I’ve always been a fan of road trips, and what better way to see the country than in an RV? So I decided to challenge the power of Artificial Intelligence and see what kind of cross-country RV trip itinerary it could create. I was pleasantly surprised with the result! The itinerary takes you through some popular small towns that are less than 20 minutes from the main route, offering a unique glimpse into the local culture and history. So, who’s coming with me on this epic adventure? Oh, and by the way, who’s got the RV?

I asked ChatGPT “Plan a cross-country RV trip for me. I want to stop overnight at popular small towns on the route – less than 20 min from the main route!”

It responded: “Certainly! Here’s a cross-country RV trip itinerary that includes popular small towns within 20 minutes of the main route”:

Day 1: Start in San Francisco, CA and drive to Sacramento, CA. Spend the night in nearby Nevada City, known for its charming Victorian architecture and thriving arts scene.

Day 2: Continue east through the Sierra Nevada Mountains and cross into Nevada. Stop in the town of Elko, NV for the night, known for its Western heritage and Basque cuisine.

Day 3: Head east towards Salt Lake City, UT. Take a detour to the small town of Park City, UT, a popular ski resort town with a lively downtown area.

Day 4: Drive through Wyoming and stop in the town of Laramie, WY for the night, known for its historic downtown and proximity to the Medicine Bow National Forest.

Day 5: Continue through Wyoming and cross into South Dakota. Spend the night in the town of Deadwood, SD, a former gold rush town turned popular tourist destination.

Day 6: Explore the Black Hills region of South Dakota and visit Mount Rushmore National Monument. Spend the night in the nearby town of Keystone, SD, a charming mountain town with a historic downtown area.

Day 7: Continue east through South Dakota and stop in the town of Mitchell, SD for the night, home to the famous Corn Palace.

Day 8: Drive through Minnesota and spend the night in the town of Winona, MN, known for its scenic location on the Mississippi River and vibrant arts community.

Day 9: Cross into Wisconsin and spend the night in the town of La Crosse, WI, a charming riverfront town with a lively downtown area.

Day 10: Head east through Wisconsin and stop in the town of Sheboygan, WI for the night, known for its scenic lakefront and thriving arts scene.

Day 11: Drive through Michigan and spend the night in the town of Saugatuck, MI, a popular vacation destination known for its charming downtown area and scenic beaches.

Day 12: Continue east through Michigan and cross into Ohio. Spend the night in the town of Yellow Springs, OH, a charming small town known for its arts and culture scene.

Day 13: Drive through Pennsylvania and spend the night in the town of Carlisle, PA, known for its historic downtown and proximity to Gettysburg National Military Park.

Day 14: Continue east through Pennsylvania and spend the night in the town of New Hope, PA, a picturesque small town located along the Delaware River.

Day 15: Finish the trip by driving into New York City, NY.

“I hope you enjoy this itinerary and have a wonderful cross-country RV trip!”

Estimated Costs:

Assumptions:

• RV rental for 2 weeks: $2,500
• Fuel for 4,500 miles (approximate distance): $1,000
• Campsite fees for 14 nights (average of $35 per night): $490
• Food and groceries for 2 people (average of $50 per day): $1,400
• Entertainment and activity expenses (average of $500 per person): $1,000
• Miscellaneous expenses: $610

Total estimated cost: $7,000

Note: The cost breakdown and total cost are based on assumptions and are provided for informational purposes only. Actual costs may vary depending on several factors, such as the type of RV, fuel prices, campsite fees, food and entertainment expenses, and other miscellaneous expenses.

For fun, I had AI create a return trip, making sure not to stop at any of the same places:

Sure, here’s the itinerary for the original trip with added context for each stop:

Day 1: Start in New York City, NY and drive to the town of Carlisle, PA for the night. (Stop here for a relaxing night in a charming small town with a rich history, known for its downtown district with unique shops and restaurants.)

Day 2: Drive to the town of Shepherdstown, WV for the night. (Stop here for its small-town charm, history, and beautiful natural scenery, including the nearby Antietam National Battlefield.)

Day 3: Drive to the town of Staunton, VA for the night. (Stop here to explore its vibrant downtown area, which boasts a variety of shops, galleries, and restaurants, as well as its historic architecture and beautiful natural surroundings.)

Day 4: Drive to the town of Asheville, NC for the night. (Stop here for its vibrant arts and culture scene, scenic beauty, and outdoor activities such as hiking and mountain biking.)

Day 5: Drive to the town of Savannah, GA for the night. (Stop here to experience its beautiful historic district, charming parks and gardens, and unique shopping and dining.)

Day 6: Drive to the town of St. Augustine, FL for the night. (Stop here for its rich history, beautiful architecture, and stunning beaches.)

Day 7: Drive to the town of Seaside, FL for the night. (Stop here for its beautiful beaches and quaint town center with unique shops and restaurants.)

Day 8: Drive to the town of Natchez, MS for the night. (Stop here to explore its rich history and beautiful antebellum homes, as well as its scenic location on the Mississippi River.)

Day 9: Drive to the town of Eureka Springs, AR for the night. (Stop here to experience its charming historic district, natural beauty, and unique shops and restaurants.)

Day 10: Drive to the town of Branson, MO for the night. (Stop here for its live music shows, family-friendly attractions, and beautiful natural scenery.)

Day 11: Drive to the town of Springfield, MO for the night. (Stop here for its history, culture, and beautiful natural surroundings, including nearby parks and trails.)

Day 12: Drive to the town of Pittsburg, KS for the night. (Stop here to experience its small-town charm and unique shops and restaurants.)

Day 13: Drive to the town of Oklahoma City, OK for the night. (Stop here to explore its rich history and culture, including the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum and the Oklahoma City National Memorial.)

Day 14: Drive to the town of Amarillo, TX for the night. (Stop here to see its unique attractions such as the Cadillac Ranch and the Big Texan Steak Ranch, and to experience its vibrant arts and culture scene.)

Day 15: Drive to the town of Roswell, NM for the night. (Stop here to explore its connection to the famous UFO incident, as well as its beautiful natural surroundings and unique attractions.)

Day 16: Drive to the town of White Sands, NM for the night. (Stop here to experience the stunning natural beauty of the White Sands National Monument.)

Day 17: Drive to the town of Bisbee, AZ for the night. (Stop here to experience its unique arts and culture scene, as well as its beautiful natural surroundings and historic mining town charm.)

Day 18: Finish the trip by driving back to San Francisco, CA.

Estimated Costs:

Assumptions:

• RV rental for 3 weeks: $3,750
• Fuel for 4,500 miles (approximate distance): $1,000
• Campsite fees for 17 nights (average of $35 per night): $595
• Food and groceries for 2 people (average of $50 per day): $1,700
• Entertainment and activity expenses (average of $500 per person): $1,000
• Miscellaneous expenses: $685

Total estimated cost: $8,730

Note: The cost breakdown and total cost are based on assumptions and are provided for informational purposes only. Actual costs may vary depending on several factors, such as the type of RV, fuel prices, campsite fees, food and entertainment expenses, and other miscellaneous expenses.