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| Start / End | New Orleans, Louisiana (Roundtrip) |
| Duration | 15 Days |
| Total Distance | 1,780 mi |
| States Explored | Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas |
| Ideal For | Families, history buffs, and culinary explorers |
| Best Season | Spring (March to May) and Fall (September to November) |
Embarking on a 15-day round-trip from New Orleans offers the ultimate blend of vibrant city life, serene coastal drives, and rich cultural history. The Deep South is practically built for RV travel, featuring expansive highways, welcoming local communities, and a diverse array of landscapes. Because this route forms a massive loop through Louisiana, Texas, Mississippi, and Alabama, you get to experience the distinct personalities of the Gulf Coast and inland southern states without ever retracing your steps.
Covering 1,780 mi over just over two weeks encourages a philosophy of slow travel. Instead of rushing from point A to point B, you have the flexibility to linger at historical sites, enjoy extended picnics at botanical gardens, and fully immerse yourself in the regional rhythm. It is a highly adaptable journey that balances educational science stops with thrilling water parks, making it an exceptional choice for families traveling in a motorhome or towing a travel trailer.
A successful RV trip requires a thoughtful pace. Rather than a rigid day-by-day schedule, we recommend breaking this 1,780 mi adventure into four distinct regional stages. This allows you to balance driving days with exploration days.
Your journey begins in the vibrant heart of New Orleans. After soaking in the local music and heritage, the route eases you out of the bustling city and into the serene, marshy landscapes of the Gulf region. The driving distances here are short, allowing you to get comfortable with your RV while transitioning into vacation mode.
As you move westward toward Texas, the coastal scenery opens up. This stage involves slightly longer driving stretches, but the reward is arriving in Houston. The pacing here shifts from natural, slow-moving bayous to the energetic, forward-looking atmosphere of space exploration and interactive science exhibits.
Turning north toward Shreveport, the landscape transforms into dense pine forests and rolling hills. This leg is perfect for family-focused fun and diving deep into state history. The driving is steady and straightforward, offering plenty of opportunities to pull over for a picnic or a quick hike in a natural feature area.
The final stage guides you southward through Baton Rouge and back toward New Orleans, weaving through Mississippi and Alabama elements along the way. The pacing slows down once more, allowing you to savor local agricultural tours, fine dining, and traditional markets before returning your RV.
For the comprehensive day-by-day itinerary, including specific routing and campground recommendations, unlock the full plan inside RV PLANET.
This itinerary is packed with diverse experiences. Based on our verified route data, here are the primary themes and key locations you will encounter.
This specific route is optimized for 15 days. Covering 1,780 mi over a little more than two weeks means you will average about 120 miles of driving per day. This leaves ample time to set up camp, prepare meals, and enjoy the attractions without feeling rushed.
Absolutely. The Southern States Sojourn offers an incredible return on your travel investment. It seamlessly blends educational stops (like Space Center Houston) with pure entertainment (waterparks and music tours) and culinary exploration. It is a highly well-rounded itinerary.
This journey is tailor-made for families, multi-generational groups, and couples who appreciate a mix of indoor museums and outdoor natural features. The wide variety of attractions—from zoos and aquariums to fine dining and heritage sites—ensures there is something for everyone.
Spring (March to May) and Fall (September to November) are the ideal times for this trip. The weather is milder, making outdoor activities and RV camping much more comfortable. Summers in the South can be intensely hot and humid, while late summer carries a risk of severe coastal weather.
When planning your Southern States Sojourn, selecting the right RV is crucial. A Class C motorhome is often the perfect balance of living space and maneuverability for families navigating both open highways and city attractions like New Orleans and Houston. If you prefer a towable option, a mid-sized travel trailer offers the flexibility to unhitch at your campground and explore urban areas in your tow vehicle.
Because this is a roundtrip journey starting and ending in New Orleans, you will not have to worry about one-way drop fees, which keeps your overall rental costs highly competitive. However, you do need to pay close attention to your mileage package. The base route is 1,780 mi, but you should always add a 10% to 15% buffer for side trips, grocery runs, and navigating to off-highway campgrounds. Ensure your rental agreement covers at least 2,000 miles to avoid unexpected per-mile overage charges.
Campground fees will vary depending on your mix of state parks (which offer beautiful natural settings) and private RV resorts (which provide full hookups and premium amenities). For exact rental pricing, availability, and to secure your vehicle for these dates, utilize the live pricing tools provided below.
Ready to hit the road? Discover the full day-by-day itinerary and secure your vehicle by visiting the New Orleans roundtrip - Southern States Sojourn route on 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 (New Orleans), Indie Campers USA - 26 E (New Orleans) |
|---|---|
| Sample RV cost — 4 travelers (Class A / B / C) | {{BANDANA_PRICING_TABLE}} |
| Estimated fuel cost (total) | $600–$750 |
| Estimated campground cost (total) | $650–$1,200 |
| Estimated attractions & entrance fees — family of 4 | $400–$750 |
| Estimated groceries / self-catered food — family of 4 | $800–$1,100 |
| Live availability & pricing | Check live availability & pricing on Rent Motorhome → |
Estimate assumptions: Estimates based on a Class C RV averaging 10 mpg, a mix of state park and private campground rates, and standard family-of-four travel during peak season. 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.
Settle into the rhythm of the Deep South, easing out of the vibrant city atmosphere and into the surrounding coastal wetlands.
Cruise westward toward Texas, tracing coastal routes and transitioning into expansive metropolitan discovery.
Shift northward into the forested landscapes and historical heartlands of the region, allowing for a slower, family-focused pace.
Wind down the journey by weaving through state capital history and local agricultural hubs before completing the loop back to the starting point.
Total cost for this 15-day itinerary depends on the rig you pick, the pickup season, mileage add-ons, and any one-way drop-off fee across the 1,780 mi route. Check live availability and a real quote for the New Orleans → New Orleans 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 New Orleans 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 Family Select Indie Campers USA - 26 E |
Class C - Alcove | 7 | 30.0 ft | Auto Transmission |
| Comfort Standard Select Indie Campers USA - 26 E |
Class C - Alcove | 7 | 24.1 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 New Orleans → New Orleans route.
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