You’ve done the research, found the perfect RV, and packed your rig with all the essentials. Now only one question remains: where to first? No matter if you are new to the world of RVing or have been full-timing for years, sometimes it can be hard to narrow down your travel bucket list. To help you get started, we’ve rounded up a list of 10 books that will help inspire your next RV road trip.
Roadtrippers Route 66: Chicago to Santa Monica
Roadtrippers Route 66, written by our friends at Roadtrippers, is jam-packed with weird, fun, fascinating, surprising, and iconic stops along one of the most classic routes in the U.S. The authors traveled the Mother Road in search of all of their favorite things and found haunted hotels, family-owned diners, original neon signs, and bizarre roadside attractions. As an added bonus, you can connect with the Roadtrippers app to get interactive maps for each section of the route.
Where Should We Camp Next?: A 50-State Guide to Amazing Campgrounds and Other Unique Outdoor Accommodations
From the creators of The RV Atlas comes the ultimate guidebook for family-friendly camping. Stephanie Puglisi (who also happens to be the head of content at Togo RV) and her husband Jeremy have put together more than 300 recommendations across all 50 U.S. states to help you plan your next RV vacation. The in-depth profiles for each campground will make it easy to find the best campsites for your RVing lifestyle.
The RV Travel Journal: The Ultimate Road Trip Record Book
Once you’re inspired and on the road, make sure to document your memories with a trip logbook. Sarah Cribari’s RV travel journal features a place to log your mileage, record campsites and landmarks visited, create healthy meal plans, and more.
The 10 Best of Everything National Parks
If you love national parks, then this book is sure to inspire—and possibly spark some lively debate. It includes hundreds of top 10 lists for all your favorite parks. Each list is organized by theme, so you can easily find the 10 best lodges, hikes, or picnic spots. It even includes specific lists for Civil War sites, sunrise views, and places to say “I do.” And while this book may not contain an immense amount of detail, it does an excellent job of highlighting unique activities and places. Check it out to see if your favorite hike or campground made the cut.
50 Great American Places
Written by Brent D. Glass, the former director of the Smithsonian National Museum of American History, this book digs into the stories behind some of the most important cultural and historic sites in the United States. While you are bound to recognize some of the spots included in the book (like the Hoover Dam), others are more under-the-radar (like where the Wright Brothers first learned to fly). The places mentioned span the entire country, and offer a nice mix of major cities and rural small towns. There’s also an audiobook version available if you prefer to listen—and get inspired—while on the road.
Under the Starts: How America Fell in Love with Camping
If you’re even remotely interested in camping, then Dan White’s Under the Stars is for you. By combining lots of historical research with incredible first-person stories, White shares why humans have an innate draw to the outdoors and what being in nature can do for the human spirit. This book not only covers 200 years of camping history, but also touches on things like the formation of Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts and the philosophy behind “leave no trace.” Under the Stars might make you laugh, it might even make you cry, but it will absolutely make you want to plan a camping trip.
Atlas Obscura, 2nd Edition
The mission of Atlas Obscura is to inspire wonder and curiosity about the world, and this book does exactly that—it takes readers to unusual destinations around the globe, with more than 100 pages dedicated to under-the-radar spots in North America. Destinations range from Death Valley’s Amargosa Opera House to Great Basin National Park’s ancient bristlecone pines to Nebraska’s Carhenge. Each destination features stunning pictures and well-written descriptions, in addition to information on when to visit, how to get there, and insider tips.
Lonely Planet USA’s Best Trips: Amazing Road Trips
This practical guide details 65 iconic road trips across the United States, and they’re all divided by region to make planning even easier. Everything is mapped and color coded, with suggestions on where to eat, stay, and park. Not every route listed is exclusively for cars—there are some options to park and take a walking trip, which is beneficial for larger RVs that may not fit through tight spaces. Keep this in your glove compartment and pull it out if you need some ideas on where to stop along your drive.
Living the RV Life: Your Ultimate Guide to Life on the Road
Written by a husband and wife duo, Living the RV Life is not only a great introduction to the world of RVing, but is also super helpful for those considering the jump to full-time. Don’t let the glossy finish or large pictures fool you—this book is extremely comprehensive, offering advice and suggestions for everything from choosing the right RV, to picking the best insurance plan, to emotionally preparing yourself for life on the road. Even if you aren’t a full-time RVer, or even want to become one, this book is still extremely valuable for anyone who plans to take a lot of RV trips or even travel for extended periods of time.
Roadfood, 10th Edition
If you believe good food is a destination in itself, Roadfood should be on your bookshelf. Think of it as your road map to foodie-friendly excursions across the U.S. The Roadfood Honor Roll features 100 can’t-miss restaurants, from classic Texas BBQ to the West Coast’s oldest seafood markets. Roadfood will help you find 1,000 of the best local restaurants so you can experience the true, authentic flavor.
Whether it’s to check out the best sunrise views in a national park or tour the country in search of the best fish tacos, hopefully the books on this list inspire you to pack up your rig and hit the open road. Each one serves as a reminder that there are amazing things to explore, no matter which direction you choose to steer your RV.
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