Tips for Planning an RV Trip

RV · Originally published April 14, 2015 · Updated November 2026

Part of the appeal of RV travel is freedom, but a little planning keeps that freedom from turning into a scramble for a campsite at 9 p.m. Whether you're headed across the country or just down US-65 to Table Rock Lake, these steps help the trip go smoothly.

Choose your destination and timing

Popular spots fill up early. Around Branson and Table Rock Lake, you'll find Corps of Engineers parks, a state park and private RV resorts, and summer weekends, holidays and fall color season are the busiest times. If your dates are flexible, weekdays and shoulder seasons are usually easier to book and more relaxed once you're there.

Think about what you want from the trip, too. Lakeside sites for boating, a resort close to the shows, or a quiet wooded campground all point to different places.

Plan the route for an RV, not a car

Standard map apps route you like a passenger car. In a motorhome or with a trailer behind you, that can lead to low clearances, tight turns or roads that aren't a good fit.

• Know your RV's height, length and weight, and keep them written in the cab.
• Use an RV-specific GPS or routing app if you can.
• Expect steep grades and sharp curves on many Ozarks highways, and plan to take them slower.
• Map fuel stops with room for a big rig. Not every station has the space.
• Keep driving days shorter than you would in a car. Arriving in daylight makes setup far easier.

Reserve and confirm your campsites

When you book, give the exact length of your RV, plus the tow vehicle if you're towing a car or pulling a trailer. Then confirm:

• Pull-through or back-in
• Electric service (30 or 50 amp), water and sewer
• Check-in time and late-arrival instructions
• Pet rules and any generator quiet hours

Build a realistic budget

Fuel is the obvious cost, and RVs use a lot of it. Also plan for campground fees, propane, dump station fees, groceries, attractions, and a cushion for a tire or a repair on the road. A breakdown far from home is expensive, so it helps to know ahead of time what your roadside coverage includes.

Pack the paperwork and a checklist

Keep these in one place you can grab quickly:

• Registration and current insurance ID cards for the RV and tow vehicle
• Your roadside assistance number and policy number
• Campground confirmations and phone numbers
• Emergency contacts and any medications
• Spare keys for the RV, hitch locks and storage compartments

A simple departure checklist (steps up, antenna down, propane checked, hitch locked, lights tested) prevents the most common driveway mistakes.

Check your coverage before you go

A few weeks before the trip, review your policy:

• Motorhome: It needs its own policy with liability, plus comprehensive and collision for the coach.
• Towable: Your truck's auto policy generally provides liability while you're towing, but not damage to the trailer itself. The trailer needs its own physical damage coverage. See travel trailer insurance and towing.
• Extras: Ask whether you have personal belongings coverage, emergency expense coverage and liability for when you're parked at a campsite.
• The boat: If you're bringing a boat to the lake, it needs its own coverage too. See our page on Table Rock Lake boat insurance.

Talk to a local agent

Call us at 417.865.4800 or request a quote below, and we'll check your RV insurance before your next trip.

Common questions

How far ahead should I book an RV site at Table Rock Lake?

For summer weekends, holidays and fall color season, book as early as the campground allows. Weekdays and off-season dates are usually easier to get.

Do I need to tell my insurance company about an RV trip?

Not for an ordinary trip, but it's a good time to confirm your coverage, ID cards and roadside number are current. If you plan to start living in the RV, that does need to be discussed.

More from the blog

• RV insurance
• How to Reduce Your RV Insurance Rates
• Choosing the Right RV

All blog posts →