Roadtrippers Magazine

For many campers, the idea of owning an RV starts as a passing thought during a rental trip. A long weekend in a campground, surrounded by rigs that belong to people who just… have one. The question comes naturally: what would it actually take to own one of these? RV sales have stayed elevated since the pandemic-era outdoor boom, and a growing share of buyers are not retirees trading in their homes for the open road.

You’ve mapped your route, loaded up the cooler, and topped off the tank. But when’s the last time you looked at your wiper blades? It’s one of the most overlooked parts of road trip prep, and one of the most important. A sudden rainstorm, a wave of bugs across the windshield, or a dusty stretch of highway can test your wipers fast. If they’re not up to the job, you’re not just annoyed. You’re a safety risk. Here’s what every road tripper should know before pulling out of the driveway.

In 2026, the United States turns 250. And while there will be parades, fireworks, and a year of official America250 programming from coast to coast, the most powerful way to mark the Semiquincentennial isn’t to watch it on a screen. It’s to drive it. This 2,500-mile road trip is built like a timeline you can steer.

Planning an RV road trip for the world’s biggest soccer tournament? The 2026 tournament is the biggest in history: 48 teams, 104 matches, and 13 host cities across the US and Canada. That also makes it the most road-trippable tournament ever staged. This guide covers where to camp, where to watch, and which roads to avoid in every major host city. One note before you start: most matches run June through July, right in the heart of peak summer camping season. Book your RV sites now.

A Route 66 road trip had been on my bucket list for years, but my husband and I kept putting it off. It was one of those iconic road trips that I felt needed to be planned perfectly. And then last summer, my husband and I decided to pack our bags, load the car, and spend two weeks exploring one of the most legendary highways in America! 2026 is the Route 66 Centennial, and there are many celebrations planned along the way.

Camping looks different for everyone. For some, it’s a sleeping bag and a headlamp and the quiet satisfaction of making coffee on a camp stove. For others, it’s the thrill of the open road—pulling into a scenic basecamp with full hookups, a hot shower, and a pool waiting at the end of the day. That’s exactly where RVC Outdoor Destinations comes in.

If you’re searching for a budget-friendly vacation destination with warm weather, easy travel, and relaxed casino entertainment, Laughlin, Nevada checks every box. Located along the Colorado River, Laughlin is especially popular with snowbirds, RV travelers, and road trippers looking for affordable hotels, dining deals, and an easygoing resort experience without the crowds of bigger casino cities.

A rooftop-tent setup that can be finished in 60 seconds | Image: Roof Space A simple, step-by-step guide to a fast roof tent setup, which tents are actually “60 seconds,” and how to make late-night stops easy. Key takeaways: A true 60-second roof tent setup means: park, pop latches, let gas struts lift the shell, pull down the ladder, and your bed is ready. The quickest tents are hardshell clamshells and pop-ups; fold-out “hybrid” tents add more floor space but a few extra steps.

Doing Route 66 on a budget? Camping is the move. As a route 66 RVer myself, here are some of my favorite camping options along the route. Starting from Chicago: Indiana Dunes State Park: Yes, it can feel a little tight. Sites are fairly close together and there are a lot of them. But it’s a fantastic basecamp for exploring Chicago, whether you’re tent camping or in an RV. The rail service right from the park entrance into downtown Chicago is a big win.

Not unlike countless other roadtrippers, I’m inexplicably drawn to the rural stretches of the United States highway system. There is a tone you can feel in a vehicle when a desert horizon flattens a city skyline. There’s a tangible reassurance when the road begins to work with the contours of the landscape instead of against them. These places are still very wild. They represent a piece of us that is at risk of vanishing.