Linden Campervan & Motorhome Hire

Day 1: Collect your RV, allowing time for paperwork and the orientation walkthrough, then stock up at a supermarket before leaving town. Drive about 34 miles (55 km) south to Turkey Swamp Park near Freehold, a Monmouth County park with sites around a lake that have water and electric hookups, and book three nights there.

Day 2: Drive about 35 miles (56 km) to Sandy Hook, part of Gateway National Recreation Area, for ocean beaches, the old Fort Hancock buildings and Sandy Hook Lighthouse. Beach parking is charged from Memorial Day to Labor Day and the park is cashless. In the afternoon, head 19 miles (30 km) south to walk the Asbury Park boardwalk.

Day 3: Drive about 27 miles (43 km) to Island Beach State Park, a long strip of undeveloped dunes and ocean beach on Barnegat Bay. Non-residents pay a higher vehicle fee in summer, and the gates close once the car parks fill on hot weekends, so arrive early. Swim at the lifeguarded beach or walk the dune trails, then return to Turkey Swamp.

Day 4: Drive about 42 miles (68 km) around Barnegat Bay to Long Beach Island and climb Barnegat Lighthouse, known locally as 'Old Barney', for views along the coast. Continue about 27 miles (44 km) inland to Bass River State Forest in the Pine Barrens and camp near Lake Absegami. Wildfire risk here peaks in spring, so check fire rules before lighting a campfire.

Day 5: Drive about 14 miles (22 km) to Batsto Village in Wharton State Forest, a restored iron and glassmaking village from the 18th and 19th centuries, with a vehicle fee in summer. Most of the forest's tracks are soft sand, so stay on paved roads. Then head about 62 miles (100 km) south to Cape May and book two nights at an RV park near town.

Day 6: Explore Cape May's Victorian streets and pedestrian mall, then climb Cape May Lighthouse and walk the trails at Cape May Point State Park, a top spot for migrating birds and monarch butterflies in autumn. Finish at Sunset Beach, where the wreck of a concrete ship sits just offshore and the sun sets over Delaware Bay.

Day 7: Drive about 6 miles (10 km) to the terminal for the Cape May-Lewes Ferry, an 85-minute, 17-mile (27 km) crossing of Delaware Bay. Book ahead, as vehicles over 20 ft are priced by length and must be under 13 ft 6 in high. In Lewes, check in for two nights at Cape Henlopen State Park, whose campground has water and electric hookups.

Day 8: Drive about 10 miles (17 km) south to Rehoboth Beach for its boardwalk, beach and outlet shopping. Back at Cape Henlopen, climb one of the Second World War observation towers at Fort Miles, walk the Gordons Pond trail or cycle the park's paved paths, then watch the sunset from the bay beach.

Day 9: Drive about 92 miles (149 km) west across Delaware and Maryland, crossing the Chesapeake Bay Bridge, a toll road, to Annapolis. Walk the historic harbour around City Dock and the streets of Maryland's capital, then drive about 27 miles (43 km) to Greenbelt Park, a National Park Service campground near Washington DC, and book three nights on recreation.gov.

Day 10: Greenbelt Park has no hookups, but it has hot showers and a dump station, and its nearest entrance is about 1.5 miles (2.4 km) from the College Park-U of Md Metro station. Leave the RV at camp and ride the Metro into the city for the National Mall, the Lincoln Memorial and the free Smithsonian museums.

Day 11: Spend another day in the city by Metro, touring the US Capitol, the Library of Congress or Arlington National Cemetery across the Potomac. The Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum and National Museum of American History are both free, though some exhibits and tours need timed passes, so check before you go.

Day 12: Drive about 85 miles (136 km) west to Front Royal, the northern entrance to Shenandoah National Park, and buy the US$30 seven-day vehicle pass. Skyline Drive's limit is 35 mph (56 km/h) in most places, so allow about an hour for the 24 miles (39 km) to Mathews Arm Campground, which opens from late April.

Day 13: Hike to Overall Run Falls from Mathews Arm, then drive about 11 miles (17 km) south to Thornton Gap and leave Skyline Drive on US 211. Just past the gap, Marys Rock Tunnel has a 12 ft 8 in clearance, and Cruise America does not allow its vans through tunnels. Tour Luray Caverns, about 12 miles (19 km) on, and stay near Luray.

Day 14: Drive about 30 miles (48 km) south through the Shenandoah Valley on US 340, then climb back onto Skyline Drive at Swift Run Gap and head 15 miles (25 km) north to Big Meadows. Its campground is reservation-only on recreation.gov, so book two nights well ahead. Walk down to Dark Hollow Falls in the late afternoon.

Day 15: Watch for deer in the big meadow at dawn, then drive about 10 miles (16 km) north to hike Stony Man for views over the Shenandoah Valley. Black bears live in the park, so lock food away in the RV. Back at Big Meadows, join a ranger program or watch the sunset from the lodge's terrace.

Day 16: Drive Skyline Drive's southern half, about 56 miles (90 km), to Rockfish Gap, where the free Blue Ridge Parkway begins. Continue about 6 miles (10 km) to Humpback Rocks for a short, steep hike and a restored mountain farm, then turn back and drive about 23 miles (37 km) to an RV park near Staunton.

Day 17: Drive about 177 miles (285 km) north up Interstate 81 through the Shenandoah Valley and into Pennsylvania, the trip's longest day. Book two nights at one of the RV parks around Gettysburg, and pick up supplies on the way, as you have now left the mountains behind.

Day 18: The Gettysburg National Military Park battlefield and visitor centre are free. Tickets for the film, the Cyclorama painting and the museum cost US$20.75 for adults. Then follow the self-guided auto tour of the battlefield in the RV, stopping at Little Round Top and the site of Pickett's Charge.

Day 19: Drive about 66 miles (106 km) east to Lancaster County, home to Amish farms and villages such as Bird-in-Hand and Intercourse. Slow down and give horse-drawn buggies plenty of room on country roads, buy fresh produce at roadside stands, and stay at an RV park nearby.

Day 20: Drive about 64 miles (103 km) to an RV park near Philadelphia with a train link into Center City. See the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall, which needs a free timed ticket from March to December, booked on recreation.gov for a US$1 fee. Finish with a cheesesteak in South Philadelphia.

Day 21: Drive about 75 miles (121 km) back to Linden on the New Jersey Turnpike, leaving early so you can return the RV in the morning. Many depots take returns before late morning, and empty holding tanks avoid a dump charge.

Day 1: Collect your RV and drive about 72 miles (115 km) west on the interstates to the Delaware Water Gap, where the river cuts through the Kittatinny Ridge. Continue about 25 miles (40 km) north on US 209 to Dingmans Campground on the Pennsylvania side, which has sites with water and electric hookups, and book three nights.

Day 2: Walk the boardwalk to Silverthread and Dingmans falls. Their car park is closed to RVs, buses and trailers on weekends and holidays, so come on a weekday. Later, drive about 10 miles (16 km) north to Raymondskill Falls, or hire a canoe or kayak from an outfitter for a gentle paddle on the Delaware River.

Day 3: Drive back to the Gap for the steep, rocky Red Dot Trail up Mount Tammany, with views down over the river and the Pennsylvania cliffs. From May to mid-October, some beaches and river access points charge a US$10 daily vehicle fee, which the America the Beautiful pass does not cover.

Day 4: Drive about 78 miles (125 km) south along the Delaware to Lambertville and walk across the old bridge to New Hope, Pennsylvania, for galleries, cafes and river views. In the afternoon, continue about 74 miles (119 km) to Bass River State Forest in the Pine Barrens, a long driving day, and book three nights near Lake Absegami.

Day 5: Drive about 14 miles (22 km) to Batsto Village in Wharton State Forest, a restored 18th and 19th century iron and glassmaking village with a mansion, a working sawmill and lakeside trails. Most of the forest's tracks are soft sand, so explore them on foot or by bike rather than in the RV.

Day 6: Hire a canoe or kayak from a local outfitter for a paddle down the tea-coloured Wading or Mullica rivers, or swim at Lake Absegami's lifeguarded beach in summer. The Pine Barrens' wildfire season peaks in spring, so check current fire restrictions before lighting a campfire.

Day 7: Drive about 27 miles (44 km) to Atlantic City for a walk along its famous boardwalk, then continue about 48 miles (77 km) down the Garden State Parkway to Cape May. Book three nights at an RV park near town, as Cape May's streets are narrow and parking for big vehicles is scarce.

Day 8: Leave the RV at camp and cycle or take a trolley tour through Cape May's Victorian streets. Climb Cape May Lighthouse, walk the trails at Cape May Point State Park, famous for autumn bird and monarch butterfly migrations, and watch the sunset over Delaware Bay from Sunset Beach.

Day 9: Drive about 10 miles (15 km) north to Wildwood for its wide beaches and boardwalk amusement piers. Alternatively, ride the Cape May-Lewes Ferry as a foot passenger for a day in Lewes, Delaware, an 85-minute crossing each way, and leave the RV behind.

Day 10: Drive about 82 miles (132 km) north to Long Beach Island and climb Barnegat Lighthouse, known as 'Old Barney', then walk the jetty at its foot. Head about 27 miles (44 km) inland to spend the night back at Bass River State Forest, as camping on the island itself is limited.

Day 11: Drive about 36 miles (59 km) to Island Beach State Park and spend the day on its undeveloped ocean beach and bay-side trails. Arrive early on summer weekends, when non-residents pay a higher vehicle fee and the gates shut once car parks fill. Then drive about 27 miles (43 km) to Turkey Swamp Park near Freehold for three nights.

Day 12: Drive about 35 miles (56 km) to Sandy Hook in Gateway National Recreation Area for wide ocean beaches, the brick buildings of Fort Hancock and Sandy Hook Lighthouse. On clear days, you can see the Manhattan skyline across the bay. Beach parking is charged in summer and paid by card only.

Day 13: Drive about 20 miles (32 km) to Asbury Park, walk its boardwalk and look inside the grand Convention Hall, then stroll south into Ocean Grove, a Victorian seaside town with a summer tent colony. Return to Turkey Swamp for a final night, and hire a paddle boat or kayak on its lake if it's open.

Day 14: Drive about 34 miles (55 km) back to Linden and return the RV in the morning with empty holding tanks. Then leave the driving behind and take an NJ Transit train from Linden station, about 40 minutes to New York Penn Station, for an afternoon in Manhattan.

Day 1: Collect your RV, stock up at a supermarket and drive about 34 miles (55 km) south to Turkey Swamp Park near Freehold, where sites have water and electric hookups. Book two nights, and if you arrive early, take a walk around the park's lake before dinner.

Day 2: Drive about 35 miles (56 km) to Sandy Hook in Gateway National Recreation Area for ocean beaches, Fort Hancock and Sandy Hook Lighthouse, paying for beach parking by card in summer. In the afternoon, head 19 miles (30 km) south to walk the Asbury Park boardwalk, then return to camp.

Day 3: Drive about 27 miles (43 km) to Island Beach State Park for a morning on its undeveloped beach, arriving early in summer, when the gates close once car parks fill. Then drive about 92 miles (148 km) down the Garden State Parkway to Cape May and book three nights at an RV park near town.

Day 4: Explore Cape May's Victorian streets by bike or trolley tour, climb Cape May Lighthouse and walk the trails at Cape May Point State Park. In the evening, watch the sun set over Delaware Bay from Sunset Beach, where the wreck of a concrete ship sits just offshore.

Day 5: Spend a day at Wildwood's wide beaches and boardwalk piers, about 10 miles (15 km) north. Or ride the Cape May-Lewes Ferry as a foot passenger, an 85-minute crossing each way, for a day in Lewes, Delaware, and a walk on the beach at Cape Henlopen State Park.

Day 6: Drive about 63 miles (101 km) north to Batsto Village in Wharton State Forest, a restored iron and glassmaking village in the heart of the Pine Barrens. Walk the lakeside trails, then drive about 14 miles (22 km) to Bass River State Forest and camp near Lake Absegami.

Day 7: Drive about 83 miles (133 km) back to Linden on the Garden State Parkway, leaving early to return the RV in the morning. Empty the holding tanks at the forest's dump station before you go, and allow extra time on summer Sundays, when shore traffic heads north.