We just bought our first travel trailer a few weeks ago and so far have only a couple of weekend trips close to home under our belts. But we're planning on a lot of long summer road trips over the next few years. We have 4 kids and are used to being able to break up long driving days with a stop somewhere to let the kids run around....a museum or mall or park or whatever's on the way. So my question is....how much are we going to need to adjust our travel style to accommodate this big old trailer we're pulling now? Trailer is almost 33 feet and we're towing with a full size van, so total length is....a lot. Do we need to resign ourselves to places that we can walk to from a Wal-mart parking lot from now on? Or is finding places to stop easier than it seems to my intimidated newbie self? Should we call ahead and ask about RV parking for tourist places? I feel like I must be overthinking this since I don't see people talking about it much anywhere. But I'm pretty good at overthinking things ;).

Welcome.Depends on what type of driving you're doing. Most folks find driving more than 6 hours a day is too much. How will covering 400 miles per day impact your travel itinerary? Will you have time for longer stops other than fuel and lunch? There are times we need miles under our belts. Other times we click "avoid highways" and use the back roads to get to the next destination. FWIW we have been to rest stops that were so beautiful we would consider moving in. Some scenic overlooks are well worth a hike in the nearby woods. Playing in a stream or picking berries has its pleasures.

You will definately need to modify your stops a little, but you will find many of the attractions have RV parking....in time you will see, the trade off is well worth it...with your new TT, the family has a home and plenty of space to stretchout and relax, it's right behind you....

Rest stops, Every has city parks and fairgrounds. Use your Garmin to get directions.

You will have to adjust your travel style a bit. I think the reason that you haven't seen this issue mentioned much is because most people drive straight to their destination then do all of their sightseeing in their car. We have a 25' RV and don't tow so we have to fit in the parking lot of any place that we want to see. We also like to stop along the way. It's not always easy with our little rig and there have been many places where your trailer and van just would not fit. If you know where you would like to stop to give the kids a break try searching for parks etc. on a site like tripadvisor When you decide on a good attraction take a look at the parking lot on Google satellite view. You should be able to get an idea of the parking situation.

Some good suggestions. A resource you may want is the book "The Next Exit." It details, by interstate exit #, RV-friendlier gas stations, stores and attractions, and also campgrounds. Gas stations can sometimes be a real challenge to get into & out of when towing, but we have found this book to be a real help in deciding where to gas up, or if there's a Walmart available for grocery restocking.

Finding places to stop along the way (during the day)

30 Replies

tenbear
Explorer
Sep 29, 2015
We stop at the state tourist bureaus. They can often offer advice about the attractions and the parking. When we were in areas that we wanted to see several attractions we would travel only about 100 miles between campsites and use the TV (when we towed a trailer) to see the attractions. Now we use the toad.
bsinmich
Explorer
Sep 29, 2015
With a 38' motorhome and hitch+toad I was 57' We never missed seeing something we were interested in. Get off the Interstates to see the most. We came from Edmonton, AB to Detroit with no freeways (until we had to cross Big Mac) and it was very interesting.
gbopp
Explorer
Sep 29, 2015
Use Google Maps to check the size of parking lots at the locations you are interested in visiting.
pitch
Explorer II
Sep 29, 2015
we are shorter than you but not by much. Yes there are someplaces that you are not going to fit. Most places unless right in town will have a parking lot that you can park around the edges. Even in town you often can slide around the block and park curbside off the main drag. You may have to walk a block or two,but if it is worth stopping for it is worth walking for!
NoVa_RT
Explorer
Sep 29, 2015
Lots of rest areas have pretty good picnic areas and some also have room to toss a football around a bit. With your trailer, you'll have more options about what you do when you stop, even if there are somewhat fewer places where you can stop. With some planning, it all works.
kknowlton
Explorer II
Sep 29, 2015
Some good suggestions.

A resource you may want is the book "The Next Exit." It details, by interstate exit #, RV-friendlier gas stations, stores and attractions, and also campgrounds. Gas stations can sometimes be a real challenge to get into & out of when towing, but we have found this book to be a real help in deciding where to gas up, or if there's a Walmart available for grocery restocking.
tonyandkaren
Explorer
Sep 29, 2015
You will have to adjust your travel style a bit. I think the reason that you haven't seen this issue mentioned much is because most people drive straight to their destination then do all of their sightseeing in their car. We have a 25' RV and don't tow so we have to fit in the parking lot of any place that we want to see. We also like to stop along the way. It's not always easy with our little rig and there have been many places where your trailer and van just would not fit.

If you know where you would like to stop to give the kids a break try searching for parks etc. on a site like tripadvisor When you decide on a good attraction take a look at the parking lot on Google satellite view. You should be able to get an idea of the parking situation.
MarkTwain
Explorer
Sep 29, 2015
Rest stops, Every has city parks and fairgrounds. Use your Garmin to get directions.
GENECOP
Explorer II
Sep 29, 2015
You will definately need to modify your stops a little, but you will find many of the attractions have RV parking....in time you will see, the trade off is well worth it...with your new TT, the family has a home and plenty of space to stretchout and relax, it's right behind you....
Houston_Remodel
Explorer
Sep 29, 2015
Welcome.

Depends on what type of driving you're doing. Most folks find driving more than 6 hours a day is too much. How will covering 400 miles per day impact your travel itinerary? Will you have time for longer stops other than fuel and lunch? There are times we need miles under our belts. Other times we click "avoid highways" and use the back roads to get to the next destination.

FWIW we have been to rest stops that were so beautiful we would consider moving in. Some scenic overlooks are well worth a hike in the nearby woods. Playing in a stream or picking berries has its pleasures.

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Finding places to stop along the way (during the day)

30 Replies

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