Do you need an international driver’s license to rent a van in Canada?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n\n\nWhy van life is more demanding than it seems<\/h2>\n\n\n\n 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\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
At Le Baroudeur, we\u2019re first and foremost road trip enthusiasts. And because we want your trip to go as smoothly as possible, we\u2019ve decided to share everything with you. The mistakes we\u2019ve seen others make (or have made ourselves) can easily be avoided if you know about them in advance. <\/p>\n\n\n\nThe 10 most common mistakes made by beginner vanlifers<\/h2>\n\n\n\nOverloading the van and overestimating the available space<\/h3>\n\n\n\n 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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
A few simple habits to adopt before you leave:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nChoose soft-sided bags over hard-sided suitcases: they adapt to the available space and are much easier to pack<\/li>\n\n\n\n Pack only the essentials (we know it’s tempting, but no, nobody needs the entire Twilight saga for a road trip)<\/li>\n\n\n\n Be sure to always put away dishes and loose items before each trip. Make use of every storage space in the van: that\u2019s what they\u2019re there for. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\nBe aware of hidden costs<\/h3>\n\n\n\n Van road trips have a reputation for being budget-friendly. And that\u2019s 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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
First of all, fuel<\/strong>: a van uses more fuel than a standard car. We\u2019ve 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. parking<\/strong> can be a significant expense if you don\u2019t plan ahead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\ud83d\udca1 We use the GasBuddy app<\/strong>: it’s a handy way to compare gas prices at stations near you!<\/p>\n\n\n\nNot to mention everyday expenses<\/strong>: meals, showers at campgrounds (which often require 25-cent or $1 coins, be sure to have some on hand), or minor repairs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\ud83d\udc49 Be sure to set aside some money to support local businesses along the way, that\u2019s often where you\u2019ll find the best spots, and it\u2019s a much more meaningful way to travel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Misjudging distances<\/h3>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s a classic trap: on a map, two destinations may seem close together, especially when you\u2019re used to French or European distances. But North America operates on a completely different scale, and what seems like a morning\u2019s drive can quickly turn out to be a several-hour drive. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u2019s often these unplanned moments that become your best memories. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\ud83d\udca1 Our tip: Aim for an average of about 200 kilometers a day. That\u2019s enough to make good progress without driving becoming the main focus of your trip. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ignoring the weather or enduring it without being prepared<\/h3>\n\n\n\n Depending on the season and the region you\u2019ve 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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
A few simple tips to help you enjoy your road trip stress-free, no matter the weather:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nCheck the forecast before heading out.<\/strong> 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. <\/li>\n\n\n\nPlan some activities for rainy days.<\/strong> A museum, a local brewery\u2026 and always keep a deck of cards or a book within reach in the van.<\/li>\n\n\n\nBe prepared for the nights.<\/strong> 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\u2019s keeping the heat in at night or blocking the sun on summer mornings. <\/li>\n\n\n\nLeave a window slightly open during the night.<\/strong> 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. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\nOverplanning<\/h3>\n\n\n\n When planning a road trip, it\u2019s only natural to want to plan everything: every stop, every night, every attraction. We\u2019ve spent weeks dreaming about this trip, so we might as well make the most of every day, right? <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Along the way, a schedule that\u2019s too rigid is often what keeps you from truly enjoying yourself. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\ud83d\udca1 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\u2019s what van life is all about! <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lack of planning <\/h3>\n\n\n\n On the contrary, setting off with nothing more than a \u201cwe’ll see\u201d 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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u2026 It\u2019s a lot to take in all at once, and you might end up sleeping in a Walmart parking lot\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/video><\/figure>\n\n\n\n\ud83d\udca1 Our tip:<\/strong> 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\u2019re getting used to the van, finding your bearings, and settling into the rhythm of the trip, it\u2019s reassuring to know where you\u2019ll be staying. <\/p>\n\n\n\nOnce you get started, you\u2019ll be in a much better position to relax and improvise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Leaving for too short of a time<\/h3>\n\n\n\n A weekend in a camper van is fun. But for beginners, it\u2019s rarely enough to really get a feel for the experience. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\ud83d\udca1 Our tip:<\/strong> For your first van road trip, aim for at least 4 to 5 days. That\u2019s how long it takes to really get into the swing of things and feel at home in the van. <\/p>\n\n\n\nNeglecting to check the van before departure<\/h3>\n\n\n\n You\u2019ve picked up the van and you\u2019re ready to hit the road. We get it. But skipping the check-up and familiarization step means running the risk of getting into trouble: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
How does the stove work? Where\u2019s the table leg? What condition are the tanks in? These are all details that seem trivial at first, but become very real when you\u2019re parked in the middle of nowhere at 10 p.m. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u2019s equipment works. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\ud83d\udc49 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!<\/p>\n\n\n\n