Plan Your Van Life
with Real Numbers

In the United States, most full-time van lifers spend between $1,200 and $2,500/month. A solo traveller who cooks at home and mixes free camping (BLM land, Walmart) with occasional paid sites can live on $1,200–$1,600. A couple with a more comfortable lifestyle typically lands at $1,800–$2,500.

In Europe, costs are similar but vary a lot by country. Western Europe (France, Germany, Scandinavia) tends to be pricier — expect €1,400–€2,200/month. Eastern Europe (Portugal, Spain, Croatia, the Balkans) is significantly cheaper — many van lifers manage on €800–€1,400/month. Fuel costs more per litre in Europe, but distances are shorter. Use our budget calculator to plug in your own numbers.

In the US, the Ford Transit, Mercedes Sprinter and Ram ProMaster are the most popular conversions. The Transit typically gets 17–22 mpg on the highway; the Sprinter diesel can reach 20–25 mpg. Smaller options like the Ford Transit Connect or Dodge Grand Caravan get better fuel economy but offer less living space.

In Europe, the Volkswagen Crafter, Mercedes Sprinter (diesel), and Ford Transit Custom dominate. European fuel economy is measured in litres per 100 km (L/100km) — a well-maintained Sprinter diesel typically uses 7–9 L/100km. Smaller campervans like the VW Transporter or Citroën Jumpy are even more economical at 6–7 L/100km.

In the US, BLM (Bureau of Land Management) land in the western states allows free camping up to 14 days. Apps like iOverlander, Freecampsites.net, and The Dyrt have large databases of free spots. Walmart parking lots and Cracker Barrel restaurants have traditionally allowed overnight parking.

In Europe, wild camping rules vary dramatically by country — it's legal or tolerated in Spain, Portugal, Norway and much of the Balkans, but restricted in France, Germany and the Netherlands. Park4Night is the essential app for European van lifers, with hundreds of thousands of community-submitted spots. iOverlander and Campspace also work well across the continent.

If you're living in your van full-time, standard vehicle insurance often won't cover you properly — many policies have clauses excluding "habitual residence" in the vehicle.

In the US, look for insurers that offer "full-time RV" or "camper van" policies. Roamly, Progressive, and National General are popular options among van lifers. Expect $90–$200/month depending on van value and coverage level.

In Europe, regulations vary by country. Spanish and Portuguese van lifers often use local insurance companies with "autocaravana" or "campervan" categories. For travelling across multiple EU countries, make sure your policy includes a Green Card (international insurance certificate).

Absolutely — thousands of van lifers work fully remotely. The key is a solid connectivity setup. Most people combine a mobile hotspot (from their phone plan or a dedicated data SIM) with a cellular signal booster like WeBoost in the US, or a multi-SIM router in Europe. In Europe, an EU data roaming SIM (Airalo, Nomad, or a local provider) is essential since you'll cross borders frequently.

Budget around $60–$120/month in the US or €40–€90/month in Europe for reliable connectivity. Libraries, co-working spaces, and cafes fill the gaps when you're in an area with poor signal. Many van lifers also use Starlink for remote locations — it now supports van life with its "Flat High Performance" option.

The emergency buffer is extra money set aside on top of your planned monthly expenses, specifically for unexpected costs that are inevitable in van life: a sudden mechanical failure, a broken appliance, an unplanned detour, medical expenses, or simply being stuck somewhere longer than planned.

10% is the minimum recommended by experienced van lifers. If you're in your first year or driving a vehicle older than 10 years, 15–20% is smarter. For context: a van alternator replacement costs $400–$800; a diesel particulate filter (DPF) clean or replacement in Europe can run €500–€1,500. These costs are not rare — they're just unpredictable. The buffer means a breakdown is a minor inconvenience, not a crisis.