One of the biggest myths in the car camping and van life community is that you need an expensive vehicle to travel comfortably. Spend enough time on social media and you’ll start to believe that adventure only happens in a brand-new Sprinter van with solar panels, a rooftop deck, and...
One of the most common questions I get whenever I talk about road trips, car camping, or van life is some variation of this: “Is it safe to travel alone as a woman?” The answer is complicated. The world isn’t entirely safe, but neither is staying home. Risk exists everywhere,...
One of the best things about car camping is that you don’t need a lot of gear to get started. In fact, I usually encourage beginners to spend a night or two in their vehicle before buying much of anything. It’s surprisingly easy to fall down the rabbit hole of...
One of the biggest reasons people become interested in car camping is the freedom it offers. There’s something incredibly appealing about being able to throw your gear in the car, head toward a beautiful destination, and spend the night surrounded by nature without paying for a hotel room. It’s one...
Buying gifts for van lifers can be surprisingly difficult. On one hand, people who live and travel in small spaces often appreciate practical items more than decorative ones. On the other hand, they usually don’t have much room for unnecessary stuff. A gift that takes up valuable storage space without...
One of the first questions people ask when they find out you travel or spend time living on the road is surprisingly predictable. “But where do you shower?” It’s a fair question. Most of us grow up with the expectation that a shower is something that happens automatically every day...
One of the best parts of car camping and road trips is that you don’t have to leave your best friend behind. For many travelers, dogs aren’t just pets. They’re hiking buddies, campsite companions, road trip co-pilots, and sometimes the only consistent company during long stretches of travel. Having a...
If you’ve spent any time watching travel content online, you’ve probably seen everything from fully customized camper vans to people sleeping in the back of a hatchback at a trailhead. Both lifestyles offer freedom, adventure, and flexibility, but van life and car camping aren’t actually the same thing. One of...
There’s something exciting about the days leading up to a road trip. Maps are open. Destinations are being researched. Snacks are purchased. Playlists are created. Whether you’re planning a weekend getaway or a cross-country adventure, the anticipation is often part of the fun. Unfortunately, excitement can sometimes lead people to...
One of the things I love most about car camping is the sense of community that often develops among travelers. Even when people are parked in separate campsites and minding their own business, there’s usually an unspoken understanding that everyone is there for the same reason: to enjoy the outdoors,...
