Try #VanLife around Charlotte for $153 a night

The big picture: The #VanLife trend has been on the rise since the pandemic. After months or years stuck in the house, some have chosen to go nomadic and live part- or full-time from converted vans.

• That’s the case at least for my friend, Andy De Lena, who fixed up an old Penske fleet van in 2021 and made it first his home and then a side hustle.

“I had always wanted to take a big road trip, just had never done it,” Andy tells me.

Andy spent three months in his van, traveling all the way to California and visiting 15 national parks along the way.

• He saw a preserved fossil quarry at Dinosaur National Monument in Utah and watched the sunrise at Glacier National Park in Montana.
• But also, he says, “You spent a lot of time being hot and dirty in a messy van … and that’s just part of the journey.”

I spent three days in the van — known affectionately as “Little Miss Sunshine” — and just made it as far west as Lake Santeetlah, four hours from Charlotte.

• I discovered a thrift shop and cat sanctuary in the rural town of Robbinsville, ate Thai food in Sylva, went waterfall spotting in Bryson City, explored an abandoned tunnel called the “Road to Nowhere” and got lost more times than I can count.

Cost: Andy spent $21,000 for the empty Penske van and about $13,000 on materials and tools needed to complete the build. If you’re like me and just want the van life experience for a week here or there, try renting.

• The van I rented goes for $153 a night, not including tax, fees, insurance and a refundable security deposit.

Outdoorsy, which is like Airbnb for vans, has a number of options in and around Charlotte.

• $$$: This luxury 2020 Mercedes van rents for $300 a night. It sleeps two, but has seatbelts for eight in case you want to make your friends camp while you glamp.

• $$: For $175 a night, you can get a toilet and shower in this 2020 Dodge Ram.
• $: If you want to tow your sleeping car, you can find trailers for less than $100. Pick up this adorable 1963 vintage zipper camper in Greenville, South Carolina for $60 a night.

Getting started: In order to prepare for a trip, Andy recommends a few necessary apps.

• GasBuddy: You’re filling up a 25-gallon tank so finding the best deal could save you big time.
• OpenSignal: Find the best signal for your phone and internet service while you’re on the road.
• iOverlander: An online community of #VanLifers where they share tips and photos of campsites to help others find their next place to park.
• FreeRoam: Another great app for finding campsites, FreeRoam allows users to layer maps on elevation, national forest service and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) sites, which are free to park on.

Most importantly, Andy says, be flexible. “Instagram is not real life … I loved it, but it’s not for everyone.”

Take a look around Little Miss Sunshine.