If you know me (& if you're new here hello!) then you know that car camping is not new to me. It is also probably apparent at this point that I literally leave to explore any chance I can in my SUV, & only half heartedly plan. This was the first time I'd slept at a gas station, Love's to be exact as I made my way from Tennessee up to good old Minnesota. (Full disclosure, I went for an Alpaca farm that was 10/10 worth it). Now first, let me clear the air on two key things. 1) I am not homeless. 2) I can afford a hotel at any point during my wanderlust explorations. Knowing that I probably sound crazy with the title of this blog. 35 degree weather in Wisconsin, sleeping at a Love's gas station for the night in the back of my Rav4, & doing so intentionally...maybe I am crazy OR maybe you are also as carefree as I am/curious on HOW I do this.
For those that have never slept in their car or anything close to that, my biggest tip is do so in the comfort of your town. Whether that is in your apartment parking lot, a friend's driveway, or your driveway really get comfortable in an area you know first. DO NOT just throw caution to the wind and decide that your first time is going to be hundreds and hundreds of miles away. My first time car camping was on a campground that I paid for because I knew it was safe, secure, and not in the middle of nowhere. Another thing about my ventures is that I always travel solo, and with that I want to share first my tips before sharing what I pack to make that temperature honestly not hard to handle.
TIPS FOR CAR CAMPING:
Use the apps: IOverlander, The Dyrt, Roadtrippers, Freeroam are all great resources to map out types of locations to stay at. I use IOverlander often to see reviews, fees, & what is around me in terms of stays while on the road.
Check out BLM land. This is FREE & if you are near some the views are 10/10 AMAZING most times.
Love's, rest areas, Walmarts, Cracker Barrel, Casinos unless told otherwise are free game on being able to stay. Most are well lit, and until this trip rest areas have been the goat especially being CLEAN. But Love's was AMAZING this time.
TELL SOMEONE. I always send my mom my location or a friend once I am where I need to be for the night.
DO NOT GET OUT OF YOUR CAR. Safety is the biggest question I am asked, and when I am deciding where to sleep for the night I use the bathroom and such a few stops before my destination. This ensures when I arrive I can climb in the back to sleep without drawing attention to myself.
Window tinting, window covers, and bug nets are a must. It needs to be dark, and I like to crack my windows a smidge to let in ventilation. Window tinting + covers allow me to be more stealth.
Trust your gut. If it looks sketch, feels off, or anything go somewhere else. Since I don't plan when I am stopping there have been times where I opt to drive a little further.
Protection: I personally keep a knife in my car + a keychain alarm + pepper spray next to me in the back when I am asleep.
Clearance back to the front of your car. I sleep on the passenger side of my car, and can easily in a hurry jump back to the front if needed.
Alright, now that we have some tips on my approach it is also worth mentioning what I pack in my car. Ironically, I am not a warm body person (I use my heater the second it gets breezy). Which means to sleep in 35 degree weather with no heat sounds BONKERS. Yet I actually didn't have any issues, or struggle with being cold. Everyone's limits will be different, but universally the key is going to be having LEGIT gear. & I want to point out that just like safety, keeping warm is something to take seriously as well.
What I pack:
Jackery: This one lets me charge my cell phone, watch, and other gadgets needed while hiking each night. Add the solar panels for more leverage on keeping it charged.
Nemo Forte 35 sleeping bag: REI is the goat on my gear, and this bag has been the best purchase for camping at night. It says it is ideal for 30 degree, but I have used it in 27 degrees before too with no issues.
Yoga mat: Unlike most SUVs my Rav4 does not lay flat, for me I have to level out the slant and for now yoga mats do that while creating more comfort. A foam topper or something will work too! (Most suggest a 3 inch).
Pillow: It needs to be comfy, I use a down feather pillow I had an extra of that is my "travel pillow". I don't want that one on my bed lol.
Fleece blanket: Never hurts to have an extra blanket around, and I want to get a wool one soon!
Food: I always keep a gallon of water, and a basket of easy food options for when I get hungry. My go to items are: Bananas, Peanut Butter packets, Dave's Killer Bread, Go-Go applesauce, Tuna packets, Beef Jerky, Verb bars, and Protein powder. I don't use a cooler or fridge at the moment so I keep non cold items on deck in case I am in the boonies.
Jackets/warm clothing: I LOVE my Patagonia nano puff jacket. I don't sleep in it, but if I needed I could. For me I crawl in the back and change into some long pants, and a long sleeve then just zip myself up into my sleeping bag!
Extra towels/shoes/toilet paper: In the morning when I get out of my car it is nice to have these items if I needed to go snag a shower or anything of the sort before continuing on. & while I have an Anytime Fitness membership, a perk of staying at Love's is you can purchase a shower pass! We love HOT showers, but babywipes work too.
Being that I had never stayed at a gas station before, I wasn't sure how it would go truthfully. I see many influencers I follow talking about them often, but I'd always found a rest area instead. However, I won't lie waking up and being able to walk in for a coffee was pretty bomb. Side note, the more you car camp/travel the more you start to hold a liking for gas station coffee HAHA. Not only was it well lit, it was quiet (not all places will be), there were truckers, other van-lifers, and this one even had a cop nearby. I slept like a baby which is shocking to most. When I pulled up just like I mentioned above, I followed my normal "get ready" routine. Turned off my car (& please don't forget this or YOUR LIGHTS, dead batteries are not fun). Took my shoes off then climbed on back to put my coverings on/change. I do leave my shoes upfront because just like at home I don't want dirt or anything in my "bed". It is also worth saying too, that I don't turn on lights or anything once I am parked...remember name of the game is DON'T DRAW ATTENTION. There are options on Amazon that I have seen suggested for heat sources if needed, but this sleeping bag + my jam jams was totally fine. The only sucky part was getting out in the morning lol.
My hope is that this gives more confidence in exploring the world, there is NOTHING like waking up in the back of my "home" and seeing the sun peaking through. I've woken up in the desert, mountains, forests, and it is absolutely wonderful. But if there is one thing to take note of here, it is that you have to know your limits/comforts. I started small, and slowly expanded my confidence in doing this. I love the snug feeling, I love the minimalist vibes, and I love that when I am adventuring my "home" is wherever I want it to be. It is wherever my heart feels best. That is something I will never get tired of.
-Taryn
IG: Taryn_annette
Email: Taryn.shaffer@yahoo.com
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