One of the many great things about van life is how flexible it can be. You don’t need to go all-in and sell everything to enjoy life on the road — and at the same time, if you're craving a total lifestyle overhaul, full-time van life can offer that too.
In this part of our Van Life guide, we’ll walk through the differences between full-time and part-time van living — and help you figure out which one might fit your goals, personality, and season of life.
💌 This is part of our Ultimate Guide to Van Life – a members-only series for subscribers of Campers & Camping.
In this in-depth series, we share everything you need to know about van life: from choosing your first camper van, to budgeting, working remotely, and handling the realities of life on the road.
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📚 Ultimate Guide to Van Life – Table of Contents:
- Is this lifestyle really for you?
- Choosing or building your camper van
- How much does van life cost — and can it save you money?
- Full-time vs. part-time van living ← You are here
- The unglamorous stuff: parking, showers, toilets & more
- Finding community and staying connected
What does full-time van life look like?
Full-time van life means your van is your home. You live in it, sleep in it, and travel with it year-round.
This version of van life is ideal if you’re looking for a complete change of pace — something that untethers you from leases, utilities, and stuff you don’t really need.
You might be:
- Working remotely full-time while traveling
- Exploring national parks and backroads as your “backyard”
- Living seasonally and moving with the weather
- Downsizing your life to live more intentionally
Pros:
- Total freedom to go wherever, whenever
- No rent or mortgage tying you down
- Incredible access to nature and travel experiences
- Often cheaper than traditional living (if you keep things simple)
Cons:
- Constant planning: where to park, get water, do laundry
- Loneliness and isolation can creep in
- It can get tiring if you’re always on the move
- Repairs or breakdowns can leave you “homeless” temporarily
What does part-time van life look like?
Part-time van life means you have a home base — but you use your van for weekend getaways (aka 'weekend warriors'), seasonal travel, or extended road trips throughout the year.
