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RV travel in the digital age offers an array of mobile apps to enhance your experience. With over nine years of RVing under our belts, we”ve used our fair’ve tried many mobile apps for RVing. Whether you’re looking for free dispersed camping options, a place to dump your RV tanks, read campground reviews, connect with other travelers, plan your route or check the weather, there’s a mobile app or two (or three) to help you do just that. Keep reading for a list of our favorite apps for RVing.
Top Apps for RVing
Most of the apps on this list are free to download. However, if you don’t have an unlimited wireless data plan, be sure to monitor the cellular data usage of each app.
Table of Contents
1. Allstays Camp & RV
One of the best apps for RVing is Allstays Camp & RV. This mobile app is great for planning your next trip and for when you’re on the road.
Allstays Camp & RV has helped us find truck stops, rest areas, RV dump stations, camping options with review and so much more. Instead of having separate apps for finding a Walmart or a Pilot, we only need this one.
Read our Allstays Review to find out if it’s worth it.
iOS: https://www.allstays.com/apps/camprv.htm
Desktop & Other Devices: https://www.allstays.com/proamember
2. GasBuddy
GasBuddy is a free mobile app that displays user-updated gas prices in the United States and Canada. Finding cheap fuel is key to saving money on the road. There have been many instances where we have saved over $.30/gallon on fuel thanks to this fuel price app.
Whether you’re fueling up an 80-gallon gas tank like we did on our first RV or the 55-gallon diesel tank in our 2000 F350 Superduty, money saved on fuel means more for the fun fund. Check out our one year cost of full-time RVing to see how much was spent on fuel.
You can even look up fuel prices in other cities along your route. GasBudy has several filters where you can search for specific stations and fuel types. For example, we use the filters to search for gasoline at a Costco stations.
The next time you’re going on an RV road trip, use this app to help plan your fuel stops and maximize savings.
Android & iOS: http://www.gasbuddy.com/App
3. Google Maps
Having explored 49 out of 50 U.S. states in an RV, we consider Google Maps a must-have travel app for keeping track of our favorite places across the nation and around the globe. While Google Maps is widely known for its navigation features, we primarily use this free navigation app to save locations we’ve visited and to discover new places we’d like to explore.
The Google Maps app also comes in handy when fellow RV travelers ask for recommendations for a town they are visiting. All I have to do is open the app and zoom in to the area to share those places with them.
For travelers who like to stay organized, Google Maps offers list-making capabilities. You can sort those saved locations into various lists, such as a “Favorite Coffee Roasters” list or a “Best Campgrounds” list.
For example, if we are planning a trip from Tucson, Arizona to Flagstaff, Arizona, we will open the Google Maps app to see what saved places are along the route. Depending on the time of year or even the day of the week, we can decide which starred places to visit or revisit and which ones to skip.
Android & iOS: https://www.google.com/maps
4. Gaia GPS
Gaia GPS is also a popular app for hikers and off-roaders. We love it because you can use it offline when you don’t have cell service. Just be sure to download the map(s) for the area first and it will track your position.
There is a record feature that lets you track your route so you can look back on it and have it for reference for your next trip. We have found that the tracking feature will pause unexpectedly so we make sure to check it occasionally to make sure it’s still tracking.
If you have the premium version of the Gaia App, there are layers that can help you find dispersed camping on public land through layering. The recommended layers are Motor Vehicle Use Maps (MVUM), public lands overlay and USFS Classic.
Since Verizon is our cell service provider, we use the Verizon coverage layer to identify areas with cell service. You can also find layers for AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, and other carriers. This feature has been particularly helpful when planning backcountry trips like the Rimrocker Trail (watch the video).
We’re still discovering everything this GPS app has to offer. I’m sure there are many other features we haven’t even explored yet.
Android & iOS: https://www.gaiagps.com/
5. AccuWeather
A good weather app is essential when you’re traveling in an RV. Over the years, we’ve tried several weather apps and found AccuWeather to be the most reliable.
In addition to hourly and daily forecasts, the app provides information on air quality and severe weather updates. You can customize the app to display the data most relevant to you.
The location search feature makes it easy to get weather forecasts for areas you plan to visit, which is especially useful when planning a route to avoid severe weather, including tornado watches.
We use the radar layer in this app during thunderstorms to see precipitation type and intensity. Other available layers include satellite, current alerts, snowfall forecasts, and temperature contours.
Read our post on RV Safety Tips to learn more about dealing with severe weather.
Android & iOS: https://downloads.accuweather.com/
6. X (Formerly Twitter)
In severe weather conditions, X can be a very useful tool (watch the video below). Follow @NWS for tweets from NOAA’s National Weather Service. There are also separate accounts for severe thunderstorms (@NWSSevereTstorm), tornadoes (@NWStornado), and specific regions and cities in the United States.
Android & iOS: https://x.com/settings/download
7. Speed Test
If you work on the road like we do, having access to good internet speed is crucial. The Speed Test app will show you the download and upload speeds. Our average video file is over 4 gigabytes and a slow upload speed could mean hours of waiting to publish a video on our YouTube channel.
This app can also help you save money if you frequent coffee shops for their complimentary WiFi. Before paying for that cup of coffee, test their WiFi speed to ensure it meets your needs.
We also use a device to help boost the cellular signal. Read our Cell Signal Booster Review to learn more.
If you plan on using public WiFi at places like coffee shops or libraries, be sure to use a VPN service to protect your privacy and reduce security risks. We use NordVPN, which has an easy-to-use mobile app.
To learn more about staying connected on the road, read our post on Internet for RVers.
Android & iOS: http://www.speedtest.net/mobile/
8. Instagram
We love using Instagram to connect with people and make new friends. Many travelers we follow geo-tag their locations in their posts. When we see they are nearby, it’s as simple as leaving a comment or sending them a message to see if they want to hang out.
We’ve met some wonderful people through Instagram and some of them have become life long friends.
The Instagram app also has a great search feature that can help you find things to do at popular travel destinations or decide what dish to order at well-known restaurants. To do this, look for the business account on Instagram or find all posts tagged with the location of the business.
Android & iOS: https://www.instagram.com/
9. Apple Music & Podcast
For those long driving days, we love listening to music and podcasts. Since we are an Apple family, we use Apple Music and Apple Podcasts. While Apple Music is available for both Android and iOS devices, Apple Podcasts is primarily available on iOS devices.
Android & iOS: https://music.apple.com/us/browse
Spotify is also a popular option, and you can find our podcast, RVing with Joe & Kait, on most podcast streaming platforms.
10. iOverlander
While researching for our Baja RV trip, the iOverlander app was one of the many tools we used to find places to camp, locate water sources, and identify the locations of military checkpoints. When traveling in the U.S., we use this app to supplement information found in other RVing apps.
It’s important to keep in mind that some campsites are submitted by users with off-road RVs like a 4×4 truck camper. Be sure to research the area and road conditions before taking a large motorhome.
Android & iOS: https://ioverlander.com/apps
11. Google Translate
Meeting people is one of our favorite aspects of traveling, and we have met people from all over the world. The Google Translate app makes it easier to communicate when we don’t speak the same language.
When we’re traveling internationally to places like Tibet or Barcelona, we will download the languages spoken in the region so we can use the translation feature offline. The two language we always have downloaded are Chinese (simplified) and Spanish.
The camera feature is handy when looking at a menu in a foreign language, though the translation isn’t always accurate. For the most part, we can figure out what the dish is based on the English translation.
Android & OS: https://translate.google.com/about/
12. Campendium
Campendium is a great camping and RV app for finding campgrounds near you. While it’s similar to the Allstay app mentioned above, the best part about Campendium is the user-generated reviews. You can find useful details and helpful information, ranging from photos and cell service coverage to different GPS coordinates.
Kait uses the nearby filters to help us find free camping on public land and overnight parking at places like Cabela’s and Cracker Barrel.
iOS: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/campendium-rv-tent-camping/
13. The National Park Service
The National Park Service app is incredibly handy for anyone who spends time in the national parks. The app features detailed interactive maps, along with information about all the park’s amenities. It also includes suggestions for things to do in the park, with directions and activities to enjoy in each area. Additionally, the app is updated with closures and other pertinent information that you won’t find on a physical map.
For example, the app lists all of the camping and hotel information of a park and indicates which ones are open or closed. When you select a campground, it provides detailed information (such as the number of sites, WiFi availability, cell service, etc…) and includes a link to reserve a campsite.
Now, I know many of you might say that a physical map is essential because there’s often no cell service in the parks. However, that’s no longer an issue with offline access. The National Park Service has made it possible to download all the information, maps, and more for a park to use when you don’t have a data signal. (Learn more about how to stay connected on the road.)
The next time you’re at a national park, consider skipping the physical handouts and giving the app a try. Not only does it save resources, but the money saved on printing materials can (hopefully) be reinvested in the park.
Android & iOS: https://www.nps.gov/subjects/digital/nps-apps.htm
14. Harvest Hosts
For RVers with a Harvest Hosts and/or Boondockers Welcome membership, the mobile app is the quickest way to locate hosts nearby, read reviews, request stays, and access detailed information about each host in the network.
There is no additional cost for the mobile app; it’s included with your membership.
Read our full review of Harvest Hosts to learn more about one of our Favorite RV membership programs.
Android & iOS: https://www.harvesthosts.com/pages/harvest-hosts-mobile-app
15. Libby
Whether you are traveling in a large RV or a micro RV, space can be limited. One of my favorite apps for saving space on books in a camper is the Libby app. Libby is a mobile app that allows you to borrow and read eBooks, audiobooks, and magazines from your local library for free!
Both of my books, Take Risks and Tales From the Open Road, are available on the Libby app.
Android & iOS: https://libbyapp.com/
Which apps do you use when traveling in your RV?
Great article, loads of helpful stuff. New to RV life. Have been using RV Parky, Harvest Host and Campendium to find sites.
Windy – it’s a great app to see what the winds are doing and especially where we areplanning to travel to.
We do all of the above except for Twitter. Always trying to find a better weather app than my commonly used Wunderground. I find that it will suddenly send you to a weather station 40 miles away from your saved ones. Will go look at Windy.
We used Wunderground weather app before switching to the current one on the list.
Wait! Twitter is AWESOME for up to the minute weather forecasts straight from the horse’s mouth, the National Weather Service. We follow regional NWS office Twitter feeds along our travel routes. We also subscribe to each state’s highway patrol and Department of Transportation Twitter feeds while we’re in that state for road conditions and crash information. Twitter doesn’t have to be about drama and politics. Use it to your advantage. And finally, we’ve found that in areas with sketchy service, new Twitter feeds tend to make it to our phones when other on-line apps and web pages can’t.
Windy is a far better weather app than Accuweather
Loves the article! Looking at moving from RV sharing and vacationing to full the RV living. I’ll definitely be checking out your book. I ended up in the medical field as a nurse but I’m starting to find out I love mechanics! Oh yeah and definitely quality coffee.
I would add Open Signal to the list. Not only a speed test but compares signal/speeds of each provider at your location. So if your like me with multiple phones/hot spots/providers you can choose the best connection. Also points you towards the nearest towers.
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/opensignal-internet-speed-test/id598298030
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.staircase3.opensignal
Here’s another one that I’m working on. It’s mostly focused on public camping and the social side of things. We might add in RV parks if there’s demand for it, but the main focus is on public land (we formed it as a non-profit with a goal of keeping public lands clean)
Web: https://freeroam.app
Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=app.freeroam.main
iOS: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/freeroam/id1434359242
Hopefully self-promotion is fine here 🙂 Sorry in advance if not!
Hi Joe!
I have a Samsung S10 and was wondering if I can download the App Allstays Rv/Camp on this phone? Would love to have this app since we are Rvers 6 months out of a year. If not, what would you recommend for an app similar to this Allstays camp/Rv app?
Thanks for your help!
Cindi
Hey Cindy – for Android devices, you will need to use AllStays Pro version. Here is the link: https://www.allstays.com/proamember/aff/go/weretherussos