How to Plan Campervan Routes in the Mountains and Along the Coast Without the Stress

There’s nothing more humbling than setting off feeling smugly organised — playlist queued, snacks ready — only to realise your “scenic route” is actually a hedge-lined lane with blind bends and absolutely no space to turn around.

In a car, it’s mildly irritating. In a campervan or motorhome, it’s a full-body stress response. The good news? Mountain and coastal roads don’t have to ruin the fun. With a bit of planning, the drive stays enjoyable — which, let’s be honest, is the whole reason you’re doing it in the first place.

Step one: Boring, but saves you. 

Before planning anything properly, get clear on four numbers: Height, Width, Weight and Length.  

Keep them somewhere easy to find, like a note on your phone and a scrap in the cab. Knowing your height makes low bridges a simple yes or no. Knowing your width makes narrow lanes a decision, not a surprise. 

Stop chasing the shortest route 

This is the mindset shift that changes everything. The shortest route is usually the route that looks fine on a map and feels like a mistake in real life. For bigger vehicles, it helps to favour roads that are built for regular traffic. That usually means main roads between towns, roads with clear markings, and routes that look like they are meant to connect places rather than cut between them. If a map offers a tiny shortcut that saves eight minutes, assume it is either steep, narrow, or both. Sometimes it is all three plus a tractor. 

The signs are worth taking seriously every single time 

Warning signs are not being dramatic. They are trying to stop you from having a terrible afternoon. These are the ones that matter most: 

• Unsuitable for long vehicles
• Width restriction
• Low bridge with a height limit
• Weight limit on a bridge
• Single-track road with passing places
• Steep gradient warning

If one of these appears while there are still options, reroute and stay in a good mood. If one of these appears after committing to a narrow lane, it is going to be a character-building moment. 

Mountain roads are all about calm control 

Mountain driving sounds intimidating, but the hardest part usually isn’t going up — it’s getting back down. Steep descents can make you ride the brakes because it feels safer, but that’s how things get tense fast. Drop down a gear early, take it slow, and let the engine do the work. It might feel dull for a moment, then suddenly it feels very sensible.

Corners are the other reality check. Wide bends with good visibility are fine. Tight hairpins with stone walls and nowhere to go? Less fun. If a route looks like a string of sharp zigzags, taking the longer way round is often the better choice — less stress, more enjoyment.

And honestly, there’s no prize for tackling the scariest road. The views are just as good on easier routes, and parking up safely and walking to a viewpoint usually beats white-knuckling your way through a road that feels like a test.

Coastal driving is lovely until a village appears 

Coastal roads are a roadtrip highlght. Sea views, stop and stare moments, that feeling of rolling towards a beach with the windows cracked open. Perfect. Then a cute little village turns up, and suddenly the streets are narrow, the corners are tight, and parked cars are everywhere. These places are charming because they are old, and they are old because nobody planned for modern traffic, let alone a motorhome. 

The easiest fix is to plan coastal days differently. Use bigger routes to move along the coastline, then pick one or two places where you actually want to stop. Check parking in advance. Accept that walking ten minutes is a gift, not a punishment. This is one of those lessons that tends to arrive with a bit of drama. Nothing spikes the heart rate like rolling into a busy coastal car park and spotting a height barrier at the entrance with a queue of cars behind you. Suddenly, everyone is watching, and reversing becomes a performance. 

Single-track roads have their own etiquette 

If a single-track road is unavoidable, treat it like teamwork. Drive slowly, look far ahead, and use passing places properly. If there is a passing place on your left, pull in and let oncoming traffic through. If someone does it for you, wave. It is a tiny gesture, but it takes the edge off and makes the whole thing feel friendlier. 

Wind, weather, and the surprise factor 

Sometimes the road itself is fine, but the weather decides to become the main character. Strong wind can make a high-sided vehicle feel like it is being gently pushed around, which is not relaxing. When conditions are rough, the best strategy is less driving and more flexibility. Take the sheltered route where possible, start earlier, and stop when it stops being fun. One very practical tip: when it is windy, hold onto the door as you open it. A gust can yank it wider than you meant, and that is the kind of moment that makes you suddenly very protective of your hinges. 

A simple planning ritual before a big drive

This takes ten minutes and saves so much stress, especially for mountain days and coastal days. 

1. Check vehicle numbers again, especially height and width.
2. Plan a main route on roads that look suitable for larger vehicles.
3. Scan the tricky sections and choose an alternative if needed.
4. Check parking at the destination, not just the destination itself.
5. Confirm the overnight stop is realistic and allowed.
6. Keep fuel topped up when heading somewhere remote.
7. Build in extra time so there is no rushing on narrow roads.

If you are still choosing a vehicle, it helps to match the vehicle to the route, not the other way around. Comparing options on Campstar makes it easier to be honest about what size will feel comfortable for the kind of roads you actually want to drive. 

Scenic driving does not have to mean white knuckles and silent panic. Pick roads that suit the vehicle, plan parking, take warning signs seriously, and give yourself time. Arrive calmer, explore more, and save the energy for the good bits: the views, the stops, and the feeling of having your home with you while you chase the coastline and the mountains. 

XOXO