Best Navigation Apps and GPS Options for RV Size Routing

[Arknoah]

Thanks as always for the wonderful responses to my queries. One of my upcoming challenges is navigation. Rather than buying a truck or RV-specific GPS right out of the block, I am exploring navigation apps such as that provided by RV Life.



Can any of you let me know of your experiences with these apps? I’ve already purchased a trucker atlas so I have a paper reference for navigation, but I also know that many conventional apps don’t take into account the size requirements (height, width, length) of our units, which is why I’m looking to navigation apps.



Any guidance you could provide would be appreciated.



Thank you!

 

[RayIN]

After some experimenting with apps. l bought a cheap truckers GPS made in China; cost $60. It lasted 3 years, then the battery burst. I think I got my moneys worth. BTW it was very accurate and displayed very recent interstate additions. They sold updates for $25 ea. It's cheaper to buy a new unit every 3 yrs.

 

[Arknoah]

Thank you!

 

[RV_Lee]

Thank you!

This may help you

Best RV GPS 2026: Top 8 Apps & Devices for Safe Routing

Best RV GPS 2026 devices and apps are essential for avoiding low bridges, sharp turns, and weight-restricted roads, making travel

camperdigest.com

 

[Morich]

I am still very much a fan of having a stand alone GPS with updates included. Garmin is the current one.
But what drives me that direction is how often I want to have directions really well placed for me to take a quick look and that means a larger screen than my phone. Also there are many times when we are looking for something specific while I am driving and the wife is "shopping" for the added place to go. I'm still moving down the road while she debates stopping in 10 miles or 30? Stop now for gas or lunch? Depends on what she finds and how far off the route, so she can do the study and I keep driving as my main priority!
With only one unit, I find we have to stop to do that study and we also object to the weird stuff apps want to tell me about on the drive!
Since I tend to follow the laws, I really don't care that there is a radar working four miles ahead??? If there is trash on the road, I tend to drive around it without being told it is there!
But much depends on what we are used to using!

 

[HiBanky]

Waze and google map on your cell phone are FREE and I find them both to be adequate. I use Waze most often because of the hazard notification features.

 

[Cooperhawk]

My DW has that darn phone and it gets us into trouble. It does not realize that we are a huge DP and often gets us into place I don't want to be.
I have a large Garmin. I mean large, and it sits atop the dash just to my right where I don't have to look down to see it. I also gives great turn by turn layouts on the screen. I can RV Life and program an entire trip into it before leaving home. Then if I need to alter something, that's not hard either. If you are trying to drive with that darn phone in your hand you will eventually get into trouble. BTW, in most states that is against the law as well.

 

[HiBanky]

My DW has that darn phone and it gets us into trouble. It does not realize that we are a huge DP and often gets us into place I don't want to be.
I have a large Garmin. I mean large, and it sits atop the dash just to my right where I don't have to look down to see it. I also gives great turn by turn layouts on the screen. I can RV Life and program an entire trip into it before leaving home. Then if I need to alter something, that's not hard either. If you are trying to drive with that darn phone in your hand you will eventually get into trouble. BTW, in most states that is against the law as well.

No doubt a large screen dedicated GPS navigation unit is far better than a phone app. I just wanted to offer an inexpensive alternative. Admittedly, I have found myself on some pretty narrow roads when I don't check them out on "Google Street View" first. The tightest places I find myself in are COE and national forest campgrounds and no navigation unit will steer you away from them. For me it's more about planning and driving skills than it is the level of tech on the dash.

Just so you know, phones can be mounted to a dashboard as well.

 

[l1v3fr33ord1]

Arknoah-

If you haven't signed onto the "sister" Web site to this one, iRV2, you should, because there is a fairly rich vein of GPS and navigation posts on the "Navigation, Routes and Roads" forum there. Here is a link for you to that forum. Your Winnieowners credentials (user name and password) should work on iRV2, so you would not need a new set to log in there.

Like some other posters, I preferred (and still prefer, though RV-less) a dedicated, RV-specifc Garmin GPS. I used my phone for purposes other than navigation. I also ran two, exactly-alike GPS models- one for the driver and the second for the navigator. The two GPSes did not always agree; having two allowed us to keep going even when one started acting oddly. The Garmin RV setting took into account RV length, height and weight.

 

[Hclark89]

Thanks as always for the wonderful responses to my queries. One of my upcoming challenges is navigation. Rather than buying a truck or RV-specific GPS right out of the block, I am exploring navigation apps such as that provided by RV Life.



Can any of you let me know of your experiences with these apps? I’ve already purchased a trucker atlas so I have a paper reference for navigation, but I also know that many conventional apps don’t take into account the size requirements (height, width, length) of our units, which is why I’m looking to navigation apps.



Any guidance you could provide would be appreciated.



Thank you!

 

[WinnieT]

Thanks as always for the wonderful responses to my queries. One of my upcoming challenges is navigation. Rather than buying a truck or RV-specific GPS right out of the block, I am exploring navigation apps such as that provided by RV Life.



Can any of you let me know of your experiences with these apps? I’ve already purchased a trucker atlas so I have a paper reference for navigation, but I also know that many conventional apps don’t take into account the size requirements (height, width, length) of our units, which is why I’m looking to navigation apps.



Any guidance you could provide would be appreciated.



Thank you!

We just started using RVlife w gps navigation in our class B Travato. There are a few glitches in the “new view” but gps works great and seemlessly w CarPlay. We just went on a 2300 mile tour down the east coast and back up without any major issues. We like it and its features. Will keep using it. Also tried InRoute which was ok but did not do well w NYC area when we tested it out last fall. I won’t be renewing that. Good luck.

 

[Hclark89]

I have had motor homes since 2002. I started using a Garmin gps around 2005. They work way better than my wife with a Rand McNally atlas on her lap.
My current Garmin is a RV specific model that knows my rigs dimensions and weight. It even knows the stats on my toad.
It is a great piece of mind, knowing it will not route me somewhere I should not go.
For added comfort, I always put the same destination into Waize on my phone and keep the phone in a holder next the the gps.
This gives me more road conditions info than my Garmin. And it is a good second opinion on the route that I have from the Garmin. But I always trust the Garmin when they differ.
I have completed several 6,000 + mile trips in my Winnebago Forza 36H using this navigation setup and have no regrets whatsoever.