According to the Washington Post, approximately one million people live “on the road” full time, which shows a recent trend in ditching traditional “brick and mortar” homes for a nomad lifestyle. As the economy keeps getting worse, more people realize that living on the road may be a viable alternative to keeping up a permanent residence.
Jobs are becoming scarce in several areas. As a result, people are traveling to where the jobs are and only stay until the job ends, then move on. Setting up a temporary residence and then moving again and again ultimately costs more than just setting up camp with a motorhome in different locations.
Life on the road is a trend that isn’t likely to die soon, and in fact, maybe on the rise. Have you ever felt like selling your possessions, buying a motorhome, and living on the road? Before you do, let’s consider a few things to see if you’re right for the road.
What is Life on the Road About?
Life on the road can be a freeing experience, yet a living nightmare if you don’t know what you are up against. People choose to live full time on the road because of several reasons, not the least of which is the freedom that the road provides.
But what does it all entail? Contrary to public opinion, it is not all hippie and gypsy living. In fact, most people who live on the road have many of the modern conveniences in an RV. But this may not be the norm. When people talk about how to live on the road, they often get a few things wrong. One woman wants to set people straight about what living on the road really is like.
- People don’t need a lot of money to live on the road or to buy an expensive RV. Use what you have and go for it.
- You don’t need a lot to be happy. Get rid of most of your possessions and go live life.
- “Follow the weather”. When traveling with a motorhome, even if it is winterized, the “pipes may freeze at 30 degrees”. Or, if it is too hot, your air conditioning system may not be able to handle the heat. Go where it is pleasant year-round to avoid these issues.
- Others have said that it’s a great idea to take advantage of showers whenever possible, especially if you are living “off-grid”, or camping in an undeveloped area, even if you have a vehicle with a built-in shower, as it uses quite a bit of your reserve water.
- Most modern conveniences taken for granted in a permanent residence becomes front and center stage when living on the road. Things like restroom facilities, hot water, electricity, and even heat/air conditioning become major problems on the road if not managed properly.
- Internet speeds may not be as fast as you’re used to due to where you end up. If you require the internet for any reason, either get an unlimited data plan on your phone or go to the nearest coffee shop for their free wi-fi.
In spite of these small issues, one thing most people who live on the road full time would never give up is the freedom to go where and whenever they choose. They say that life opens up so many more opportunities than just staying in one place, and that is the freedom that attracts them to this way of life.
Do You Have What it Takes to Live on the Road?
Before living full time on the road, you need to have certain qualities to help you transition smoothly to this lifestyle. If you are a person who needs to take a daily hot shower, this may not be the right lifestyle for you. Unless you have a decent setup and are willing to pay for dumping your wastewater, you will be taking showers 1-3 times per week, if you’re lucky.
Other qualities will determine whether or not you have what it takes to live on the road.
Self Reliance is a Must
If you always call someone to fix a small leak in your house, then you probably won’t be right for living on the road. You will need to know how to make small repairs on your vehicle because if you don’t, you will always be stranded–especially if you are several miles from the nearest town. Little things become big things very quickly on the road.
You Don’t Mind Bugs
Camping brings a lot of bugs into your life, and if you have an unnatural fear of them, then full-time life on the road is not for you. Allergies to bees or mosquitos may also deter you from life on the road, but if you have a way to handle your allergy, then you should be okay.
You Love Adventure and Are Flexible
When you research how to live on the road, the number one quality you must have is to be willing to change plans at a moment’s notice. Plans are great, but if there is a detour or your favorite camping site is washed out, you will need to change plans at a moment’s notice. A love of adventure often accompanies this flexibility, because if you hate adventure, you will hate living on the road.
Your Partner Must be 100% on Board with this Lifestyle
If you are with someone long term, they must agree to this fully, or living on the road will not work. Any resentments will be magnified in tight quarters, making life on the road very miserable. Communicate fully with your partner before you ever commit to any aspect of this life, or you will regret it later.
Where Will You Set up Camp?
There are two different types of places where you will most likely set up your RV or tent.
Official campgrounds, complete with electrical hookups and water sources, are the most popular choice for most people. You can also “boondock” it, i.e., setting up camp in an uninhabited region. While “boondocking” may not be entirely illegal, you may want to check with the local DNR before setting up camp, as you may be unknowingly setting up camp on private property.
A third option that is not “officially” recognized, is staying overnight in a public or large store parking lot like Walmart. This option is only used when you are passing through a city and need to rest overnight before getting to your destination.
Before committing to living life on the road, you may want to work out the fees for camping in a full-service campground versus a minimal service or no service campground. If you plan to just pass through a city on your way to your destination, there are several places you can park your vehicle for free.
The site Free Campgrounds has a list to get you started.
Please Note: Another option many people talk about is staying overnight at a rest area off the interstate highways. Rest areas typically have a four-hour stopping policy where you can only stay for four hours before going on your way.
Not all of these sites will allow you to just park overnight, however, and it may get you a visit from the Rest Area Maintenance staff. If you ask the Rest Area Maintenance staff nicely, you may be able to stay overnight if there are extenuating circumstances. Should you happen to have an attitude, or you refuse to move, you may get a visit from a local police officer.
Most rest areas are maintained by staff through a large portion of the day, depending on how big it is and how much traffic goes through that area, and is unstaffed at night. Your best bet would be to pull off the highway around dusk, camp overnight, then get moving again soon after the sun rises, so as to avoid any question.
What Will You Live in, and Which Style is Best for You?
While most people live in an RV on the road, some people prefer the ruggedness of a tent or the freedom of a van. One couple retro-fitted their car to travel the entire lower 48 states, plus Alaska. This may be an extreme example and is probably not something you would want to live in, but they show it can be done.
Depending on your budget, you could go with a luxury RV and have many modern conveniences you take for granted; or you could build your living space from the ground up in a box truck. Here are a few options:
- School buses will give you several sizes to choose from, as well as complete control over design elements. A larger bus might be a good starting point if you have a larger family; while a smaller bus might be good for a couple or a family of 3 or 4.
- Vans come in many shapes and sizes and can be tailored for your needs. Some come designed for camping, like the VW camping vans. Others, like cargo vans, need to be gutted and designed from the floor up. Minivans can be retro-fitted into a living space, and get better gas mileage than standard size vans.
- RVs come in many different sizes, with a wide range of price points to consider. The full-size Class A Diesel RVs are built on a specialized motor chassis, have the most modern conveniences, and start at $135,000 brand new. If you sold your home and got that much for your home, you may be able to afford one of these. Otherwise, you will need to keep looking.
- Class C RVs are next in line, are a bit smaller than the Class A motorhomes, built on a shorter chassis, and are easier to drive. Class C RVs have most of the modern conveniences but are not as expensive. Starting at $45,000, they can still be cost-prohibitive but might be more attainable for the average person.
- Class B motorhomes are just large vans created for camping and are even easier to drive since they are much smaller. But don’t let the size fool you–they still cost about the same as a Class C RV brand new. They still have many of the same conveniences as a large diesel RV, but much less space.
- Pull behind campers are a separate class of RV and can range from the size of a full diesel RV to a tear-drop camper the size of a two-person tent. These may be good for you if you plan on setting up camp and driving around a lot in a separate vehicle. Be sure, however, to have the right size vehicle to tow your camper, because if you try to pull something too heavy for your vehicle, you could see thousands of dollars in repair bills.
- Tents are the ultimate definition of life on the road. When people talk about roughing it in the name of freedom, well–this is what they mean. While you will not have the modern conveniences, and you need to watch the weather more closely, you do have more freedom to go where the above-mentioned vehicles cannot go. They are cheaper as well.
How will you know what is right for you? Consider the following:
- Family size. If you have a large family and want to live on the road, you will want to consider one of the larger vehicle options, like a retro-fitted bus or diesel RV.
- Budget. Your budget does not only decide what you can get in the beginning, but it also needs to reflect the maintenance of your choice of vehicle. Certain RVs or trailers are more expensive to fix than others, so you need to make sure your ongoing budget will cover these costs.
- Lifestyle. Consider what you want to do while living on the road, such as hiking in the mountains, biking long distances, or kayaking down the river. Taking your lifestyle into consideration will ultimately determine the size and scope of your vehicle and the storage space you need to carry your gear.
- Possessions. If you “need” quite a bit of stuff to travel with you, be sure that the vehicle you choose has plenty of storage space, which may be difficult if you have a lot of stuff. Learning how to live on the road also means learning how to get rid of things you don’t need for survival.
How to live on the road involves more than what you live in and where you set up camp. Your values, lifestyle, and preferences determine a large portion of what you choose to live in, as it is a personal statement of your life.
Consider the Legal Details of Life on the Road
Living off-grid may seem like a good idea, as you don’t have the burden of maintaining a permanent residence, but there are certain laws that may prevent you from making this a full-time lifestyle.
Be Aware of Domicile Laws
Domicile laws state that you need a physical address to get a driver’s license, register your vehicle, or even get social security benefits. Not having one is considered a felony and could potentially get you arrested.
According to Scott Bidstrup, who lived life full time on the road for six years, these laws were put into place because of stricter drug laws and tax evasion issues but did not take into account full-time RVers.
At the very least, you will need a forwarding address for your mail, and a “home state” to use when registering your vehicle. You could either use a mail forwarding service or ask a friend or family member to allow you to use their address. Just remember to use this address for everything you register or sign up for, as it could trigger an investigation from the authorities.
“Boondocking” Laws
Another thing you should be aware of is the legality of parking in the middle of nowhere.
When you park and set up camp in an undeveloped area overnight, make sure you have permission first. Most federal lands are safe bets, and you can stay up to 30 days maximum. Never park on private lands, which is trespassing, and if you are not sure whether the land is private or public, leave. You will save yourself a lot of hassle if you make sure before you set up camp.
What About Earning an Income on the Road?
Many “full-time RV-ers” are retired, or semi-retired, people who already have a retirement income. But if you want to live this lifestyle full time, and you do not have a consistent income, you need to consider how you will make a living while living the life you love. The amount you need to earn, however, is proportionate to how much you spend in your travels.
Where do people living full time on the road make their money? Aside from a retirement income, there are several ways people earn money on the road. Here are a few unique ideas:
- Sell stuffed animals on the roadside bought at second-hand stores. One man does this and makes $4,000 per month. Remember to take into account your chosen vehicle’s storage space so you still have space to live and sleep.
- Work for Amazon’s seasonal packing and shipping services. Known as Amazon’s CamperForce, people travel in their RV or rebuilt vans to specific locations near an Amazon warehouse and camp in local campgrounds on Amazon’s dime, up to $550 per month for camping fees. They work in the warehouse and do one of four jobs for $15 per hour: Receiving, Picking, Stowing, and Shipping.
- Seasonal jobs, like harvesting or ground maintenance, are common. Without being held to a permanent residence, you can go where the best jobs are located and stay in a nearby campground.
- Any virtual job that can be done online can be done while living on the road. As long as you can find wi-fi access, or have an unlimited data plan on your phone, you can work online no matter where you are. Virtual assisting, writing, art, and graphic design are the most common online jobs that can be done remotely.
- The Penny Hoarder reports that other people have done contract nursing, RV sales, law services, and other consulting jobs from their RVs or camping units.
It’s possible to make money on the road if you are serious about a nomad lifestyle. How to live on the road entails more than just money, but it helps to know that you have enough money to cover any problems encountered later.
Manage Your Expenses Wisely
If earning an income is important to living on the road, managing your expenses and living frugally is even more important. Yes, while it’s true that you are not paying high rent or mortgage payments, and you have fewer expenses overall compared to a permanent residence, your expenses can easily add up if you’re not careful.
Little things like getting a drink and snack at the gas station while filling up your vehicle can add up quickly. Overspending on a day trip to town can break your budget before you realize what happened. Here are some things to keep in mind as you budget and plan for life on the road.
- Create a master budget. This includes maintenance costs, fuel, food, and other incidentals that life requires, and it will help you keep the big picture in mind so you don’t overspend later.
- Cook in batches. Create several meals at once, and store what you won’t use for one meal. By cooking in bulk, you also save money on propane by not firing up your grill or stove whenever meal time comes around.
- Prepare snacks in bulk. When grocery shopping, plan out your snacks and buy the items in bulk. Planning your grocery trips this way will save money at the convenience store or the camp store whenever you want a snack. Pre-portion the snacks in sandwich bags, and you’re good to go.
- Walk or bike more often, if feasible. Doing so will cut down on the gas you use and will also give you some decent exercise. You will also experience more of the area when you go where vehicles cannot go.
- Keep day trips to town minimal. It’s okay to “do the tourism thing” once in a while, as long as it is in your master budget. Not having a lot of space will help cut down your spending, because you have no place to put stuff. Seek out the free things, like seeing a monument, or going to a unique park. Ask the locals about free or inexpensive things to do, and stay away from the “tourist traps”, unless it is in your budget.
- Complete minor maintenance on your vehicle, such as engine repair, water lines, and hoses, which will help avoid costly repairs later.
Living on the road doesn’t need to be expensive. Follow common sense and keep a close eye on your accounts.
Do You Want to Maintain Social Connections?
Life on the road can be lonely at times, as you are away from family and friends for months at a time. It’s not like you can just walk over to your neighbor’s place for a cup of coffee and a good chat whenever the mood strikes. The flipside, however, is that you could always pack up your campsite and drive to your sister’s place two states over without a second thought.
But what if you like the solitary life and do not need social connections? A lot of people who live full time on the road don’t feel the need for a lot of social interaction. It’s what attracted them to the lifestyle in the first place.
If you do want to connect with friends and/or family, you need either a stable internet connection or a great signal for your cell phone. Getting either is not as easy as it may seem, because many camping places are in the middle of nowhere, making cell service or internet access spotty at best.
Go to a coffee shop, or McDonald’s, or even a public library and use the free access to their Wi-Fi. If friends or family live within a short distance of any of these places, why not just meet them there? Otherwise, you can talk online with them and get something to eat as well.
The best part of living on the road, however, is the ability to pack up and leave if you get tired of someone.
Don’t Take This Decision Lightly
There are many things to consider before making that all-important decision to live life on the road. If you are the type of person who craves freedom, travel, and the ability to go where you want when you want, then this lifestyle is for you. But if you need stability and routine in your life, you may want to reconsider life on the road.