How to Plan the Ultimate RV Trip with RV LIFE Trip Wizard

Trips of any size require extensive preparation, especially with an RV. There are so many things to think of. Not only do you have to plan out all your stops, but you also have to find RV-friendly gas stations and make sure your route is safe for the height and weight of your RV. It can be a little overwhelming if you don’t have the right tools, like RV LIFE Trip Wizard.

RV LIFE Trip Wizard is a comprehensive RV trip planning tool designed to help RV travelers map out detailed routes based on their preferences, RV size, and travel style. It allows users to plan stops at campgrounds, attractions, rest areas, and fuel stations while avoiding low clearances or roads unsuitable for RVs. With features like cost tracking, mileage estimates, and a new integration with Harvest Hosts, RV LIFE Trip Wizard simplifies the planning process and ensures a safer, more enjoyable journey tailored to the needs of RVers.

Throughout this article, we’ll share ways that this website can enhance and improve your trip, along with some road-tripping basics to keep in mind. Between Harvest Hosts and RV LIFE Trip Wizard, it’s easier than ever to plan an affordable, yet extraordinary RV road trip.

1. Choose your main destination and consider adding new places to your itinerary.
2. Use RV LIFE Trip Wizard to add 57,000 points of interest and plan exciting stops, including Harvest Hosts locations!
3. Plan your itinerary with activities and durations for each destination.
4. Book your dates in advance, especially for popular campgrounds and attractions.
5. Set a budget, including gas expenses.
6. Mix cooking in your RV with trying local foods to balance your food budget.
7. Plan a reasonable budget for souvenirs and memorable purchases during your trip.

The Where

When planning a road trip or vacation, the primary job is to select your main destination. Some families or couples choose to take the same, familiar vacations to the same beloved locations, while others prefer to mix it up with new places and new faces. This phase of planning is usually the most fun and can be imaginative. Consider asking your kids where they’d like to go. Their answers may surprise you.

Sights and Fun Stops

Sometimes families will plan their trips together and even allow kids to choose sights along the way to visit. Other times, people may enjoy surprising their children or spouse with an already-planned trip, complete with exciting pit stops. Either way, RV LIFE Trip Wizard has 57,000 points of interest loaded into their web-based software, making it easier than ever to add extras and pit stops to your route.

RV LIFE Trip Wizard and Harvest Hosts

Now, Harvest Hosts locations are a part of the RV LIFE Trip Wizard map, so you can easily plan out Harvest Hosts stays within the Trip Wizard platform.

You can make Harvest Hosts locations visible in your RV LIFE Trip Wizard map by connecting your Harvest Hosts account to your RV LIFE Trip Wizard account. Then, head to the “Points of Interest” section and select Harvest Hosts. Under each Harvest Hosts pin, you’ll be able to see photos, reviews, extra nights, and hookup availability, and click to head back to the Harvest Hosts site to book!

Plan your Itinerary

Now that you know where you’re going, it’s time to plan your itinerary. Having a rough idea of things you’d like to do at your destination(s) and how long you’ll have at each place is essential. Planning out an itinerary ahead of time will allow you to spend more time relaxing and less time stressing when you do finally reach your vacation destination.

By using RV LIFE Trip Wizard to plan that itinerary, you can eliminate scary surprises like low overpasses and fuel stations you can’t fit in or access. You can vet your entire route, including those Harvest Hosts locations, with satellite view, street view, elevation, and even grade. You’ll know exactly where you are supposed to go and when, and you’ll get there safely. RV LIFE Trip Wizard is part of RV LIFE Pro, which includes an RV safe mobile GPS for your phone, as well as free access to Maintain My RV. Take your RV journey with confidence, with RV LIFE.

The When

After you know what will encompass your entire journey, it’s time to book your dates. Many travelers plan a buffer day or two when returning in the event of traffic or an accident. It’s also nice to have a day to rest before jumping back into work or school. Most seasoned RVers know that campgrounds and popular attractions or destinations can become booked up pretty far in advance. It’s best to plan ahead as much as possible to give yourself a better chance to score the campsite(s) you want. Some campgrounds in popular national parks can be booked up to six months in advance.

For the most part, Harvest Hosts locations are rarely filled to capacity. Requesting to stay at a Harvest Hosts location is easy! Thousands of Harvest Hosts can be booked in just a few clicks right from your cell phone, computer, or tablet without even needing to call.

Please note: adding a Harvest Hosts location to your route in RV LIFE Trip Wizard does not mean your Harvest Hosts stay is booked. You will need to click on the pin and head to the Host’s profile on the Harvest Hosts platform to submit a stay request.

Set a Budget

Once your reservations, bookings, and requests are all squared away, it’s time to set a budget. Everyone’s list can look a little different depending on the destination. However, it’s still important to set aside and agree upon the funds for your trip.

Gas

Calculating your gas budget can be tricky, especially for folks new to the RVing community. RV LIFE Trip Wizard will calculate your estimated cost of gas depending on your trip. Gone are the days of trying to figure out how many miles to the gallon your motorhome gets while towing (ouch!) multiplied by the miles, and other such factors.

Budgeting for Harvest Hosts Experiences

Per the Harvest Hosts Code of Conduct, it’s recommended to spend around 30 dollars at each Harvest Hosts location as a thank-you for the accommodations. This allows each small business to receive your support in exchange for the overnight stay. Almost every Harvest Hosts location offers some sort of good, product, or experience for purchase, so making a selection should be easy and enjoyable. Don’t forget to add this into your budget when planning your trip.

Food

Depending on the destinations that are planned, cooking in your RV can be a great way to stretch your budget further. Having a kitchen-on-wheels is just one of the many perks of RVing that can also make your trip more cost-effective. However, we understand that cooking on vacation can be a real damper. After all, trying foods in new locations is all part of the fun of traveling. For RV vacations, we suggest a mix of cooking and going out to eat in order to balance your budget a little more easily.

When traveling, try to think about your typical weekly grocery budget and cut that in half (don’t forget to budget for snacks on travel days!). Then you can begin to determine the needed funds for your restaurant and take-out budget.

Souvenirs

Visiting new locations can be so exciting. National parks and other popular tourist destinations often have wonderful souvenirs that can help make your vacation even more memorable. Children especially love purchasing souvenirs at the places they visit. Setting a reasonable budget for each location you plan to visit can help make your vacation more relaxed and controlled. When you break down planning into steps, it’s not so bad. You can even choose one of these tasks to plan per week until all of the planning is completed.

We hope that these tips help when planning an unforgettable vacation! We also hope that you’ll be visiting some of our many Harvest Hosts locations across North America and using RV LIFE Trip Wizard to help plan your trip(s)!