10 Reasons RV Travel Is the Best Way to Explore the US
Ever felt like traditional travel is just too much work for not enough payoff?
You pack your suitcase, rush to the airport, sit through delays, rent a car, then live out of a bag for days all while paying a premium for a “nice” hotel view of the parking lot.
That used to be us…. well, at least until we discovered RV travel.
We’re a full-time RVing couple who’ve rolled through 35 states (and counting!) with our 95-pound furbaby, Coco. Ok, truth be told, Coco hasn’t been to that many states (11) yet, but she is racking them up!
We’ve tested just about every style of rig on the market from a pop-up camper we lovingly dubbed the “redneck toyhauler” to our current 44-foot fifth wheel that’s bigger than some city apartments.
Along the way, we’ve learned a few things including how to dodge low bridges and why zip ties are a traveler’s best friend.
But more than the bloopers, RV travel has given us something more: freedom, comfort, connection, and adventure on our own terms. Whether you’re RV-curious or just daydreaming about ditching hotel check-out times forever, here are 10 reasons RV travel is hands-down the best way to explore the US.
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1. Your Home Travels With You
One of the biggest perks of RV travel is how easy it is to settle in.
Instead of constantly packing and unpacking like you would with hotels or short-term rentals, your home comes along for the ride. You’ve got your bed, your bathroom, your kitchen, and your couch and everything stays in place no matter how far you roam!
We love that our space is familiar and functional. There’s no need to live out of a suitcase or remember which drawer the hotel put the extra towels in.
From our early days in a compact travel trailer to the spacious fifth wheel we call home now, we’ve always had the core comforts with us. We have our own pillows, cozy blankets, and the ability to cook a real meal wherever we’re parked.
Some rigs (like ours now) even come with a washer / dryer on board; but even without it, having your own space just makes life on the road easier.
Whether we’re beside a mountain lake or tucked into a quiet forest, the view might change but the feeling of home doesn’t.
2. RV Travel Makes Life Easier for You and Your Dog
One of the biggest reasons we love RV travel? Coco pup gets to come along for the ride! Traveling with pets can be tricky especially if you’ve got a larger dog or a breed that’s sometimes misunderstood.
But with an RV, you’re not scrambling for pet-friendly hotels or worrying about leaving your dog behind. You’ve got your own space, your own rules, and your best friend riding shotgun.
That said, it is not always as simple as “dogs welcome everywhere.”
Many RV parks do have rules about size, breed, or number of pets and unfortunately, we’ve run into a few places that wouldn’t accept Coco because of her looks (even though she’s the biggest cuddlebug you’ll ever meet).
Some campgrounds are wonderfully welcoming, while others have more red tape. You learn to ask ahead and plan around it.
Even some national parks restrict pets on trails, which can be frustrating. But for the most part, we’ve been able to explore incredible places together including a recent 1,945 mile trip from Georgia to Grand Teton National Park.
RV life isn’t perfect for every pet, but if you’ve got a dog who loves adventure and a little planning flexibility, it opens up an entire lifestyle of road trips, trails, and campfire snuggles.
If you’re planning to RV with your dog, we’ve learned a few tricks that make life easier on the road like travel day routines and campground etiquette. (More tips coming soon!)
3. Unbeatable Scenery From Your Campsite
Ok, let’s be real… hotel windows rarely offer much beyond a view of the parking lot or the HVAC system on the roof.
With RV travel, your “room with a view” can be anything you want it to be: a serene lake, a desert mesa, a snow-capped mountain, or even just a quiet, shady forest.
Some of the best scenery we’ve ever experienced has come right from our campsite chairs. We’ve watched sunsets over the Tetons, cracked open a cold beverage beside glass-still lakes, and fallen asleep to the sound of waves all from our home on wheels.
You really just don’t get that in most hotel rooms (and definitely not for the price of an RV site – $30 per night for the site above!).
Luxury RV resorts like Hilton Head National RV Resort (HHNRV) or Elm Hill RV Resort in Nashvhille deliver stunning settings with upscale amenities (check out the bathrooms at HHNRV – see below) but even the more rugged or remote campgrounds can offer jaw-dropping views.
You get to choose your backdrop, park it, and live in it. No elevator needed.
4. Campfires and Community
There’s something about sitting around a campfire that just feels… right. It is the kind of moment that grounds you with crackling wood, glowing embers, a sky full of stars, and maybe a s’more (or three).
RV travel invites those slower, more meaningful moments that hotels simply cannot replicate.
Some of our favorite nights on the road have been spent swapping stories with fellow travelers, sharing tips, and laughing over who forgot to close their awning before a thunderstorm rolled in.
Whether it’s a spontaneous potluck or a quiet evening just the two (ok, three) of us, the campfire becomes a little anchor in the day. It is our place to unwind and reconnect.
You do not need to be a social butterfly to appreciate the RV community. You’ll find everything from chatty neighbors who become fast friends to peaceful, private sites where the only sound is the fire crackling and your dog snoring nearby.
Either way, the sense of connection (to nature, to others, and to yourself) is part of the magic.
5. More Affordable Than You Think
When people think of RV travel, they often imagine it’s expensive. But the truth is, it can actually be a huge money-saver, especially when you’re traveling full-time or for extended trips.
Yes, there’s an upfront cost (like the rig itself), but over time, the savings can add up if you do it right.
RV Resorts vs. Hotels
For what you’d spend on a couple nights in a nice hotel, you could stay a week (or longer) at many RV parks. Even upscale resorts like Hilton Head National RV Resort or Elm Hill RV Resort offer high-end amenities for a fraction of the price of nearby hotels with similar features.
Budget-Friendly Overnight Options
One of our favorite budget-friendly hacks is using Harvest Hosts. You pay a flat annual fee, and in return, you get access to thousands of unique overnight stays at farms, wineries, breweries, and more for free (just support the local business if you can). It’s a great way to save money AND stay somewhere with personality.
Little Things Add Up
Plus, you can cook your own meals, avoid pet boarding fees, and skip pricey flights or car rentals altogether. We also use tools like RV Life Pro to plan routes that save on fuel and avoid costly detours (another easy way to keep your budget in check).
RVing is not always cheap but with a little planning and flexibility, it can be one of the most cost-effective ways to travel, especially if you’re not afraid to mix in a few budget-friendly campgrounds with the splurges.
6. Flexibility to Choose Your Adventure Style
One of the most underrated perks of RV travel? You get to decide what kind of trip you want and you can change it on a whim.
Want a luxury stay with pools, clubhouses, and private beaches? Done.
Prefer a quiet forest site with no neighbors in sight? Also an option.
Feel like boondocking under the stars in the middle of nowhere? Absolutely.
RVing gives you the freedom to mix and match your travel style based on your mood, budget, or bucket list. And we’ve done it all! From high-end RV resorts with every amenity imaginable to backroads campgrounds where the only sound was the wind through the trees.
Even your length of stay is flexible.
Want to settle in for a month? Go for it.
Just passing through and want to stay one night? Easy.
There’s no standard itinerary you have to follow which is one of the reasons this lifestyle feels so freeing.
Whether you’re a planner (like me!) or more spontaneous (like my husband), RV travel gives you the ability to design your adventure, your way.
7. You Can See the Real America
There’s something special about exploring the country by road.
RV travel slows you down just enough to notice the places you’d miss if you were flying from one big city to the next. You find the quirky roadside attractions, small towns with charm, and unexpected gems that never make the “top 10” travel lists.
We’ve seen some incredible places simply because we had the freedom to pull off and explore.
Cadillac Ranch off Route 66? Random, colorful, unforgettable.
Riding the aerial tram up Sandia Peak? Something we probably wouldn’t have done if we’d just flown into Albuquerque for a quick weekend.
RVing lets you connect with the landscape in a different way. You’re not just passing through; you’re living in the places you visit, even if it’s just for a night or two.
And that truly changes how you experience them.
If you want to really see the US, not just the polished version, but the quirky, scenic, soul-filling one, RV travel is THE way to do it.
8. You Bring All (Or Most of) Your Toys
One of the most practical perks of RV travel? You don’t have to pack light.
Whether it’s your side-by-side, e-bikes, kayaks, or even just extra lawn chairs and a grill, you have space to bring what you love.
No baggage fees. No rental hassles. Just load up and go.
Our current setup is a 44′ fifth wheel toyhauler, which makes hauling gear a breeze. We’ve brought everything from e-bikes, to snow skis, to our side-by-side for off-roading.
And the best part? It’s always right there with us. No need to rent expensive gear at every new destination or figure out how to strap a kayak onto a rental SUV.
Even if you’re not hauling heavy equipment, having your own chairs, coolers, and camp gear adds to the comfort and ease of travel. You’re not constantly buying (or borrowing), you’re just using what works for you.
RV travel isn’t just about where you go; it’s also about what you get to do once you get there.
9. You’ll Collect Great Stories (and Laughs) Along the Way
Let’s be honest… RV life isn’t always smooth sailing.
Things break. Weather rolls in. You take a wrong turn and suddenly find yourself face to face with a 10-foot bridge and a 13-foot rig.
But here’s the thing: those moments? They become the best stories.
We’ve had our fair share of “oops” on the road… we’re talking blowouts in the middle of nowhere to playing the ever-popular game of “why won’t the generator start?”
In the moment, it’s stressful. But once the dust settles, you laugh, learn, and maybe add a few more tools (and zip ties) to your travel kit.
Every hiccup becomes a part of the journey; it is something you remember, share, and bond over. And it’s these unpredictable, character-building adventures that truly set RV travel apart from more “polished” vacation styles.
You don’t need a perfect trip to have an unforgettable one. Trust us, the imperfect ones make the best memories.
10. RV Life Builds Deeper Bonds
RV travel isn’t just about the places you go, it’s about who you share them with. When you live and travel in close quarters, you learn a lot about each other. You solve problems together, celebrate wins (like backing into a tight site on the first try), and find joy in the little routines that make the road feel like home.
For us, it’s strengthened our relationship in ways we didn’t expect. We’ve learned to be a team between navigating long travel days, making split-second decisions, and changing the occasional flat tire without losing our cool (most of the time).
Add in our pup Coco, and we’ve got a little adventure crew that feels tighter than ever.
RV life encourages presence.
You’re not rushing through your day or buried in your phone. You’re sitting by the fire, making dinner together, watching your dog chase fireflies, and actually talking.
It’s the kind of bonding that happens when you slow down and live a little more intentionally.
RV Life: Worth Every Mile
RV travel isn’t always perfect but that’s kind of the point.
It’s flexible, immersive, and full of unforgettable moments (both the wow and the whoops). You get to choose your view, bring your dog, cook your own meals, and see a version of America most people fly right over.
And you get to do it all from the comfort of your own home on wheels.
After visiting 35 states (with more on the horizon), we can confidently say RVing has given us the freedom and connection we didn’t even know we were looking for.
Whether you’re daydreaming about life on the road or just looking for a better way to vacation, we hope this post helps you see what’s possible.
Feeling inspired to hit the road? Check out our step-by-step guide on how to plan your first RV trip that includes a checklist to get you rolling.
Want more RV travel tips, gear guides, or stories from the road? Stick around because we’ve got plenty to share.
