Route Planning and Campground Finding

I've tried lots of software and services including Google Earth, Microsoft Visual Earth, DeLorme Street Atlas, Microsoft Streets, and too many others to list. They all have some good features and some that fall short. None of these are designed specifically for campers though they do allow for searching along the way for "points of interest" with keywords like 'campground' or 'RV' and other likely keys.

The problem I've had with most of these is that they find all kinds of points, many of which are not so interesting... at least for trip planning. I've found mobile home parks, boy scout campgrounds, and RV service centers; none of which I really wanted to spend the night in.

But I just got a promo mailing (you probably did too) to join CampclubUSA. Never mind that they offer saving 50% on campgrounds, the real gem is their trip planner tool. It's based on MapQuest and displays campgrounds along the route.

Two things to know about this service:
1- It only displays member campgrounds.

• That's bad because there aren't a lot of them. I found only 2 on a route between my home in North Carolina and Cape Cod.
• But that's good because (if I join the club) the rates are only 1/2 the normal retail day rate.

2- The MapQuest service they link to is a watered down version that doesn't allow you to specify non-direct routes, so you need to create multiple trips if you don't like where the route goes. In my case, I don't like traveling through NY City up I-95, so I made two routes, avoiding the Bronx.

The service is free to use, but you have to sign up at a fee in order to get the discounted campground rates.