First solo trip, campground suggestions off lower WV RT19, I-77

[Boomerweps]

Going on my first long trip.
First to Charlott NC to visit son from south of Erie PA. Looking for a halfway stop.
Then a local campground near Charlott (actually Statesville).
Followed by a southern state route to Austin TX to visit daughter. Never been through southern states west of GA, except flying to TX for her wedding and driving middle routes to CO & UT.
Any route or campground suggestions appreciated.
Don’t think my son or daughter’s place allows for moochdocking.
After that, if I’m up to it, out to the desert SW.
If you’ve read my other posts, you’ll know I’ve prepped the TT for boondocking for several days at a time. So boondocking, I.e., FREE camping, suggestions would be really appreciated.
Planning on leaving in a few weeks to avoid the peak of summer in the southwest. Probably return on a more northerly route to lessen the heat.

 

[5picker]

Summersville Retreat and Lighthouse Campground in Mt. Nebo (near Summersville) WV along Route 19.
We stay there often. Nice campground but only about a dozen pull through sites with FHU.
If you don't need FHU, there are many nice sites and a good fuel station across the road on 19.

Wytheville KOA. Great campground as well and Ft. Chiswell Campground too.

From Erie, I-79 to Route 19 to I-77. Near Beckley, you will find I-64 and I-77 run together a short way and then at Wytheville, I-77 and I-81 run together for a short way until I-77 heads south. Near Wytheville is one of the few places you will go both south (I-77) and north (I-81) at the same time!
Also parts of the I-77 highway in WV is considered turnpike and there are tolls and tunnels. No problems with either.

 

[sherman12]

Generally, for most of our travel, we set our furthest destination on our Garmin RV660 GPS. We will then add stops before and maybe after the last stop. I have yet to come across a GPS that you can easily pick the routes you want to travel, interstates, and two lanes, and then ask the GPS to build a safe RV route (underpasses, tunnels with propane restrictions, steep grades, tight turns, etc). At times the navigator, err, my DW will intersperse the Garmin using her phone and Google Maps.

As far as what campgrounds, we use online resources to search out what kind of CG will meet our requirements. RV Life Campgrounds is a great resource, and on the move, we use RVParky a lot. Sure, members on the forum can suggest a KOA or Jimmy Bob's RV Resort, but are you willing to pay the high prices these places may ask per night, or they might have all kinds of activities for kids you don't have and cost more? I never use KOA or CGs with the word resort, so the DW will be researching CGs while on the road if we haven't made reservations for each stop, which I wouldn't recommend.

Boondocking spots, especially East of the Mississippi where they are not as common as out West would be even more difficult to look for suggestions. Again, utilize the web with apps like The Dryt or All Trails to find choice-free locations.