Every road trip needs a reason. This one had a big one: EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. With a newly licensed pilot in the family, Oshkosh wasn’t just a stop on the map. It was the whole point.
So we pointed the Jayco north and took the long way. We left Naples in the spring, worked our way up the East Coast, wound through the mountains of Virginia and West Virginia, crossed Kentucky, chased Lake Michigan all the way up to the Upper Peninsula, and rolled into Oshkosh just in time. Then we took the long way home, too.
This trip took us to so many places we’d never been, and to places we probably never would have seen without an RV and plenty of time: real time in DC, or circling Lake Michigan.
Trip at a Glance
- Route: Naples, FL → Washington, DC → Shenandoah Valley → New River Gorge → Kentucky → Lake Michigan → Michigan’s Upper Peninsula → Oshkosh, WI → Indiana → Kentucky (again!) → Nashville → Florida Panhandle → Naples
- States: 11 (Florida, South Carolina, North Carolina, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, Kentucky, Indiana, Michigan, Wisconsin, Tennessee)
- Campgrounds: 20
- Miles: 4,975
- Rig: our Jayco Eagle fifth wheel, the F-350, two cats and one smallish Great Dane
Leg One: Up the East Coast
1. Titusville, Florida
The Great Outdoors RV & Golf Resort
Best for: a good airport, an easy first hop and a beautiful place to eat up a few days.
Titusville was pure logistics, but the fun kind. Mackenzie flew from Naples to Indy for homecoming, Stefan and I drove the rig up to the Space Coast, and then the shuffle began: Stefan flew out for work, Mackenzie flew back in, and then Stefan came back. There was no grand plan here. It was a good airport, it ate up some miles on the way north, and it’s a beautiful place to spend a few days in a holding pattern.
Our tip: If you’re juggling family flights, pick stops near a good airport. It makes the shuffle so much easier.
2. Santee, SC and Roanoke Rapids, NC
Outside Inn Campground and The RV Resort at Carolina Crossroads
Best for: covering ground without wearing everyone out.
With concert tickets waiting in DC, these were stopovers, plain and simple. Santee still surprised us. Outside Inn Campground is a working farm, with cows, goats, chickens, turkeys, ducks, a pig and a donkey roaming the pasture. Mackenzie got to feed a baby sheep named Shawn, and the woolly highland cow was a hit, too.
Up in Roanoke Rapids, The RV Resort at Carolina Crossroads has long, paved pull-throughs right off I-95. Hook up, walk the dog, sleep, go. This is also where we discovered Cook Out, a Southern fast food chain that was new to us and quickly became a running theme of the whole trip. Our order still varies (burgers, steak fajitas), but it always includes the shakes and their huge tea. In North Carolina we stopped at Nyomi’s Puddin, and then, yes, went back to Cook Out.
Our tip: Cook ahead for travel days, even if Cook Out wins. We had pasta and chili made before we left and kept them in the freezer, so a home-cooked dinner was always there if we wanted it. And in Santee, the Pilot one exit before the campground made for an easy fuel stop.
3. Washington, DC
Cherry Hill Park (College Park, MD)
Best for: a long, unhurried city stay without towing the rig into the city.
DC was the first big stop of the summer, and our first real deadline. We bought concert tickets before we’d even booked a campsite, and long before homecoming and Stefan’s business trip landed on the calendar. So after the Titusville shuffle, we raced north to make it. We pulled in, set up, and were at the show that same night.
After that, we slowed way down. We parked the truck at the Greenbelt Metro, rode the train in, and spent our days in free museums, the Library of Congress and the Sunday markets. It turned out to be one of our favorite stops of the whole trip.
Leg Two: Mountains and Bluegrass
4. Shenandoah Valley, Virginia
Rivers Edge Campground (Bergton)
Best for: slowing way down after the city.
After DC, a quiet campground on a river in the mountains felt like exhaling. We split our days between work and exploring: Shenandoah National Park, the New Market Battlefield and Virginia Museum of the Civil War, and a stop at Jon Henry’s General Store. We also made it to Route 11 Potato Chips and left with a stash of chips. Fajitas at the RV after a day out never gets old.
Our tip: Be ready for spotty cell service. Reception out here is terrible, but Starlink plus Wi-Fi calling on our iPhones saved the day. And stock up before you head into the hills. Our closest real grocery run was the Food Lion in Timberville.
→ Story coming soon: Virginia & Shenandoah National Park
5. New River Gorge, West Virginia
Summersville Lake Retreat & Lighthouse (Mount Nebo)
Best for: big views and good hiking.
We got set up, ate dinner, and went right back out to drive Fayette Station Road, the twisty old road that winds down to the river and under the New River Gorge Bridge. What a way to start. The next day was all national park: the Endless Wall Trail, Long Point and the visitor center. We also found a burger and ice cream spot close to the campground, Fat Eddie’s, which hit the spot after a day of hiking.
Our tip: Arrive before dark. The campground has a gated entry, and your gate code is in the welcome packet at the gatehouse.
→ Story coming soon: New River Gorge
6. Kentucky Bourbon Country
Cummins Ferry RV Park (Salvisa)
Best for: bourbon, with Frankfort and Lexington close by.
This was a working stop with bourbon mixed in. From Cummins Ferry we made it to Woodford Reserve and Buffalo Trace, plus a little light bottle hunting around Frankfort and Lexington. Even the Trader Joe’s here has a bourbon selection. The standout for us was the E.H. Taylor Single Barrel. Amazing.
Our tip: Read your campground’s directions email. Cummins Ferry warns you to avoid McAfee Lane with a rig and take Cummins Ferry Road instead, and we’re glad we listened.
7. Mammoth Cave, Kentucky
Happy Trails RV Park (Cave City)
Best for: the cave, obviously.
A short hop from Salvisa put us just minutes from Mammoth Cave National Park. We booked the Domes & Dripstones tour, which starts with a bus ride from behind the visitor center, then wandered over to Buckingham’s Honey & Oak afterward. The tour was mind-blowing. It’s hard to wrap your head around how big the cave system is. We stayed right across from the Wigwam Village, too.
Our tip: Book cave tours ahead on Recreation.gov and screenshot your QR code. Leave the snacks and drinks (other than water) in the truck, because they’re not allowed in the cave.
→ Story coming soon: Mammoth Cave National Park
Leg Three: Lake Michigan and the Upper Peninsula
8. Michigan City, Indiana
Michigan City Campground
Best for: a practical reset stop near Indiana Dunes.
This was a long travel day, so we were happy to land somewhere practical. The campground was OK, with laundry on site and a grocery store close by, and Indiana Dunes National Park was OK, too. We had big plans for a day in Chicago, but it didn’t happen this time.
Our tip: Plan a reset stop every few weeks. Laundry, restock and a slow work day go a long way on a summer this big.
9. Frankfort, Michigan
Frankfort Crystal Lake RV Resort
Best for: Sleeping Bear Dunes and small-town summer.
Our arrival was memorable for the wrong reason: we hit a deer on the way in. Everyone was OK, and the truck was fine to drive, but it looked ugly for a few months. (We have the dashcam video, if you’re curious.) After that, Frankfort was pure summer. Sleeping Bear Dunes was a short drive away, we caught the Cherry Festival air show in Traverse City, and we ended one night watching fireworks over Frankfort. We also drove the shores of Crystal Lake and stopped at the Point Betsie Lighthouse, the classic red-roofed lighthouse just north of town.
Our tip: Take the bear warnings seriously. The resort is strict about garbage (tied bags, out by morning, nothing left outside), and for good reason.
→ Story coming soon: Frankfort, Michigan
10. St. Ignace and Mackinac Island, Michigan
St. Ignace/Mackinac Island KOA Holiday
Best for: Mackinac Island without the island prices.
We took the ferry over from St. Ignace and hiked the island’s inner loop toward Arch Rock before rewarding ourselves the only way you can on Mackinac: with a fudge tour down Main Street. Ryba’s, Murray Hotel, JoAnn’s, Sanders, Murdick’s, Kilwins… Our winner? Sanders.
Fair warning: Mackinac is busy, with lots of people everywhere. And then, to cap off the day, we took the wrong ferry back and had to Uber over the Mackinac Bridge to get home to St. Ignace. Doh.
Our tip: Check which dock your ferry is heading to before you board. And hike first, fudge second. The inner loop is a real walk, and you’ll enjoy every sample more for it.
11. Garden, Michigan
Bay Ridge RV Park
Best for: beautiful, quiet U.P. scenery (on a clear week).
Garden is a beautiful, quiet corner of the U.P. We had planned a Pictured Rocks boat tour, but wildfires in the area changed our plans, and the smoke hung around for much of the week. Add in Stefan’s travel, and it wasn’t our best week of the summer. Before the smoke rolled in, we did make it to Fayette Historic Townsite and Kitch-iti-kipi, Michigan’s largest freshwater spring. We’d likely go back, maybe by boat next time.
Our tip: Check wildfire and air quality updates before you go, and have a plan B. And pack bug spray. Then pack more bug spray.
Leg Four: Oshkosh!
12. Oshkosh, Wisconsin
Breezy Hill Campground (Fond du Lac)
Best for: an AirVenture base with full hookups.
We made it. We rolled in ahead of the show, drove over to check out the grounds and the Fisk arrival corridor, did a big restock run, and got the laundry done before the crowds arrived. Then came the week we’d been waiting for all summer. Stefan worked mornings, and the rest of the time belonged to airplanes. The organization, Girlventure, the flying shows, Pete’s Garage: all of it was just wonderful.
Our tip: Book early and stay flexible. We reserved months ahead and still had to split our stay across two sites, which was worth it to be close.
Leg Five: The Long Way Home
13. Indianapolis Area, Indiana
White River Campground (Cicero) and Mystic Waters RV Park (Pendleton)
Best for: old friends, flying time and an easy airport.
Indiana was a bit of a homecoming. We parked near old friends of Mackenzie’s, she built flight hours out of Indianapolis Metropolitan Airport, and being close to the Indianapolis airport made it easy for Stefan to fly to DC for work and come right back.
We started at White River Campground but had to move over to Mystic Waters because of White River’s limit on consecutive nights. We got really lucky. Shortly after we left, rising floodwaters forced the county to evacuate White River.
In the end, we cut our Pendleton stay short to make an unplanned detour back to Kentucky. More on that below.
Our tip: Keep your pets’ rabies records handy. White River asks you to fill out a rabies form before you arrive, and it’s not the only campground that does.
14. Mt. Sterling, Kentucky
Outpost Campground & RV Park (Salt Lick)
Best for: an unplanned detour that came home with an airplane.
This stop wasn’t on the original plan. We headed back to Kentucky for one reason: to buy our 1968 Piper Cherokee. Getting there was an adventure all its own. On the way in, we busted three tires on the Jayco at the same time. Roadside service to the rescue.
The next day, we finally saw our Cherokee in person. Mackenzie took her up for a test flight, we did the pre-buy inspection, and then came the waiting: waiting for the closing, and figuring out how to get our Cherokee home.
The Outpost made all that waiting easy. It’s clean, it sits in a lovely spot near Cave Run Lake, and we really enjoyed our stay.
Our tip: You can carry spares, the perfect jack and a compressor, but when three tires go at once, you need someone else’s help. Keep your roadside assistance info handy.
15. Nashville, Tennessee
Four Corners RV Park
Best for: a quick city stop on the way south.
Nashville was a short stop before the Gulf. We headed downtown, walked around, and of course had Nashville hot chicken at Hattie B’s.
Our tip: Four Corners feels like you’re out in nature, but you’re still close to everything.
16. Navarre, Florida
Emerald Beach RV Park
Best for: a little beach relaxation after a long summer.
After a long trip, we were ready for a little beach time, and Emerald Beach RV Park delivered. We had a waterfront site, with the water right outside our door. The sunrises were our favorite part. And we couldn’t leave without sushi at The Slippery Mermaid again. We also had dinner on the deck at Andy D’s Beachside Restaurant & Deck Bar. It was a cool spot, and the live band played all kinds of late ’90s Gen X rock and grunge.
Our tip: Book a site that backs up to the water.
17. Tavares, Florida
Fisherman’s Cove RV Park
Best for: seaplanes!
Tavares calls itself America’s Seaplane City, and this is where Mackenzie earned her seaplane rating. Training with Jones Brothers was a bit bumpy, between the weather and a hole in one of the pontoons, but she passed her checkride with flying colors. The day after she passed her checkride, a ferry pilot flew our Cherokee down from Kentucky, so our little plane was waiting for us at nearby Leesburg. This is also where we finally closed on our Cherokee. It was such a relief, and also: holy smokes, we have an airplane.
Home to Naples
For the last leg, we split up. We hitched up the rig and I drove it home, while Mackenzie and Stefan took an Uber to Leesburg International and flew our Cherokee home to Naples. The long road to Oshkosh started in the truck, and it ended with two of us coming home by air. Flying their own plane home was exciting. The weather was iffy, but they made it home safely.
Pulling back into Naples felt surreal. There was a bit of relief, but we were already ready for the next big trip.
What Our Campgrounds Cost
Here’s what we paid for every campground on the trip, taxes and fees included. Your rates will vary by season, site type and discounts.
| Campground | Nights | Total | Per night |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Great Outdoors RV & Golf Resort, Titusville, FL | 5 | $479.36 | $95.87 |
| Outside Inn Campground, Santee, SC | 1 | $63.00 | $63.00 |
| The RV Resort at Carolina Crossroads, Roanoke Rapids, NC | 1 | $69.40 | $69.40 |
| Cherry Hill Park, College Park, MD | 21 | $2,475.00 | $117.86 |
| Rivers Edge Campground, Bergton, VA | 7 | $385.22 | $55.03 |
| Summersville Lake Retreat & Lighthouse, Mount Nebo, WV | 2 | $165.27 | $82.64 |
| Cummins Ferry RV Park, Salvisa, KY | 5 | $376.00 | $75.20 |
| Happy Trails RV Park, Cave City, KY | 2 | $103.79 | $51.90 |
| Michigan City Campground, Michigan City, IN | 6 | $475.75 | $79.29 |
| Frankfort Crystal Lake RV Resort, Frankfort, MI | 8 | $618.00 | $77.25 |
| St. Ignace/Mackinac Island KOA Holiday, St. Ignace, MI | 6 | $502.93 | $83.82 |
| Bay Ridge RV Park, Garden, MI | 6 | $385.00 | $64.17 |
| Breezy Hill Campground, Fond du Lac, WI | 9 | $609.21 | $67.69 |
| Love’s RV Stop, DeMotte, IN (overnight) | 1 | $66.86 | $66.86 |
| White River Campground, Cicero, IN | 13 | $465.13 | $35.78 |
| Mystic Waters RV Park, Pendleton, IN | 8 | $656.04 | $82.01 |
| Outpost Campground & RV Park, Salt Lick, KY | 4 | $260.00 | $65.00 |
| Four Corners RV Park, Nashville, TN | 3 | $312.01 | $104.00 |
| Emerald Beach RV Park, Navarre, FL | 5 | $659.60 | $131.92 |
| Fisherman’s Cove RV Park, Tavares, FL | 9 | $801.00 | $89.00 |
| Whole trip | 122 | $9,928.57 | $81.38 |
Our take: Mixing long stays (where weekly and monthly rates kick in) with cheap overnights kept us right around $80 a night for the whole summer, even with a pricey stretch near DC.
What This Summer Taught Us
- Book the anchor first. Oshkosh was the one stop we couldn’t move, so we booked it first and built the whole route around it.
- Mix overnights with longer stays. Quick pull-through nights got us through the long stretches, and the longer stays gave us time to actually enjoy each place.
- Cook ahead for travel days. Even when Cook Out won (and it often did), having dinner in the freezer meant we never had to scramble on a moving day.
- Read every campground email. Directions, gate codes, garbage rules and pet paperwork were all in there.
- Plan work days and play days. Stefan worked from the road all summer, and some weeks included flights out for meetings. Building that into the plan kept the trip fun instead of frantic.
Final Thoughts
This summer gave the three of us time to slow-travel to places we’d never been, and somewhere along the way, we became an aviation family.
Have you made the trip to Oshkosh by RV, or driven any part of this route? Tell us in the comments!
Plan your own trip: The Simpler Way RV Trip Planner
The same free 10-page planner we use for every trip in our fifth wheel: our planning rules, a hub planner, a campground scouting checklist, a budget sheet, a packing list and a travel day checklist.
Keep reading: Our Gulf Coast RV Road Trip · DC by RV · A First-Timer’s Guide to EAA AirVenture Oshkosh · Every trip we’ve taken
