8 Van Travel Ideas to Help Plan Your Next Trip

Van travel is a mix of wandering, living, and sharing — and in that spirit, we present to you eight ideas to help you plan your next road trip in a van!

If you're not much of a camper, there are plenty of ways to experience the great outdoors without roughing it. Whether in the mountains or at the beach, there's nothing like sleeping under the stars and waking up to a beautiful sunrise. And traveling through your favorite spots in a van is one of the most ingenious and convenient ways to spend your days.

Planning for Your Van Travel: 8 Ideas to Have a Smooth & Fun Trip

The van life is all about freedom, so you can take your time to plan the trip. There are many things that you need to consider before taking off. It does not matter whether you are planning a short trip or a long one, some basic things need to be taken care of.

But if you've never been on a van trip, it can be hard to know where to begin. Here are some ideas for how to plan your van adventure:

1. Book Your Stays at Campgrounds

Make sure to find out the campgrounds on your journey before you start to plan comfortably. Some campsites have cabins or lodges, while others only offer tents, showers and toilets. Some campsites also allow pets, while others don't. So based on your preferences, check out the campsites en route and plan accordingly.

2. Pack Van Awning and Strap Kit

If you are planning to travel with your family, then it is a must that you have an awning and strap kit. A van awning provides shade and shelter from the elements and extends the space on the outside. The awnings will help you to protect yourself from the heat of the sun and you can enjoy it as well.

With straps, you can set up your awning in just a few minutes to secure the structure. You can also use this as a shade for your kids while playing outside the van. It also makes your van look more like a home, which is essential to making this lifestyle work for you.

3. Be Prepared with Your Safety Equipment

Safety should always be at the top of your list when traveling by van. Make sure you pack all of your safety equipment before hitting the road. This includes things like flares and fire extinguishers for emergencies, as well as first aid kits and spare parts like tires and batteries or even spare fuel tanks in case something happens while on the road.

Also, consider if there is enough room in your van for these items and even consider building some kind of storage system inside so that they are easy to reach when needed.

4. Create Smart Van Shelving for Storage

Talking about storage options, you need to have proper shelves that are secure enough to withstand the van's movements. And this is not just essential for the safety equipment but also for all the other things you'll need during the trip.

To keep your van organized, you must have an efficient storage system. Using a few tools and materials, you can create smart van shelving for storage. You can use a few things like storage bins and boxes to create storage spaces for different items. Make sure to use tie-downs to secure moveable things and have closed drawers for the sharp, breakable, or dangerous things.

Look for options to install van shelves that are concealed and unhindered. For example, you can install shelves above the bed or under the sink to store your clothing and other essentials. You can also install drawers near the bed to keep things like pillows, blankets, sheets and towels.

Proper van shelving is one of the critical aspects contributing to van travel's success. So make sure you install proper shelves for your van before starting the trip.

5. Plan Your Route for Water & Electricity

The first thing that comes to mind when thinking about traveling by van is electricity.

You may need to recharge the electricity and plan for power-hungry appliances such as lights or cooking devices. So check out the stops on the way where you can get electricity and stock up on water.

When you travel with your family, this is particularly important to make sure that everyone stays hydrated and energized throughout the trip!

6. Install Bike Carriers to Load Your Bikes

If you plan to take your bikes when you travel, then make sure that they are loaded into bike carriers so they can be transported safely without any hassle. You can easily find bike carriers online or at any local hardware store near where you live.

7. Use Apps to Plan Your Travel

There are many apps made especially for road trips that can help you plan your travel better. These apps have all the information about the places you want to visit and can even provide suggestions on which route is best for your trip. You can also plan your food intake, water intake, bathroom options, camping destinations and other necessary details you'll need to know in your route.

8. Pack Extra Fuel for Emergencies

As much as we try to plan everything down to perfection, there are still some unknown variables when you're traveling in a van. So for those unexpected situations, it's always best to prepare, starting with carrying extra fuel. You can get a metal jerry can with fuel and pack it somewhere secure outside the van. Don't make the mistake of mounting it on the inside, as you could end up breathing the fumes.

With the extra fuel, you won't have to worry about getting stranded in the middle of nowhere with no fuel as you'll always have the jerrican in handy.

Your Van Adventure Awaits!

Ultimately, the only way to plan a great trip is to get out there and do it. These tips will help you get started and hopefully improve your next road trip. The world is full of fantastic destinations, after all — and the open road is calling your name!