Interested in the Van Life? These Essentials Will Change Your Life on the Road

The van life movement has gotten increasingly popular. While there’s no official estimate for how many people have embraced this type of nomadic lifestyle, in 2019, the Census Bureau estimated upwards of 140,000 people lived in vans, RVs, or boats, representing a nearly 40% uptick from three years earlier, per The New York Times. And with remote work skyrocketing, living in a van gave many a unique way to be location-agnostic and relish the best of America’s great outdoors without breaking the bank.

From compact projectors for movies under the stars to towelettes that will have you smelling squeaky clean after a long day of hiking, we’ve rounded up our favorite van life essentials that will change your life on the road. Whether you’re planning on living in a van (or Airstream Trailer) full-time or part-time, this list is an excellent place to start. Let's get packing!