GPS, Atlas, Mapquest and More....

Hi Beth - I see by your bio you are driving a smaller class C, right? That works to your advantage with a GPS - since most GPS units don't know the difference between an RV and a passenger car - they will route you thinking you are a car which doesn't always work out well if you are in a bigger unit, due to height, length, or weight issues. At least you can more easily back up/turn around than someone in a diesel-pusher towing a car! That said, I belong to AAA for a reason - I get paper maps of all the states I plan on driving thru ahead of time. I find part of the fun of travelling is planning the trip. I will look at a map (you can accomplish the same thing with an atlas) to get a route idea, then use the GPS (again ahead of time...) by entering my beginning location and destination, and see what it gives me for a route. Back to the map to look at the route and see if it makes sense to me. Then I use a highlighter marker to draw on the map marking the route (which is why I don't use an atlas - it would become hard to read, plus the paper maps are bigger than atlas maps). I will make notes right on the paper map as to exits for fuel (I use the Gas Buddy website or smartphone app to look at prices in different areas to see where fuel is cheaper) or campgrounds. That way I can quickly refer to the map to read my notes as I travel along without having to scrutinize route or exit numbers. Depending on my trip (meaning if I am just leisurely touring vs pushing to reach a destination) I may only pre-plan a day or 2 at a time, or I may pretty much know my route from the east to the west coast ahead of time. I use the RV Parky app on my phone to locate overnight options for my daily destination (again often done the evening before), and also the Good Sam RV Travel Guide (campground directory) to read about potential RV parks and what each one has to offer (are they pet friendly?). Again, AAA has Tour Books of each state or region, so you can read up on what different cities have to offer travelers. Far from perfect, but a good start. Find visitors centers or Chambers of Commerce in new areas, they are an oft-overlooked wealth of knowledge. Bottom line - don't try to over-plan/over-think it, just go and have fun. ST