while cruising down the highway? What you can discover as you drive towards your destination can be a wonder.

Balancing Comfort and Adventure

On the other hand, comfort can also go a long way for anyone who has yet gone on a cross country trip. Will you prioritize a comfy bed and breakfast to energize you before taking off for another day on the road? Setting a good balance between adventure and comfort will help you find a route that defines a memorable road trip.

3. Creating a Budget

Knowing your budget is essential on how to plan a cross country RV road trip. The cost of the trip will come from the RV fuel, food, and accommodation. There are also other fees you might miss. Below are the important considerations to take when forming your cross trip budget:

Essentials Costs

Your essentials are fuel payments, tolls, parking fees, and grocery bills. These costs should be the cornerstone of your budget. Fortunately, you can reduce your fuel and food expenses by taking a shorter route to your destination. You can also consider cooking your meals within your RV if it is a class C or A with its kitchen.

Accommodation & Power Costs

This part of your budget depends on staying at a roadside accommodation or spending the night in an RV. Budgeting for an affordable hotel will be easy if your route contains many accommodation options. If that is not the case, you can still cut down costs while spending the night in your RV.

Power is key to extending your budget if the RV will be your home for the night. Rather than relying on your gas-powered generator, you can have a power station hooked to a solar panel to give you electricity for other parts of your house. An Anker SOLIX C300 DC Portable Power Station with 90,000mAh  battery life can charge your phones and power your electronics while using a solar panel to restore its power.

4. Packing Essentials

Several items are crucial when you drive across the country. Below is how to plan a cross-country road trip in an RV with the right essentials.  

Travel Documents

Always have your driver’s license, vehicle registration, and insurance document. If you rent your RV, ensure you have its rental agreements. While the chances are low, you may need to present these documents to authorities during an accident or emergency.

Travel Clothes

Take note of your destination’s climate. You may need sweaters or jackets for cold environments. Comfortable footwear is a must if you plan on taking nature walks or frequent hikes.

You do not have to bring nearly half your wardrobe on a long cross country trek. Look for laundromats or hotels with laundry while planning your route. You can wash and dry your clothes there to save room in your RV.

Emergency Items

You can never tell what can happen during a long road trip, and it pays to be prepared for any emergency.  A first aid kit with a person’s prescription is one example of an essential to always have in your RV.

Another is a reliable power source such as the Anker SOLIX C1000 Portable Power Station. With a reliable solar pane and 11 charging ports, you can power your important electronics should anything happen to your gas generator or vehicle battery. 

5. Enjoying Your RV Travel

There is a saying that the journey makes a trip fun apart from the destination. Take time to appreciate each stop and route as you reach your end goal. If time allows, take a moment to make memories with your road trip companions. Take a picture of everyone in front of a unique restaurant or a sunset near the coast.

Conclusion

Considering the RV you will drive, route, budget, and packing essentials is how to plan a cross country road trip. Doing so will make the trip comfortable and prepare you for emergencies. To fully enjoy the trip, it pays to appreciate the unique experience you encounter on the road.

FAQs

What is the optimal season for a cross-country RV trip?

Late spring, around May to June, or early fall, from September to October. These seasons have fewer crowds and low accommodation costs. You can also expect a comfortable temperature throughout your trip. However, there are drawbacks to making a cross-country RV trip during the off-season, like limited restaurants, museums, and attraction options.

What are the essential items to pack for a cross-country RV trip?

Always bring clothing appropriate for the temperature of the destination you are visiting. You want a jacket or sweater when your cross-country RV trip takes you to the mountains or somewhere cold. It also pays to have a power station and a compatible solar panel. These power solutions will save you money on gas generators or reduce RV battery usage.

Is there an app to plan a cross country road trip?

Google Maps can help you plan your route, passing stores, accommodations, and points of interest. This app is always available on modern phones and can be accessed on your computer browser. You can set your route, see which establishments it will pass, and the distance to your destination. You can also find navigation apps with special features, like one that highlights gas stations on the map and their fuel price.