There’s An APP For That
Help Is In Your Pocket
One of my favorite lines is, “There’s an app for that.” When it comes to RV travel, there certainly seems to be an app for just about everything. Here is a list of some of the ones we have found and use. Most are free or offer a free level of service, while others have an upfront fee.
From locating campgrounds and planning routes to finding fuel and food along the way, these apps can make traveling much easier. Just don’t forget to pack the maps. If you find yourself in an area without cell service, some of those apps may not be much help.
Each app has its own unique features, and we often use several of them during a trip depending on what we need at the time. We will continue adding new ones as we find and use them.
Camping and Trip Planning
RV Life
Campgrounds • RV Routing • Trip Planning
RV LIFE combines campground research, reviews, trip planning and RV safe GPS routing in one app. We use it for planning routes and locating campgrounds while traveling.
Best for: RV-safe routing, campground research and trip planning
RV Parky
Campgrounds • Overnight Stops• Trip Planning
RV Parky is useful for locating campgrounds and other places RVers may be able to stop overnight. It also includes trip-planning tools and information gathered from other RV travelers.
Best for: Finding campgrounds and overnight stops while traveling
KOA
Campgrounds • Reservations • KOA Rewards
The KOA app makes it easy to locate KOA campgrounds, check availability and make reservations while traveling. You can also manage upcoming stays and access KOA Rewards information through the app.
Best for: Finding and reserving KOA campgrounds while traveling
Harvest Hosts
Unique Overnight Stays • Farms • Wineries • Attractions
Harvest Hosts is a membership program that allows RVers to stay overnight at participating farms, wineries, breweries, attractions and other host locations. Stays are generally intended for self-contained RVs, and members are encouraged to support the businesses they visit.
Best for: Unique overnight stops while traveling between destinations
Good Sam Club
Campgrounds • Discounts • RV Travel
The Good Sam app helps RVers locate campgrounds and other RV-related services while traveling. Good Sam members can also use it to find participating campgrounds where their membership discounts apply.
Best for: Finding RV parks and campgrounds that participate in the Good Sam network.
HitchReady
RV Checklists • Hitching • Setup • Trip Preparation
HitchReady provides detailed checklists based on your RV and equipment. It includes Pre-Departure, Hitch, Unhitch and In Transit lists, with additional information explaining many of the individual checks.
Best for: Preparing your RV for travel and keeping track of important setup and hitching tasks.
AllStays
Campgrounds • Overnight Parking • Trip Services
AllStays provides information on campgrounds, overnight parking, dump stations, propane, truck stops and other services useful to RV travelers. It can be especially handy when you’re looking for something along your route rather than planning an entire trip.
Best for: Finding campgrounds, overnight stops and RV services while traveling.
Campendium
Campgrounds • Boondocking • Reviews
Campendium is useful for finding campgrounds, public-land camping and boondocking locations. User reviews can provide helpful information about road conditions, cell coverage and what to expect when you arrive.
Best for: Campground research, boondocking and travelor reviews.
Fuel & Savings
Open Roads
Diesel Discounts • Fuel Locations • Savings
Open Roads is a diesel fuel discount program designed for RVers and other diesel users. The app helps locate participating fuel stops and shows the discounted price available through the program.
Best for: Diesel RVers looking for discounted fuel at participating truck stops.
Mudflap
Diesel Discounts • Fuel Locations • No Membership Fee
Mudflap is a diesel fuel discount app that provides discounted prices at participating truck stops and independent fuel stations. The app shows the discounted price before you fuel, and there is no membership fee to use the program.
Best for: Diesel RVers looking for fuel discounts without a membership fee
On the Road
Waze
Navigation • Traffic • Road Alerts
Waze provides turn-by-turn navigation along with real-time information about traffic, crashes, road hazards and other conditions reported by drivers. We find it especially useful for seeing what may be happening on the road ahead. It does not provide RV Safe routes, but still a good app to have.
Best for: Traffic conditions, road hazards and everyday navigation.
iExit
Interstate Exits • Fuel • Food • Services
iExit shows what services are available at upcoming interstate exits, including fuel, restaurants, lodging, rest areas and other businesses. It’s handy when you’re traveling and want to know what’s coming up without searching each exit individually.
Best for: Finding fuel, food and services along interstate highways.
Other Useful Apps
YouTube
RV How-To Videos • Repairs • Travel Ideas
YouTube can be a great resource for RV owners. We use it to find information on repairs, maintenance, modifications and destinations. There are videos covering almost anything you might encounter with an RV. You do need to use caution when taking advice from YouTube as some people are posting are not experts. Use common sense when seeking assistance there.
Best for: RV repairs, maintenance help, how-to videos and travel ideas.
Found a Great App?
We are always looking for the next great app. If you have one you think we should check out, click below and send us your suggestion along with what you like about it. We’ll give it a try and may add it to our list.