How to Use AI for Trip Planning (Real Examples + Tips for Campers)

Planning a camping trip can feel like juggling maps, campground reservations, apps… and about 27 open browser tabs. If you’ve ever found yourself bouncing between Google Maps, campground websites, and trying to figure out where you can actually fit your rig for fuel—you know exactly what I mean. So in this episode of the Girl Camper Podcast, we tried something different. Instead of starting from scratch, we used AI to help plan two real road trips: Jen’s trip from Pennsylvania to Colorado My trip from South Dakota to Camp Margaritaville in Texas for Camporee And let’s just say… I was impressed. 🚐 Jen’s Trip: Pennsylvania to Colorado Jen shares how she used AI to map out her cross-country trip—and what stood out most was how quickly it helped her organize the big picture. Instead of spending hours researching routes and stops, she was able to: Create a customized driving route Adjust travel days to fit her schedule Discover better stopping points Even improve fuel efficiency along the way But one of the biggest takeaways? AI didn’t replace her planning—it helped her refine it faster. 🧭 My Trip: South Dakota to Texas for Camporee For my trip down to Camp Margaritaville in Texas, I decided to try the same approach. I asked AI to: “Plan an RV-friendly route with driving days under 8 hours and interesting stops along the way.” And just like that, I had a starting point. AI helped me: Break the trip into manageable driving days Suggest cities and areas to stop Identify potential places to explore It gave me the framework—and that’s what made everything else easier. 🏕️ Where AI Stops (and Real Tools Take Over) This is where things really clicked. AI is great for ideas—but when it comes to making real decisions, I still rely on trusted tools. The Dyrt Once AI suggested areas to stop, I used The Dyrt to: Read campground reviews See real photos Check amenities Because let’s be honest… we all want to know what we’re pulling into at the end of the day. RV Overnights For more unique stays, I turned to RV Overnights. This is where you can find: Farms Wineries Small businesses that welcome RVers 👉 And if you want to try it, you can get 30% off with code GirlCamper ⛽ Planning Fuel Stops (Without the Stress) One of the most practical ways Jenn used AI? Finding fuel stops that actually work for an RV. Instead of guessing, she asked: “Where are RV-friendly fuel stops along my route?” That helped her locate: Large travel centers Truck stops Easy-access fuel locations No more white-knuckling into tiny gas stations. 🗺️ Finding Fun Along the Way This might be my favorite part. AI helped me discover: Roadside attractions Scenic stops Small towns worth exploring Because getting there should be just as fun as arriving. However, I did notice in Nebraska it suggested Scotts Bluff National Monument and that was NOT on my route. ⚠️ What to Know Before You Use AI for Trip Planning AI is incredibly helpful—but there are a few things to keep in mind. 1. Be Specific The more details you give, the better your results. Instead of:“Plan a trip” Try: RV-friendly route Driving time limits Types of stops you enjoy 2. Always Verify AI is a starting point—not the final answer. Always double-check: Campground details Availability Road conditions Like I mentioned, it tried to detour me to an attraction that was NOT on my route. 3. Keep the Conversation Going One of the best parts of using AI is that you can refine your plan. Ask follow-ups like: “Make the driving days shorter” “Add more scenic stops” “Find dog-friendly options” 🚐 The Bottom Line AI isn’t here to replace the way we plan our trips. It’s here to make it easier. Instead of feeling overwhelmed, you can start with a plan—and then shape it into the adventure you want. And when you combine AI with tools like The Dyrt and RV Overnights? That’s when trip planning really becomes fun again. 🙌 Thank You to Our Sponsor A big thank you to Progressive Insurance for sponsoring this episode and helping keep our adventures on the road. 📸 Learn More About Jen Grover To learn more about Jen and her work, visit:👉 Jen Grover 💬 Join the Conversation Have you tried using AI to plan a camping trip? We’d love to hear how you’re using it—come share your experience with the Girl Camper community! Watch the episode! Looking for more great camping advice? Check out our Camping 101 section on our website. https://youtu.be/9hd8zPJdFsU