If you need to live in a vehicle due to economic circumstances, domestic strife, or any other reason, this Emergency Quick Start is for you. If you are in immediate crisis, call local emergency services.
(If you want to live in a vehicle, or are just curious about van life, see Why would anyone live in a van? or the Main Page. If you know of someone living in a car and want to help, here's how to help them.)
This page presumes that you own a vehicle that is large enough for you to sleep (or can borrow, rent, or purchase one). If you don't have a vehicle at all, check the Next Steps section at the bottom of this page.
After reading this page
Once you've taken care of your immediate needs (see below), return to the Main Page and start learning, or use the Search page to find specific information.
- If your vehicle is a car, see our car-dwelling page for additional recommendations.
- If you bump into some unfamiliar terms on this site, feel free to check our glossary for help.
- If you are in the United States, visit individual State pages for links to local information and resources.
- Our Channels page has hundreds of links to van life YouTube channels, Instagram, etc., so that you can learn from others.
Reframe and assess
First things first, let's reframe the situation a little bit. These perspectives may help you cope with the new stresses:
- Things will get better! Your first night living in a vehicle will almost always be your worst night living in a vehicle. It is definitely an adjustment as you figure out your new situation and learn how to handle unfamiliar experiences.
- You have shelter. It can be locked, offers protection from the weather, and is (hopefully) mobile. This is a really big deal: it's one third of the food, water, and shelter requirements for human survival. A vehicle is essentially a metal tent, which is far more protective than an actual tent.
- You have transportation. "You can live in your car, but you can't drive your house." Transportation can be more important than a conventional "sticks and bricks" apartment or house, depending on your situation.
- You can save money. Living in a vehicle can be frugal, which allows you to cut expenses enough to get back on your feet. There will be some new expenses you're not used to, but cutting out rent or a mortgage payment can be a huge help.
If you haven't moved into a vehicle yet and you still have an address, make sure that your driver's license, insurance, taxes, and other paperwork are current and taken care of. It gets a bit harder to manage your official business and accounts after you've switched to nomadic living. If you don't have a license or photo ID, get that immediately, as a lot of other things depend on it.
What do I need to buy?
If you'll be moving into your car soon, you might be wondering what things you'll need. The good news is that the answer is not much! You'll need to take care of immediate survival needs first (keeping warm enough in cold weather), food, water, and a way to cover your windows for privacy. After that, you'll be able to buy things as the needs arise, and most things can be purchased locally. As time goes on, you'll see what works and what doesn't. And yes, you can buy things online and have them shipped to you.
Finding parking
Finding parking for the night can be a challenge your first few times. Note that sleeping or living in your vehicle is illegal in many places and it's your responsibility to determine where you can park legally and safely. Learn about local parking regulations before choosing a spot for the night. If your vehicle doesn't look like it is occupied, stealth camping greatly increases your parking options. A paid site at a campground can be worth the peace of mind, though you may need to set up a "decoy" tent in your site even if you sleep in your vehicle. There are other free options:
- Free parking in business lots
- Boondocking on public lands
- ... and more
If you're parked where you shouldn't be or where someone doesn't want you to be, you may be asked to move. Learn about The Knock and how to avoid it, and know where not to park.
Sleeping
Your first few nights in the vehicle will likely be rough as you get used to the idea. It will likely be louder than you're used to, especially if there is a storm. It will likely be hotter or colder than you're used to. To help you sleep, get earplugs to block traffic noise and an eye mask to block out light from streetlights, headlights, etc.
Seats in many vehicles recline for short rests. If you are by yourself you may be able to fold a seat back forward or recline all the way backward to make a relatively flat spot to sleep. SUVs with fold-flat seats have considerable sleeping area.
Many cars have rear seats that fold down to provide trunk access; this will allow you to stretch out with your feet into the trunk. However, the trunk is likely uninsulated and not soundproofed, so including the trunk in your living space may bring extra temperature concerns and it will be much louder when driving. In some cars, especially hatchbacks, you can get enough room by sleeping diagonally with the rear seats folded down.
In vehicles where seats don't fold down, or where they don't fold flat or give you enough room, removing seats may be your only option. Building a bed platform can increase your comfort and storage space. See Developing your living space, below.
Full size vans and larger vehicles have much more space for more permanent beds.
Keeping warm
Keeping warm in cold weather is definitely a challenge, but there are lots of options depending on your budget and living situation. Idling your vehicle for heat or electricity should be done for only very limited periods; it's hard on your vehicle (likely your most expensive possession) and potentially dangerous. Low-budget options for keeping warm include layered clothing, sleeping bags, chemical warmers, hot water bottles, electric blankets, and portable propane heaters. If driving a long distance is an option for you, "snowbirding" to a warmer climate is a great solution too. See more options for staying warm.
Toilet
See toilet options. In a small vehicle, you'll probably be limited to a portable urine bottle and a bucket toilet or camping toilet. When choosing parking for the night, you make wish to stay near a public restroom. For a bucket toilet, line the bucket with quality garbage bags to prevent leaks. Keep solids and liquids separate to reduce smells.
Water
You will need fresh water to drink, cook, and clean. Empty soda bottles are tough and hold water well; bottles that held tea or drinks like Gatorade are usually very durable. If you have space to store gallon or larger jugs, water kiosks, often found at grocery stores, are relatively inexpensive. (Note that most milk jugs are made of brittle plastic that degrades quickly; you can buy water in them but don't use them for long-term storage.) Learn about places to find water.
Food
You will need food, and you probably don't have a good refrigeration or cooking options yet. Fast food is extremely expensive and its poor nutrition won't help matters either. Instead, opt for fruits, vegetables, nuts, sandwiches made from deli supplies, bagged salads, and so on. A manual can opener is a necessary purchase if you will eat canned food. For prepared food, grocery store delis are usually cheaper than restaurants.
If you don't have a cooler or other means of keeping your food cold, consider buying large cans of freeze-dried food: it's healthy, shelf-stable, moderately priced, and just needs to be rehydrated (and maybe heated) before eating.[1] You can scoop just as much as needed from the can and leave the rest for later meals. You can also buy freeze-dried meals wherever you buy camping gear, but this food is usually more expensive.
Once you've tired of cold food options, you'll want a camp stove, grill, or fire pit to start cooking. (Cooking with the electricity from your vehicle isn't really possible since it uses so much power, so propane or butane are your main options unless you have a place to plug into the power grid. You can cook with a 12v slow cooker or heat food with an electric lunch box while you're driving or with a portable power station.) Grills are available at many parks, or you can often pay a day use fee at a campground for a fire pit and other amenities.
If you don't have a camp stove or similar, you can still cook food on the ground: Place about 8 pieces of charcoal in a bowl made of aluminum foil (or a small disposable aluminum pan) and light them. Next, wrap your food in additional foil and place the food packet on the coals when they are ready. It doesn't mark the ground.
Don't cook with open flame in your vehicle. Use normal fire safety precautions, have a fire extinguisher on hand, and cook away from flammable materials.
Window coverings
For privacy and stealth parking, you can make window panels with a sunscreen in your front windshield and cut-to-shape cardboard (preferably painted black or covered with black fabric) on side and rear windows. If you use foil-covered bubble wrap (Reflectix, etc.) or sunscreens, it may interfere with phone/wifi reception. Dollar stores and big box stores often sell thin foam board may work better for you than cardboard. If you don't need the front seats of your vehicle while parked, a privacy curtain behind the front seats may be a better option than covering your front windows.
Personal hygiene
Personal hygiene may be a bit different from what you are used to. You might bring a rag into a public restroom (bring a baggie so you can put the wet rag in it on the way out), pour some water into a bowl, use baby wipes, etc. Places to shower include gyms, campgrounds, and truck stops.
You will need a place to do laundry, usually a laundromat or a friend's house. Purchase detergent elsewhere as it is very expensive by the packet at a laundromat. Consider purchasing a dry bag to store dirty laundry; if your clothes is wet be sure to wash it very soon to prevent mildew.
Phone and internet
A phone is extremely useful, even a cheap one or one that is not activated or on a plan. Cheap new smartphones can be found in prepaid sections in stores, and used ones can be found in thrift stores, pawn shops, etc. (If buying used, verify it is not password locked and that it boots up before purchase.) Depending on your income and location, you may be eligible for a "lifeline phone" or other free phone service.
Once you have your smartphone you can use public Wi-Fi for internet. Even when libraries, restaurants, cafes, etc., are closed, they likely still have wifi in the parking lot. Most restaurants and retail stores that have an app for ordering offer WiFi on the premises (McDonalds, Burger King, Walmart, etc.) Some libraries have WiFi hotspots available for free checkout.
Google offers free phone numbers through Google Voice, and those numbers can be used for text, voicemail, and sometimes phone calls depending on the setup. (A separate phone number is required, but there are workarounds.) You would only be able to access the text/voicemail when on Wi-Fi, but it's a good way to stay in touch and the phone number looks like any other phone number. You can also do chat and video calling over your google mail account.
Tablets are functionally like large smartphones, and may make web browsing and forum participation easier. If there is no built-in microphone you may be able to use a Bluetooth headset or corded headphones with mic to make VOIP phone calls.
Carry your phone's charging cord and wall charger with you at all times so you can use any charging source you find. Purchase a 12v charger so you can charge from your vehicle battery.
If you have no phone service, turn the mobile data radio off in you phone's menu. This will extend its battery life.
An inexpensive Bluetooth keyboard can be paired with your phone or tablet to make communication easier.
If you have a limited data plan, stretch it further by using open Wi-Fi whenever you can.Managing your mail
If you have a trusted friend or relative who is willing to receive mail for you and let you know what arrives, that's the easiest and cheapest option in most cases. If laws in your area allow it, you can "move in" with that person even if you are rarely actually there. It's helpful if that person has no plans to move, since that would also mean you would have to "move" when they do. If you are eligible to receive services from a homeless shelter, see if they will allow you to receive mail at their address even if you don't reside there; this can help with obtaining official documents like licenses and insurance. See managing your mail for other options, like PO Boxes, virtual addresses, and receiving packages.
Tools
A flashlight, headlamp, or "taplight" are extremely useful at night. Headlamps are especially useful in small spaces and when working with your hands. They may have straps or may clip to a hat brim. Some have a red LED option that makes them less obvious and blinding at night. Multi-tools or "Swiss Army" knives often have a knife blade, screwdriver bits, bottle opener, etc., but some are poorly made and won't last long. A manual can opener is a must if you eat canned food.
Electricity
Be very careful not to drain your starter battery, especially in the winter. Nearly all vehicles have an auxiliary power outlet (commonly called cigarette lighter port) which can be used to get power from the alternator. If you plug something in that generates heat, like an electric blanket, cooking appliance, etc., you have a much higher chance of draining your battery.
For power, most charging for small devices like phones and tablets will be by USB. Some newer vehicles have USB ports built in. If not, USB adapters that fit into the the aux power outlet. Charge as often as you can, preferably while driving. If you will be going to work or public indoor space regularly a small battery pack and extension cord may serve you well.
If your vehicle's interior lights are incandescent (they'll be warm to the touch when lit) you can replace the bulbs with matching-size LED bulbs that use less much less electricity and are usually brighter.
If you have more power needs, a portable power station can allow you to have more power at night and charge it during the day. For example, you may be able to plug it in to charge it at work, or buy portable solar panels. Be aware that charging is often very slow. Solar harvest in the winter is much less than in the summer.
Places to recharge devices
If you don't have an onboard electrical system in your vehicle, and your power needs are too high to recharge everything while driving, you will need to find places to recharge devices. This way you can charge up your phone, power banks, small electronics and similar. Look for electrical outlets at public libraries, coffee shops, some pavilions or picnic shelters at public parks, transportation hubs where people need to wait, and bathrooms or other shelters at campgrounds. More charging locations …
Safety and security
Safety and security is an important topic for nomads. To travel comfortably and safely, you'll need to feel safe and actually be safe, which involves making choices and taking steps to reduce your risk. There are dangers no matter what type of life you lead, and life on the road isn't inherently more dangerous than one in a sticks-and-bricks residence. Notably, living in your vehicle means that you can relocate yourself away from most dangers most of the time, and simply stay away from dangerous areas and situations in the first place. Continue reading …
Pets
If you have a pet, be aware that you will face significant additional challenges and expenses. If you are able to (temporarily) give your pet to someone else for safekeeping, that will reduce their burden on you. That said, pets can be a great comfort during difficult times like these. The most significant burden is keeping your pet safe when you have to be away from your vehicle and cannot take them with. The interior temperature of your vehicle can quickly rise or fall to dangerous levels, and/or someone may discover your pet and break a window to rescue them even if they were not actually in danger. See the Pets page for additional information.
Developing your living space
As time goes on, you may be able to improve your space to make it work better for you. For example, see if you can borrow tools (such as a jigsaw and drill) to build a bed platform out of plywood (preferably ventilated). Look for local "maker spaces", or you can borrow tools from some libraries. Some hardware stores have tools available for rent. Some auto parts stores may lend you certain tools (with a deposit) so you can make quick repairs in the parking lot.
You can use things like gaffers tape, zip ties, and bungee cords to attach things to your vehicle in a non-destructive way. Self-adhesive hooks ("3M brand and similar) usually won't work very well — they're not designed for the motion and temperature extremes that vehicles experience. Magnetic hooks work well if the magnet is strong and you have a good magnetic surface to attach them to.
Consider a Steering wheel tray table to get a bit of extra work surface while parked. If you're able to stay at a campground or can camp away from campgrounds, consider adding a tent to your vehicle for additional space and comfort. Start looking at removable builds to see if you can add any additional features to your vehicle without damage.
Minimizing belongings
It is helpful to reduce your possessions as much as possible. Keeping your car clean and looking nearly empty reduces your risk of being "discovered" by the wrong person. This also helps improve your stealth, allowing you to park in more places. Keep in mind that your vehicle could be stolen or towed at any time, so don't keep anything essential in it:
Make a plan so that you can walk away from your car with only what fits in one backpack. Choose a pack that you’ve can carry all day for a week. Then make a plan if you don’t have time to grab the bag. If there is anything in that car that you cannot afford to loose then it has to be on your person or in a separate, secure location. Any cop or thief should be able to look in your car and not have clue that you are living in it. In fact, try to keep it spotless.[2]
If you have the money for it, consider getting a storage unit to keep belongings that won't fit in your vehicle, especially if you plan to move back into a house or apartment soon. This may allow you to keep a larger number of clothing items and rotate through them so you don't have to do laundry as often. Do not attempt to live in a storage unit!
Hanging clothes takes up a lot of space. Instead, fold your clothing in half the long way and roll them up; this takes the least space and prevents most wrinkles. Consider dividing your clothing into individual outfits for each day instead of dividing and storing your clothing by type. This allows you to access the current day's clothes each morning without digging through everything each day. Soft-sided packing cubes may work well for you.
See Downsizing for nomadic living for more tips.
Keeping cool
Keeping cool is something of a luxury when you first live in your vehicle, but passive cooling and ventilation are first steps. Cooling towels are a quick fix too.
Services
If you have a vehicle loan, keep up on your payments if at all possible. If you are living in your vehicle you don't want to lose your home too!
Register for social services in your area as quickly as possible, as there can be some lag. Food banks, unemployment, food stamps, etc., exist to help when help is needed. Take advantage of the services you need.
If you still are going to work, do as much of your device updating, bathroom-using, washing-up, trash disposal, ice-making, and water filling there as is appropriate. For example, rotate in freezer packs when you get to work, and put them back in your cooler at the end of the workday. Take a full container of water with you every day when you leave.
Finding work
These apps allow you to find work "instantly" when businesses need quick help, such as workers for an event or to cover for an absent regular employee.
- ShiftNOW - jobs at restaurants and other hospitality businesses
- WorkWhile - jobs at warehouse, light industrial, foodservice, hospitality, delivery, and more
- Instawork - hospitality, restaurants, warehouses, and more
- Traba
- GigPoint
- GigSmart - inventory, furniture assembly, etc.
- Upshift - hotels, foodservice, catering, events, manufacturing
- Bacon.Work - local gig work
- Qwick - hospitality work
- Wonolo - retail, hospitality, manufacturing/warehouse, food production
- Angi Pro - jobs from homeowners for tasks including painting, cleaning, appliance repair, remodeling, etc.
- TaskRabbit - complete tasks like furniture assembly, moving, and more
- AirTasker - complete tasks like cleaning, repair, construction, pet care, and more
- Fiverr - focused on freelance digital work like programming, graphics, writing, marketing, and music production.
- Offer services on dog-walking and pet-sitting apps: Rover or Wag.[3]
- Offer your services in person to local businesses; for example, go to a farmer's market and ask each booth if they need help staffing the booth, or ask to wash the windows at a strip mall.
- Search Google maps (or similar) for "day labor near me" to find local work opportunities, many with same-day payment.[4]
- Delivery gig work: Doordash, UberEats, Instacart, Walmart Spark
No vehicle?
If you don't have a vehicle that you can sleep in, search for options like these couchsurfing/hospitality exchange sites, or contact any friends and family you can.
Next steps
If you're reading this page, you're already learning to notice and take advantage of resources that may be available. Nice!
Check out our Channels page to start learning from others.
When living in a vehicle, remember that you are "houseless", "home-free" or "nomadic". You aren't really "homeless". You have a home, it's just a bit unconventional! Use whichever term fits the occasion best. When talking to friends and family you might say you're a vandweller. When talking to charities or social assistance agencies, you might be considered homeless, transient, or unsheltered. An unsheltered homeless person is someone who lives in a place that is not meant for human habitation.
Depending on location, calling 211 may connect you to resources. See also the Resourcefulness page.
Resources
| Resource | Description | |
|---|---|---|
| Homes on Wheels Alliance | Limited assistance for financially struggling people who live in vehicles. | |
| FindHelp.org | Connect with local social and economic support services. | |
| Urban camping podcast | A podcast miniseries discussing urban camping strategies. | |
| Hospitality Exchange | List of couchsurfing/hospitality exchange sites | |
| Cars forum | A sub-forum of VanLivingForum.com | |
| Safe parking lots list | Listing of Safe Parking Lots in the United States. | |
| Search forums and groups | Search van life discussion groups for "emergency quick start" | |
| Search related sites | Search van life sites for "emergency quick start" | |
| Search NomadLife.wiki | Search other pages on this wiki for "emergency quick start" |
- ↑ https://reddit.com/r/urbancarliving/comments/1bl1ym9/freeze_dried_veggies_and_fruit_game_changer_for/
- ↑ https://reddit.com/r/urbancarliving/comments/1d2ofss/first_day_living_in_my_car/l624hwv/
- ↑ https://reddit.com/r/vandwellers/comments/1b9zmh6/im_a_mobile_petsitter_heres_a_few_of_my_clients/
- ↑ suggested via email from a NomadLifeWiki user