A Realistic Beginner’s Guide from Someone Who Actually Did It
When I first started looking into van life, it felt completely overwhelming. There were endless YouTube van tours, Instagram-perfect rigs, and blog posts filled with gear I couldn’t afford and advice that didn’t quite apply to real beginners.
I didn’t have a huge budget. I didn’t know how to build out a van. I didn’t have a remote job or sponsors. What I had was a strong gut feeling that I needed a lifestyle change — something simpler, more flexible, and aligned with who I was becoming.
Now, years later, I’m living full-time on the road, and I love it. But it took time, research, and a lot of trial and error to get here. So I’ve put together the honest guide I wish I’d had when I started: no fluff, no pressure to be perfect — just actionable steps from one van lifer to another.
🚐 Step 1: Decide Why You Want to Do This
Before you buy anything, before you sell all your stuff, ask yourself:
Why do I want to live in a van?
Some common reasons I’ve heard:
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Wanting more freedom and flexibility
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Escaping burnout or a toxic job
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Saving money on rent
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Traveling long-term without hotels
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Seeking minimalism and simplicity
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Chasing a dream or creative pursuit
Your “why” will help guide every decision you make — from what kind of vehicle you get to how you set up your daily routine. It also helps during the hard days (and yes, there will be some).
🚘 Step 2: Choose Your Vehicle (Realistically)
You don’t need a $50,000 Sprinter van. I started in a used minivan and it served me just fine. Think about what you actually need based on your lifestyle, budget, and skill level.
Common options:
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Minivans (Toyota Sienna, Honda Odyssey): Stealthy, cheap, great MPG.
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Cargo Vans (Ford Transit, Ram Promaster, Sprinter): More room to build, stand-up height.
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SUVs or Hatchbacks: Super affordable and good for short-term living or weekend travel.
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Box trucks, school buses, or truck campers: Good if you want more space and don’t need stealth.
Key considerations:
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Can you stand up inside? (Or are you okay not standing?)
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Will you be stealth camping in cities?
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Do you want to build it yourself or buy it ready-to-go?
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What's your budget, including repairs and insurance?
🛠 Step 3: Plan Your Build (or No-Build Setup)
If you're handy, go wild — build cabinets, wire solar, insulate, install a fan. But if you're not, don't let that stop you.
My first setup was just:
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A mattress on a plywood platform
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Plastic storage bins under the bed
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A cooler and a portable stove
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Blackout curtains made from Reflectix and fabric
That was it. And I was comfortable, safe, and mobile.
There are endless van build guides out there, but remember: you don’t need it all on day one. You can (and should!) evolve your setup as you learn what you really need.
💻 Step 4: Figure Out How You'll Support Yourself
If you want to do van life long-term, you’ll need some sort of income.
Common options:
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Remote jobs (tech, marketing, writing, teaching, admin)
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Gig work (DoorDash, Instacart, Rover)
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Freelancing (photography, design, VA work)
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Seasonal jobs (national parks, campgrounds, harvest work)
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Content creation (though don’t rely on this at first)
Start lining something up before you hit the road. And always have a savings buffer for emergencies.
🏕 Step 5: Know Where You Can Sleep (Legally)
Free camping is one of the best parts of van life — but you have to know where to find it.
Top options:
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BLM land and National Forests (mostly in the west)
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Free campgrounds or pull-offs
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Cracker Barrel, Walmart, Cabela’s (some allow overnight stays — always check!)
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Truck stops and rest areas
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Apps like iOverlander, Campendium, and FreeRoam
Always follow Leave No Trace principles and local rules. The goal is to be low-impact and respectful so spots stay open for others.
🧼 Step 6: Plan for Hygiene & Daily Living
This part scared me the most at first — where would I shower? Use the bathroom? Do laundry?
Turns out, it’s all figure-out-able.
How I handle hygiene:
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Gym membership (like Planet Fitness) for showers
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Baby wipes or a solar shower for quick cleanups
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Public restrooms, gas stations, trailheads
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Composting or portable toilet (optional)
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Laundry at coin-op laundromats every 1–2 weeks
You’ll find your rhythm fast — and I promise it becomes second nature.
🧭 Step 7: Do a Test Run Before Committing
Before you sell your stuff and go full-time, do a few test trips in your current vehicle or a rental. Sleep in a Walmart lot, cook from your camp stove, shower at the gym — see how it feels.
Ask yourself:
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Do I feel safe?
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Am I comfortable sleeping here?
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What do I miss from home?
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What’s working? What’s annoying?
Even a weekend test run can teach you more than hours of research.
🛑 Step 8: Prepare for the Challenges
Van life isn’t always dreamy. Sometimes it’s uncomfortable, inconvenient, or lonely. But that’s okay — it’s real life, just in a different form.
Things I’ve had to deal with:
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Mechanical breakdowns
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Parking anxiety in cities
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Finding Wi-Fi for work
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Bad weather and extreme temps
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Missing family and friends
But the freedom, flexibility, and personal growth make it 100% worth it for me.
🗺 Step 9: Hit the Road — And Stay Flexible
When you’re ready, just go. Start close to home. Ease into it. You don’t need to drive cross-country on day one.
Van life is a journey, not a fixed plan. Your route will change. Your setup will evolve. You will evolve. That’s part of the magic.
Be curious. Be open. Be kind to yourself while you learn.
Final Thoughts: You Don’t Have to “Do It Right”
If you take nothing else from this post, let it be this:
There’s no one “right” way to do van life.
Start small. Go with what you’ve got. Learn as you go. You don’t need a fancy build or a massive YouTube following to live a full, rich, exciting life on the road.
You just need the courage to start.
And if you're still unsure? Reach out — I’m always happy to share tips, recommend gear, or help brainstorm your first trip. You’ve got this. 🌄🚐💫
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