Van life can be affordable and fulfilling with these cost-saving tips
There are many appealing benefits to van life. For example, your lifestyle is simple and compact, and you get to explore wondrous areas throughout the country. Another beneficial aspect of van living is that it can be a very cost-effective way to travel or live full-time. That is, if you are able to cut costs and follow a budget.
That’s because having less stuff or not paying all the “normal” bills you’d be paying if you rented or purchased your own home doesn’t mean van life is dirt cheap. There are still some very expensive costs associated with van life, like purchasing the camper van itself, vehicle maintenance, and, obviously, fuel.
However, if you deploy budget-conscious strategies, you can enjoy not only the freedom that comes with van life but also the lower costs of living on the road. In this article, we will reveal some of our favorite cost-saving tips and money-saving hacks that will make your bank account smile and keep you out on the road longer.
Five Tips for Saving Money on Van Life Necessities
Before we discuss particular categories and specific ways to save money while living in a camper van, we want to discuss four essential items that will help you save money upfront and throughout your journey. Think of the following four items as lifestyle recommendations that will hopefully suspend your trip as long as possible.
- Apply for an RV Loan
Camper vans and RVs are expensive, but you do have options for making your long-term investment more affordable. For example, you can apply for a 20-year loan and pay off the cost of your vehicle over time. Many RV dealers, including DM Vans, partner with banks to offer a variety of financing options.
To learn more about your DM Vans financing options, take the van finder quiz>>>
- Buy Used Equipment
Outdoor and camping gear is built to last, but people don’t often keep their gear for a lifetime. REI resells used camping gear like camping stoves, backpacks and sleeping bags.You can find second-hand kitchenware at thrift stores. See a garage sale sign along your route? Pull over and see what you can score!
- Perform Do-It-Yourself Upgrades on Your Van:
When you’re looking to update your van and/or modify it to fit your lifestyle, learning some DIY skills will help cut down on costs. For example, basic maintenance tasks such as changing your van’s oil and oil filter, replacing your wiper blades, and swapping out air filters are all super easy tasks almost anyone can do. You can also install your own storage solutions, upgrade your entertainment system, or make your van more pet- or kid-friendly, without hiring a professional.
DIY upgrades do require tools. While investing in a set of essential tools upfront can be expensive, it will be a lot cheaper down the line. That being said, the more tools you have, the more storage space you’ll need. So try to pack just a few high-quality essentials in your toolbox.
Pro-tip: if you are missing a specific tool you need for maintenance, or have a limited budget, many auto parts stores will rent out equipment for free.
- Focus on Minimalism
One of the awesome unintended benefits of life on the road is that it gently coerces you into embracing a minimalist lifestyle. That’s because van life provides you with such a small space. This means you have to declutter and only carry what’s truly necessary.
However, one of the common pitfalls of long-term van life is collecting items over time. Everyone does it, but since you don’t have a closet space to hide things away as you do at home, accruing more possessions while living in a campervan adds up super quickly.
So, hold yourself accountable, stick to only what’s essential, and avoid collecting more possessions. (But if you must have that souvenir from your favorite National Park, consider a “one in and one out” rule to keep your camper van clutter-free.)
- Invest in Solar Power
We are not naive– fueling your camper van is an endless and expensive trade-off for the freedom you gain from life on the road. However, just because fueling your van’s engine is one of your biggest expenses doesn’t mean running the rest of the van should be expensive also.
You can invest in solar panels to harness the sun’s solar energy and power all of your electronics. Relying on a sustainable energy source like solar drastically reduces your reliance on expensive campground hookups.
All of our Class B camper vans come with two 160-watt solar panels on the roof. The energy these solar panels produce can power:
- up to four 100-ah Lithium Batteries (the quantity of batteries depends on the specific van model)
- a 3,000-watt inverter,
- a 50 amp DC-DC + MPPT charger
- an integrated battery monitor
- a four-port USB outlet
- two 120-volt outlets
Fuel Efficiency: Keeping Costs Down on the Road
According to the American Automobile Association (AAA), the current national average of gasoline is $3.55 per gallon. This price is much higher along the West Coast of the United States and cheaper throughout the South and certain parts of the Midwest.
Regardless of your location, fueling your camper van is one of the largest and most consistent expenses you will have as a van lifer. Therefore, anything and everything you can do to increase fuel efficiency while traveling is a must. Here are some useful tips from the U.S. Department of Energy.
| Fuel-efficient Driving Tips | ||
| Fuel Economy Benefit | Equivalent Gasoline Savings | |
| Drive sensibly: avoid speeding, rapid acceleration, and braking | 10%–40% | $0.34–$1.38/gallon |
| Observe the speed limit | 7%–14% | $0.24–$0.48/gallon |
| Avoid hauling roof cargo | 2%–17% | $0.07–$0.58/gallon |
| Remove excess weight | 1% for every 100 lbs. | $0.03/gallon |
| Avoid excessive idling | $0.01–$0.03/min. (AC off)$0.02–$0.03/min. (AC on) | |
Other Tips for Optimal Fuel Efficiency
- Plan Routes: Optimize travel routes to minimize distance and fuel consumption.
- Check Tire Pressure: Properly inflated tires improve gas mileage.
- Use cruise control: driving with cruise control on the highway helps you maintain a constant speed and, in most cases, will save gas.
Save Money with Affordable Campsites and Overnight Stays
The beauty of life on the road is that you can make a home wherever you park your vehicle. This means you are not bound to hotels and motels along your route like other roadtrippers. This is really great news because, according to Statista Research Department, the average daily rate for hotels in the US in 2022 was $145. That number is forecasted to increase to $155 by 2024.
That means just one week of hotels could cost over $1,000! That sort of cost is totally out of the question if you’re are trying to save money and live with a small budget.
Therefore, avoiding hotels and motels while you travel is one of the largest cost savings you can benefit from as a van lifer with a small budget. Instead, you can look for free campsites on National Forest or BLM public lands, park your camper van in safe public parking areas, or connect with travel hosts.
- Free Camping: Using apps like iOverlander, Campendium, the Dyrt, Park4Night, and Freescampsites.net is the most convenient way to locate free camping almost anywhere in the country.
- National Forests and BLM Land: The United States is full of public land. For example, you can take advantage of free or low-cost camping in many National Forests across the country. Similarly, parking overnight on BLM land is almost always free.
- Harvest Hosts and Boondockers Welcome: Consider membership programs for unique overnight stays. For example, Harvest Hosts is a network of hosts (usually places like wineries, breweries, farms, and other attractions) that invite RVers to park overnight. Similarly, Boondockers Welcome connects RV-traveling guests with hosts who can offer RV parking on their private property.
- Urban Stealth Camping: Urban camping involves safely parking within city limits without campground fees. Stealth camping in cities may not be the most scenic option, but sometimes, it’s the most convenient and cost-effective option.
Save Money by Cooking on a Budget
Besides gasoline for your camper van, another non-negotiable cost is food. Luckily, there are many different ways to prepare delicious meals without breaking the bank. If you can hold yourself accountable to a modest food budget, you’ll be shocked at how much money you can save!
- Meal Planning: Planning simple, budget-friendly meals in advance is the ideal way to stick to your budget. For long road trips, it’s best to plan your meals for the entire week. For short trips, you can food prep all your food at home and avoid cooking in the camper van altogether. Plus, by having food prepped ahead of time, it’s easier to avoid eating out and spending too much money on lower-quality food.
- Local Produce: See a local farm stand while your traveling? Pull over! Buying fresh fruits and vegetables from local markets is a great way to support local businesses, access great produce, and save some cash.
- One-Pot Cooking: You can minimize dishes and fuel usage by preparing meals in one pot. For example, soups, stews, chilies, pastas, and curries are all super easy meals that produce a lot of food and are easy to clean up.
- Bulk Buying: Purchasing non-perishables in bulk is an effective way to save money. You can keep separate storage space in your camper van for extra food storage apart from what’s in your van’s kitchen. Or for shorter getaways, keep non-perishable food storage in your garage at home that you use to stock up before departure.
- Avoid eating out: we get it, sometimes, it’s fun to splurge on dine-in or takeout food while road-tripping. But if you want to keep your costs down, it’s best to avoid eating out. As a compromise, save your your money for one or two of your favorite local eateries while traveling or waiting for a special occasion.
Save Money on Entertainment and Activities
The best things in life are free, right? We sure think so! That’s why when we are out on the road, we are incessantly looking for ways to have fun without spending too much money (or none at all).
Part of keeping yourself well entertained in your camper van is being equipped ahead of time. That means packing the necessary gear you need to enjoy your favorite activities, like hiking, camping, backpacking, rock climbing, kayaking, or mountain biking.
Fortunately, every camper van in our fleet is intentionally and intelligently designed to maximize storage space to carry you an dall your toys.
Click here to see our lineup of vans, including the LV3, LV5, and LV7 >>
Besides being well-prepped ahead of time, there are many budget-friendly activities you can enjoy while traveling.
- Enjoy Nature’s Playground: Explore local hiking trails, beaches, and scenic viewpoints that don’t charge for parking or entry. Many van lifers use the beach for shower facilities also. Pro tip: some van lifers choose to get a gym membership so they can shower and use the bathroom.
- Public Library: Use local libraries for free wifi, books, and activities.
- Community Events: Attend local festivals, markets, and gatherings that don’t have an extra cost or that have inexpensive entry fees.
- DIY Entertainment: Learn to create your own music or art that is inspired by your travels.
Safety First Can Help You Avoid Costly Emergencies
Sometimes sh*t happens. (Pardon our French.) That’s why it’s so critical to be prepared ahead of time. The more time and energy you can set aside before your trip saving money to account for emergencies and worst-case scenarios, the more peace of mind you can have throughout your trip and the less money you can spend later if something goes down.
- Create an emergency fund before departure: It’s a really good idea to set aside money for unexpected repairs or medical expenses before you leave. How much you save will depend on your van life and the scenarios you want to save for, but the typical emergency fund recommendation is to have six months of savings in the bank.
- Do not skip out on regular vehicle maintenance: By keeping your camper van well-maintained, you can prevent major breakdowns. We cannot stress this point enough. (Remember: you can always call us if you need help with your van.)
- Buy the proper insurance: All DM Vans are RVIA-compliant, which includes RV insurance. In addition to covering your lifestyle vehicle, ensure you have coverage for emergencies by being well-equipped with different insurance, such as medical, dental, and travel insurance. Insurance payments always feel like a monthly punch in the gut, but they pay off when something goes wrong.
- Travel Slow: We always like to recommend taking your time. Over the years of living on the road and personal experience, we’ve learned that rushing increases your chances of making costly mistakes and inducing unnecessary stress. Plus, you’ll appreciate more at a slower pace.
Van Life Can Be Cost-effective if You Play Your Cards Right
We’d be lying if we told you van life is dirt cheap or completely void of financial worries. That’s because we know there are some consistent costs associated with living in your camper van. (Not to mention the cost to start van life in the first place.) However, we firmly believe that it’s possible to live an intentional, minimal, and cost-efficient van life compared to a “normal life” not on the road.
To do so, it’s key to cut costs wherever you can. In this article, we shared some of our favorite cost-saving tips and hacks. To recap, you can:
- live minimally
- buy second-hand
- camp for free
- avoid eating out
- drive efficiently
- perform DIY maintenance
- save money ahead of time and be well-insured
If you can manage those things, your van life can be affordable and fulfilling. We’ve done it, and so can you!
See you on the road -Dave and Matt
