Vanlife: 11 Tips for Being Successful with Living on the Road

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Are you ready to embrace the excitement of life on the road, whether by building your van or buying one? While living on the road isn’t necessarily hard, it can bring unexpected challenges just as much as it brings joy. In this guide, we’ll explore some practical tips for making your van life experience smoother, from packing efficiently to staying connected and enjoying the vanlife journey.

1. Minimalism and Space Optimization:

When living in a small van, less is often more. Minimize clutter by packing only the essentials. Utilize your limited space efficiently, allowing room for any treasures you pick up along the way. We are definitely guilty of having a little too much with us on the road, but we live in our van full time so we often think it’s better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it. With that said, after our first big trip we did end up leaving a lot back home before we set out again!

2. Streamlined Kitchen Supplies:

Reduce the number of dishes you bring; you can wash them immediately after use to save cabinet and drawer space. Opt for durable, non-fragile options to prevent breakage during your travels. We use plastic bowls and plates, the same water bottle every day, the same coffee cup, collapsible measuring cups, and we only brought 4 of each utensil (forks, knives, and spoons)

3. Packing for Weather:

Pack according to the expected weather at your destination, but also be prepared for all different types of weather. We primarily travel to warm places, however we have ran into all different climates throughout our travels and have clothes for almost all weather in the van with us. We’ve saved on space by rewearing clothes, getting a packable coat, buying staple pieces that can transition across multiple outfits, and getting real with ourselves on how many pairs of shoes we actually need. We’ve also seen some people use packing cubes to help them pack the right amount of clothes!

4. Battery and Water Tank Check:

Before hitting the road, ensure your van’s batteries are fully charged, and your water tank is topped off. This preparation helps you avoid the need for immediate shore power or refilling while on the move. We’ve also noticed this gets us off on the right foot because our alternator charges us while we’re driving so we don’t have any need to worry about power right off the bat, plus our 33 gallon water tank lasts us about a week so the first few days of the road trip end up being very smooth not having to think about these basic needs. If you frequently worry about power and you’d like to know more about our alternator charger, you can find it here!

5. Grocery Shopping Prep:

Before you head out, visit your familiar grocery store one last time. Stock up on essential items, as grocery store layouts and product availability can vary significantly in new locations, especially for specific dietary needs. We are vegetarian and notice that as we travel throughout the US, in some places we see less and less of our staples (for example, we use the Banza pizza crust and Morning Star Chorizo Crumbles on our pizza and not everywhere has either of those!) Plus, it’s nice to start out with a full fridge and cabinet(s) so you can keep yourself fueled up and energized throughout those first few days of your trip.

7. Flexibility and Backup Plans:

Be prepared for situations where your chosen spot may not work out due to overcrowding or restrictions. We always choose a plan A spot and a plan B spot when looking for places to stay. Aside from just a spot you stay in, it’s important to be flexible and have a “just in case” backup plan. Recently, we had an electrical issue and ended up having to go to a certified installer to get it resolved and by the time it was all said and done we had spent $800 on the fix! Luckily we had the money for it, but if we didn’t things could have looked a lot different and would have been way more stressful. Flexibility and backup plans are key to a smooth journey.

8. Internet Connectivity:

If you require regular internet access for work or leisure, consider investing in Starlink. It provides reliable, fast, and widespread coverage, ensuring you stay connected even in remote areas. We lived without Starlink for over a year and whew were we missing out! So many places we visited, we were frustrated at not being able to get any work done or ending our night with out being able to watch our favorite show because we didn’t have service so we finally bit the bullet and invested in it and we are SO glad we did! Anywhere we go now, we’re getting anywhere from 50mbps – 140 mbps with Starlink and if you don’t know how internet works – that is FAST. If you buy it from Amazon or Best Buy you can avoid the $50 shipping cost so you will pay $650 for the Standard Kit and $150 per month for the service. The best part is, if you’re not using it for a period of time (say over the winter when camping season is over for most) you don’t have to pay for it! You just turn the service off in your Billing settings!

9. Test Run and Maintenance:

Before embarking on your journey, take your van for a test run and consider spending a night or two in it to check for any issues. Ensure all maintenance, such as oil changes, tire pressure, and washer fluid, are up to date. One con to having a home on wheels is getting far from your familiar home base, something goes wrong, and you have to figure it out on the road with limited tools and resources. A test run will help you identify any potential problems (although, it may not catch all of them) and you can make adjustments, get things fixed, or order anything you realized you might need before you head out on a longer adventure!

10. Embrace the Beauty:

Whenever possible, make a point to stay in stunning locations with breathtaking views. Vanlife offers the opportunity to wake up to nature’s wonders right at your doorstep. So enjoy any chance you have to take things a bit slower and soak it all in. In the event that something goes wrong, do your best to stay positive and remember why you chose this lifestyle in the first place (it’s probably largely for the views and adventure 😜)

Here’s a look at the coolest place we’ve ever stayed:

@keithandhannahh

the coolest camp spot we’ve ever stayed in 🌕 we saw some mixed reviews on this spot but didn’t let that stop us from going anyway and we are so glad we didn’t! it was quiet, way less people than some others experienced previously, and what a place to wake up, right?? 😍 it was perfect for sunrise and sunset and it truly felt like we were looking out onto the moon 🤯 would you camp here?? 🚐 #camplife #campvibes #vanlifeadventures #vanliving #keithandhannah

♬ original sound – Keith and Hannah | vanlife

11. Connect with Others:

Expect to meet fascinating, friendly people who share your enthusiasm for the vanlife lifestyle. That includes us! Engage in conversations about your unique van and the adventures you’ve had, share your experiences, and make those lifelong connections you’ve been yearning for. Surrounding yourself with likeminded people is guaranteed to take you far!

Above all, vanlife is about embracing the moment, exploring the beauty of our world, and leaving it better for future generations to enjoy. Have fun, be adventurous, and savor every moment of your journey. And again, always remember to Leave No Trace!!

Share your own van life experiences or tips in the comments below, and let’s continue the conversation. Safe travels!

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