The idea of van life is appealing: a road stretching endlessly into the distance, forests as far as the eye can see, and a sense of total freedom. But between the dream and reality, there are often a few surprises. And most travelers embarking on their first road trip make the same mistakes, which can turn an unforgettable adventure into a source of unnecessary stress.
Don’t worry, in this article we’ll share the 10 most common mistakes made by beginner vanlifers, and most importantly, what you need to know to avoid them.
If you’re interested in exploring North America, check out our campervans available for rent departing from Montreal and Quebec City!
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Why van life is more demanding than it seems
On social media, van life sells the dream: photos of sunrises viewed from the comfort of a van bed, a steaming cup of coffee in hand, a breathtaking view of a wild lake…
But the reality of daily life in a van also means learning to manage space in a vehicle that serves as a bedroom, kitchen, and living room all in one. It also means dealing with unpredictable weather and unpaved roads.
That doesn’t mean it’s an impossible undertaking, though. Far from it. But it does require a bit of planning and, above all, a good dose of flexibility.
At Le Baroudeur, we’re first and foremost road trip enthusiasts. And because we want your trip to go as smoothly as possible, we’ve decided to share everything with you. The mistakes we’ve seen others make (or have made ourselves) can easily be avoided if you know about them in advance.
The 10 most common mistakes made by beginner vanlifers
Overloading the van and overestimating the available space
This is undoubtedly the number one mistake. Before setting off, we tend to want to plan everything, pack everything, and anticipate every possibility. The result: a van packed to the brim, belongings spilling out everywhere, and our organization falling apart by the very first night.
A few simple habits to adopt before you leave:
- Choose soft-sided bags over hard-sided suitcases: they adapt to the available space and are much easier to pack
- Pack only the essentials (we know it’s tempting, but no, nobody needs the entire Twilight saga for a road trip)
- Be sure to always put away dishes and loose items before each trip. Make use of every storage space in the van: that’s what they’re there for.
Be aware of hidden costs
Van road trips have a reputation for being budget-friendly. And that’s true, to some extent. But this idea leads many first-time travelers to underestimate their budget. The reality is that expenses add up quickly, often in unexpected areas.
First of all, fuel: a van uses more fuel than a standard car. We’ve opted for a minivan, which is more fuel-efficient than a van or a large RV, resulting in significant savings on long North American drives, where fuel costs can quickly add up.
In Quebec, tolls are almost non-existent, but city parking can be a significant expense if you don’t plan ahead.
💡 We use the GasBuddy app: it’s a handy way to compare gas prices at stations near you!
Not to mention everyday expenses: meals, showers at campgrounds (which often require 25-cent or $1 coins, be sure to have some on hand), or minor repairs.
👉 Be sure to set aside some money to support local businesses along the way, that’s often where you’ll find the best spots, and it’s a much more meaningful way to travel.
Misjudging distances
It’s a classic trap: on a map, two destinations may seem close together, especially when you’re used to French or European distances. But North America operates on a completely different scale, and what seems like a morning’s drive can quickly turn out to be a several-hour drive.
Van life is more about stopping to admire a view that catches your eye, taking the time to explore a village, or discovering a local shop down a side road. It’s often these unplanned moments that become your best memories.
💡 Our tip: Aim for an average of about 200 kilometers a day. That’s enough to make good progress without driving becoming the main focus of your trip.
Ignoring the weather or enduring it without being prepared
Depending on the season and the region you’ve chosen, the weather can be unpredictable. A day can start out sunny and end with a thunderstorm. Plus, rainy days do happen, even in the high season.
A few simple tips to help you enjoy your road trip stress-free, no matter the weather:
- Check the forecast before heading out. It takes two minutes and can completely change the order of your itinerary. If rain is forecast for a certain area, it might be a good day to head to another destination.
- Plan some activities for rainy days. A museum, a local brewery… and always keep a deck of cards or a book within reach in the van.
- Be prepared for the nights. Temperatures can drop quickly, especially at higher altitudes or at the end of the season. The good news is that our vans are equipped with isolating curtains that really make a difference, whether it’s keeping the heat in at night or blocking the sun on summer mornings.
- Leave a window slightly open during the night. This is an essential safety measure to ensure proper air circulation. As an added bonus, it also solves the problem of condensation inside the van.
Overplanning
When planning a road trip, it’s only natural to want to plan everything: every stop, every night, every attraction. We’ve spent weeks dreaming about this trip, so we might as well make the most of every day, right?
Along the way, a schedule that’s too rigid is often what keeps you from truly enjoying yourself.
You get to a place and find yourself wanting to stay one more day. You hear about an amazing spot two hours away. Or you simply realize that the stop you had planned is much more touristy than you imagined.
💡 Our tip: Yes, have a general idea of your itinerary. Pick out a few must-see spots that you really want to visit. But make sure to leave some days open and some nights unbooked. Explore, let yourself be surprised, and trust the road: that’s what van life is all about!
Lack of planning
On the contrary, setting off with nothing more than a “we’ll see” plan might sound appealing on paper to some people. But if this is your first van road trip, arriving without any structure can quickly become stressful.
Finding a place to sleep at the last minute, deciding every morning which way to go, dealing with the unknowns of the vehicle along with the unknowns of the road… It’s a lot to take in all at once, and you might end up sleeping in a Walmart parking lot…
💡 Our tip: Strike a balance. Plan a general itinerary, with a rough idea of the main stops and regions you want to visit. And above all, book your first few nights in advance. While you’re getting used to the van, finding your bearings, and settling into the rhythm of the trip, it’s reassuring to know where you’ll be staying.
Once you get started, you’ll be in a much better position to relax and improvise.
Leaving for too short of a time
A weekend in a camper van is fun. But for beginners, it’s rarely enough to really get a feel for the experience.
If you’re only going for 48 hours, you might end up spending more time adjusting than actually enjoying yourself. And you might come back with the frustrating feeling that you only scratched the surface of the experience.
💡 Our tip: For your first van road trip, aim for at least 4 to 5 days. That’s how long it takes to really get into the swing of things and feel at home in the van.
Neglecting to check the van before departure
You’ve picked up the van and you’re ready to hit the road. We get it. But skipping the check-up and familiarization step means running the risk of getting into trouble:
How does the stove work? Where’s the table leg? What condition are the tanks in? These are all details that seem trivial at first, but become very real when you’re parked in the middle of nowhere at 10 p.m.
Good news: at Baroudeur, this is a step we never skip. Before every trip, we give you a full tour of the van and explain how all the vehicle’s equipment works.
Ask questions, test the equipment, and make sure you understand how the vehicle works before you start driving. The time you invest at the beginning will save you stress on the road.
👉 Be sure to check out our YouTube playlist, where we’ve put together tutorials to show you how to use all the equipment in the van!
Over-romanticizing your road trip
That’s the image we see on social media: waking up to a beautiful view, finding THE perfect spot on the first try, deserted roads, and total freedom. And yes, those moments do exist. But the reality is also unexpected rain, places that are too crowded, or an internet connection that cuts out just when you need it most.
Van life requires a real ability to adapt and a certain tolerance for the unexpected. The key is to accept that the rough patches are part of the journey. Often, they’re the ones that become the best stories.
Bad management of overnight parking
This is one of the questions that new vanlifers ask most often: Where can I sleep tonight?
To find a good spot, here are a few essential resources:
- The Park4Night, StayFree, and iOverlander apps list thousands of free and legal spots
- There are official campgrounds if you want a little comfort
- City and town government websites for information on local regulations
- In Quebec, Crown lands are a great option: wild camping is generally allowed there for free for a limited time, far from the hustle and bustle
Legal alternatives you should know about:
- Rest areas and overnight stops for overnight stays
- Some retail parking lots, such as Walmart’s, allow overnight parking but keep a low profile
And wherever you park the van, follow the “leave no trace” rule: leave the place exactly as you found it. It’s a matter of respect—for nature, the locals, and the adventurers who come after you.
Ready to hit the road?
Almost every vanlifer has made these 10 mistakes. It’s only human, but now that you know about them, you can avoid them 🙂
To sum up:
- You plan the main stops, but you leave some days open in your itinerary
- You take care of the essentials (budget, equipment, and paperwork) without trying to control everything
- You accept that things won’t go exactly as planned
What’s the best approach? Less stress, more flexibility. A van is like a mini-home on wheels, offering a freedom that few other ways of traveling can match. So once you’ve got the basics down, let go and enjoy yourself!
We hope we haven’t scared you off with these 10 mistakes. The truth is, they’re all part of the journey! A van road trip is an adventure in its own right. Imperfect, unexpected, and that’s exactly what makes it unforgettable.
And if you’re still unsure about where to go on your first trip, Quebec (and Canada in general) is the perfect choice. That’s a completely objective opinion, I Promise! Landscapes that change every 100 kilometers, endless forests, lakes, wild coastlines, and wide-open roads that seem made for van life. The van life culture is well-established here, and you’ll find great spots all over the province.
Psst, si tu as besoin d’inspiration, va jeter un oeil à notre article sur 5 itinéraires de road trip incontournables dans l’est Canadien.
There’s just one thing left for you to do: book your van and hit the road!
Do you need prior experience to live the van life in North America?
No, no experience is necessary. With proper preparation and a well-equipped camper van, even beginners can enjoy a successful road trip. The key is to research local conditions before you leave.
When is the best time to take a van road trip in Eastern Canada?
The best time to visit is from June to September. Summer offers long days and pleasant temperatures. September is particularly popular for its autumn colors, but the nights can be cool.
Do you need an international driver’s license to rent a van in Canada?
Les ressortissant•es français•es, belges et suisses peuvent conduire au Québec avec leur permis national durant les 6 premiers mois de leur séjour. Cependant, un permis de conduire international est recommandé si le roadtrip inclut des étapes aux États-Unis, certains États américains pouvant l’exiger.
