Adventure by Camper Van without Breaking the Bank

We love hitting the road, exploring the outdoors, and discovering new places. If you’re looking to get more out of your next trip while spending less cash—check out our 32 tips for traveling on a budget!

Camping

• Download the iOverlander App for all things boondocking! Dispersed camping on BLM land is a fantastic way to forgo campsite fees and save a few bucks. 

• Reach out to friends and family prior to leaving on your adventure, share your route, and ask if anyone has or knows someone with a driveway where you could park for a night or two along the way. You’ll likely meet some new friends—and usually they'll offer you a shower, for obvious reasons …

• A few businesses will allow you to camp in their parking lots for free: Walmart, Bass Pro Shops, Cabela’s, Camping World, Costco, Cracker Barrel, Home Depot, Lowe’s, Planet Fitness, casinos, churches, city-sponsored parks, rest areas, and truck stops.

  Note: always check to make sure there aren’t signs posted that indicate no overnight camping is allowed.

Showers

• When available, opt to shower at a rest area or truck stop. 

• Treat yourself to state parks and other campgrounds with amenities to get a shower in every few days.

• Baby wipes and dry shampoo are your best friends for those in-between-shower days. 

Water

• Pack a 30-gallon water bladder to fill up at parks and other water access points along the way, so you’re not having to buy jugs of bottled water at gas stations or grocery stores. iOverlander highlights water stations along routes.

• Invest in a Berkey before you hit the road (you can watch their site for "imperfect" ones at a discount) which cuts down on purchasing water. If you're in a pinch, you can filter pond, lake, or river water in Berkeys. And the filters hold up great. It can take years to get to the point where you need to replace the filter.

Fueling Up

• Use an app like Gas Buddy to find the cheapest gas along your route.

Packing

• Pack light as a feather—really and truly every pound counts for saving money on the road. 

• Bring clothing that layers well and can be worn multiple times without needing a wash. Merino wool is always a favorite of ours. Because it moves moisture away from your skin and is naturally odor-resistant, it doesn’t get as smelly as synthetic fabrics.  

• Pack multi-purpose kitchen items. Sporks are possibly one of the greatest inventions, pots can double as bowls for convenience—and all of this means less dishes to clean!

• Really think about whether or not you need to purchase an item. If you’re unsure, you can probably leave it! You’ll likely find that once you’re on the road, you don’t actually need it at all.

Laundry

• Always check reviews for laundromats before visiting. Look for important info on busy times, if machines eat money, etc.

• We recommend using Earth Breeze laundry detergent to cut down on space and weight—and it's simply better for the environment! 

• You can always wash clothes at your campsite. Bring along a clothesline and let nature do the drying.

Meals

• Opt for cooking your own meals rather than eating out at restaurants.

  Some of our cheap, easy-to-make favorites:

  • PB&J's—the ultimate simple and filling meal on the road. 

  • Slice up peppers, carrots, broccoli, cucumber, etc. for on-the-road snacks. Add some hummus for a protein boost.

  • Breakfast bars—the perfect “pocket meals.” 

• For dinners, think about meals that work well as leftovers. Cooking something that can easily be thrown back in a pan and reheated is a great way to save and enjoy a “2-in-1 meal.”

  Our go-to’s:

  • Chili

  • Macaroni & cheese (spruce it up with bacon and/or veggies)

  • Stir-fries

  • Tacos

  • Pasta salads

  • Curries

  • Soups  

Activities 

• Take a hike! Pack a picnic or grab a bottle of bubbly for sunset. While some public lands, like national parks and state parks, typically charge an entrance, parking, or trailhead fee, there are loads of public trails out there that don’t. A little advanced research will help determine which ones are free.

• We love our national parks! Purchasing an America the Beautiful annual pass is an easy way to get the most bang for your buck. In just 2-3 visits, these passes often pay for themselves—and provide unlimited entrance to more than 2,000 federal recreation areas across the country.

• Each year, national parks offer a series of free entrance days. Check them out and plan your trip when there’s no entry fee!

• Paddle boards or kayaks are a wonderful way to explore a place from a different perspective. If you’re in the market for one, opt for purchasing used. Many paddle shops will offer discounts on their rental fleet at the end of each season. We love inflatable or foldable options so you can stow them while traveling.

• In the warmer months, you can often score free live music outside. Look to see if nearby cities or towns offer something like a music in the park series.

• If you’re traveling with a dog, dog parks are a must. It's great to see all the different kinds of dog parks, and it’s one of the fastest ways to tucker out Fido. 

• Games are a fun way to connect while hanging out in the camper van. Bring a deck of cards and play Gin Rummy, pack a few family board games like Settlers of Catan, Balderdash, or Scattergories. If you’re looking for a fun game for adults, Telestrations After Dark will have you laughing well into the night. 

• Watch a movie. Download your favorites on an external hard drive for those rainy or lazy nights in.

• Stay grounded with a yoga session right at your campsite, or any public, open, flat spot along your route.    

• Get lost in a book. Looking for a new read? Check out our favorite books for road trips in partnership with our friends at Powell’s Bookstore in Portland, OR. 

• Write in a journal. Road trips are a great time for reflection. Pack along a notebook and write about the day’s events (an excellent way to remember all the cool places you explored). Jot down your goals, your hopes and dreams, or simply whatever’s on your mind. 

Repairs on the Road

• When it comes to having a blow-out, warning light, or something that doesn't sound quite right—don't skimp on this one!

• Hot tip: call ahead to a local auto shop if something not-so-ideal is happening and lay on the kindness. It’s never a good idea to put stress onto others during a stressful time. Being super nice and providing as much notice and details as possible makes for a better experience for everyone. Sometimes you may even score a small discount.

• Dealing with a minor mishap? Check out our tips on how best to prevent and prepare for those before you hit the road!