Last Updated on March 31, 2024 by Jessica Lauren Vine
Are you trying to figure out the answer to “What is the best RV GPS app?”
Whether you are a full-time RVer or like to hit campgrounds up on the weekend, having the right technology will make your life easier. With the advancements in phone technology provided by 4G and 5G, most of what you’ll need is right at your fingertips. Finding the best GPS apps created specifically for your RV is extremely important for navigating from campground to campground.
In this article, we will look at some of the best RV GPS apps, both for free and for a fee. We will also deep-dive into other important apps that will make your RVing experience a whole lot easier. RV map apps, RV GPS apps, and trip planning apps will be covered below.
Do I Need a GPS App Specifically for RVing?
As you ask, “What is the best RV GPS app?” you’ll see there are both apps and electrical devices specifically designed for RVs, but how do you decide which one to go with. RV GPS units like Garmin RV GPS are great, but they’re also expensive. GPS devices like the aforementioned
Use coupon code RVIDIOTS for 25% off of your subscription
- Visual RV Trip Planner
- Customized to Your RV
- Always Up to Date Maps
- Navigate with confidence
- No bulky (and expensive!) RV GPS required
- Must have access to the internet unless you download needed information
If you don’t feel like spending a chunk of change on GPS devices, apps on your mobile device will be a welcome option. Most of the apps we will discuss in this article cost less than $60, don’t require an annual subscription, and you don’t have to be tech-savvy to manage them.
If you have an iPhone or an Android smartphone with Google maps, you will most likely have a GPS app that came pre-installed on your cell phone. While these standard apps are great for cars, trucks, and other non-towing vehicles, they’re not always the best option if you have a camper or trailer in tow. The best route for a car might differ from the best route for an RV or large travel trailer.
An RV-specific GPS app should alert you to road closures, low bridges that could prove hazardous to your tall vehicle, and alternative routes if a road is too small or narrow. Having a GPS device or app to provide you with RV-safe directions and route preferences that will accommodate your needs. A great navigation app could mean the difference between safe travels or a road trip you’d like to forget.
An RV navigation app should also take your RV’s size and height into account. Low clearance bridges can be common and hazardous on smaller roads that private campgrounds are often located on.
Depending on what type of app you typically use for navigation, these factors will not be accounted for, and you could easily end up in an uncomfortable predicament. RVs often have AC units, TV and radio antennas, and other things on their roofs that add additional height, making low bridges even more hazardous.
While you may be able to get by for a while without a GPS app specifically for RVs, a good RV map app will make your life a whole lot easier and less stressful.
What Is the Best RV GPS App? – Best Bang for Your Buck RV Navigation App
There are a few good GPS apps available for free, but if you’re willing to pay a little bit of money, better options may be available.
Copilot is a great RV GPS app that costs a small fee but won’t break your bank. For $29.99 a year, the Copilot app provides safe and suitable navigation options for cars, trucks, and RVs alike.
The Copilot app will consider things like low clearance bridges, rest areas, and any steep hills and grades that could make driving or pulling an RV hazardous.
Copilot is also great for offline navigation when a good GPS signal is hard to get. Many private, public, and state campgrounds are in reclusive locations, and the ability for offline navigation could prove to be a lifesaver.
What Is the Best Free RV GPS App? – Best Free RV GPS App
Although Google Maps was not made with big rigs and RVs in mind, it is a solid option for navigating from point A to point B. If you decide to use free apps like this, however, you may be required to do more homework when planning your next RV trip. Google Maps will help you avoid tolls and add stops along your route, but it doesn’t consider obstacles that may specifically affect RVs.
If you aren’t planning to travel from campground to campground and typically stay in the same RV parks for a period of time, Google Maps will get the job done. As long as you stay on big, well-marked roads that have plenty of gas stations, a special subscription to RV GPS units that cost money shouldn’t be necessary.
The Best RV GPS App for Winding Roads
If you’re traveling through the mountains or in areas with lots of curves, steep grades, and winding roads, good RV GPS apps will be vital. Having one that takes all the twists and turns of the road into account will be even more important. InRoute is a unique navigation tool that does all of the standard RV GPS functions, but that also allows you to devise a path around curvy or steep roads.
inRoute is great for trip planning through mountainous terrains and deep valleys alike when you’re asking, “What is the best RV GPS app?”. This app will save your truck and trailer brakes by keeping you away from steep grades. inRoute only costs $29.99 and will probably pay for itself many times over in brake and gas savings.
The Best RV GPS App for Multiple Destinations
As you’re asking, “What is the best RV GPS app?” depending on where you’re traveling and what type of road you’re on, you may have the opportunity to plan the ultimate RV vacation.
Allstays may be the best RV navigation app for overall trip planning. Allstays allows you to pick different stores, rest areas, truck stops, or RV dealers and stores along your route. As you are traveling, different options for stopping spots will pop up on your mobile device if you have the Allstays app, and you can pick and choose which ones you want to stop at.
Allstays is especially useful for cross country travel and longer RV trips where you aren’t in a hurry and want to take in the sights along the way. You won’t break the bank either, as Allstays has a one-time cost of $9.99. Although it’s not currently available on Android mobile devices, you can access Allstays via their website or with an iPhone. Hopefully, Android capabilities will soon follow! If not, you need to keep going with your search for the answer to the question, “What is the best RV GPS app?”
Helpful Video on RV GPS Comparisons
This is a great video from Changing Lanes that can help you if you’re trying to choose between a Garmin and a Rand McNally.
What is RV Trip Wizard ? & Why It Is Awesome
RV Trip Wizard is the one app to rule them all. It’s an all-in-one app that helps you plan your RV trip from start to finish and removes the need for other apps that are taking up precious phone space.
Using RV Trip Wizard allows you to take all the doubts out of an RV trip and helps you smoothly manage every component. RV Trip Wizard is also not affiliated with any campgrounds or companies, so it will provide you with unbiased information and advice about which campgrounds and RV parks to stay at.
One of the handiest features is also that it helps you plan your budget accordingly.
While RV Trip Wizard is the best all-around camping app, it’s also the most expensive. An annual
If you are considering becoming a full-time RVer and plan on traveling from campground to campground, then
How Can I Stay Connected With the RV Community?
The RV community is a unique one that shares many joys in common, but also many trials and tribulations. Important life hacks and problem-solving advice must be readily available for when an RVer needs it most, and the best advice typically comes from those who have had similar experiences.
RVillage and similar apps can be a real lifesaver when you run into trouble and need quick advice. Plus, it’s great to be connected with an RV life network that will be there to share in the good times and the bad.
What Is the Best RV GPS App? – Conclusion
Now I’ve given you some good ideas to answer the question, “What is the best RV GPS app?” along with other handy tools to help you in your journeys.
RVing can be extremely enjoyable and rewarding when it’s done right, and things go smoothly. Taking all available steps and making sure you have as many tools at your disposal as possible will go a long way in making your RV experience an enjoyable one.
Don’t get too hung up when you’re asking, “What is the best RV GPS app?” because most of them are pretty solid and will help you get to your location safely. You’ll likely make a decision on any extra features they have that make things easier for you.
- How Long Do RV Generators Last? 2024 Answer - October 29, 2022
- How Do RV Generators Work? 2024 Answer - October 28, 2022
- How Do You Attach an Awning to an RV? - October 16, 2022