15 Van Life Tips from Lessons Learned on the Road

After we did our camper van build, we were very excited to travel in it. And we’ve certainly learned a lot about van life along the way. 

Although we thought we knew what we were doing, there were many things we didn’t think about. If we had known, traveling would’ve been much easier.

So I’m sharing tips from our lessons learned on the road. This might help you be more prepared and avoid making the same mistakes we’ve made!

Van Life Tips

We started van travel a couple of years ago in California. Rules and regulations about parking overnight and camping can vary by state or region.

By the way, these can also apply to traveling by car, RV, and other vehicles.

1. Learn Basic Maintenance

We were lucky to do our own van build. But we bought ours used, and it didn’t have all the original instructions with it. 

Whatever the case, you’ll want to know basic maintenance. Read all about the features of your van. 

There were some we didn’t know about as we were driving, and they caught us off guard. 

We knew basics like how to check the oil and top off the other fluids. Your van could use diesel like ours, so use the right gas.

Some people rent or drive these vans for the first time, get on the road, and don’t even know how to fill the tank. 

When we go on long trips, sometimes the nearest service station can be over 100 miles away. And just think about the fact that when you travel with a big rig, not all places may service your vehicle. 

We always bring basic tools, engine oil, and coolant in case we need them. Knowing how to do a little maintenance can go a long way. 

2. Research Where You’ll Go

It’s always good to research where you’re going. We like to be spontaneous, and it’s fun traveling this way.

But it’s good to know about the lay of the land. We’ve gone out in the middle of nowhere to find rugged terrain. 

And we’ve just hoped our rig could handle it. But you’ll have to think about wildlife or other dangers out there.

These are things to know so you can prepare yourself. When we have misgivings about a place, we turn around and head somewhere else.

It’s always good to read firsthand experiences from people who have actually traveled where you want to go. Although all experiences may vary, you’ll at least know what to expect. 

3. Know Where to Overnight Park

In our state, you can’t park and sleep overnight wherever you want. And this is a misconception people may have.

People always ask us what traveling in a van is like. I tell them it’s not easy to find somewhere to sleep, and they are shocked.

Rest stops and side streets may limit overnight parking. We can’t always get a camping reservation.

Walmart, Bass Pro, and Cracker Barrel may not be around or may not allow it. 

Searching the internet doesn’t always give us updated information. We’ve learned how difficult it can be.

California is particularly difficult because of all the people who live in their vehicles. When we travel in other states, we find fewer restrictions.

4. Plan a Short Trip First

Our very first trip in the van was a short road trip. I’m glad we did this. 

We went to a beach 30 minutes away from home and spent the day there. On the next trip, we went 2 hours away to the desert. 

We learned a lot from these short trips. Finding parking and camping didn’t come easily.

There were many things we forgot to pack and prepare. Good thing we weren’t far from home.

Take short trips to get used to living and sleeping in a van. And if you don’t have one, you’ll need to find a bathroom on the road.

Build up to the long trips. Obstacles on short trips prepared us for the bigger ones later on.

5. Leave Early, Arrive Early

On one of our first trips, we drove to Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. We left home in the evening. 

The winding roads to the campground blended into the blackness like a noir painting. There were no streetlights, and barely any cars passed us on the way.

When you are in an unfamiliar place, it’s best to get there during the day. That way, you can see the area.

The Anza-Borrego Desert is also a dark sky park. Let’s just say it’s extra dark at night.

We paid for a camping spot and drove around. It was hard to see, and we didn’t use our extra bright headlights because that’d annoy other campers.

From now on, we try to arrive way before sundown. That way, we can find our way around more easily.

6. Make Reservations

That brings me to my next point to make a reservation if you can. We arrived at the campground without one. 

In states like California and popular national parks, you’ll need to book in advance. Or you could end up like us on our Yellowstone trip, searching at the last minute.

In the beginning, we thought we could stay anywhere and find camping spots easily. We were so naive to think this.

When I camped as a child, it was always first-come, first-serve. That’s not the case anymore, at least in California.

We were lucky to grab the last spot in the campground on our first trip. Many spots had reserved signs on them.

Just like when planning to stay in a hotel, we should have checked ahead for openings. 

Imagine if we arrived at the campground and all the spots were taken. We’d have to find somewhere else to stay in the dark. 

The water in the van wasn’t hooked up, plus we had no electricity. Not to mention, we didn’t have a bathroom, so we depended on staying at the campground.

7. Give Yourself Enough Time

This is one of those tips I can’t stress enough. Things can go awry on the road. 

The main issue we run into is traffic. On one trip, we planned to be back in California by the early afternoon.

We drove back from Utah on the I-15, and traffic was backed up for miles. There was a bad car accident in Utah. Then we hit Nevada and the usual weekend traffic from Las Vegas.

It took us over twice the time to get back. Mind you, in the heat too.

So always allow yourself extra time. We also like to take breaks, eat, and sightsee along the way, which takes time.

8. Carry Paper Maps

We are lucky to have Starlink (internet access) in our Sprinter van. However, we didn’t have this when starting out.

Despite having service in most places, we still carry paper maps. We bring an old-school map of the US and the places we travel through.

Do you know how many times we’ve been on the road and had no phone or internet signal? Many times.

That’s why we keep paper maps in the van. And actually, I’m used to this.

I grew up reading maps, so I’m accustomed to them. With my AAA membership, I get them for free.

Don’t solely rely on the internet. You’re not always going to have service, especially out in the middle of nowhere.  

9. Bring Food and Water

Whether you plan on taking a road trip or going off the grid, bring food and water. It’s good to stock up when you find grocery stores on main roads.

We often travel through the desert. Even in the winter, it can be deadly hot.

We always bring extra drinking water. Every chance we get, we also fill up the water tank on our van.

And as far as food, we will stop at the grocery store before we reach a destination. We have a small refrigerator in our van. 

We also keep freeze-dried food and snacks in our van. In case we get stranded somewhere, there’s food and water to last a few days.

10. Prepare for the Weather

I’ve learned from traveling that the weather can change quickly. I always prepare for the worst.

The weather in California can change drastically within a few miles when going from the ocean to inland. And it can change a lot when driving from state to state.

We took a trip through the West, and it was pleasant in California. Nevada was boiling hot. When we got to Utah, it was freezing cold and snowing. 

On my trips, I have worn shorts one day only to need a winter coat the next. We always bring extra blankets and clothes for all conditions.

Sweatshirts, hoodies, and flannels are easy pieces to layer when it’s cold. They’re easy to take off when it’s warm. 

11. Be Aware of Your Surroundings

We’ve slept in quite a few places that weren’t campgrounds. Wherever you end up, you’ll want to be aware of your surroundings.

When the sun goes down, sometimes it’s difficult to see what is out there. Take note of other people hanging around.

It might be a good idea to let friends and family know exactly where you are staying. Be vigilant when camping in the middle of nowhere.

We always try to park under a light in parking lots and on the street. If you don’t feel right about a place, you might want to go where you feel safe.

12. Be Able to Protect Yourself

We have measures in place to protect ourselves. When camping, you’re bound to run into other humans and wildlife. 

Most of the time, they aren’t threatening. What will you do if they are? 

We carry weapons and bear spray in our van. Then we invested in security cameras to see what’s going on outside.

I don’t want to scare you. Most people have good intentions out there.

However, there are people with bad intentions in the world. And you have to think about protecting yourself if you run into one of them. 

The police and rangers might not be able to help you. And if you venture far off the grid, the nearest station might be miles away. 

13. Carry a First Aid Kit

In the great outdoors, you can bet on injuries happening. So it’s a good idea to carry a first aid kit.

If you plan on hiking and doing other activities, you might want to learn some first aid. I took classes on treating common injuries.

We have bandages, wraps, and the means to make a splint. You’ll also want to carry medication in case you get sick.

For example, I have really bad allergies, so I carry an Epi-Pen and other medicines. 

Our first aid kit really comes in handy because we’re always busy. And we often get cuts and bruises. 

14. Have an Emergency Plan

Along with your first aid kit, you’ll want an emergency plan. What would you do when tragedy strikes?

What if you’re out in the middle of nowhere and someone gets hurt or lost? With no cell phone signal? 

Have a plan if someone breaks into your vehicle and steals everything. No phone, no money, no keys.

Would you run away if you were threatened? Where would you hide? How would people find you?

You’ll have to think about these things. We always make a meet-up point in case we get separated.

I knew someone from my hiking group who always went solo off the grid. He went deep into the backcountry, but carried a personal locator so people back home knew where he was. Good idea!

15. Keep a Notebook Handy

On adventures, I always jot down notes. We may pass places that we’d like to explore on another trip.

We might find a campground we want to stay at again. Or find places we never ever want to see again.

Having a notebook or means to write down ideas comes in handy.

As we travel, we make lists for groceries and supplies. That way, when we stop at the store, we don’t forget anything.

You might have a memory like an elephant. But I like to write stuff down and take pictures.

And notes come in handy if you’d like to document your trips later. You’ll never know, one day you might start a travel blog like I did!

Final Thoughts

Van life has been a great way for us to see more when traveling. But it’s always wise to be safe when on the road.

We certainly do more planning and reading about other people’s experiences. That way, our future adventures won’t be as rocky as our earlier ones! 

More About Travel

I have more related posts on my blog. You might want to check them out. 

• We stayed at Borrego Palm Canyon Campground on our first van life trip, and I’ll tell you all about it. 

• If you’re thinking of getting a van to convert, I’ll tell you about our journey to find one.

• You’ll want to see how we did our own DIY camper van conversion!

I’d love to hear about your travel adventures.

Originally published: June 20, 2025