The RV trip planning checklist

A checklist turns a good plan into a repeatable routine. Work through these four groups in order — the first two are planning, the last two are the days right before and during the trip. New to the bigger picture first? Start withhow to plan an RV trip.

1. Your rig & route

• Confirm your rig profile: height (including the roof A/C), width, length, weight, and whether you carry propane.
• Plan the trip with RV-safe routing — not a car map.
• Scan the route for low clearances, weight-limited bridges, and restricted tunnels.
• Check the elevation profile for mountain passes and steep grades.
• Set realistic daily mileage (many use the 300-miles / arrive-by-3 guideline).
• Plan the return leg with the same care as the outbound.

2. Bookings & budget

• Reserve campgrounds and RV parks that fit your length, with pull-through sites where you need them.
• Line up simple overnight stops between destinations.
• Estimate fuel from your rig's real MPG and regional prices.
• Add up nightly site fees for a trip budget.
• Note check-in times, cancellation windows, and any big-rig site restrictions.

3. Pre-departure walkaround

• Dump and flush tanks; top off fresh water as needed.
• Check tire pressure and condition on every tire, including the spare.
• Inspect the hitch, safety chains, breakaway cable, and lights (if towing).
• Turn propane off before travel, tunnels, and ferries.
• Retract slides, awnings, steps, and antennas; latch every bay and vent.
• Secure the interior — cabinets, fridge, loose gear.
• Confirm your measured height is written on a card on the dash.

4. On the road

• Keep to your planned daily distance and arrival time.
• Plan fuel and dump stops ahead, not on empty.
• Watch for posted clearance and weight signs — believe the lowest number.
• Note any new low-bridge or hazard you find, so the next RVer benefits.
• Do a quick walkaround at every stop before pulling back out.

Keep the checklist in the app

RV Compass builds most of this into planning itself — your rig profile drives every route, restrictions are flagged and explained, stops carry big-rig filters, and the return leg is there by default — so the checklist gets shorter every trip.