
Days 1-4 — The Deep South & Musical Roots
~400–550 mi across this legImmerse yourself in southern hospitality and rich cultural heritage as you ease into the journey with shorter driving segments.
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| Start Location | Atlanta, Georgia |
| End Location | Los Angeles, California |
| Recommended Duration | 19 Days |
| Total Distance | 2,588 mi |
| States Crossed | Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Georgia, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas |
| Best Season | Spring or Autumn |
| Who it Fits | Families, couples, and cross-country adventurers |
An epic cross-country journey from the Deep South to the Pacific Coast is the ultimate American road trip. Taking 19 days to cover 2,588 mi allows you to embrace the philosophy of slow travel, ensuring you have ample time to soak in the changing landscapes without feeling rushed. Traveling by motorhome offers the unparalleled convenience of having your accommodation, kitchen, and living space with you as you transition from the lush, rolling hills of Georgia and Tennessee to the expansive deserts of the American Southwest. This route provides a brilliant mix of vibrant city culture, deep-rooted musical heritage, and awe-inspiring natural features that are best experienced from the panoramic windows of an RV.
To truly appreciate this 2,588 mi journey, we recommend breaking the drive into distinct regional stages. While the comprehensive day-by-day itinerary is available inside RV PLAN, here is a look at the overall pacing of your trip.
Your journey begins in Georgia and sweeps through Alabama and Tennessee. This initial stage is characterized by shorter driving days, allowing you to immerse yourself in the rich musical heritage, local industry, and traditional southern hospitality before the landscapes begin to open up.
As you cross into Arkansas and Oklahoma, the pacing remains steady as you navigate through America's heartland. Expect a mix of cultural points of interest, heritage sites, and family-friendly activities, balancing driving time with meaningful stops in historic towns.
Entering Texas and New Mexico marks a significant shift in scenery and scale. The driving segments become slightly longer, but they are rewarded with vast horizons, unique natural features, and opportunities for hiking and exploring caves in the high desert.
The final leg carries you through the iconic deserts of Arizona and into California. This stage blends awe-inspiring natural wonders with thrilling tourist attractions and amusement parks, culminating in the vibrant atmosphere of Los Angeles. The rhythm here balances longer highway stretches with multi-night stays to fully absorb the dramatic environments.
This cross-country expedition offers an incredibly diverse array of attractions. While specific stops are detailed within your RV PLAN, you can expect to encounter:
We recommend dedicating 19 days to this route. Covering 2,588 mi over nearly three weeks ensures you are driving at a comfortable, sustainable pace. This timeframe allows for multi-night stays in key regions, reducing driver fatigue and maximizing your time exploring rather than just watching the highway roll by.
Absolutely. This is a quintessential cross-country adventure that showcases the immense diversity of the United States. From the humid, forested landscapes of the South to the arid, towering monuments of the Southwest and finally the Pacific Ocean, the sheer variety of environments makes this a bucket-list journey.
This itinerary is highly versatile, making it perfect for families seeking amusement parks and outdoor adventures, couples looking for a romantic cross-country escape, and retirees eager to explore America's heritage and natural features at a leisurely pace.
Spring (March to May) and Autumn (September to November) are the ideal seasons. These months offer comfortable driving conditions and pleasant weather for outdoor activities, helping you avoid the extreme summer heat of the Southwest deserts and the potential for severe weather in the South.
Planning a one-way, 19-day journey requires careful consideration of your motorhome rental. When booking, pay close attention to the vehicle categories—a Class C motorhome is excellent for families needing space, while a Class B campervan offers agility for couples. Since this is a one-way trip from Atlanta to Los Angeles, you will need to account for a one-way drop fee, which is standard in the industry to cover vehicle repositioning. Additionally, carefully review the mileage policies; while some rentals include unlimited miles, others offer a base allowance with per-mile charges thereafter. For precise figures and to secure your vehicle, check the live pricing options below.
Your cross-country adventure from the Deep South to the sunny shores of California awaits. For the complete day-by-day breakdown, precise campground recommendations, and exclusive routing details, view the full itinerary and book your vehicle at RV PLANET.
See the full polyline, drag stops to customize, and get live pricing in one click.
Open this route in RV PLAN →
| Nearby RV rental stations | Cruise America- 26-E (Atlanta (ATL area)), Indie Campers USA - 26 E (Atlanta (ATL area)) |
|---|---|
| Sample RV cost — 4 travelers (Class A / B / C) | {{BANDANA_PRICING_TABLE}} |
| Estimated fuel cost (total) | $850–$1,050 |
| Estimated campground cost (total) | $810–$1,350 |
| Estimated attractions & entrance fees — family of 4 | $400–$800 |
| Estimated groceries / self-catered food — family of 4 | $700–$1,000 |
| Live availability & pricing | Check live availability & pricing on Rent Motorhome → |
Estimate assumptions: Estimates based on a Class C motorhome averaging 10 mpg, $3.50/gal gas, mid-tier campground rates, and a 19-day trip for a family of four. All figures are estimates — verify on Rent Motorhome and RV PLAN for your travel dates.
A high-level look at how the route flows in stages. The exact daily stops, overnight picks, and detour options are built for you inside RV PLAN — open the route to see the full plan.

Immerse yourself in southern hospitality and rich cultural heritage as you ease into the journey with shorter driving segments.

Navigate America's heartland at a steady pace, balancing highway travel with meaningful explorations of historic towns.

Experience vast horizons and high desert landscapes as the driving distances increase slightly across wide-open terrain.

Traverse iconic deserts and coastal environments, utilizing multi-night stops to fully absorb the dramatic natural wonders before arriving in Los Angeles.
Total cost for this 19-day itinerary depends on the rig you pick, the pickup season, mileage add-ons, and any one-way drop-off fee across the 2,588 mi route. Check live availability and a real quote for the Atlanta → Los Angeles pickup window on Rent Motorhome.
Live availability & pricing for this exact route
Prices update daily. See the full breakdown — nightly rate, taxes, one-way fee, mileage package — for your travel dates.
These are real vehicles in our Atlanta pickup fleet that fit a multi-week western U.S. itinerary. Configure dates on rvplan.net to see live availability and the total trip cost for the exact rig you want.
| Motorhome | Class | Sleeps | Length | Transmission |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Comfort Space Select Indie Campers USA - 26 E |
Class A - Integrated | 8 | 29.2 ft | Auto Transmission |
| C-30 Cruise America- 26-E |
Class C - Alcove | 7 | 29.9 ft | Auto Transmission |
| Comfort Standard Select Indie Campers USA - 26 E |
Class C - Alcove | 7 | 24.1 ft | Auto Transmission |
| Comfort Family Select Indie Campers USA - 26 E |
Class C - Alcove | 7 | 30.0 ft | Auto Transmission |
| Comfort Family Indie Campers USA - 26 E |
Class C - Alcove | 7 | 30.0 ft | Auto Transmission |
Pick your dates below and we'll open the live RV PLANET booking flow for the Atlanta → Los Angeles route.
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