Top 14 Vanlife Apps
After COVD-19, #vanlife and RV life exploded into more than just a trendy hashtag on Instagram. Our community has expanded exponentially; digital nomads, families, couples, and solo travelers are joining in on the fun! We've also noticed more than the usual amount of vans along the East Coast, and to be honest, we're excited to see numbers growing!
Lucky for us, more and more corporations and businesses are allowing their employees to work remotely. Transitioning from a 9-5 office job to working remotely from anywhere in the world has become much easier than it was before the pandemic hit!
While the internet is full of information for those just starting this journey of work and travel, sometimes finding the best apps and most pertinent details for this lifestyle can mean a whole lot of trial and error!
Enjoying a good BBQ on a beautiful spring day in Eastern Tennessee.
Zach and I have been living and traveling in a van since 2017! It's safe to say we have tried our fair share of apps. In an effort to help the growing community, we've put together a list of our favorites! Without these bad boys, we'd be lost - literally!
Top 3 Travel Apps
Google Maps
This one is my (Ally’s) favorite app. As the driver, it allows me to save locations, reroute automatically around road constructions and closures, and see the terrain in advance!Waze
While Google Maps is top on the list of GPS apps that we use, Waze is good for locating roadblocks and offering more knowledge about obstructions on the road ahead. More often than not, we like to take our time and as many back roads as possible, but there are times we need to get somewhere quickly and without any obstacles.GasBuddy
Thanks to Russia invading Ukraine, this app has seriously come in handy. It is, precisely what it says, your gas buddy. Find local gas stations and compare prices to ensure you’re paying the least amount of money for gas as you can.**on a side note - say a little prayer for the poor Ukrainian souls fighting for their lives. We are lucky to live in the USA and privileged to live this lifestyle.
Top 7 Apps for RV & Vanlifers
Free camping found on iOverlander at Lake Meredith in Texas.
iOverlander
It's probably our favorite app for finding overnight parking, dump stations, freshwater, propane, and showers. Even in the desert in Sedona, Arizona, we could locate fresh water and a dump station nearby. This is a free app and worth the download! Search via map or list! I like to search the map. After clicking on an icon, the app will tell you GPS coordinates, whether the location is open or closed, a short description, and other amenities offered.Campendium
If iOverlander and Campendium were in a race, this one would come in a close second place! Easily find campgrounds, National Parks, dump stations, and overnight parking. By clicking on an icon on the map, you will receive all the information you need. For example, click on the little RV icon to find information about the cost, cell service, location, and whether they have full hook-ups or not.Camp & RV: AllStays
Zach and I pay for this app. We heard about AllStays and decided it was worth the few bucks it cost when we first started vanlife. The cool thing about this app is that it will locate steep elevations, low clearance tunnels, and bridges, as well as free camping and paid camping. While we don’t use this app as often as before, it is excellent for those traveling with larger rigs and towing! Like I said before, it’s worth a couple of bucks!Harvest Hosts
Zach and I recently started using this app while traveling through New Mexico in 2021. Everything was either closed or cost way too much money per night, and we were on a budget. While they charge a yearly fee, it is worth the money! Locate farms, breweries, and vineyards to stay overnight. Request to stay, and once approved, all they ask is that you support the local business or farmer! Who doesn’t want to support local anyway!Hipcamp
I am not sure that we have stayed at a Hipcamp site yet, to be honest. This app was recently recommended to us by a friend. They also stay in their van and enjoy trying out new locations. We decided to include this app because it is so new to us but well-known and used by numerous friends. From what we have gathered about this app, we found that private landowners list their campsites and cabins based on location. In my opinion, it is like Airbnb for campers! We’d love to hear your thoughts on this one. Let us know in the comments!NPS
The National Park Service app is suitable for finding all the information you need about the National Parks nearby! Search for parks before you arrive; save location information for offline use; locate passport stamp locations; search park news, amenities, camping, visitor center information, park calendars, and more! Favorite the parks you love to visit and easily share them with friends and family! I enjoy using this app to find nearby camping and fun things to do in the National Parks nearby.recreation.gov
This is an excellent app for locating government camping, typically between $25-$30 a night! Obtain permits, tickets for tours, campsite passes, and win lotteries. Search a location in advance or find places to stay near you. This app comes in handy when there is absolutely no free camping nearby, and you need something cheap for the night! We use this when we're near the East Coast. Sometimes free camping is impossible there.
Top GPS Hiking Apps
These apps are very similar to one another. Each allows you to search for hiking trails near and far and save hikes for offline use! Find directions through google maps and share trails with your friends. For those looking to trail run, horseback ride, off-road, and bike, either app should suit you well.
That time we hiked Cathedral Rock, Arizona! Found on the AllTrails app.
AllTrails
Gaia GPS Hiking, Off-road Maps
Top Apps for the Digital Nomad
Opensignal
Before heading to a location, be sure to double-check you’ll have service! This is the perfect app for those digital nomads who love to spend all their time in remote areas. Search the map to find secluded locations, run internet tests before you arrive and even test uploading and downloading speeds.Wifi Map
If you’re planning on running errands in town and need to upload that YouTube video before heading back into the bush, this is the app for you! Search via list or map for businesses that provide wifi. This way, you can be sure to pick the laundromat that offers free internet. ;)
There are a million and one apps out there to help with just about all of your nomadic needs! These just so happen to be a few of our favorites!
We challenge you to try new ones, and comment here letting us know which of these is your favorite or ones you’ve found works for you! The van life community enjoys sharing knowledge and stories. We all have different reasons for becoming nomadic! Zach and I wish you the best, and we hope to see you on the road someday soon!
