Overlanding, or living in your car while you travel the world, might seem like an unattainable dream to most people, but it’s actually quite accessible if you know how to do it right. This beginner’s guide to overlanding on a budget will walk you through the steps of making your dream happen. From researching your route and finding inexpensive camping spots to figuring out what gear to bring and staying safe while traveling alone, this article has it all!

What is Car Camping?

Car camping, also known as overlanding or boondocking, is basically camping at your destination. It’s usually done with an RV or in a car where you sleep for most of your trip. This style of travel is best for more advanced campers and travelers who like being able to move their base along with them as they explore new destinations.

The Secret Benefits of RV Life

People often think of RVs as simply vehicles for traveling across country, but that’s really just scratching the surface. There are many benefits of living in an RV—from simple comfort and convenience to unique experiences that you wouldn’t get from conventional living. Here are five benefits of overlanding (living and traveling via RV). If you can’t wait for your next camping trip, try living it out first.

The Lowest Cost Way to Start Car Camping

We’re not talking about car camping as it was originally conceived—staying out at campgrounds with facilities, parking your RV and cooking over a campfire. What we are talking about is packing up your car (or van) and taking off down an off-road path, or exploring national forests or state parks. It’s easy to see why it would be cheaper than doing it from home. Let’s take a quick look at some of your costs when car camping from home.

The Basics for Getting Started with Car Camping

If you’re new to overlanding, it can be easy to feel overwhelmed. What do you need for your car camping gear? Can you really go camping without leaving your vehicle? Or better yet, can you camp without paying for campgrounds? We’ll show you how. Today we’ll cover essential camping supplies and tips that will help get any beginner started. Keep reading and learn how to start car camping!

How to Decide on a Vehicle

If you’re new to overlanding and want to get started, you’ll need to choose which vehicle is right for you. Start by making a list of all your needs and wants, then prioritize them based on importance. In addition, think about whether it will be easier for you or your group members to have more control or less control over your vehicle. If you have experience driving off-road vehicles or 4WD cars and trucks, stick with what works—as long as it fits your budget.

The Essential Gear Every Camper Needs

There’s a lot of gear out there, and depending on where you want to go and how you want to get there, your gear will vary. That said, here are some essential camping items for any situation.

Where Should I Go?

If you’re after an affordable way to spend time outdoors, consider overlanding. The term refers to traveling by car, truck or RV and sleeping in your vehicle along the way. It’s not exactly glamorous, but it’s an incredible—and incredibly cheap—way to travel. Just pack your camping gear and you can drive as far as you want for as long as you want (within reason). No hotel reservations? No problem!

Five Essentials Tips For Newbies

This quick guide will help you make smart decisions about how to pack for your overland adventure. If you’re new to camping, start with our basics and then add additional items as you need them. Consider each option carefully before adding it to your list—you may find some items aren’t actually necessary for your trip, or that there are alternative versions that are lighter and less expensive. If you want advice from experienced overlanders, get in touch with us at Facebook Messenger!