How We Plan a Road Trip [with Roadtrippers & Campendium]

[@stephaniegaddis1716]

I used Roadtrippers in 2019 to plan a trip a 3 week road trip from Rhode Island to Kansas & Arkansas, and back again. I loved the ability to see what parks or quirky stops were only 30-60 minutes off the road. This made it much easier to build in stops for bathroom breaks, meals, or to just to stretch our legs -- all very important when driving with 6 kids! Like you, we prefer to do our long day on the first day of a trip when everyone is excited and having a good time.

[@0HARE]

Thanks, Jason. This was super helpful. I’ve been doing this on the fly for years, using Google Maps and Allstays RV & Camp. I heard a great idea on a Keep Your Daydream podcast. It’s the 3.5 rule. You either drive only 3.5 hours a day, or you arrive at your campsite for the night by 3:30 pm. No big rush, and no setting up camp in the dark.

[@NomadicNeighborhood]

We are already a Roadpass pro member, so we’ve been able to explore some of the applications’ functions. But your video shows capabilities that I either forgot about or never knew. We are planning our routes for the next calendar year and we’ll be sure to explore some of features you described in the video. Well done.

[@JoshtheRVNerd]

Literally 137% of our trips are planned by a flawless management system called “My Wife” ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[@RVMiles]

But who brings the jokes? That's right...you do.

[@JoshtheRVNerd]

@@RVMiles It's all I got man

[@jenniferl4407]

When I told my spouse about this video he was amazed at how easy it was now. He's a very detail oriented person and he planned trips in "app detail" by just using Google, pen, and paper...and alot of time😉

[@leos5648]

I was disappointed by Roadtrippers. I subscribed at the basic level (not the free trial) and paid the $30.00 annual fee. I then created one trip to celebrate my upcoming retirement. The next time I logged in to the website to review my trip it was "locked" and being held hostage unless I paid more to upgrade to one of the higher levels. Of course, by now I have a bad taste in my mouth and there is not a chance I am going to pay them more to upgrade more to get my trip out of Roadtrippers jail. After a review of the FAQ page on the site I discovered that there is no satisfaction guarantee and no refunds, so it's just buyer beware.😕

[@saltschuler]

Just beginning my rv odyssey as my wife recently passed and I am buying a c class to live in full time. In my working life I traveled frequently and always used tripit to consolidate all reservations. No charge and worked great. Thanks for your help

[@TheMillicentgray]

I am very sorry for your loss. I hope that you travels are going well and you are having a great time.

[@marctrainor5595]

I can tell, just by the things you've talked about, that you're an experienced "road man". I just woke up this morning, ready to continue planning my extremely long trip to Colorado, with many, many, stops, because I wanted to cram so many places into my trip in a two-week period. Whew! Am I ever glad I watched your video here, and I can't say enough about how thorough, and well put together it is. Also, the part about not "rushing" through your trip, to try and enjoy more time at an individual place or area instead of all the stops. I'm goanna consider this strongly, as I finish planning my route on Roadtrippers Plus. Thanks again for a very valuable presentation for Roadtrippers. Marc T.

[@carladorow6264]

We usually go 2-4 months each year in an Sprinter and I have always planned using various apps but was not familiar with Roadtrippers. I will be checking that out as I’m just starting 2023. As to the debate between each day being planned vs winging it, we like a happy medium. National Parks and other faves will have to be reserved probably 6 months ahead. But there are nights where Harvest Host or boondocking are best. Sometimes a hotel feels great and for longer trips, a week in a cabin as a break is lovely since a van can get small. I think everyone finds their own fit.

[@Cottagelady579]

I’d like to know more about traveling cross country in a sprinter. Is there someway that we can connect?

[@BrianGlassEOD]

I'm mostly an off road camper with my Tacoma and roof top tent but there is a lot of value in this suite of apps. I was looking it over during your video and by the end decided to use your code and subscribe. I'm planning an off interstate trip from Colorado to San Francisco this June and this looks perfect for planning that. I also agree wholeheartedly about slowing down and not trying to fit everything into one trip. Thanks for this video, you have a great channel.

[@RVMiles]

Glad it was helpful! Thanks so much!

[@turnbullstravels735]

Thanks Jason. I do have Pro, but am so comfortable in the RV Trip Wizard/RV Life world that switching did not seem easy. (Husband picks up the cg info in the gps, and I export the details to our calendar.) One thing I wasn’t clear on was whether Roadtrippers shows you camping options right within their app? It’s not a big deal, because even though RV Life shows you cg’s, I still have multiple tabs open, using AllStays, Harvest Hosts, and Campendium. I’ll try a trip (one that’s already planned, lol) and see if the attractions along the way feature give me any new ideas. Thanks again for all of the screenshots.

[@nohandle343]

I'll give it a try as I'm still using Microsoft Streets & Trips from 2013 to plan road trips

[@kechkaren]

Okay, folks, here’s the deal……what I did realize that’s there’s the Rv trip Wizard you can get in the Apple store AND there’s the one you get on your browser - which is the one I needed for COMPLETE Rv trip planning. For people like me who are not very good at computer stuff, they need to know! No wonder the instructional videos I was watching didn’t look like some of the views I had!

[@travelingcatphotos]

We took our very first "BIG" trip as vloggers this past May and we found the same thing you are talking about..don't try to see everything...but pick and choose what you will see so you have the time to see it better. Especially somewhere like Yellowstone where you could spend a month, explore every single day, and still not see everything. We are now planning the Southwest and yup, we are going to take advantage of your code to save some bucks at Roadpass. Thanks for the walk through of the app!

[@suefletcher6688]

This video is so helpful! I was a Roadpass Pro member but never used it. I will now. Thanks for this video!

[@upshaw98]

Thanks you i am nearing rv purchase time. I wanted to spend the winter Planning trips. Awesome review 😊

[@lisaunderwood6777]

So happy I "lucked out" and came across your video, so very helpful.

[@meganoneill4801]

Great video, Jason. Been a Roadpass plus member for a couple of years and I learned some things from your video. Glad what you said about reviews. I learned to find what I care about (quiet, dog friendly) on these reviews. Works like a charm. I too, skip the 2 star reviewed places. Thank you!

[@irenetaylor5168]

Thank you! Thank you! We are relatively new adventurers and have taken short trips staying in different state parks in our home state of Indiana. I was looking to plan a longer trip......all a prelude to at least trying full-timing for a year to get our feet wet. I was becoming overwhelmed with the amount of apps and websites there are regarding RVing. I am a member of Road Pass Pro and was just a bit anxious how it worked. I even tried Googling it and looking for You Tube Videos on it. (How did you know this video of yours was exactly what I needed!?! I will probably rewatch it as I start to make plans for our trip. Again, THANKS!

[@UNIQUENAME2007]

good luck w your new channel, should have your own tv show. good stuff.

[@sherriweber7105]

Thank you Jason for these tips on roadtrippers and campendium Not sure how they are spelled. These all great to use on a trip. I love those. They look like their good to use and easy. They are great ways to check out campgrounds and see what they look like see what the state parks like Zion and all them. I’m glad that they have these available to rvers. Thank you again Jason.

[@jimbaumann6197]

Once again a great video. We're planning a Tetons, Yellowstone trip this August with friends in our 32ft motorhome starting from the California Delta. Thank you

[@FlowStateTrend]

Always appreciate your thorough, thoughtful wisdom you share. This was a timely vid! Thank you so much.

[@RVMiles]

You are so welcome!

[@rvfamilylife]

Did y'all get a new camera or lens? The clarity on Jason is really 'popping.' I love this breakdown of how y'all plan.

[@dans.5608]

I just looked at the Roadtrippers app in the app store. Of course, just like most apps, they collect way to much information about you. Some I can understand, but developers are going overboard with peoples information. Why does any app need your date of birth, gender, driver license number or passport details? Others included in Roadtrippers app is your gps vehicle tracking and diagnostics, other information gathered from smartphones, tablets, sat-navs, or other devices that monitor your location. Just say'n.

[@RVMiles]

That's how free apps advertise to you. They collect data about you in order to serve ads (though I've never been asked for my DL or passport.) Obviously Roadrippers uses GPS because it's a mapping app.

[@cargoon-cargoconversionbui2880]

Great video Jason - we just signed up for RoadPass (thanks for your discount). We are 2 seniors who will be traveling across the country In September. We will be camping in our 6x12 converted cargo camper which will not be allowed in some traditional campgrounds. So we will be relying on a lot of BLM, dispersed and overnight camping. This trip would be so much more difficult without the Roadtrippers and Campendium apps. Thanks again. Rick & Sharon

[@RVMiles]

Very welcome! Happy travels to you!

[@aprilezell3784]

Have you heard of Harvest Hosts? Better for us van people. But you can look near your destination or night where you are staying ~ it could be in a person's backyard or property or behind the wine bar restaurant (true, out in Wy). It costs for a year membership but we used it two times and it paid for itself vs staying at a KOA. Electric hook up is available at some places for 5 dollars! We loved using it and compendium for our free trip from NSH TN to New Mexico last year. But I'll be picking up the roadpass pro for sure! Great video.

[@RVMiles]

We are avid users of Harvest Hosts. Highly recommend! Great program and we use it all the time and talk pretty extensively about it when we do stay somewhere over on the RV Miles Podcast channel.

[@dustensnyder]

Great video! Very helpful and informative!

[@jimduffy9773]

One of your best videos.Thanks!

[@robertpadgett9062]

Just watched your video Roadtrippers, very informative. Thank You

[@whitleyrobertson7070]

Excellent review, seems totally worth while!

[@corliswhite2104]

Glad to see you again

[@hcancinoful]

Thank you for your valuable info and tips, I'm planning a trip from northern Utah to Liberty Harbor New Jersey in a couple of months, will be pulling a small travel trailer with my Tacoma.

[@RVMiles]

Glad it was helpful!

[@johnhaynes10]

Great video! Thanks for walking us though the sites/apps and how you use them. Very helpful.

[@RVMiles]

Our pleasure!

[@53gregb]

I am a beginner with the Roadtrippers app. I like everything so far but how do you see what highway/ interstate etc that you are taking. I zoom in and out but only sometimes do I see the route number. Thanks and I enjoy your channel very much.

[@ord2mia]

I’m a beginner too with the same question

[@terryhaynes1596]

I have been using RV Trip Wizard. So this was the first excellent demonstration of the roadtripper app I’ve seen. I will be going home and comparing them. I really like the free camping icon. We have planned a 7 month, 15,000 mile road trip next year. So being able stay for free could easily pay for this app Thanks

[@Freightmeister]

Great vid Jason. Thanks.

[@davidpatrick1813]

VERY FINE VIDEO ... I RECOMMEND KEEPING IT EASY TO FIND SOMEWHERE...

[@dani_mack]

This was awesome! Thank you!

[@debbiebassett3167]

I plan my trips exactly the same way!

[@funzeevanzee]

Sounds exciting.

[@kechkaren]

I’m overwhelmed. I am not computer smart. It’s ‘this app and go to that app’ and omg, I don’t know if I can do this. And I’ll need to plan this trip from Michigan to south padre island with our 5th wheel - in January! I may go back to a paper atlas.

[@ord2mia]

Same here. That’s why we have Jason. He usually answered all his comments on all his topics if you ask him questions

[@kechkaren]

I want to talk to a person, not texting.

[@bishopgeorge1333]

Okay, I think that I will go to Roadtrippers and go through it on my next trip.

[@RVMiles]

Happy trip planning!

[@Freehumorlight]

great video i have a question im taking a road trip for 3 months, in a car, we'll need cell phone access most times, we 'll want to stay for a 5 days in one spot, maybe more when we get to a warmer spot. do i need to pay for any of this stuff Thanks

[@Cottagelady579]

This was so helpful,

[@rgdowntheroad]

Hi Jason, thanks so much for the detailed use of Roadtrippers. We are plus members and think it is a great suite of apps for the road. We are in Thermopolis now and will be moving in a couple days to Gros Ventre Cg in the Gran Teton NP. I have 10 stops along the way but want to know how does the app notify you of an up coming highlight. I seem to blow right passed the hotspot without knowing I even was close to it. Does app alert you in some way??? Thanks for all your help. Rich 25:27 25:27

[@RVMiles]

You can use it as a GPS and have your stops be waypoints. But it doesn't notify you of stuff you might be interested in. That's a good idea though!

[@rgdowntheroad]

@@RVMiles thanks so much for the reply. I will try to make them way points in Google maps.

[@2ndSprings]

This is great info!

[@RVMiles]

Glad it was helpful!

[@ord2mia]

Very helpful thanks!

[@drfreddiemd]

Jason, I’m already using Roadtrippers Plus, Do I need to purchase a new Roadpass Pro membership to get all the benefits? How do I keep my saved trips on Roadtrippers If I were to do so, can the account be merged? I didn’t see that information on either the Roadpass, Roadtrippers or Campendium sites.

[@elle9208]

I cannot find how to change the background image on my trip settings! How do i change the picture please 😢

[@djpWilson]

Just signed up. With your discount it was only $19.99! :)

[@mitchkaminski2512]

Great video, thanks. I subscribed to Roadtrippers and have a trip planned...less than a week away. You mention the Roadpass pro for gps & driving directions...but hoping you could elaborate on that some more. I seem to be missing how to turn the trip plan into driving directions. Can you please advise what I'm missing?

[@andrewfidel2220]

Just downloaded it to try, it's a bit interesting comparing it to RV Trip Wizard which I just finished using to plan a 2,500 mile trip. The adding stops and having it auto reorder is great, but I'm really missing the max daily driving distance and fuel range indicators as these are key items for me since I'm still in 2-3 week vacation mode (about 5 more years till I get the youngest done with college and then we'll be full-timers at least a good chunk of the year). Both apps do an absolutely terrible job at putting your trip plan to work with your navigation app, how hard can it be to load up all the points from my current location to the destination I selected as trip stops? RV Trip Wizard can do this by giving a dedicated GPS unit a file with the waypoints but I prefer to use the phone.

[@RVMiles]

Yeah, RV trip wizard gives you more power and control over the minutia. Roadtrippers is simpler to use. It's a trade-off.

[@charliefast6365]

I am thinking you won't be able to pull a 5th wheel into YNP from the north entrance for awhile on the new road from Gardiner to Mammoth

[@musclerussell8109]

This is great never new this

[@_skud]

thanks for the help

[@RVMiles]

Very welcome.

[@h-man2561]

Less is more & a plan is best but don't sweat the changes! You can't control others or the condition like weather or some kind of auto service. Enjoy the adventure! 🏜 🚌...

[@2233mhood]

What if you don't have cell service? Is your route downloaded so your not guessing till you get service again?

[@richardfowler3254]

What is a realistic long drive day if it is not for pleasure ? I have a 2,300 mile trip I need to make to help my kids move to another state. One the way out I am not planning any pleasure stops. My schedule is only allowing me 4 days driving to get them to where they have to be. This will be my first long haul trip moving them to their new home and jobs. I fully plan on having a leisure drive back but have to get them there in time to start their new jobs... Any help or tips would be really appreciated.

[@LostOnLandAgain]

This is really good information!

[@RVMiles]

Thanks! Glad it could be of help.

[@lindadurst2290]

Great info thanks

[@RVMiles]

Glad it was helpful!

[@sierraseb3311]

Bummer. You didn’t address the one piece of crucial information that I was searching for: is your trip plan downloadable with turn-by-turn directions. I will be boon docking in an area with no cell service so need to be able to download my itinerary and have directions to my camp.

[@Erin-Thor]

Please remember to add free time, leave room for one or two impromptu stops. My brother plans for every minute and my family will never ever travel with him again. Seven minutes for a scenic outlook, honking like a maniac if you’re late, food MUST be bought while filling up the car and eaten on the road, etc. it makes vacations a dreaded experience. Just insanity. Take a LITTLE more time to enjoy the trip. PLAN for the unexpected “Hey, look at that store, can we stop please?!” moments. Road trips should be memory making and you should enjoy getting to your destination instead of arriving there nerves frazzled and pissed. 🤣

[@FlowStateTrend]

I agree!

[@Alohasheree]

Very helpful

[@missyaaron5341]

This was very helpful information! We have lived in our RV while building our home, but we are new to planning out a trip for travel. Is there a specific reason you like Road Trippers more than other apps such as RV Living Wizard or Arvie? THANKS!

[@TaylorvilleOptimist]

My question is: do you prefer interstate highways or other roads?

[@zygmuntziokowski7877]

Jason, the information you provided was useful and helpful. You made the comment in the beginning that you knew a better way to get to Yellowstone. If I never been there before, how would I know the better route? Also, it looks like you are taking the Interstate the entire way. I don't mind taking the Interstate, but I-95 can be crazy in some place, like construction zone and around DC, so how can you avoid them? Happy Holidays!

[@RVMiles]

I don't necessarily know a better way, I just may prefer coming in from the south or the east depending on what I want to see and do and the weather. I far prefer interstates, but you can select "no interstates" on most routing apps if you wish (including roadtrippers). You can also add a stop on your route on a different road in order to force an app to take it.

[@zygmuntziokowski7877]

@@RVMiles Thanks for the update. Happy Holidays!

[@RVCapeCod]

how to i determine the 300 mile limit per day. other apps show min, average and max drive distances. I dont see anything that let's me see a 300 mile drive range for that day

[@joemo18]

I am new to roadtrippers pro… i like the app however I would like to know how do i plan/share a trip together with a familymember living in another state… I do see a ‘share a trip’ but it sends a link to another person where they can see my screenshot. I thought the link would connect us ‘live’ and we could plan the trip together… please let me know if this is indeed possible.. Thank you…

[@blessedtoquest]

You just threw that sweater on for this Video didn't you? lol Thanks for this video. We typically use RV life trip planner but I totally FORGOT that I have this membership too! I feel s happy that you reminded me of it!! I'm so bad at planning and where or what to see on a trip and this app literally takes all the guest work out of it. I love it. Thanks so much!!

[@FridaSemon]

Thanks

[@RVMiles]

Welcome!

[@TMan4775]

I just joined the RV world and I was hesitant in buying into a yearly subscription, but after watching your video, I pulled the trigger. I then thought is there a way to export the trip to google maps/GPS?

[@RVMiles]

There is not. Others have tried and sort of made it work. But honestly, it's kind of a pain in the butt no matter how you do it. You're better off just entering the next stop in your preferred GPS.

[@rufdiamondltd.3860]

I just signed up and I do not see any of the motorhome features other than height. When I entered my height, it gave me three route warnings with no reroutes... Am I missing something...

[@danielcunningham4955]

Can Roadtripper identify rest areas along the route so that we can walk the dog, stretch our legs, etc.?

[@FlowStateTrend]

If I buy the Roadtripper Pro version, can my friend use my account when using my RV if I give them my account info?

[@jenniferchilton-kauffmann6280]

Jason, will Roadtrippers mapping tool help those with larger RVs avoid routes that would be more difficult and select those more RV friendly? Thanks!

[@amidala3927]

He says early on that you can put in the dimensions of your rig and it will factor that in.

[@RVMiles]

Yep!

[@jenniferchilton-kauffmann6280]

This is very useful info for us. In unfamiliar regions where two routes are a available we’ve wondered if one was more user friendly to travel. We’ve been left guessing or spending hours trying to work it out. Shorter vs longer without reliable info on whether the shorter might be less desirable due to road type or condition. Now we can hopefully navigate that, thank you Jason.

[@campeteracing]

Jason I love your channel great information I’m a newbie and looking to travel the state of Arizona I have found that reserving a location Is a pain unless it’s a BLM do you have any wisdom or tricks to doing this LOL Keep up the good work it helps a lot

[@RVMiles]

My advice is to keep checking. People book stuff they never intend to use and often cancel late.

[@CurioCreativeAgency]

Is this still the tools you prefer to use for roadtrips today?

[@kechkaren]

Jason, (this is so frustrating) how do I change the route that tripwizard has given me? I don’t like the route. Trip from Elkhart Indiana to south padre Texas : I want to go straight down south through Indianapolis straight through Nashville Tennessee (tripwizard doesn’t seem to know Nashville TN), then 65 straight down to 10 heading west towards Houston. We’ve traveled this route before by car - smooth easy trip for a RV. And where on this app can I plug into the desired mileage we want to travel each day with notifications for gas and places to stop for the night? I’ve been trying to work with this app for weeks now!

[@RVMiles]

You can add a stop on the road that you want to take on any app to force it to go a different way.

[@utuber314]

Price has gone up since this video and the free version is much more limited.

[@elizabethpeterson1046]

I would have like to see how to actually use this. Things you were talking about you did not show

[@jill8542]

I can’t do anything on Roadtrippers without paying. Disappointed as it looked interesting- but be forewarned clicks shown in this video are part of the pay to use app portion

[@Theo8863]

Advise is to not travel at night and arrive before dark at your resting destination.

[@MikeJordanUnCamplicated]

Why don't any of these gps apps run on android auto?

[@RVMiles]

I've actually talked to both Roadpass and RV Life about that. They tell me for both android auto and Apple car play it's because Google and Apple make it pretty much impossible for a 3rd party developer to do.

[@MikeJordanUnCamplicated]

@@RVMiles I have some ocean front property in Arizona you might be interested in. 😆 OK, not really, but you get the point. But I do have several screens full of android auto apps 🙄

[@RVMiles]

@@MikeJordanUnCamplicated Not apps, specifically, GPS routing apps.

[@MikeJordanUnCamplicated]

@@RVMiles You are probably someone that has enough influence to effect a change. But can't never could. You have to stop accepting excuses first. 😁 I won't count Google or Apple maps. But there is Waze, TomTomGo InRoughtPlaner, RoadTripper, Karta, Sygic, Amigo, MapFactor, Genius, Spot Hero, PlugShare, NextCharge, ChargePoint. A few screens full considering icon sizes

[@ladybug1261dp]

Are you local to

[@ladybug1261dp]

Rock island

[@RVMiles]

Born and raised!

[@accentedwanderer8623]

With every single app now asked for “money per month” thinking that they are some irreplaceable ‘service’. I decided I’ll boycott this business model and design trips with just google maps. Those companies need to figure out whether they really are integral part of peoples life.

[@RVMiles]

Roadpass Pro asks for a yearly subscription fee, not monthly which is one of the reasons why we like it. Lots of options for one yearly fee.

[@aimreadings]

I'm so sorry but this app is proving to be so pointless for me.... My uncle just passed away and I'm trying to get from California to Texas and I can't fly so I need to drive.... I've been trying to create a route and figure things out for over 3 hours now with no luck... It only wants to take me on a certain freeway and won't allow me to change the freeway option.... And it won't plan a normal route option for me without popping up unnecessary activities... I don't want activities I just need campsites that I can stay at safely from California to Texas and it can't even do that.. That's really crazy I try to create a route on my own, And no luck there either... Insanity that they charge for this app

[@dudebro29]

Roadtrippers simply sucks as nearly everyone who has used it can attest.

[@UGRagtop]

The website runs like absolute dog shit.

[@Chimp_6]

Thanks Jason for this "how to" review. I learned features I did not know about and one feature I was using wrong. By the way we signed up a year ago using the RVMILES10X discount code. Our subscription just renewed at the same $39 discount price! Andy & Kim

[@RVMiles]

So glad you joined and were able to take advantage of the discount. Happy travels!

[@Kirby-Bernard]

This was awesome! Thank you!

[@RVMiles]

Glad it was helpful!