Picture this: You're parked at the edge of a National Park, a breathtaking sunset painting the sky in hues of orange and pink. The air is crisp and still as you whip up your dinner on a portable griddle, laughter echoing between you and your partner. It’s quiet, the kind of quiet that recharges your soul, and you're filled with a sense of excitement for the adventures that lie ahead.
This, my friends, is the beauty of a van road trip. We fiercely believe that everyone should experience it at least once in their lifetime. Why? Glad you asked! Here are our favorite parts.
1. Discover the Beauty of Your Own Country
When was the last time you explored the stunning landscapes and hidden gems in your own backyard? A van road trip gives you the freedom to travel domestically while soaking in the awe-inspiring sights of our incredible country. From the towering trees of Sequoia National Park to the vibrant rock formations in Moab, the beauty is endless.
2. Reconnect With Your People On A Different Level
There’s something deeply bonding about being in a van together. With fewer distractions, you and your partner, family, or friends can engage in meaningful conversations, share silly moments, and create memories that strengthen your relationship. You might just discover new sides of each other that you didn’t know existed!
3. Recharge (While Making Memories)
Life can be demanding; a van trip provides an excellent opportunity to unplug and reset. If you’ve ever said you need a vacation from your vacation… way less likely to happen in a van. Most of us can attest that being in nature provides such a unique opportunity to reflect and quiet your mind and just be. You learn new things about yourself, the way you perceive the world, and you come back to “real life” feeling empowered. You know how after a long shower you feel all fresh and clean and productive and warm and happy? It’s like that but for your soul… even if you smell like campfire. ;)
4. The Best of Both Worlds… Spontaneity and Consistency
Maybe you’re ready to just get up and go, but too many variables can make it hard to leave home. Don't let fear douse that spark of spontaneity! It's natural to crave security and consistency in our lives, but we aren’t truly fulfilled without a sense of discovery, adventure, and freedom.
A van trip checks the boxes for security and spontaneity! You have the security of your cozy van while being open to all the adventures that await. One day you’re gazing at the stars in a quiet campground, and the next, you’re exploring a small town you’ve never heard of and what it has to offer. You’re seeing breathtaking views and going on amazing hikes, or stopping to camp in a forest. Talk about variety! The best part? Every night you know you’ll end up in the same bed with the comforts you want.
Compare that to a trip to Europe where you’re changing hotels every other night and constantly having to re-pack your bag. And you wonder why you don’t feel recharged! We need that balance of adventure and that familiarity of a home base.
5. A Van Encourages You to Actually Enjoy the Journey
Too many people treat travel only as a means to an end. They see the "travel day" as something to trudge through in order to get to their destination. With a van, the journey is also enjoyable! Instead of itching to get out of the car, you have room to stretch out and the things you need with you the whole time. You have a bed, kitchen, shower, toilet, and all the comforts of home right there with you. Drive through stunning landscapes, stop at unique roadside attractions, and savor the journey, while making a quesadilla! (Especially if you have kiddos it is SO much easier in a van to pull over and handle tantrums, blowouts, messes, spills, potty breaks, and anything else they throw at you!)
Things To Keep In Mind
While road tripping in a van is AMAZING, this wouldn’t be a helpful article if we didn’t give you a heads up about the challenges you could run into.
- Weather: As any traveler knows, nature and especially weather can be unpredictable. Make sure to prepare for inclement weather (it’s always a great idea to assemble an emergency kit!) and have a roadside assistance plan.
- Delays/Traffic: More than once we have stopped for wildlife to cross the road or been delayed due to road closures, construction, accidents, and more. This is always a possibility with any type of road travel, it’s just good to keep in mind!
- Confined Space: Yes, vans are not ginormous. (But they are a huge upgrade from the honda we used to take trips in!) Keep this in mind. Plan stopping points every so often to stretch, and when you do set up camp for the night, here’s a pro tip: Remember the reason you’re traveling in the van! (Hint: to get out and make memories) Think of your van as one room, and nature as the rest of your house. One of our favorite features of our GO Link 148 S4 is our pop-up tent. It literally feels like we have 2 stories and the girls have their own room when it’s up!
- Wrecks/Vehice Troubles: Accidents happen. Dash Cameras are helpful insurance and also capture beautiful moments on the road. Always make sure to have your insurance, license/registration, and any additional info on hand.
If you’ve read this far, your fate is sealed. It’s not a question of if, but when you’re going on a van trip. (And if we’ll run into you on the road!)
Our road trips started out in a rental car. Then, we “upgraded” to a 1979 Chevy Beauville. After our first daughter was born, we moved into a Class A motorhome for 2 years, then with our second baby, we stretched our legs with a 45’ 5th wheel. We thought bigger would be better, until we had the experience of traveling in a Grit Overland van. Guys… GAME. CHANGER. It is now our constant catalyst to adventure and our ultimate memory-maker machine.
If you're ready to make the leap and buy a van, we cannot recommend Grit Overland enough. These vans are crafted by folks who genuinely love adventure. When they’re not building vans, they’re out there living it. They know exactly what van travelers need because they van-travel themselves.
They have mastered the balance between minimalism, efficacy, and quality. It’s clear that every single feature was designed with intention and care. While other van manufacturers are chasing bells and whistles, Grit’s purpose is clear in each of their vans: Facilitate the adventure, don’t become the adventure.
What does that mean?
If you’re spending all of your time fixing the electrical, you’re not out adventuring. If your van is in the shop, you’re not out exploring. Grit spends the time making sure their vans are built to last so you can spend your time on the road adventuring, rather than stuck waiting for your van to get fixed. Watch our full van tour video (where we go in-depth) to see how they provide durability while still making you feel boujee.
And if you already have a van or any overlanding vehicle, they can make it better! After six months of owning our Grit Overland van, our experience with Grit’s service center has been top-tier. They are always quick to answer our questions and offer more tips to get the most out of our van! Last time we visited the service center, they were installing solar on a pickup truck, upgrading the suspension on a sprinter van, and setting up a wifi and security system on an RV. So if you’re looking for any upgrades or upfits, they’ve got you covered.
TL;DR - If you’re not planning a van road trip now, you are seriously missing out!
A van road trip isn't just about escaping your day-to-day life; it's about discovering new ways of thinking and being. You’ll become more comfortable with change and open to life’s uncertainties, and you’ll enjoy the unpredictable rather than fear it. It’s truly a paradigm shift!
So if you feel like your life has become a monotonous cycle, a van road trip might be exactly what you need to get out of that rut. Pack your bags, hit the open road, and shake things up! And DM us when you do!
(We’ve got lots of articles on our favorite destinations if you’re not sure where to go next!)
Your next life-changing trip is waiting!
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