RV, camper and motorhome trip planning toolbox – The best ever created
| Duration | 17 Days |
|---|---|
| Distance | 2,875 mi |
| Start / End | New Orleans, LA to Denver, CO |
| States Crossed | Louisiana, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, Colorado |
| Best For | Families, history buffs, and nature lovers seeking slow travel |
Connecting the vibrant jazz streets of the Deep South with the towering peaks of the Rocky Mountains, this one-way journey is a masterclass in shifting landscapes. Traveling 2,875 mi in a motorhome allows you to transition seamlessly from the humid, moss-draped swamps of Louisiana to the vast, arid expanses of the American Southwest. A 17-day timeline is ideal for slow travel, giving you the freedom to utilize your RV as a rolling basecamp. Rather than unpacking at every hotel, your kitchen, bed, and gear travel with you as you explore world-class natural features, space centers, and iconic canyons. This route provides an excellent balance of urban museum exploration and remote outdoor recreation.
Covering 2,875 mi requires a strategic approach to driving to avoid burnout. We recommend breaking this 17-day itinerary into distinct regional stages, blending longer driving days with multi-night stops to fully absorb the local culture and environment.
Your journey begins with a deep dive into rich musical heritage and vibrant wetland ecosystems. The driving distances in this initial stage are short, allowing you to ease into RV life while exploring coastal habitats, traditional Acadian culture, and authentic Cajun cuisine before crossing the state line.
As you transition into Texas, the landscape opens up. This stage mixes aerospace history, iconic local industries, and family-friendly outdoor adventures. The driving stretches become slightly longer, but the wide, rolling plains offer easy, relaxed navigation for motorhomes.
Moving through the Texas Panhandle and into New Mexico, the scenery shifts dramatically into high desert. This stage is defined by wide-open highways and geological wonders. Expect longer driving days, which are rewarded by striking canyon views, historic trails, and spectacular desert sunsets.
The final leg weaves through the breathtaking natural features of Arizona and Utah before culminating in the Colorado Rockies. Your RV serves as the ultimate adventure basecamp for hiking and wildlife watching as you gradually ascend toward your final destination in Denver.
This itinerary is packed with diverse attractions. While the full day-by-day logistics are detailed inside RV PLAN, here are the primary themes you will experience along the way:
We strongly recommend dedicating 17 days to this route. Covering 2,875 mi requires significant drive time; spreading it over two and a half weeks allows for a relaxed pace, ensuring you have ample time to hike, explore museums, and enjoy your campground amenities without feeling rushed.
Absolutely. It is one of the most dynamic cross-country routes available. You will witness a complete transformation of the American landscape, from sea-level swamps to high-altitude mountain passes, with the awe-inspiring Grand Canyon serving as a major highlight.
This route is perfect for families, couples, and history buffs who appreciate a mix of educational stops (museums, science centers) and outdoor recreation (ziplining, horseback riding, hiking). The variety ensures that travelers of all ages remain engaged.
Spring (March to May) and Fall (September to November) are the optimal seasons. These shoulder months help you avoid the extreme summer heat in Texas and Arizona, as well as the heavy winter snows in the Colorado Rockies, making for safer and more comfortable RV driving.
Planning a one-way trip of this magnitude requires careful attention to your rental terms. Because you are picking up in New Orleans and dropping off in Denver, a one-way drop fee will apply. Additionally, 2,875 mi is a substantial distance; you must review the mileage packages offered by the rental fleet to ensure you have adequate miles included, as overage fees can add up quickly. A mid-sized Class C motorhome is generally an excellent choice for this route, offering enough space for a family while remaining easy to maneuver through national park roads. For precise, real-time pricing on vehicles, one-way fees, and mileage packages, please refer to the live pricing tool below.
Ready to secure your motorhome for this epic journey? Head over to RV PLANET to lock in your dates, review the full day-by-day itinerary, and start planning the road trip of a lifetime.
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) | $950–$1,150 |
| Estimated campground cost (total) | $720–$1,280 |
| Estimated attractions & entrance fees — family of 4 | $400–$750 |
| Estimated groceries / self-catered food — family of 4 | $650–$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/gal, a mix of state park and private campground stays over 16 nights, and peak season travel. 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.
Ease into RV travel with short driving days focused on coastal wetlands, vibrant music history, and traditional Cajun cuisine before crossing the state border.
Navigate the rolling plains of Texas, blending aerospace education and quirky local history with family-friendly outdoor activities like horseback riding and ziplining.
Experience wide-open highways and striking geological shifts as you leave the plains behind for the dramatic canyons and high deserts of the Southwest.
Use your motorhome as an adventure basecamp to explore world-renowned natural features and winding mountain passes as you complete your ascent into Colorado.
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 2,875 mi route. Check live availability and a real quote for the New Orleans → Denver 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 → Denver route.
Picking up in New Orleans but want a shorter loop or a different destination? Compare these RV PLANET itineraries that depart from the same depot: