RV There Yet? A Guide To Planning Your RV Stops
RVs are the perfect road trip vehicle – they don’t just serve as transport but as a place to sleep at night. But as many RV owners quickly realize, having one of these vehicles doesn’t give you free reign to park anywhere overnight. Parking in some locations is not convenient, not safe and, in some cases, not legal.
This is why it’s important to plan ahead your RV stops and not just drive until you get tired. There are many suitable places to park an RV that are much cheaper than having to book a motel room. Below are a few examples of great RV stops.
Campgrounds
Many campgrounds don’t just have pitches for tents, but also designated pitches for RVs with electrical hook-ups. There will usually be bathroom facilities on site including showers, toilets and laundry rooms. Campgrounds are also typically safe and secure due to having good lighting, fencing and sometimes security staff. A lot of campgrounds are situated in beautiful locations, which can add to the appeal. Overnight fees can vary from $20 to $100 depending on where in the country you stay and the quality of the campground.
RV parks
RV parks are campgrounds that cater specifically to RVs. You can guarantee electrical hook-ups, and you may find that there are other amenities too such as larger pitches, propane exchanges and dump stations. They are great locations for meeting other RV owners and typically situated in pretty rural settings. Compared to campgrounds, they can cost slightly more ($40 to $100), but it depends on the quality – some RV parks are fairly basic, while others have luxuries like pools, clubhouses and on-site restaurants.
Truck stops
Truck stops are found on every interstate. While designed for truckers, they can also make convenient overnight stops for RV due to their large spaces. Many truck stops will have on-site amenities like restrooms, restaurants and gas stations. They are also often free to stop at (although some stops do give you the option to reserve spots for $10 or $20). The disadvantage of truck stops is that they often don’t have hook-ups, and your sleep may be interrupted by noisy idling trucks and headlights. Safety can also vary and they’re often not in the same scenic locations as campgrounds and RV parks.
Highway rest stops
Dotted along the roadside, you’ll find many rest stops. Some take the form of large travel plazas with gas stations, stores and motels. Others are fairly basic and may only have a couple restrooms, a picnic area and some vending machines. These rest stops are typically designed for quick breaks, but some RV owners do park up overnight in them. Just be wary that some prohibit overnight stays (look for signage). You also won’t get access to electrical hook-ups and may have to deal with road noise and less safety. The biggest benefit is that they are free to park up in – if you find one that allows RVs to stay overnight and you don’t mind doing without electricity, it could be an excellent way to save some money on your road trip.