RV, camper and motorhome trip planning toolbox – The best ever created
Embark on a magnificent cross-country journey from the Pacific coast to the heart of music country. This Los Angeles to Nashville RV route is a masterclass in American road-tripping, taking you through deserts, deep canyons, rolling plains, and forested mountains. Over 17 days, you will experience the ultimate blend of natural wonders, rich history, and vibrant culture.
| Route Detail | Summary |
|---|---|
| Total Days | 17 Days |
| Total Distance | 2,527 mi |
| Start / End | Los Angeles, CA to Nashville, TN |
| States Crossed | California, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Tennessee |
| Best For | Families, couples, history buffs, and music lovers |
| Best Season | Spring and Autumn |
This 2,527 mi expedition is the perfect canvas for the RV lifestyle. Rather than rushing from coast to coast, spreading this drive across 17 days allows you to embrace the philosophy of slow travel. The route naturally transitions through diverse landscapes, ensuring that no two days feel exactly the same. You will move from the arid beauty of the Southwest into the wide-open skies of the Texas Panhandle, before winding through the lush, green trails of Arkansas and arriving in the musical heartland of Tennessee.
Because you are crossing eight states, having a motorhome provides unparalleled consistency. Your accommodations travel with you, whether you are parked near a massive geological crater in Arizona or a historic waterway in Oklahoma. This itinerary offers a brilliant balance of outdoor extreme activities, educational science sites, and traditional fine dining, making it ideal for multi-generational families or couples seeking a comprehensive American road trip.
To maximize your enjoyment, this route is best broken down into distinct regional stages. While the full, detailed day-by-day itinerary is available exclusively on RV PLANET, here is how the pacing of your journey will unfold.
Your journey begins by leaving the bustling coast of Los Angeles behind and easing into the striking Mojave Desert. This opening stage is all about adjusting to the rhythm of the road, exploring quirky roadside attractions, and taking in the vast, arid landscapes of California and Nevada before crossing into Arizona.
As you climb in elevation, the scenery shifts dramatically. This leg is dedicated to the massive natural features of the Southwest. Expect shorter driving days here, allowing ample time to hike, take guided day tours, and marvel at ancient geological formations and deep canyons at a relaxed, unhurried pace.
Leaving the Southwest, you will cruise into the heartland. This stage covers more ground, but the driving is straightforward and scenic. You will explore cowboy heritage, local industry museums, and vibrant urban waterways, experiencing the warm hospitality of Texas and Oklahoma.
The final stretch softens into the forested hills and caves of Arkansas. This family-friendly leg is filled with wildlife watching and hiking areas. Finally, you will cross the Mississippi River into Tennessee, trading quiet nature trails for the lively, soulful streets of Memphis and Nashville.
This route is packed with diverse attractions. Here are the core themes and standout stops you will encounter along the way:
This itinerary is expertly designed for 17 days. Covering 2,527 mi in less time turns a vacation into an exhausting driving marathon. Seventeen days allows you to safely navigate the mileage while spending quality time at major attractions like the Grand Canyon.
Absolutely. It is one of the most comprehensive cross-country routes available, offering a transition from desert to mountains to plains to forests. It perfectly captures the diversity of the American landscape and culture.
This route is highly versatile. The mix of wildlife, science sites, and amusement parks makes it fantastic for families, while the historical sites, fine dining, and music venues cater beautifully to couples and adult groups.
Spring (April to early June) and Autumn (September to October) are the optimal seasons. These months help you avoid the extreme summer heat of the Mojave Desert and Arizona, as well as the unpredictable winter weather in the higher elevations of New Mexico and the Texas Panhandle.
Planning a 17-day, multi-state journey requires careful budgeting. Because you are starting in Los Angeles and ending in Nashville, you will be booking a one-way RV rental. It is important to account for a one-way drop fee, which rental fleets charge to return the vehicle to its origin or move it to a new hub.
Additionally, pay close attention to mileage packages. The base distance is 2,527 mi, but you should always buffer an extra 10-15% for detours, campground runs, and exploring national parks. When evaluating your budget, consider four main categories: fuel (based on your motorhome's MPG), nightly campground fees (mixing state parks with private resorts), grocery shopping (cooking in your RV saves significantly), and attraction tickets (like zoo admissions and water taxis). For precise, live pricing on RV rentals that fit this exact route, check the fleet options available through RV PLANET.
The transition from the sun-drenched coast of California to the neon-lit music halls of Tennessee is a journey you will remember for a lifetime. To access the complete, detailed day-by-day itinerary, secure your campground reservations, and book the perfect motorhome for your family, visit the official trip page at RV PLANET. Start planning your superlative RV journey today!
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 | Indie Campers USA - 26 E (Los Angeles (LAX area)), Travellers Autobarn USA-26 E (Los Angeles (LAX area)), Native Campervans-24 E (Los Angeles (LAX area)), El Monte-2026-E (Los Angeles (LAX area)), Cruise America- 26-E (Los Angeles (LAX area)) |
|---|---|
| Sample RV cost — 4 travelers (Class A / B / C) | {{BANDANA_PRICING_TABLE}} |
| Estimated fuel cost (total) | $850–$1,100 |
| Estimated campground cost (total) | $800–$1,280 |
| Estimated attractions & entrance fees — family of 4 | $300–$500 |
| Estimated groceries / self-catered food — family of 4 | $600–$900 |
| Live availability & pricing | Check live availability & pricing on Rent Motorhome → |
Estimate assumptions: Estimates assume a Class C motorhome averaging 10 mpg at $3.50/gallon, a mix of public and private campgrounds for 16 nights, and travel during shoulder seasons. 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.
Easing out of the coastal city into the vast, arid landscapes of the Mojave and early Route 66 territory.
Taking time to marvel at massive geological formations, deep canyons, and ancient craters at a relaxed pace.
Cruising through the heartland where wide-open skies meet cowboy heritage and historic urban waterways.
Transitioning from forested mountain trails and family-friendly wildlife stops into the vibrant home of the blues and country music.
Total cost for this 17-day itinerary depends on the rig you pick, the pickup season, mileage add-ons, and any one-way drop-off fee across the 2,527 mi route. Check live availability and a real quote for the Los Angeles → Nashville 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 Los Angeles 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 |
| R 29-31 Road Bear RV-26 E |
Class C - Alcove | 7 | 30.8 ft | Auto Transmission |
| Comfort Standard Select Indie Campers USA - 26 E |
Class C - Alcove | 7 | 24.1 ft | Auto Transmission |
| C-30 Cruise America- 26-E |
Class C - Alcove | 7 | 29.9 ft | Auto Transmission |
| Comfort Family Select 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 Los Angeles → Nashville route.
Picking up in Los Angeles but want a shorter loop or a different destination? Compare these RV PLANET itineraries that depart from the same depot: