Van Life or RV Life: 4 Key Questions to Help You Decide

Last updated on November 21st, 2025 at 08:33 am

Hi there! I’m Cindy. For three years, I lived full-time as an RVer with my husband Barrett and our furry cat and dog friends.

So far, my life path has involved growing up in and attending college in Michigan, then moving from big city to big city, including New York, Los Angeles, and Austin, chasing media positions for the better part of my twenties.

Eventually, though, my husband and I started noticing the asphalt jungles weren’t cutting it anymore. We were getting way more excited about our trips out of town to smaller, more scenic spots. That realization ultimately led us to RV life!

While living on the road, we eventually found ourselves in a situation that befalls every full-time RVer at some point in their journey. Our truck broke down, causing all of our future travel plans to come to a screeching halt.

During that time, Escape Campervan reached out to ask if we wanted to give van life a try for a long weekend. We rarely turn down new adventures, and we had been chomping at the bit to explore nearby Death Valley National Park.

We took it as fate. Why not!?

We picked up our lovingly named “Criss Cross” Maverick rental van, packed it with everything we thought we’d need for a long weekend, got the cats a sitter, and took off to give van life a try for three fabulous days!

Completing that trip inspired me to write this post, breaking down the difference between RV life and van life for all of you considering jumping into a rental recreational vehicle!

Both are great options! On the surface, RV life and van life probably look very similar to anyone living the brick-and-mortar life. Both involve living, sleeping, and cooking out of a tiny space. Both allow you to pick up and move as you please.

However, beyond those facts, these are actually two very different ways to vacation. I will help you decide which would be best for you and your upcoming trip.

First, RVs (which stands for recreational vehicles) exist in many different drivable and towable forms. Driveables include Class A motorhomes and Class C motorhomes. Towable RV types include fifth wheels, travel trailers, teardrop trailers, pop-up campers, truck campers, and toy haulers. (You can learn more about all those different types here.)

Second, van life also comes in many different forms. Besides minimalist campervans, other options include very homey reconfigurations constructed by #vanlifers and extremely fancy Class B vans with all imaginable bells and whistles.

Many Class B vans have wet baths and upgraded systems, such as lithium-ion batteries and rooftop solar.

Nevertheless, this article will explicitly compare the Maverick Escape Campervan life to our fifth-wheel RV life.

The Escape Campervans are equipped with the bare essentials, including a queen-sized bed, table, bench seating, and a kitchenette with a propane stove, mini-refrigerator, and sink.

The deciding factor in whether you’ll rent an RV or an Escape campervan comes down to a few simple facts about what you want your trip to look like.

Before solidifying a rental, you should ask yourself these four questions:

If you know your answers to these four questions, you can decide whether van life or RV life is the best fit for you!

1️⃣ How much can I budget for this?
2️⃣ What driving experience do I want?
3️⃣ What kind of lifestyle do I want to enjoy on this trip?
4️⃣ How long is my trip going to last?

Let’s dive into each of them.

#1: How much can I budget for this trip?

Van Life

If you’re operating on a tight budget, it’s in your best interest to go with a van rental. They are usually the more affordable choice, with a lower daily rental rate.

On top of that, the Maverick Escape Campervan rentals boast an average fuel economy of 19 miles per gallon. In contrast, we’re lucky to average 13 miles per gallon in our diesel truck and fifth-wheel setup.

Campground spots will also be cheaper. Since these vans have neither a power cord to plug in nor bathroom wastewater to dump, you can opt for more affordable (or even free) parking options.

NOTE: In recent years, many cities have imposed stricter overnight parking restrictions on vans and RVs, making “free” spots harder to find. Always check local ordinances.

One thing to be noted on this topic, since the van cannot be plugged into a power pole, you will need to either bring along an external battery bank or an AC car power inverter to be used in conjunction with the main van battery if you want to recharge electronics such as your phones, cameras, and computers.

NOTE: If you opt for an inverter, you’ll want to use it sparingly, and only while the van is running, so you don’t drain the starter battery.

These particular vans do have a small rooftop solar panel, but it’s sized mainly to power the mini-refrigerator, which doesn’t hold much but gets the job done for a weekend trip.

If you were doing longer trips or considering a purchase, many van lifers now rely on lithium batteries paired with solar setups, which changes the cost and energy equation. For rentals, though, this simpler setup often suffices.

RV Life

You’ll get more amenities in an RV, so you’ll pay more. But an RV rental will also be more costly in other ways.

You’ll go through gas quicker. You’ll also likely want to find a spot where you can plug in your rig so you can make use of all of those extra conveniences, which means booking a more expensive campground spot with full hookups (electric + sewer).

Also, in 2025, many RV parks are seeing rising nightly rates, driven in part by increased demand and inflation, so budget for that in your planning.

You may also be interested in these articles:
👉 Create the Ultimate Camping Plan: Step-by-Step for RV, Tent, or Trail
👉 We Slept at Breweries & Farms: Our Honest Harvest Hosts Review
👉 14 of the Best RV Parks in North America According to 9 Lady RVers
👉 A Guide to Buying an RV in 5 Steps: Tips from a Full-Time RVer
👉 How to RV Full-Time on $1600/Month: 16 Cheap RV Living Tips I Swear By
👉 What Is Boondocking? Everything You Need to Know Before You Go

#2: What driving experience do I want?

Van Life

If you want a familiar, easy-driving experience, a van rental is the best fit. We both loved driving Criss Cross! That beautiful van fit in any parking spot we desired.

And that’s not something to write off. The smaller size of a van makes spontaneous stops so much easier, meaning you get much more of a road trip adventure out of a vehicle this size.

In contrast, when moving our rig from destination to destination, the gigantic size of our RV makes us hesitate to pull off for small roadside spots or scenic overlooks. We rarely stop and explore places along the way on travel days. So we end up missing out on many of the fun road trip experiences this great nation has to offer.

Also, if something breaks in a van, just about any auto shop can help you out with a repair. This is a major advantage, since parts and service are often easier and more affordable for vans than for large RV-specific systems.

RV Life

Generally, RVs are significantly larger and longer than vans, which means navigating roads or parking lots can be more challenging. On top of that, they often involve towing, which adds an extra element of stress. And, as mentioned before, it will likely get worse gas mileage.

However, having a bathroom built into your rig is a huge benefit. You don’t necessarily have to stop for restrooms, which adds real convenience on travel days, especially if you’re driving across remote areas or traveling with family.

That option, in conjunction with your kitchen on board, lets you cook and refresh without frequent stops, making long travel segments more comfortable.

#3: What kind of lifestyle do I want to enjoy during this trip?

Van Life

Vans will never have as much room or amenities as RVs, but that doesn’t mean they feel cramped or limited. Criss Cross had a shocking amount of storage. We are known for overpacking on trips, and we didn’t even use half of the van’s available storage space.

Because these campervans don’t come with a bathroom, you’ll rely on campground facilities and public restrooms during your trip. Not always convenient, but manageable.

The upside? You’re practically forced to be outdoors more often!

Our three-day trip was magical. I slept in the rooftop camper while Barrett had the whole inside bed to himself. We woke up with the sun, used the kitchenette in the back of the van to brew coffee and make oatmeal every morning, then took off, spending our days exploring until sunset!

Also, while on this trip, we never stressed about leaving things behind, back at the fifth wheel. Whether we needed more sunscreen or a snack, everything we needed was always right there with us in the van.

If you’re planning a vacation to help your family unplug, reset, and spend more time outdoors, I strongly suggest renting a van!

RV Life

On the flip side, my favorite aspect of our RV is that, no matter whether we have a day full of work or a day full of adventure, we always end our days in a rig that feels like home.

No need to reconfigure furniture, turn the dining table into a bed, or pack everything away. We always have a couch, a full bathroom, a giant refrigerator, and a streaming-ready TV waiting for us.

I also love that when we work on creative or travel projects, Barrett and I can spread out. And if someone isn’t feeling well or wants downtime, one of us can relax in the bedroom while the other can stay up in the living room.

#4: How long is my trip?

Van Life

Due to the more minimal setup and limited power, many people lean toward van rentals for short-term travel, anywhere from a long weekend to a couple of weeks (this varies person to person, of course).

That said, full-time van living is increasingly common, so some folks comfortably inhabit their vans for months, even years, once they’ve optimized their setup.

For me, three days was perfect.

I got a little emotional when we returned Criss Cross, so I probably could have lasted a bit longer. But I also recognized that, in the long term, I’d want more of the extra conveniences our RV offers.

That said, we had a very different experience in Death Valley in our rental van than we would have in our fifth wheel. The van trip felt much more like an outdoor vacation!

RV Life

If you’re planning a full-blown three-month summer vacation, an RV makes a lot of sense. The built-in amenities become more valuable the longer you stay mobile.

In my opinion, once you pass the couple-week threshold, many of us start to crave the return of our familiar comforts.

That said, I grew up being toted around America during the summers, sometimes in a minivan, sometimes in a Roadtrek, and I made it through just fine.

Now, as an adult, I love that I’ve had those experiences.

So, whether you’re in a van or an RV, it really can work either way.

So, which is better?

I wouldn’t say either option is “better.” It comes down to what you want your trip (or life) to feel like.

RV life is for those who want some of the comforts of home to come on the road with them. It is also great for those on a more extended trip, for trips to places with unpredictable weather, and for those who know they’ll need to spend at least some time indoors, either working or relaxing.

Van life, on the other hand, is smaller, lighter, and often cheaper, making it ideal if you’re chasing simplicity, freedom, and an unplugged, affordable, outdoor-style journey.

If a campervan summer sounds more appealing than hauling a giant RV across the country, I cannot recommend Escape Campervans enough!

Their prices are just right for anyone on a tight budget, but their vans are surprisingly functional, and you don’t feel like you’re scraping by.

As for me? I think I’ll stick with RV life for now. But I also know that many people thrive in full-time van life!

At the end of the day, it really depends on your budget, the kind of driving you enjoy, and the level of comfort you want while traveling. Take some time, ask those four key questions, and choose based on your travel goals.

If you want to chat more — especially if you’re considering trying RV or van life full-time — feel free to drop me an email. I’d love to help!

Lastly, if you are leaning toward becoming a full-time RVer (or van lifer), here’s a helpful article on why renting before buying is a smart move.