Smart phones certainly can make life on the road more enjoyable. From finding the perfect campsite to navigating every twist and turn, there are so many RV travel apps designed to make your next trip easier. We’ve compiled a list of top travel apps for RVing that you won’t want to leave home without.
Route Planning
Let’s start with the most important part of any road trip: How to get where you want to go. While you may still keep a paper map or two in your glove compartment, RV travel apps make route planning and navigation a breeze.
- 1. Google Maps is a good place to start. This free app offers accurate navigation in real-time, thanks to constantly updated information on traffic delays, accidents, road work and detours. You can download maps to use offline, too. Just be aware that Google Maps doesn’t differentiate between driving a large RV and a normal-size car, so it might not always direct you to big-rig-friendly routes.
- 2. Waze is another popular navigation app. Its functionality is quite similar to Google Maps, with real-time traffic updates that can help you choose the best route. You can use Waze to help other drivers by entering potential hazards, traffic jams, or slow downs, too. But Waze does offer a couple extra features: you can connect your music or audio book apps to seamlessly listen while navigating and, if using Waze online, you can search for low bridge crossings and other tall vehicle hazards.
Find Campsites
Whether you like to wing it or plan ahead, finding a place to camp is always key to a great adventure. Fortunately, there are several RV travel apps that make it simple to find both paid and free sites.
- 3. Use Spot2Nite to find the right campsite. If you’re the type of camper who likes to make a (very) informed decision when choosing a site, give Spot2Nite a try. This free app lets you input an array of options and features, such as your vehicle profile and any camping memberships, so you can find the spots that best meet your needs.
- 4. Narrow it down with Campspot. The Campspot app lets you select a site based on location, dates, and availability, then narrow down campsites based on the specific amenities you prefer. The app covers more than 180,000 camping sites across North America, and you can book directly and instantly online without a membership fee. Campspot is available for Android and IOS.
- 5. Read the reviews first with Campendium. Beloved for its extensive user reviews and inclusion of many free sites for boondockers, Campendium app users upload photos, so you get a realistic picture of what to expect. Campendium also includes important information such as cell phone coverage to help those who need to work or use the internet while camping.
- 6. Boondockers will also appreciate iOverlander (though it’s called “wild camping” on the app). Search for free and paid campsites, then read other campers’ reviews of features such as safety, conditions, cell coverage, amenities and more. iOverlander also lets you search for other RV life attractions, such as laundry, water sources and more.
Pit Stops
Sometimes you really need to know how far you are from the nearest restroom or fueling station. That’s where these helpful RV travel apps really come in handy!
- 7. Save on gas when you can with GasBuddy. Let’s face it: gas isn’t exactly cheap these days. The GasBuddy app finds the least expensive fuel options near you. It also offers a fuel log, so you can track your actual costs per gallon. GasBuddy offers a free and a premium option for IOS and Android.
- 8. When you need to find a dump station, there are apps for that, too. For Android users, Sanidumps RV Dump Station Locator does exactly what its name would suggest: This handy app lists sites across Canada and the U.S., including at parks, campgrounds, rest stops, truck stops and commercial dump stations. Apple users can download the RV Dump Stations app, which provides important information such as costs and GPS coordinates.
Whether you’re planning your next trip or you’re already on the road, RV travel apps can make your experience easier and more enjoyable. Having the right RV insurance coverage is another thing you can do to make your adventures on the road easier and more enjoyable. Wayfarer Insurance brokers are here to help! Contact us today to review your policy, or to get a quote.