PitchGuide
How to plan a camping road trip
To plan a camping road trip, start with the total nights and how long you want to drive each day, then split the route into stops of one to three nights. Find a campsite for each stop, estimate the distance and fuel, and pack for your tent, caravan or motorhome. Short driving days leave time to arrive and set up in daylight.
Set the nights and the area
How many nights you have and the kind of place you want: forest, coast, mountains or open road.
How to do it: Write down the total nights first; everything else fits around it.
Choose a daily driving limit
Long days leave you setting up in the dark.
How to do it: A popular rule of thumb for RV trips is 2-2-2: about 200 miles (320 km) a day, arrive by 2 p.m. and stay 2 nights.
Split the route into stops
Two or three nights at a stop gives you a full day without driving.
How to do it: Mark each stop on a map and check the distance between them.
Find a campsite for each stop
Filter for what you need: showers, electricity, water, pets or free to stay.
How to do it: Contact each site directly about space and rules; popular areas fill up in summer. How to choose a campsite
Estimate fuel
Towing or driving a motorhome uses more fuel than a car on its own.
How to do it: Multiply the distance by your vehicle's fuel use and add a margin for hills and detours.
Check your vehicle's height and weight
Low bridges and weight limits matter for caravans and motorhomes.
How to do it: Know your figures and check the route for restrictions before each leg.
Pack for your setup
A tent trip and a caravan trip need different lists.
How to do it: Use a checklist for your setup and run the departure checks before you leave. RV and caravan checklist
Put it on one trip sheet
Pitch lines up stops and nights and shows the distance per day and a fuel estimate for your car, caravan or motorhome.
How to do it: Answer six quick questions and see your trip laid out. Plan my trip with Pitch
Leave room for weather
Rain or wind can change a plan.
How to do it: Keep one flexible night and check the forecast before each leg.
Plan your next camping trip in one minute. Answer six quick questions and get your stops, nights, campsite filters and packing checklist.
Plan my tripAvailability: Pitch is an iPhone app on pre-order. Plans start on launch day, with a full refund any time before launch.
Questions
How do I plan a camping road trip?
Set the total nights, pick a daily driving limit, split the route into stops, find a campsite for each stop, estimate fuel and pack for your setup.
What is the 2-2-2 rule for RV travel?
A rule of thumb: drive no more than about 200 miles a day, arrive by 2 p.m. and stay at least 2 nights at each stop. Adjust it to your own pace.
How far should I drive each day on a camping trip?
Far enough to enjoy the trip, short enough to arrive in daylight. Keeping each leg to a few hours leaves time to set up, especially when towing.
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Updated October 12, 2026