Motorhome route planning

Table of contents

• 1. Introduction: Route planning with a motorhome 

  • 1.1. Reasons for good planning

  • 1.2. The benefits of careful planning

• 2. Route planning - the first steps

  • 2.1. Setting goals

  • 2.2. Determining the trip duration

• 3. Planning your travel budget 

  • 3.1. Fuel costs and toll costs

  • 3.2. Saving and discounts

• 4. The right motorhome for the trip 

  • 4.1. Types of motorhome

  • 4.2. Selection criteria

• 5. CampersCompass route planner 

  • 5.1. Planning and consultation

  • 5.2. Routes on offer

• 6. Destination highlights for motorhome trips 

  • 6.1. Germany

  • 6.2. Italy

  • 6.2. France

  • 6.4. Scandinavia - Sweden and Norway

• 7. Activities and leisure on the road 

  • 7.1. Outdoor fun

  • 7.2. Cultural highlights

  • 7.3. Activities for bad weather

• 8. Avoiding stress in the motorhome 

  • 8.1. Safety

  • 8.2. Help with breakdowns and emergencies

• 9. Conclusion 

  • 9.1. The most important points at a glance

  • 9.2. The best route planning from consultation to creation - CampersCompass

  • 9.3. Further articles and topics

Motorhome route planning

Why good planning matters

Careful motorhome route planning is key to a great road trip. Good preparation helps you avoid unnecessary detours, saves time and find the best spots for camping and sights along your route.

The downside? Planning takes a lot of time. Especially as a camping beginner, flipping through travel guides and gathering info about the best spots and routes can be tedious.

Thanks to providers like CampersCompass your trip doesn't have to mean a lot of work upfront, and you can focus on what really counts: enjoying your camping holiday.

In this article we've put together useful tips to help you on your trip with the camper . We'll show you how CampersCompass can support you as a route planner. Combined with useful camping apps, your road trip will turn into a relaxed holiday.  

Insider tip: With CampersCompass you can have a Europe-wide route planned along VanSite pitches. Combine the planning with the VanSite AnnualPass and save even more on accommodation costs. You can get the AnnualPass for a one-time fee of 189€ and stay 12 months on ALL Vansite pitches for 0€.

Benefits of motorhome route planning

With a careful plan for your route you can not only save time and visit the best spots and highlights , but also avoid overcrowded campsites . You can also budget more accurately by factoring in fuel costs, tolls and accommodation costs .

You can also factor in other things like weather and public holidays at your chosen destinations and adjust your route if needed.

Image from Unsplash by Annie Spratt |

Tip: Weather can change unexpectedly, so it's always useful to have a Plan B and other options and places off your original route as a backup.

First steps in route planning

Setting your goals

The first step in trip planning is deciding on your destinations. Think about which places you want to visit and which sights should be along your route . There are many inspiring motorhome tours to follow to help you discover the most beautiful regions and plan realistic tours. Use pitch guides, travel guides for campers and other online resources to find out about your options.

Alternatively, looking at the map in Google can help you find beautiful places and photogenic spots. You can save the destinations directly in the app and put together a suitable route .

If you're looking for places close to nature, you can also get inspiration for your route by our VanSite pitches . In the VanSite App you can save your favourite spots directly on your smartphone and plan your next camping trip with a map.

Don't have any good ideas or little time to find destinations yourself? Maybe you'd like to try a route off the beaten track? Then use the expertise of CampersCompass and get some advice. The provider also puts a lot of emphasis on slow travel and nature-oriented Camping.

Image from Campers Compass

Determine the trip duration

Deciding how long your road trip will last is an essential part of route planning. Think about how much time you can set aside and which stages are realistic. A flexible plan and building in buffer time give you the freedom to linger at beautiful spots or to adjust the route when unexpected things happen. Also factor in driving times, planned activities and necessary breaks.

A well-planned trip duration lets you enjoy the tour at a relaxed pace and experience all the highlights in your own time.

More tips:

• Search on Google for "motorhome tours to follow" and use the examples as a guide for a realistic duration of your trip.

• Plan shorter driving legs to have enough time for breaks and exploration.

• Use apps like Google Maps or the ADAC Drive App to avoid traffic jams, check road conditions along your route, and calculate realistic driving times.

Plan your travel budget

Include fuel costs and toll fees

When estimating your travel budget, alongside accommodation costs fuel costs and toll fees are important factors to roughly calculate in advance. Make a rough estimate of total kilometres and calculate the expected fuel consumption of your motorhome.

Apps can help here too, to identify toll routes and calculate the fees involved. Also bear in mind regional differences in fuel prices.

A budget buffer for unexpectedly higher costs is a good idea.

With this information you can plan your travel budget and unpleasant surprises on the road.

Savings options and discounts

When planning your travel budget, it pays to look out for savings options and discounts. Many campsites offer discounts for longer stays or special deals outside the high season. Memberships with ADAC or other camping clubs can also bring discounts on pitches and tolls.

Do you already know the VanSite JahresPass? With the pass you can also save money: you pay once and have for a year the option to use all our pitches for free.

Click here for the VanSite JahresPass

Besides saving on pitches you can also save on fuel: use fuel apps to find the cheapest fuel prices along your route. The app GasBuddy can help you in the USA and Canada, for example. That way you can make the most of your budget and have more to spend on activities and experiences along the way.

The right motorhome for your road trip

Different types of motorhome

There are many types of motorhome that cover different needs. Compact campervans are ideal for spontaneous trips and offer flexibility on tight pitches.

Larger motorhomes offer more space and comfort for longer trips and are perfect for families, children or groups. Some models have special features such as extended kitchens or bathrooms. Think about how many people are travelling with you and how much storage space you need.

A useful tip: visit trade fairs or use online platforms to get an overview of your options, compare different types, and find the right model for your trip.

Watch out for these selection criteria

When choosing the right motorhome, keep the following criteria in mind:

• Space requirements: How many people are travelling? How much storage space do you need?

• Features: Do you need a kitchen, a bathroom, air conditioning, or heating?

• Comfort: How comfortable is the motorhome on different pitches and campsites?

• Driving characteristics: Is the motorhome easy to manoeuvre? Does it suit your driving habits?

• Size and weight: Can you drive the motorhome with your driving licence? How does the weight affect driving stability? Does the size of the vehicle suit your travel style (pitch vs. campsite)?

• Power supply: What type of power supply does the motorhome have (solar, gas, electricity)?

• Water supply: How large are the fresh and waste water tanks? Are they sufficient for your planned trips?

• Price and budget: Does the motorhome fit your budget? Also factor in ongoing costs like insurance, maintenance, and fuel.

Buying a motorhomeisn't always worth it right away. Depending on how often you plan to travel by camper , renting can be renting an attractive alternative. There are plenty of providers that offer various vehicle types for camping and often also include additional services like roadside assistance as well.

At CampersCompass you can also rent a vehicle to go with your individually planned route right away!

How CampersCompass helps with route planning

Personal advice and planning

CampersCompass offers comprehensive personal advice and planning for motorhome travellers. The camping experts don't just help you plan the route for your camping trip but also book the best pitches and campsites as well as activities when needed. They take into account personal needs and wishes to make possible a stress-free trip that suits you.

On request, CampersCompass can also arrange the right motorhome for the trip. Thanks to the partnership with VanSite you can have a route with nature-close pitches from VanSite planned and ideally combined with the VanSite AnnualPass to keep your route affordable.

With expert advice, you can discover the most beautiful routes and insider tips, so every camping adventure can be planned to perfection.

You decide how much support or freedom you want when planning your road trip.

Here's how it works:

1. Get in touch by email or contact form and tell us your travel wishes

2. Clarify any questions by phone or video call

3. Receive a proposed route

4. Make adjustments if needed and finalise the plan

5. Book and start your trip!

Even during your trip CampersCompass is there for you and can be reached via WhatsApp if you have any questions.

Routes from CampersCompass

CampersCompass specialises in certain countries and regions to be able to create the best routes for you.

Image from Campers Compass

See the destinations here

Destinations range from Scotland to Bavaria and on to Sardinia. The range is constantly growing. The routes are designed for slow travel and let you camp off the beaten track. This means you can discover new places and enjoy nature to the full.

For your trip, CampersCompass also provides helpful information materials like packing lists or language guides on request so you're well prepared.

Top destinations for motorhome tours

Germany

Germany has plenty of beautiful spots for motorhome tours. Popular camping destinations include the coast of the North Sea and Baltic Sea, the Black Forest and the Alps in the south. Typical routes run along the German Alpine Road, through the wine regions along the Rhine and Moselle, or along routes connecting historic towns and castles.

Image from pixabay |

Example of a 1-week motorhome trip through Germany:

1. Day 1: Munich – Your journey starts in the capital of Bavaria. Here you can sample Bavarian cuisine, stroll through the historic old town, and enjoy nature in the English Garden or along the Isar.

2. Day 2: Chiemsee – Next up is the Chiemsee. Visit Herrenchiemsee Palace, take a boat trip, and on warm days cool off with a swim or some paddling.

3. Day 3: Berchtesgadener Land – On into the mountains to Berchtesgaden. Explore Lake Königssee and the Eagle's Nest. The area is also great for hiking.

4. Day 4: Garmisch-Partenkirchen – At the next stop on the tour, you can climb the Zugspitze, Germany's highest peak, on foot or by gondola, and enjoy the view.

5. Day 5: Schwangau – Head on to Schwangau. Visit the fairy-tale castle of Neuschwanstein or relax at the thermal baths.

6. Day 6: Lake Constance – Drive on to Lake Constance. Visit Mainau Island and enjoy the lakeside promenade. From here you can also extend your route and explore the neighbouring countries of Austria and Switzerland, or plan day trips.

7. Day 7: Freiburg im Breisgau – End your trip in Freiburg. Explore the old town and the Black Forest.

This route offers a varied mix of nature, culture, and history, ideal for a week-long motorhome trip packed with things to see and do in southern Germany.

Here you'll find inspiration for nature-close camping spots in Germany with VanSite.

Italy - one of Europe's most beautiful countries

Bella Italia is one of the most popular destinations for motorhome travellers in southern Europe. Popular spots include Tuscany with its hills and charming cities like Florence and Siena as well as the Amalfi Coast with its spectacular coastline.

In the north, the Dolomites and Lake Garda invite you on adventurous drives into nature.

Veneto with Venice, the Emilia-Romagna with Bologna and Parma, as well as Apulia and Calabria with stunning beaches are further highlights.

Finally, the islands Sicily and Sardinia with long beaches and coastlines offer wonderful opportunities to experience the nature of Italy by campervan.

To the VanSite campsites in Italy.

France: ideal for motorhome tours

France is also one of the most popular destinations for motorhome tours. Popular camping destinations include:

• Atlantic coast: Here you can enjoy long beaches and stop at beautiful coastal towns like Biarritz.

• Provence: This region is known for its landscapes, including vast lavender fields and vineyards, small villages like Gordes, and historic towns.

• French Alps: Great for outdoor activities like hiking and skiing, with impressive landscapes around Annecy and Chamonix.

• Alsace: In Alsace you can drive along the famous Wine Route and explore the wine-growing region.

• Brittany: Here you find the wild Atlantic coast and historic towns like Saint-Malo. The region also has many small seaside resorts.

• Normandy: Visit the cliffs of Etretat, Mont Saint-Michel, and the historic D-Day beaches.

To the VanSite campsites in France.

Sweden and Norway

Image from Unsplash by Igor Francetiv |

Northern Europe also has a lot to offer campervan enthusiasts. Motorhome trips through Scandinavia are perfect for nature lovers and adventurers. In Sweden, the skerry coasts, dense forests, and idyllic lake landscapes attract visitors. Popular regions include Smaland with its forests, the island Gotland and the vast Lapland. Thanks to the right to roam you can camp almost anywhere with a tent and enjoy the unspoilt nature.

Norway impresses with its scenery and the famous fjords. The Lofoten Islands offer coastal landscapes and small fishing villages. Cities like Oslo and Bergen combine culture and nature well. The many well-equipped campsites make travelling by motorhome particularly comfortable and flexible.

Activities during the trip

Outdoor activities

There are plenty of outdoor activities to enjoy on a motorhome trip. Popular options include hiking, cycling and water sports like kayaking or swimming.

For route planning and navigation, apps like Komoot and AllTrails particularly useful. They offer detailed maps, route suggestions and information on difficulty levels and route lengths. You can also download the maps in the respective app so you always have your maps offline on your smartphone.

Cultural highlights

Besides outdoor fun, motorhome trips often have plenty of cultural activities on offer as well. Visit, for example, historic towns, museums and monuments to learn more about the area.

There are also festivals and local markets great ways to experience the local way of life. The app TripAdvisor can help you, for example, find nearby sights and events. Reviews, recommendations, and practical information help you plan and enjoy your cultural outings.

Activities for rainy days

There are plenty of options to keep busy on rainy days during a motorhome trip. Near towns you can use indoor options like museums, galleries, and cinemas.

Some sites also have wellness centres or are close to swimming pools, which are also a good option in bad weather.

For entertainment on board the motorhome, streaming apps are ideal for a movie night. A good card or board game should also not be missing from the luggage and provides variety.

Here you'll find more inspiration for games and activities in bad weather:

• Camping games for on the road

• Camping in the rain

Stress-free motorhome travel

Road safety

Road safety is of the utmost importance on motorhome trips. Make sure to take regular breaks to avoid fatigue, and observe the speed limits.

Make sure the motorhome is in good condition by carrying out a thorough inspection before departure.

With Google Maps you can use real-time traffic information, traffic warnings and alternative routes to avoid delays. A separate sat nav can also be used to route suggestions and navigate without stress even with poor internet.

These tips help you reach your destination safely and without stress.

Breakdowns and emergencies

Image from pixabay |

Good preparation for breakdowns and emergencies is also essential for a stress-free motorhome trip. Make sure you have a well-stocked toolbox and a spare tyre on board.

A comprehensive first aid kit should not be missing either. It makes sense to be a member of a motoring club such as the ADAC to get help quickly in an emergency.

Apps like Pannenhilfe from ADAC and DRK Erste Hilfe offer useful support and guidance for emergencies.

Emergency numbers and important contacts should be within easy reach so you can respond quickly in an emergency.

Conclusion on motorhome route planning

The most important points at a glance

A careful plan is essential. With apps like ADAC Maps or Google Maps you avoid detours and save time and money.

Plan ahead to discover the best campsites and attractions. Factor in fuel costs, toll fees, and travel time so you stay flexible and relaxed on the road.

Use navigation tools and real-time traffic information. That way you enjoy your camping holiday fully prepared and without stress. A good plan makes your trip safe, cost-efficient, and full of great moments.

CampersCompass - From consultation to creation

CampersCompass offers comprehensive services for your motorhome route planning. From consultation and creating individual routes to booking the best campsites CampersCompass supports you at every step.

The routes are designed for slow travel and routes off the beaten track, making them a great option for campers who want to try new tours and enjoy the peace of nature. CampersCompass also gives you the option to rent the right motorhome for your trip.

You choose what kind of support you want for your trip planning. Just send a no-obligation enquiry by email or contact form and get started with planning your next camping holiday.

More interesting articles and topics

• Motorhome tour for beginners - adventure on four wheels

• Renting a camper: tips for hiring a motorhome

• Breakdown with your van: tips and tools for emergencies