As a full-time RV travel family of more than five years we have learned what a valuable tool various apps can be.
For the record, we are not a full-technology family. We still appreciate paper maps, carry our atlas with us everywhere we go, and read physical books about locations. But we also know how beneficial some apps are. That’s why we focus on using only those that are the most helpful. Over the years we’ve culled some and adopted others, but the majority of the ones listed below have withstood the test of time for us (a couple are newcomers that we love).
We have no affiliation with any of these. They are simply what we have found most beneficial.
So, without further ado, here are our top picks for RV Travel apps:
FUEL
1) Open Roads: Our go-to for lower diesel prices.
Our last rig was a fuel-guzzling diesel pusher. Averaging only 6mpg, getting discounts on fuel was imperative. Now our current rig is a diesel truck pulling a travel trailer, so diesel discounts are still quite important. We applied for and received a fleet card through TSD Logistics. The Open Roads app is used in conjunction with that card to show us which gas stations accept the card and what the discounted price will be. The card is linked to our bank account, so once you use the fleet card the money comes from your bank account.
*PRO Tip: We have a separate bank account for Fuel & Campground Fees. It makes budgeting that area so much easier!
For more information, here is a link to the company:
2) GasBuddy: General Fuel Price and Location App
We’re not always where we can access a gas station associated with the Open Roads app, so for that reason we have GasBuddy. This app will show us location of gas stations as well as fuel prices. NOTE: Users submit updated prices. We went out of our way recently to get to a station with lower prices that had been recently submitted by the owner of that station, and the prices were very wrong. I then read the reviews of that station and found it to be a regular problem with that owner. Lesson: Always check reviews if you’re going out of the way to a station.
PLACES TO STAY
3) AllStays C-RV Military: For those with Military MWR privileges to locate FamCamps
Many military installations have family campgrounds (FamCamps) for use by those with MWR privileges. If you fit that category, this is an app you will want! We often choose to stay at FamCamps because of the price, security, community, and more. We have accessed so many that we wouldn’t have found otherwise by using this app.
4) AllStays Camp & RV: General Campground Locator
Another AllStays app, but this one is for campgrounds and RV parks in general, as well as rest stops, and other essential RV amenities. It also includes information about dump stations, propane stations, and RV-friendly services, making it a comprehensive resource for RVers on the road.
5) iOverlander: Locate Boondocking Sites
This crowd-sourced app is our go-to for finding remote or lesser-known spots for RV camping and boondocking. It lists free and paid campsites, dump stations, water fill-ups, and more.
6) Harvest Hosts: Unique Overnight Stays
Harvest Hosts is a membership program offering RVers unique overnight stays at wineries, farms, breweries, and attractions. It’s a great way to experience new places, often in scenic and quiet locations, outside of traditional campgrounds.
These are some of our favorite places to stay! If you have never heard of Harvest Hosts or just haven’t made the leap to join them yet, we highly recommend it! You pay an annual membership fee, and you can stay at so many incredible locations for free. Keep in mind it is typically without hookups, and they suggest you spend about $30+ to support the location.
We often choose to stay on farms for a few reasons:
We meet incredible people at these places!
The kids love getting to see various farm animals, gardens, etc.
We hope to have a homestead someday, so we love getting ideas, learning, and experiencing how others do it on a bigger scale.
We will be buying food anyway, so we prefer to buy directly from farms. This gives us a way to buy directly from them even as we travel.
7) KOA: The official app for Kampgrounds of America (KOA)
We don’t use this one quite as much because we are budget travelers and it seldom fits in our budget, but it is nice to have in our back pocket when needed. This app provides an easy way to find and book stays at KOA campgrounds across the US and Canada. KOA campgrounds are known for their family-friendly amenities and services.
8) Recreation.gov: Find Corps of Engineers campsites across the US
This app allows travelers to search and book campsites, permits, and tours within national parks, forests, and other federally managed lands. A must-have for RV travelers wanting to stay in or near national parks and other natural attractions.
If you are over 65 or 100% P&T Disable Veteran, you can get an access pass to receive half price on all these sites. They are often in beautiful locations such as along lakes and rivers. We use this one almost as often as C-RV Military and Harvest Hosts.
9) AllStays Truck & Travel: Truck Stop, Rest Area, Weigh Station, and Parking Locator
Tailored for truck drivers and RVers, this app helps locate truck stops, rest areas, weigh stations, and parking. It’s helpful for RVers needing to navigate long stretches of highways and needing reliable overnight parking.
While we occasionally use this app to find a place to stop and stretch our legs or use the restroom, we use it most often to locate parking lots that allow overnight parking. This gives us ideas of where we can park for the night to sleep while we’re on the road. Our top places to stay like this are WalMart, Costco, Cracker Barrel, and Bass Pro Shops.
*PRO TIP: Support the business whenever possible and never leave a trace so this privilege will continue.
FUN
10) Geocaching: Like a worldwide treasure hunt!
This is a fun app for RV travelers who enjoy exploring the outdoors. Geocaching is a treasure-hunting game where you use GPS to find hidden containers (geocaches). It’s a great way to add adventure to your travels!
11) AllTrails: Trail Map Finder
AllTrails offers trail maps and reviews for hiking, biking, and running. This is another one of our most-used apps! It is perfect for RVers looking to explore new trails and get outdoors during their travels, with detailed information on trail difficulty and conditions. You can also see pictures users have submitted of trails. You can filter by epic views, kid friendly, dog friendly, wildflowers, waterfalls, hidden gems, and more. Download maps for offline (since many trails don’t have cell service), and click the navigate button when you begin to track your progress, see your location on the trail, and keep record of your stats.
12) Gaia GPS: GPS Navigation App for Backcountry Adventures
Gaia provides detailed topographic maps, hiking routes, and off-road navigation, making it ideal for RVers who enjoy venturing into remote wilderness areas. We use it more for off-road navigation and topographic maps while exploring in a vehicle. We use AllTrails for hiking side of things.
NATIONAL PARKS
13) NPS: Official App of the National Park Service
This official app provides information on all US National Parks, including maps, points of interest, and tours. RVers can use it to plan their visits to national parks, find campgrounds, and learn about park regulations. We also like to use it to keep track of which NPS sites we have visited.
14) Parkwolf: US National Parks Guide
This is the newest to our repertoire. I saw an ad for it on Facebook recently, and it looked so beneficial. I got on the App Store to take a deeper look at it, and I was quite impressed with what I saw and the reviews. So I downloaded it, and it has now become my go-to for visiting National Parks (in conjunction with AllTrails) above and beyond the NPS app.
It offers audio tour guides, detailed info on all landmarks and trails in the park, amazing park maps, wildlife heat maps to help spot wildlife, a feed of wildlife sighting photos, park alerts, and more!
WEATHER
15) Arkansas Storm Team: Weather App Beneficial Anywhere (despite the name)
I know it says Arkansas, but we use this app regardless of where we are. You can click the Follow Me in the location section, or you can type in any location to see the weather there. It’s been the most user friendly, simple weather app I have found.
16) Weather Underground: Weather Tracker
A highly accurate weather app that uses data from thousands of personal weather stations. RVers can rely on it for hyper-local weather forecasts and radar, helping them plan their trips and stay safe from adverse weather conditions. We often use this app for a more detailed look at weather, particularly when there are storms nearby.
EDUCATIONAL: WEATHER RELATED
17) Aurora: Track Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis)
We just recently learned of this app when we were in northern Minnesota in August. A park ranger at Voyageurs National Park shared it with us, and we have used it multiple times since then to catch views of the Aurora. It’s a must-have if you’re in northern latitudes!
18) SkyView: Stargazing, Tracking, and Identifying
We love this app so much when we’re in dark sky locations. It helps identify stars, constellations, and satellites by pointing their phone at the sky. We used it to know where to park and point our cameras when we were preparing to see the Milky Way in North Dakota. We have used it so many times for identifying stars and constellations.
19) Tides: Track Tides
This app is great when you are along the coastline. We first began using it in 2021 when we did a journey all the way up the east coast from Florida to the tip of Maine. We found the tides in the northeast varied so much more than those in the south. It helped us know how to plan for various activities along the coast.
EDUCATIONAL: NATURE IDENTIFIERS
20) PictureThis - Plant Identifier
This is the first app of this type that we ever used. We downloaded it years ago. It got so much use that I began looking for others of its type, and that’s when I found the rest listed below. We use these all the time! I mean, all the time! The kids will come grab my phone so often to see if they have correctly identified something. We also have several books that we keep with us for further identification, but that’s for a different blog post at another time.
With PictureThis you can take a picture of a plant, and it will analyze it and give you the common name, scientific name and classification, aka names, pictures, key facts, characteristics, full description, habitat, care, conditions, how-tos, pests and diseases commonly associated with it, garden use, symbolism, name story, interesting facts, and even a poem about it (which I love when using it for our nature journals)! It will even show a map of where it is native, cultivated, exotic, invasive, or potentially invasive.
This is such a great app!
21) Rock Identifier: Stone ID
This one is by a different developer, but it is very similar to PictureThis, but for rocks and minerals. Our geology loving kid uses this one all the time! Take a picture of a rock, and it will give you tons of info on it!
22) Picture Insect: Bug Identifier
Same as above, but for insects. We don’t use this one quite as much, but we do still use it enough to keep it in our devices.
23) Picture Bird: Sound Identifier
I love this one for early mornings! One of my favorite things to do in some locations is sit outside with my coffee in the morning listening to the bird sing, but I don’t know my birds too well. Plus, they are different in different locations of the country. With this app I can record their song, and it will tell me who they are and give me information about them. It is great, also, for teaching the kids to sit and appreciate nature and helping them connect the dots in different regions.
24) Picture Mushroom: Identifier
While this should never be used as a sole source of identification for mushrooms, it is great for give you an idea of where to begin your search to discover exactly what mushrooms you see. I use it fairly often on hikes and around forested areas.
25) Picture Fish - Fish Identifier
We recently added this one when we were spending a month in Florida. I’m so glad I did because I have been able to use it in other areas now, too! Two of our kiddos are so interested in fishing (one saltwater and one freshwater), but we don’t know enough to teach them appropriately. This fish identifier has been a great way to help us begin learning about various fish!
That wraps up our list of most used apps in this full-time RV travel lifestyle. What apps have you discovered to help with your travel?
To see more about how we plan our travels, check out our video on the subject on our YouTube channel.
You can also follow us on Instagram for quicker views of tips, campfire cooking, and places we visit.
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