41 Really Helpful Apps for RV Travel

Apps for RV travel can really come in handy on the road.

From finding a place to stay to documenting your journey, chances are you will find more than one app that fits your needs.

That’s why I thought it was time to update the RV Lifestyle’s list of when Jennifer and I think are the most useful apps for RV travel for 2024

Specifically, this article lists a whopping 41 apps for you to consider adding to your smartphone or tablet or even both. 

Apps for RV travel – Find a place to overnight

Finding a place to stay, of course, is integral to any successful RVing adventure, which is why five of the 30 apps deal with finding a place to stay overnight.

Our Interactive Steps Map – This is a new and awesome free resource that helps you find and share great spots to stop on the road – we call them “steps.” There is no cost for using this map, either on your desktop or on the app that's available for you while you are on the road and out and about. It's perfect for road trips, cross-country RV trip planning, and making sure you don't miss the best attractions and campgrounds.

Allstays Camp & RV – This has been our main go-to app for years now. It lists campgrounds, boondocking spots, BLM land, parks, attractions and more, and it shows them all on a map. You can search near you or along a route or by state and you can have the map show you everything from campgrounds to interstate rest areas to Walmarts, rv dump sites, pretty much anything an RVer needs to find.

Harvest Hosts – We’re members of Harvest Hosts and love it. More than 1,000 farms, wineries, and attractions across North America are listed in this subscription service…places where RVers can stay free overnight.  The app shows details, gives directions, contact numbers, photos, and reviews from other RVers. Many of the Harvest Hosts offer overnight camping in absolutely beautiful spots. We’ve never been disappointed! To get a 15% discount go to https://rvlifestyle.com/hh (Check out our video below to see how much fun Harvest Host locations can be.)

Here's a video we did on what Harvest Hosts are like:

KOA app – KOA is our go-to campground of choice when it’s time to overnight on the road and we need a commercial campground to get some laundry done and empty the tanks. The app lets you see photos of the campground, get an idea of what amenities are available, and read reviews from other RVers who have stayed there. You can also reserve a spot from the app.

Overnight RV Parking/TogoRV – This is another subscription service and it is awesome, listing something like 14,000 places where you can camp overnight for free or at a very low cost. From inexpensive county and local parks to boondocking locations to the parking lot of welcoming businesses to national and state forest campgrounds, this app will find you a place to stay anytime. To get 15 months for the price of 12, use the link https://rvlifestyle.com/togorv

Cracker Barrel – The Cracker Barrel app shows Cracker Barrel locations near you or on your route, many of which allow free overnight stays in the parking lot for RVers. You can also order take-out meals from restaurants along your route. Allowing you to have it ready by the time you get there. Cracker barrel is very friendly to RVers, usually offering plenty of parking even for big rigs.

Apps for RV travel – Plan a trip

Whether plotting out a trip or already on the road and looking for a place to stop, these apps help you find the destinations you‘ll be seeking out.

 iExit – This app is great for finding out what’s at the next exit from the interstate, or an exit miles down the way. It locates fuel stops, tells you the average cost per gallon, notes what restaurants and businesses are at that exit. They call it your Roadtrip pit stop finder and it helps save time and figure out where to pull off and find the services you need.

Yelp – We love Yelp and use it all the time to find great restaurants. Pick a location and see what’s near you. Here’s a hint: We always look for places with the best reviews, four or five stars and we’ve never been disappointed and, in fact, have found some awesome local restaurants that we would have passed right by.

Roadtrippers – This app helps you find fun and interesting things to see along your travel route. You can filter it however you want but the app covers just about every region in the country and makes some great suggestions for off-the-beaten-path exploration. Read the reviews from others who have been there and we guarantee you’ll find some fun places to stop.

Waze – Yes, we have GPS built into our RV. But Waze is hands down the best app we have found to not only navigate us to where we need to be but to show us in almost real-time, things like traffic backups, speed traps, road construction, debris on the road, and other important information about what’s ahead. It’s updated by users like you who are up ahead, and you’re encouraged to report issues you encounter for those behind you.

Road Trip Planner – This is a great app for planning a trip. Enter your destination, places where you want to stop and it suggests the best routes to take. This is our plan for a trip to the Adirondacks this summer. You can add notes, side trips and make it a very handy itinerary with all the info you need right at your fingertips. I believe this is only for iOS.

Apps for RV travel – Connect with a physician while on the road

Health care should always be a priority when you’re on the road, but especially now.  These apps can connect you with a physician via smartphone, tablet, or laptop. Keep in mind, of course, there will be costs/insurance involved.

Teladoc connects you with a board-certified doctor 24/7/ via phone or video. Teladoc physicians can diagnose, recommend treatment and prescribe medication, for many medical issues, including sore throat and stuffy nose, cold and flu symptoms, and respiratory infection. The app is free for iOS and Android, with costs for connecting with a doc dependent on insurance and other factors.

Doctor On Demand allows users to connect face-to-face with a doctor through video on your smartphone or tablet. Doctor On Demand works with or without insurance and is available at reduced rates through many major health plans and large employers. Providers are licensed, board-certified and U.S.-based. The app is free for iOS and Android, with costs for connecting with a doc dependent on insurance and other factors.

MDLive offers virtual doctor visits with board-certified physicians from wherever you are, whenever you want.  Users can schedule a non-emergency appointment at a time and day that’s convenient or have an on-demand visit in around 15 minutes.  The app is free for iOS and Android, though there are costs for connecting with a doc dependent on insurance and other factors.

Apps for RV travel – Keep track of your family and friends

Keeping track of the family members and friends you might be traveling with is important. Likewise, if you’re traveling solo, you want to make sure others know where you are located while on the road. These apps take the idea of staying connected to a whole new, safer level.

The app called Life360 , for example, sets up small circles of friends to automatically share information such as location and arrival. You can create custom circles, too, like if a group is going on a hike or exploring and wants to keep track of each other for a short time. The app allows for chatting and sending private messages to other users. It’s free for Android and iOS.

The Zenly app is a real-time location sharing app designed to help friends keep track of each other and connect in person. Whether at the park, campground, concert, carnival, or beach, the app lets others know where you are. It is also free for iOS and Android.

And the app MamaBear Family Safety is designed for parents to monitor their kids’ location. But since it allows users to get updates and messages, it can easily be oriented towards RVing. For example, you could use it to check in with family back home and keep them updated as to your location without having to text or call or check-in. The app even has a panic button that can be activated if needed. For parents, the app has a social media monitor that allows Mom and Dad to see what the kids are doing on social media It even can be set to show their teen’s driving habits, so they know whether they are speeding. But RVers could use those features so friends and family back home could follow their social media posts and see whether they are on the road or camped somewhere. It’s free for iOS and Android with premium features available for purchase.

Apps for RV travel – Summer Safety

With the brunt of RVing done during the summer, it’s important to remember the elements presented by Mother Nature during the warmest time of the year.  These apps help you practice even better summer safety.

OSHA-NIOSH Heat Safety Tool, from The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, helps you take precautions against outdoor heat while working or playing. It features a real-time heat index and hourly forecasts, specific to your location. The app is free for iOS and Android.

The Waterlogged app makes sure you stay hydrated. The app tracks your water intake with minimal effort and can send reminders of when it’s time to drink water. The app is free for iOS and Android, with in-app purchases for premium features.

EPA’s SunWise UV Index app provides a daily and hourly forecast of the expected intensity of ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun, as well as sun safety tips, to help you plan your outdoor activities. The app is free for iOS and Android.

Apps for RV travel – Get help in the kitchen

I suppose you could technically dine out for every single meal you have while on the road, but that doesn’t seem especially economical or super healthy, especially these days.  Be sure to check out our steady flow of recipes tailored to RVing, as well as these resources for great-tasting dishes.

Tasty offers more than 3,000 recipes right at your fingertips. The app features an innovative search tool that allows you to filter by any ingredients, cuisine, and social occasion you’re in the mood for. There are even videos to help you figure it all out. The app is free for iOS and Android.

NYT Cooking browses and searches thousands of recipes from The New York Times. Recipes feature beautiful photography and easy-to-follow instructions. It sets up your own personal recipe box. Mark recipes you’ve cooked, rate recipes, and leave notes. The app is free for iOS and Android with premium features available for purchase.

Food Network Kitchen includes more than 80,000 recipes and step-by-step cooking classes. Choose from more than 50 live classes each week taught by your favorite Food Network stars, culinary experts, award-winning chefs and surprise celebrity guests. The app is free for iOS and Android.

Apps for RV travel – Connect with nature

Use your smartphone or tablet to (ironically?) connect with nature!

Audubon Bird Guide is an app that helps you get outside and get your birdwatching on. It covers 810 species using photos instead of drawings, includes range maps, has a good selection of audio recordings including alternate calls and regional variations, and slightly more descriptive text including habitat, range, and nesting information. The app is free for iOS and Android.

Another great app to use outside on your own is called Sky Guide. The app shows a detailed picture of the heavenly bodies above, as well as what’s over the horizon and on the other side of the world. The app points out constellations and their exact locations, so you can look up at the real sky and find everything. The app is $2.99 and available for iOS.

As long as you’re outside exploring, consider the iNaturalist app. It helps you identify the plants and animals around you. Get connected with a community of over 400,000 scientists and naturalists who can help you learn more about nature when you document what you’ve seen.  . The app is free for iOS and Android.

Apps for RV travel – Fishing apps

What's a great RV trip without doing some fishing? We have three apps for RV travel that will help you.

Fishbrain is currently the no. 1 fishing app, serving as a personal fishing log, map, and forecasting tool. Other features explore the most effective baits, and you can know exactly what you’ve caught with the app’s species recognition tool. The app is free for iOS and Android.

Fishing Points lets you save and find your favorite fishing locations and trolling paths. There are satellite views from Google Maps or you can use offline mode with nautical charts for boating whether on open seas, lakes, or rivers, and delivers. The app is free for iOS and Android.

BassForce puts the expertise of the greatest bass anglers of all time right at your fingertips. Just input the conditions for your fishing day and the app’s pros will show you the specific baits that have worked for them under those exact same conditions. The app is free for iOS.

Apps for RV travel – Streaming video apps

With so many great TV shows and movies available in so many different services like Netflix, Hulu, and more, keeping track of it all can be a big job — especially if you’re looking for your favorites.

JustWatch lists streaming services where you can watch movies and TV for free, rent, or buy. There are nearly 40 streaming providers, including Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, HBO Go, and more. The app has lots of interest and genre filters and newly added shows and movies for each service. The app is free for iOS and Android.

Reelgood pulls listings from hundreds of services to provide custom listings in one app. You can also buy or rent shows and movies that aren’t available to watch for free. The app also recommends new shows and incorporates ratings from services like Rotten Tomatoes and IMDb scores. The app is free for iOS.

Yidio monitors major services like Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime as well as smaller services, delivering more than 100 in total. When you find a TV show or movie, the app will list the streaming sites that have it available. Choose one and you will be taken to their app or website, to buy, rent, or watch. Some shows you can watch in-app.  The app is free for iOS and Android.

Apps for RV travel – Improve your sleep

Having trouble sleeping? These apps can monitor how well you sleep — or don’t.  This information can be especially useful if working with a physician to address what could be pretty serious problems.

The SleepScore app tracks your sleep and shows when you sleep light, deep and when you wake up. The app uses sonar technology so you only have to have your phone by your bedside for it to work. The app is free for iOS and Android with premium features available for purchase.

Sleep Cycle provides analysis to help you get a good night’s sleep and better overall health. The app has an intelligent alarm clock designed to gently wake you up while you’re in your lightest sleep phase. It also integrates with Apple Health. The app is free for iOS and Android with premium features available for purchase.

Apps for RV travel – Weather apps

Bad weather can happen anytime. There are several apps for RV travel that will help you prepare for the worst when it comes to the potential devastation that can be brought by Mother Nature.

Drive Weather app illustrates the National Weather Service’s forecast showing motorists weather along their route at the expected time they will be at each point on their trip.  Drive Weather shows motorists road trip weather, compares weather on different routes, allows drivers to add stops and interactively change departure time to find the safest time to travel. The app is available for Android and iOS

NOAA Weather Radar Live is a must-have in our book, offering weather forecasts, and much more. Features include a radar overlay that shows areas of rain, snow, and mixed precipitation in high resolution and vivid colors. Set your device to received alerts from the app whenever severe weather is on the way, too. The app is free for iOS and Android.

The Storm Radar app brings you up-to-date high-definition radar provided by NOAA. In fact, Storm Radar lets you view weather patterns up to six hours ahead of time where you live. Allow the app to send you notifications and you won’t even have to keep checking the app for bad weather that might be on the way. The app is free for iOS and Android.

The Weather Radar app from AccuWeather goes beyond your local forecast to provide a daily snapshot of the UV index, visibility, allergy, precipitation, and air quality reports, all the information can be accessed directly via the app. Look ahead 15 days to ensure you’re prepared for any weather or use the app’s MinuteCast feature for hyper current and local forecasts. The app is free for iOS and Android.

Apps for RV travel – Petcare on the road

With so many of our RV Lifestyle Fellow  Travelers hitting the road with their pets, I would be remiss to not include two apps that can be useful for RVing with a four-legged friend/friends.

Pet First Aid from the American Red Cross is a first aid guide and knowledge base for owners of dogs and cats. The app provides instant access to simple first aid lessons, step-by-step guides, and a nice selection of how-to videos. There’s also a section for vet contact details. The app is free for iOS and Android. This is great when you are far from home.

Rover is often called a kind of “Uber for dog sitters.” It helps you find dog sitters near you, all of whom have been vetted for trustworthiness, and the service is covered by insurance. We've used this all across the country with great results. Book pet sitters for boarding, house sitting, doggy daycare and visits, and sitters can use the app to provide photo updates and notifications to pet owners. The app itself is free for iOS and Android.

Apps for RV travel – Document your journey

When it’s all said and done, you may want to document your story for your records — or to share with others.

Created by travelers, for travelers, Driftr is designed as a social network for those who like to hit the road. The app supports photos and videos and encourages sharing reviews and travel advice. Create your own travel blog instantly. Quickly and easily find the best places to stay, attractions, places to eat anywhere in the while taking advantage of exclusive offers. It's helpful in planning a trip as well. The app is free for iOS and Android.

Day One lets you create an entry with just one click or use one of the numerous templates. You can add data like location, weather, the music you are listening to, and more. Plus, you can embed photos and videos or even draw. And to make sure you stay consistent, you can set notifications to remind you that it’s time to journal. The app is free for iOS and Android.