Explore Connected with 6 Vanlife Tips for Remote Work in ‘25

Every day someone says to me you’re “living the dream” and I have to agree. If your dream, like mine, is to have a constantly new breathtaking office view, connect deeply with nature, and spend free time having adventures; here are 6 vanlife tips and some questions to ask yourself when jumping in.  

Vanlife Tip #1 - Start small with weekend trips and take note of your experiences. 

Gain experience and vital data based on how you want to enjoy your van. It is different for everyone so take a short trip to a campground for a soft launch of your nomad life. Make sure to include at least one full day of working to refine the complete experience. Here are the most common questions we get asked by fellow nomads that will help you get to know your rig and plan for your next long adventure.  

How long can I go without needing more fresh water?  

How long will my lithium batteries last without shore power or driving it to charge them?  

Does my van have enough power to run my Instant Pot or my air fryer? 

How many days/meals can I pack in the fridge, freezer, or pantry?  

Can I productively work from just my laptop, or do I need a second monitor? Can I use my TV as an additional screen for efficiency? 

Where will my pet sleep, eat, and play?  

Taking the time answer these questions and test for the data will help you plan and curb our human tendency towards overpacking.  

Vanlife Tip #2 – Plan for Safety & Comfort. 

Escaping the urban hustle for peace and inspiration is the goal, and we need to be safe doing it. Make sure to inform someone of where you will be in case of an emergency. As much as you may want to, it may not be wise to post on social media that you’re away from home.  

Check the weather and pack for the worst variables of your destination including extra food and water. Be sure to park in well-lit areas if you’re making an overnight stop at a retail or restaurant establishment. Ensure a clear path to drive out of any situation that is unsavory and let’s look out for one another on the road, please. Dogs can be great deterrents as well.  

Vanlife Tip #3 – Equip yourself with the right technology. 

There are few worse nightmares than getting all set up in the perfect spot to find you have no internet to work from. Starlink is the champ when it comes to “unlimited” data and service where no other provider can reach. There are several dish options including the mini, that work great for your Van. If you are someone who likes to park under tree cover, we recommend not permanently attaching your Starlink dish to your Van as you lose the ability to move it to a better location or put it on a stand to get above the best view of a clear sky. Unfortunately, for many employers, it does not provide a secure or reliable enough service to power video or VoIP phone calls for remote workers. Often it does not natively comply with their IT cyber security mandates. The good news is that there are no long term contracts and you can pause service when you’re not using it.  

The next best option for nomads is a LTE/Wireless mobile service from your favorite carrier. Unfortunately, none of them work everywhere so you could be in an amazing AT&T coverage area but with only a T-Mobile contracted service. Although rural coverage is improving through 5G connectivity, it still has a long way to go. Individual plans vary in price and data allotments, however AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile will all throttle your data at 40-50G of monthly usage even if they claim to be “unlimited”. Many require lengthy contracts, want to know what device you’re using the data for, and have outrageous overage charges. We have met quite a few nomads who carry a contract with all three providers and play a game of carrier roulette every time they park. Some providers do have Multicarrier options and deliver them in a fairly small form factor however the range of broadcast is limited to the antennas built into those devices.  

Our favorite option is to combine Starlink with a Multicarrier SIM card that delivers service from any available wireless carrier in the area. We take these two internet services and integrate them to complement each other through a professional router. This serves up the best service available, without multiple contracts, throttling speed, or turning on mobile priority from Starlink; especially when you are Working from Roam. As full-time travelers for nearly three years, we’ve never had a day without service. The gear is widely approved by IT departments as a compliant device to provide secure service to remote workers as it includes a firewall and network security. Integration of the internet connections creates a resilient network in your Van and is programmed to prioritize Zoom, MS Teams, Zapier, VoIP calls, and other critical applications so you don’t have to sacrifice your career goals on the road. 

Vanlife Tip #4 – Make your van feel like home. 

Rainy days can be a drag if you’re stuck inside and don’t feel cozy in there. Add some small customizations to remind you of the reason you started this adventure in the first place. Not all of us who embrace this lifestyle are full “outdoorsy” and being happy in your van is a key to emotional health on the road. Small crafts, eBooks, and card games can make all the difference in inclement weather.  

Vanlife Tip #5 – Deepen your connection with nature. 

Plan activities to explore away from the Van. Especially after a stressful day of work! This lifestyle can easily turn into the same challenges we faced before Vanlife, just in a smaller space. To find the best hiking, biking, or offroad trails; stop into the local visitor’s center or ranger station for maps and must-see spots. They’re always happy to help and can craft some epic adventures. If you’re closer to town, eat at the local café and ask the residents for their favorite hidden gem spots to enjoy. Also, instead of hauling adventure gear in your sacred small space, consider renting it when you travel or hiring a guide if you’re trying something new.  

Vanlife Tip #6 – Find a community of Van life nomads to connect with online or in person.

Swapping adventure stories and learning from your fellow travelers is the best way to make new friends on the road. Many of your existing friends or family will not understand your vision and that’s ok. It’s something many could never imagine, and most would never act on. Plan for isolation and make a few traveling friends before you hit the road if possible. There are tons of meet ups, parties, and social media groups that cater to nomads. Also, if you’re an entrepreneurial, networking opportunities out there and your choice to Work from Roam will help you stand out in a crowd. Generally, nomads support other nomads and you would be surprised who comes out in support of your bold life choice.  

In 2025, you have the chance to create a unique lifestyle that embodies flexibility, balance, and the chance to truly live out your wanderlust.  

Despite what folks may say, you can continue build and maintain company culture from the road and even enhance it. When colleagues ask “where in the world are you today” they are empowered to dream about a balanced life rooted in nature and adventure. Modern technology makes it all possible. 

See you on the road! 

Contributing Author 

Jess Jorgensen, Founder/CEO, goRoam, LLC 

For more information visit goRoam.Tech, chat with your Drifter Van representative, or email info@goRoam.Tech. To join our goRoam community, Subscribe to goRoam Newsletter or connect where you are social: Facebook  Instagram  YouTube LinkedIn