Newbie wondering about advance planning

We completed a trip of about 6,000 miles recently. While we were enroute to our daughters' houses in Nevada and Arizona, we stayed at truckstops. Flying J and Pilot were mostly where we stayed. We had no issues with either. We stayed at one TA (Truckstops of America) also with no issues. The only place we had a problem was a Petro station. The clerk at the register originally said it was okay for us to stay but then another person (her manager, I guess) said it was not okay and that we could not stay. Petro lost a customer that night.

We considered Wal-Mart also, but the truck stops were much more convenient for us. We usually needed to stop for gas anyway (small tank, low mileage). In any case, I concur with the RV Parky app. We did not use Allstays, except for the CRV Military version. While in Nevada, we stayed at the Family Camp on Nellis Air Force Base. While in Arizona, we stayed in the best of free spots--our daugther's yard. That made it really convenient to see our grandchildren there.

 I also will endorse Allstays we use it on an iPad or iPhone. As for camping while on the road to your destination we have had good luck with KOA's along the Interstates make a reservation about 4 hours out, in and out quick and pretty consistent product. Sort of like Motel 6 nothing to write home about but OK. My wife will not try Walmart or the other free places but if I were traveling alone I would. When driving my car I think nothing of 12 to 14 hours but with the trailer 8 to 10 and I'm more than ready to stop.

I did a 10,000+ mile trip around the US last year in my teardrop. Mostly stayed in KOAs. Never made a reservation except on the 3 day memorial day weekend.

I left Chico, CA on April 15 and arrived back on June 10th.

I was not traveling in the heart of the season so did not need reservations. What I would do was to sit down with the KOA directory and plan out 3 or 4 days drives so that I had a KOA to stay at. Mostly did not have to drive over 200 to 250 miles a day.

There are lots of alternatives to KOA however. I used RV park reviews on my laptop also.

Picked the city I wanted to stay near then looked to see what was in the area.

In as much as the teardrop was not self contained (no bathroom) I stayed away from Walmart etc.

Another thing, 'cause these guys already covered most of it.. this time of year, the farther north you are, the more CG's there are that aren't open... Make sure to call ahead just in case. But if they are open, it's probable getting a space won't be an issue, until you get farther south..

If you have a smart phone, 2 of the great free apps: RVParky and ALLstays.  If you can, download the two and check them out...these tools can be very helpful when on the road and winging it. You can find places to stay that you didn't know about.