This Is the Most RV-friendly City in the U.S.

Over 11.2 million U.S. households own an RV — that’s a whole lot of campers and motorhomes. And chances are every RV owner has a different idea of what makes a place RV-friendly. For some, it’s all about finding a place that gives you access to amenities and entertainment, while for others, it’s all about access to nature. 

RV Trader, an online classified site where you can buy and sell RVs, has over 160,000 new and used RVs for sale at any given time. By relying on the intel they’ve gathered from the millions of monthly buyers who search RV Trader (and their own personal experience and love for RVing), they determined which destination is RV City U.S.A. — for 2024 at least.

“The No. 1 criterion for our No. 1 RV city is that it has to have something for everyone,” said the article with their findings, published in early September. In addition, they considered affordability and driveability, and searched out a destination that was “quintessentially American.”

Their choice was Washington, D.C., a city that’s now officially nicknamed “RV City U.S.A.” by the folks at RV Trader. Thanks to its long list of free activities, including monuments, museums, and national parks, it’s one of the most affordable big cities in the world. (Remember, when you have an RV, you don’t have to worry about lodging!)

It also has great entertainment — for all tastes. There’s a great architecture and art scene, along with pro sports, concerts, and access to nature. Plus, as RV Trader notes, “there’s definitely no place more American.” 

For most RVers, Washington, D.C. has it all. It’s a great place to park, set up camp, and enjoy the many (mostly free) activities. Plus, it has great public transportation so you can leave your rig at home. The one drawback about Washington, D.C., according to RV Trader, is that it can be hard to get to if you’re coming from the West Coast. However, they note, quite fairly, that “every American should visit at least once in their life and it’s well worth the trek.”

RV Trader also included a few campground recommendations. You can stay on the Maryland side of Washington, D.C. at Cherry Hill Park and take the train into the city (just over 1 hour) to stay at the Capitol KOA. Greenbelt Park Campground is even closer to the city and is managed by the National Park Service as part of National Capital Parks East.

If you’re in a smaller rig, you might even be able to find overnight parking in or close to the city at the usual suspects.