How to Live Full Time Vanlife

Going on the road full time is a dream come true, and don’t let anyone tell you different. 

It has its ups and downs. Sure, it’s not glamorous. But anyone who tells you it isn’t worth the sacrifices or effort should reevaluate how and why they are choosing to live this lifestyle. 

I’ve been on the road for elongated periods of time at two very different points in my life. The first was in my early 20s, with a $1900 van my boyfriend (now husband) and I bought off Craigslist. It was so rusted that you could close the door and still see straight through to the road. We had no power source, no refrigeration, no jobs, and very little money. 

The second time is now at age 32, living full-time out of my Project M, which I purchased three years ago from Four Wheel Campers. I work full-time on the road, have Starlink, and nearly all of the creature comforts my previous self would’ve sold a kidney for. Hell, I even have a toaster oven. A TOASTER OVEN. 23-year-old Shalee couldn’t even DREAM up that scenario. 

So you want to live full-time on the road? Hell yeah. Here's everything you need to know about how to live full time vanlife. 

You won’t regret it. 

8 Tips on How to Live Full Time Vanlife

1. Vanlife Looks Different for Everyone

Vanlife started as a ‘f u’ to societal norms by people who lived in rundown rigs down by the river. In the past decade, the entire culture of vanlife has changed drastically. Now it’s not uncommon to see rigs on the road that cost more than a small house. 

For some, vanlife is a tricked-out 4x4 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van that retails at around 200k. For others, it’s a $3k Facebook Marketplace deal that is just about as bare bones as you can get. 

The good news? There is no right or wrong way to do vanlife. Look at rig options in your budget and price range. You do NOT need an influencer-ready van to have a great time on the road.

Vanlife doesn’t have to mean a van. There are skoolies, truck campers, truck toppers, tent toppers, vans, and even converted SUVs. Dream it up and you can do it! 

We travel in a truck camper with 3 cats

2. Finances Determine A Lot

Perhaps the biggest factor for how to live full time vanlife is understanding your budget. There are two main ways to do it:

1. Living off savings 
2. Working remotely 

I’ve done both. The first time we lived vanlife, it was purely off savings. How much, you ask? Not as much as we should’ve had. It was 2016, and my boyfriend and I each had about $6,000 in our savings. The first week in our van, we had a $1900 fix. We lasted 7 months on a combined $10,000. Was it stressful? Yes. Would I recommend it? Probably not. These days, I’d probably want to have at least $20,000 saved for 6-12 months of adventuring, depending on how good you are at spending wisely. 

These days, I am a full-time freelancer and content creator. I work a large mix of jobs that allow me to live a much more comfortable lifestyle on the road. I run digital marketing campaigns for a number of clients, work as a travel writer & photographer, run this blog, and work as a content creator. 

But I worked remotely for a regular 9-5 job from 2017 - 2023 that allowed me to work from wherever I wanted. If you don’t want to do the freelance thing, a remote 9-5 can also work very well for vanlife! We live in 2025, and options are endless to make living on the road possible, no matter your current career or situation. 

Choosing a van or rig is another big financial aspect of your vanlife endeavor. 

Most vanlifers don’t have the funds to just go out and purchase a 100k van and start living cushy on the road. I know I didn’t! Hence, the $1900 Craigslist van. Here are my tips: 

• Start looking for a rig at least 12 months before you leave for your adventure. That way, you aren’t rushed and have the time to try to swoop up a deal. 2025 is a great time to buy a van or camper, as many who bought them during the pandemic are now selling. 
• Do you already own a tow-capable vehicle? If you do, look at more affordable options such as a pull-behind tear-drop camper, truck camper, or topper. 
• What are must-haves on the road? Are you willing to make comfort sacrifices for a more affordable option? Do you want solar? How important is Starlink? Can you survive without heat? All important questions to ask! 

Our first van bought off Craiglist for $1900 in 2016

3. Determine The Best Rig For Your Adventure 

Almost every long-term vanlifer starts in a standard 2wd van, and eventually upgrades to a 4x4 vehicle. Why? Mainly accessibility. When you live on the road, you will quickly realize just how many places are accessible by rough or 4x4 roads. 

I will always preach that a truck camper is the absolute BEST way to live vanlife without spending an obscene amount of money on a van. 

When I knew I would be working and living extended periods of time on the road again, I knew I needed a 4x4 capable rig. But I also knew that I still wouldn’t be willing to 100k for a fancy 4x4 van. 

So what did I do? I priced out every option to see what would be the most affordable 4x4 option. I landed on buying a Chevy Colorado and adding the Four Wheel Campers Project M topper. 

I bought the truck used for $20,000. The Project M was $15,000, which included power, 250w solar panels,and two ceiling fans. I then spent $3k on a custom interior build. That brings my total for my new truck camper, custom interior build, and used truck to $36,000. Cheaper than many new vehicles in 2025. 

Would I make this same choice again? Yes, in a heartbeat.

The ONLY thing I don’t like about the truck camper/truck setup is when I am traveling solo. If I am in an uncomfortable situation, I would like to be able to just crawl to my front seat instead of having to go outside and get into my vehicle. Other than that, 10/10.

4. Download the app iOverlander 

Finding where to sleep at night is the pinnacle of vanlife. Each time you change locations it’s an unknown of where you’re sleeping, if campsites are available, etc. The iOverlander app is a monthly subscription $7.99, but it is the best resource for finding free and paid campsites while on the road.

Beyond finding where to sleep, the app also tells you useful things like public showers, where to refill water, dumping stations, and more. 

Not sponsored for iOverlander, it is just truly the ONLY app to use while living on the road full-time. Its competitors, like The Dyrt and Sek,r don’t even come close. 

Campsite found by using iOverlander

5. Get the Essential Road Life Gear 

There are a few things that I wouldn’t live on the road without. Here is my list: 

• Coleman one-burner stove - probably the ONLY thing I loved about our first time on the road. I loved it so much that I bought the same stove again, 8 years later, for the truck camper. 
• This shower from Amazon - showers on the road are probably one of the most annoying things. As a girl whose hair is greasy after 48 hours, finding a shower solution that actually worked was a bitch. I tried a million different things, but recently bought this on a whim from Amazon and shipped it to an Amazon locker in Washington. GAME CHANGER. The only and best shower solution on the road!!! 
• Citranella candle - an easy but essential addition to your vanlife kit. Living outdoors comes with bugs, so be prepared! These candles are a lifesaver, and I only like this brand…as some of the other brands don’t really work. 
• Jackery - I bought a Jackery last year after wanting to go off the grid for longer, without having to worry about running out of power. Especially because I work remotely, running laptops, Starlink, phones, etc, can drain power quicker than I would like. The Jackery is an expensive but worth-it investment if you plan to work while on the road. 
• Dude Wipes - easily explainable. On those days without a shower, Dude Wipes make a world of difference to clean up a bit every night. They also work to help clean out dishes, wipe off surfaces, and keep things feeling cleaner than they would without.
• Traction mats - one of those items that you may never have to use, but if you do, you'll be happy you have them!
• Garmin InReach - Especially important if you plan to camp, boondock, or hike in remote locations. It's an expensive investment...but can save your life if something ever happens.

6. Keep an Open Mind 

Never go into vanlife with a strict itinerary. Things will come up, you’ll get delayed, you’ll want to stay in certain areas longer, the weather will affect your route, etc. Having a strict itinerary is one of the quickest ways to ruin your vanlife adventure. Have a list of places you’d like to go, and keep an open mind. 

7. Set a Monthly Budget 

Similar to assessing financing and buying your vanlife vehicle, setting a monthly budget is one of the key aspects to successfully living it full-time. 

Most of those who live vanlife find it to be a much more affordable way of living compared to paying rent/mortgage. If you own a house, you can also look into passive income streams like renting it out for an additional financial cushion while traveling. 

I spend about 75% less on the road than I do with a home base. Less things, less Amazon packages, less groceries, less bills, less eating out. It is fairly easy to live a cheap lifestyle on the road, with a few exceptions: 

1. Have a vehicle repair fund - when putting so much mileage on your vehicle, whether a van, old school bus, or truck camper, expect that things WILL have to be repaired along the way. Have funds set aside for those hiccups along the way. I like to keep our vehicle repair fund at around $3,000 in case any major expenses come up. But then, when little things come up, like a flat tire or brakes, the cost doesn’t stress me out. 
2. Do still set a budget - even if you find yourself spending considerably less while living on the road, still set and track that monthly budget. 

8. You Just Gotta Do-It 

When it comes down to it, you can dream about vanlife all day long at your work desk as you stare at life passing you by. But all it takes is 10 minutes of courage to resign from that job. It takes one brave phone call to your parents that you’re headed on the road. It takes a little bit of grit and determination to live the life of your dreams and to never take another moment for granted. 

Everyone will think you’re crazy. They’ll have 7000 opinions, none of which you’ll care to hear. But at the end of the day, when you actually go out and do it, those who thought you were crazy will envy you every day, staring out their own work window, thinking of how free you must feel.