Favorite trip planner tool

[Ron Glow]

Good afternoon! I would like to know what others are using for trip planning. I have used Roadtrippers for several past trips and liked it for being able to add quirky stops or “waypoints” along the way. The free version would let me add 7 waypoints, but that is gone. Now I must pay and want to know likes and dislikes for this and other apps. Thank you for any input.
Ron

[Hans627]

I use RV Trip Wizard almost exclusively. It does everything I need. Here is some YouTube videos on its features.

https://www.youtube.com/results?sear...izard+tutorial

[Ron Glow]

Thank you. That one seems the most popular.

[DCPAS]

Originally Posted by Hans627

I use RV Trip Wizard almost exclusively. It does everything I need.

We use this too.

[dnas]

We are strictly old school. We use google maps, and then a book that lists all of the state parks, and plot from there. We like state parks, they are less crowded than National Parks but are nearby, are clean, small and friendly.

[Trowbridge]

We find preferred campgrounds by searching "Top RV campgrounds near _____" in the regions where we plan to travel.

We enjoy hiking, canoeing, and fly fishing...so many times we'll adjust the search using those phrases. We also identify hiking and paddling opportunities using AllTrails.

When we're looking at RV campgrounds, we'll look at reviews on Campendium, TripAdvisor, and Yelp. I spend lots of time looking at an interesting campground's site map. I'll also use the 'satellite view' option in GoogleMaps and GoogleEarth to see each camp site's spaciousness, surrounding trees, proximity to external roads/highways, proximity to streams/rivers, etc. Also use CampsitePhotos.com which has actual photos of many campgrounds sites by number.

We primarily plan driving routes using Google Maps. I also use Airstream Forums to get inputs on driving routes and on campsites in regions.

[jccoder]

Originally Posted by Ron Glow

Good afternoon! I would like to know what others are using for trip planning. I have used Roadtrippers for several past trips and liked it for being able to add quirky stops or “waypoints” along the way. The free version would let me add 7 waypoints, but that is gone. Now I must pay and want to know likes and dislikes for this and other apps. Thank you for any input.
Ron

I use tool called https://milesofme.com as I set it to 300 miles (how far I like to drive a day). That gives me a base on where we are heading and then using your tool of preference, you can get an idea what is in that radius.

[Ron Glow]

Thank you. That is a new one for me to check out.

[Vlamgat]

But this app misses an important part of trip planning: where can you gas up a 50' rig?

Made worse if you use a MH with a toad and cannot back up for more than a few feet without disconnecting.

No apps handle this other than the Next Exit directory in a modest way.

[MyChili4U2]

I don't believe there is a "best" tool. I have been using RV Trip Wizard for 5 years and am very pleased with it. However, I have also found RV Parky and All Stays to be great tools to keep in the "Tool Box". I have found over the years some value in seeing reviews from other resources and knowing no one tool is going to be a panacea. Still when it comes down to start planning for a trip, RV Trip Wizard is my go to. Even then it is only as good as it can be with the information they learn or are sent. So, IMHO, it is important to post reviews and updates sooner than later.

[Rosey Jet]

I use both RVlife and Roadtrippers for planning. RVLife is the best tool for actual planning, finding best campgrounds, fuel stops. I like Roadtrippers for finding POI of interest along the way. For example RVLife didn’t spot “Carhenge” but Roadtrippers did. I start with Roadtrippers to layout the general route then put the addresses of the fun, quirky and unusual places into RVLife as I’m building the route. We love history and have found many spots we would overlook if we didn’t use both. RVLive has some bugs that should be worked out early 2024 as far as live routing. Until that happens I export to AppleMaps from RVLife for realtime guidance.

[VaTravelers]

Originally Posted by Ron Glow

Good afternoon! I would like to know what others are using for trip planning. I have used Roadtrippers for several past trips and liked it for being able to add quirky stops or “waypoints” along the way. The free version would let me add 7 waypoints, but that is gone. Now I must pay and want to know likes and dislikes for this and other apps. Thank you for any input.
Ron

I use RV Trip Wizard to plan and then use Google Maps to navigate with on the road.

[Mikebrady62]

I use the seat of my pants�� Then the Dyrt app once I get close to the end of a day.
When my wife is involved it is not even close to that.
She is a fan of RV Trip Wizard. Followed up with a call to the campground.
We end up paying more cancellation fees her way.

[Bompagene]

Originally Posted by Vlamgat

But this app misses an important part of trip planning: where can you gas up a 50' rig?

Made worse if you use a MH with a toad and cannot back up for more than a few feet without disconnecting.

No apps handle this other than the Next Exit directory in a modest way.

Check out iExit Trucks app and the sister app iExit. If you can get a semi there then your 'little' rig won't have any problems! Not much help on the 2 lane, but a big help on the freeway.

[Vlamgat]

Originally Posted by Bompagene

Check out iExit Trucks app and the sister app iExit. If you can get a semi there then your 'little' rig won't have any problems! Not much help on the 2 lane, but a big help on the freeway.

I was careful to write "gas". Those apps do not differentiate gasoline access. Diesel is not a problem and is well documented to help the truckers and indeed even at 50' of rig, I get swallowed. But everytime I access the truck stops, I do wonder how/why people persevere with gas TVs and a tow whether that is a trailer or a toad. Even using Google Satellite view it looks like a crap shoot to me.

[Ron Glow]

Originally Posted by Vlamgat

I was careful to write "gas". Those apps do not differentiate gasoline access. Diesel is not a problem and is well documented to help the truckers and indeed even at 50' of rig, I get swallowed. But everytime I access the truck stops, I do wonder how/why people persevere with gas TVs and a tow whether that is a trailer or a toad. Even using Google Satellite view it looks like a crap shoot to me.

I have pulled into some questionable locations to get “gas”. Often it’s not getting in, but how to get out that’s the problem. Quite a few times, I have walked around the building trying to plan my escape route. Makes things a bit interesting at times, don’t you think?
Ron

[SallyForth]

Originally Posted by MyChili4U2

I don't believe there is a "best" tool. I have been using RV Trip Wizard for 5 years and am very pleased with it. However, I have also found RV Parky and All Stays to be great tools to keep in the "Tool Box". I have found over the years some value in seeing reviews from other resources and knowing no one tool is going to be a panacea. Still when it comes down to start planning for a trip, RV Trip Wizard is my go to. Even then it is only as good as it can be with the information they learn or are sent. So, IMHO, it is important to post reviews and updates sooner than later.

I agree with RV Trip Wizard as above — also enjoy their record keeping feature. And would add Harvest Host / Boondockers Welcome to the mix.

[Vlamgat]

Originally Posted by Ron Glow

I have pulled into some questionable locations to get “gas”. Often it’s not getting in, but how to get out that’s the problem. Quite a few times, I have walked around the building trying to plan my escape route. Makes things a bit interesting at times, don’t you think?
Ron

"Interesting" is a two edged sword because it also produces stress which adds to fatigue. I have not yet reached the point where every day on the road is 100% discretionary and it matters not whether a gas stop takes 20 minutes or an hour. Plus there are others to consider as one tries to back up to make that 90 deg turn to get out of the lane between the "piggery" and the pumps. Plus, I am solo most of the time so no spotter.

I those conditions, I have struggled to find any one app that facilitates a seamless choice for gas stops. Again for the ADD lurkers, I mean gas as in petroleum. Plenty of diesel resources. So it always takes 2 or 3 apps or resources to resolve gas alternatives followed by a long look at satellite views to determine whether there really is a feasible departure from an end pump by backing or drive through. One of the best for this is Buckee's because the lanes are wide enough between pumps and between islands of pumps for a practical drive through with 50'. But Buckee and Buckee class gas stations are still very limited.