To some, traveling full-time seems out of reach as our lives are usually bogged down by office duties, school functions, and home upkeep. However, would you jump at the chance if you could just leave it all behind and hit the open road? That’s what Sebas and Sara Arango did with their three children (ages 10, seven, and two) in 2022, and their lives have drastically improved since making the switch.
There’s a reason they left behind their sedentary lifestyles: the couple are RV travel ambassadors for THOR Industries, which requires much of their work to be done on the road. So, they loaded into their Thor Motor Coach Twist camper van and haven’t looked in the rearview mirror since, bouncing from bustling cities to quaint suburbs and desolate wide-open spaces — much different from the traditional every day they previously lived, settled in one location with a monotonous routine and the same view out the window each morning.
But the young parents “always felt a pull toward something slower, more intentional, and connected to the outdoors,” hence their directional shift toward Vanlife, two years after the COVID-19 lockdowns took road tripping to a new level of popularity. The married pair told us that relocating to their camper van “gave us the chance to live that way and to show our kids the world beyond a screen or a schedule.”
And while their current home base is Arizona (although they’re still mobile) while they’re working on several exciting projects (and regularly updating their followers on their day-to-day via their Instagram handle @sebas_and_sara), they admitted that the road is still very much a part of them, and they’ve learned so much along their journey. At a time when more of our readers are turning to road trips for short and long-term getaways, we asked the Arangos for their most helpful tips for road trippers, from what to pack, how to choose your destination, and vehicle maintenance. Here’s what they said:
The Benefits of Van Life
First, we’ll start by noting that there are a number of reasons why people gravitate toward traveling via an RV or camper van. It not only offers a picturesque scenic drive through some of the country’s most raved-about attractions, but it’s also an affordable way to see the sights, enables flexibility, and allows travelers to customize their experience to what works for them. At least, that’s what won the Arangos over when selecting their motor coach from THOR, the nation’s leading RV manufacturer, according to the company’s website.
“RV/van travel has truly transformed the way our family takes road trips in so many wonderful ways,” the Arangos shared. “As a family of five, we’ve found that traveling by RV is often more budget-friendly compared to flying. Not only does it save us money, but it also allows us to enjoy the journey itself.”
Customize Your Trip
They also pointed out that, unlike flying or staying in hotels, RV road trips have allowed them to bypass sticking to strict schedules or check-in and check-out times and truly enjoy the sights around them (which also means exploring spots that they wouldn’t have stumbled across when traveling by air).
Roadtrippers can personalize their travels to cater to their families, and not the other people on board their flight or the hotel’s booking policy, an exceptional selling point for the Arangos, who’ve been checking off destinations on their bucket list, and highlighting future dream trips like to Alaska, the Pacific Northwest, and Baja, California.
They also have all the comforts of home — bed, kitchen, bathroom — making the journey more convenient, and are pleased that they don’t have to squeeze into that tiny airplane lavatory at all during the trip. (We get it. Not the most pleasant experience.)
Planning Your Trip
Now, we’ll recap the Arango’s tips for road trippers before hitting the pavement. One constructive tool that the Arangos stressed was a lifesaver in helping them navigate their travels is online apps.
They encourage anyone venturing on a vacation by car to download apps like Roadtrippers (their personal favorite), Gaia GPS, and Google Maps offline, which they said saved them on more than one occasion.
Roadtrippers
According to the mobile app’s website, Roadtrippers enables users to explore and save destinations along their routes, use trip-planning features, and has RV-friendly GPS navigation. It’s available to anyone traveling in the U.S., as well as Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, and has a free version and more advanced features through its Pro and Premium memberships (ranging from $49.99 to $59.99 per year).
“To plan the perfect RV road trip, we rely heavily on the Roadtrippers app,” shared the experts, who pointed out that where they travel depends on the seasons and which projects they are working on at the time. “It’s become an essential tool for us because it lets us map out our route and see so much more than just popular attractions.
“What we love about this app is that it gives us a detailed overview of everything along the way from gas stations, restaurants, and places to stay, to more unique stops like BLM (Bureau of Land Management) land, scenic viewpoints, hiking spots, and even quirky roadside attractions,” they added. “It’s a great way to ensure we never miss out on interesting or unexpected experiences.”
Gaia GPS/Google Maps
Gaia GPS is also free with any mobile device and offers basic navigation and map viewing. Using the offline version, however, requires a paid subscription, which costs a minimum of $60 per year.
Meanwhile, Google Maps offline is free with similar features and is particularly helpful in remote areas with poor internet connections.
Other Ways the Apps Help
These mobile apps have opened up a whole new world for travelers (and feel like light years away from the days when we used to trust the folded maps in our glove compartments to be our guide). The Arangos got the most out of their features, which include flagging fuel spots, available camping sites, and where to park overnight, which the couple highlighted are significant factors to consider when traveling.
A May 2024 article on Roadtrippers’ website even notes that select retail chains like Walmart, Cracker Barrel, Camping World, and most casinos allow overnight parking, but they suggest calling ahead before setting up camp.
Additionally, the app takes into account RV size and accessibility, providing routes that are RV-friendly and avoiding areas with narrow or tricky roads, a blessing when traveling in unfamiliar territory.
What to Pack for the Car
If you’re at all familiar with road trips, keeping yourself (and the kids, if traveling with youngsters like the Arangos) entertained could be a project in itself. But after spending a few years on the road (primarily within the U.S., especially the Southwest and the Mountain West), the Arangos have learned some techniques that have worked for them to keep all passengers happy, and it all comes down to packing.
While preparing for a trip, regardless of the length, the couple ensures they stock up on various travel games, coloring books, movies, board games, card games, and snacks to satisfy the little ones. And that’s just for when they’re en route to their next destination. During stops (which could be quick overnight rests or stretched into a week or more when in places like Utah or Arizona, where there are good hiking spots), they prefer to be outdoors as much as possible.
Active Rest Stops
To get the most out of their rest time, the Arangos take advantage of national parks and campgrounds, focusing on outside activities like hiking, biking, and exploring nature, plus setting up their portable hammock for relaxation. And even with the help of mobile apps, these detours aren’t always mapped out.
“Some stops are planned, but many are spontaneous. Sometimes it’s as simple as hearing from another family or local that a spot is worth checking out, and we’re off!” they said. Regardless, they let the kids be involved in mapping out their routes (i.e., picking stops and helping with meals), keeping them engaged in the journey from the get-go.
Must-Visit Destinations
The Arangos have been all over the nation, scouring every park, mountain view, and hiking trail they could during their travels. While they’ve made particular places like Zion, Moab, and the Salt Flats in Utah, and Northern Arizona and Southern Colorado their home away from home, returning to each several times, national parks are can’t-miss stops that they recommend for any traveler looking for a family-friendly destination.
They’ve specifically taken part in the Junior Ranger programs that most national parks offer, as they get the kids engaged and make learning enjoyable. They also like the activities that the parks usually have, like biking, hiking, swimming, and fishing. (See our post here on the top national parks in America.)
Advice for First-Time Road Trippers
While newbie road trippers should consider all the advice the Arangos mentioned, there are some additional tips geared toward those heading on their first trip that they might find especially useful. A vital one that travelers often overlook: start simple and be flexible.
“Things won’t always go as planned, and that’s part of the adventure,” the Arangos said. “We’ve learned not to overpack our schedule, and some of our best memories happened when we had space to explore and take it slow.”
They also suggest doing a maintenance check on your vehicle before long drives (i.e., tires, fluid, lights), and keeping a basic tool kit, including jumper cables and a tire inflator in your car. When it comes to fuel, they recommend filling up when your gauge is at about half a tank, especially in remote areas to avoid the panic of finding a gas station at the last drop.
And lastly, and most importantly, the Arangos urge travelers not to stress about making everything go perfectly. “You’ll make mistakes, forget stuff, maybe even take a wrong turn,” they said, “But that’s where some of the best stories come from.”