Living in Your Car While Traveling in the United States (page 2 of 3)

I don’t post here often, and I’m happy to be back among the ‘Americans’ (though tonight... ) This is what brings me here. We spent three months (from October to December) in a Pathfinder (nicknamed Titanium) traveling from west to east, passing through British Columbia. It’s just *the* best way.

Here on a beach in Texas

So glad to see you both again—feels like catching up with part of my travel-forum family! 🤗😊

The feeling’s mutual!... [;]

Amazing! It makes me want to go back so badly!... I never get tired of it. I was in the West in September for 4 weeks. What a joy. 😄

Usafan, Sedonax it’s so great to see you both again—I feel like I’m reuniting with part of my VoyageForum family! 🥰😊

The feeling’s mutual!... 😉

Same here!

You mentioned a 20% discount at Alamo. How do you do it? Thanks

You’re gonna love this 😉:

https://www.alamo.fr/fr/offres-location-voitures/de-remise.html

Hi, I know about that Alamo discount, but isn’t it supposedly reserved for travel industry pros? I’ve never dared use it—maybe I was wrong!

This discount has been around for years and it works perfectly. Booked in 2022, 2023, and 2024 without any issues. I do the "Skip the counter" and you just pick up the vehicle. They don’t ask for anything at all.

I just checked my latest voucher, and there’s absolutely no information stating that I got a discount or that I need to present proof. And on three separate occasions, they only asked for my driver’s license and credit card. So I can confirm there’s no issue with booking using this code. The agents on-site aren’t even aware you used the discount.

Thanks for your feedback! 😉

Hi everyone, so happy to be back on the forum! I’m planning my next trip to the U.S. and looking to rent a car. When I check Alamo’s site, they ask for a discount code that I don’t have. I’d like to know if the price they’re showing already includes the 20% discount or not. Also, if you want to sleep in your car in the wild, I don’t think it’s always allowed—are there any rules I should follow? Thanks in advance for any tips you can share. Have a great Sunday, everyone! Flo

Hi, yes, the price includes the 20% discount. If you go to the regular site, you’ll see that the rates are higher. As for sleeping on-site, you’re not allowed to sleep in a national park unless you book a campsite. But pretty much anywhere else, you’ll find people camping. That’s what I go by. As soon as I see vehicles parked, I set up not too far away. Otherwise, you can download the app « iOverlander » There, you’ll find tons of info about where people have camped before—just about anywhere. I’ve always found a spot pretty easily.

Hi, thanks for your reply. I’ll check out the site you mentioned since my trip is planned for next May.

Best,

Flo

P.S.: So lucky to have Voyage Forum back!

Ah, it’s great to be back on the forum after all these years! This way of traveling sounds amazing, but with five of us, it’s tricky 🤔. We’re actually looking for ideas because two months in the U.S. is a *big* budget! We’ve been to the U.S. several times, renting a car and mixing motels and stays with family. But for a longer trip, we’re interested in camping. We camp in Europe, but we have no idea how it works in the U.S.

You can rent a van, but it’s still really expensive if you drive a lot like I do.

Otherwise, depending on the season, a tent works great! There are lots of campgrounds in state parks that aren’t expensive and offer all the comforts.

For campgrounds, there’s an app: RV Parky

I found this:

https://mythiqueamerique.fr/comment-faire-du-camping-aux-etats-unis-conseils-guide-camper/

Thanks for your feedback. It helps us consider occasional tent camping, and I like the idea if it’s also common in the United States and not too unusual!

We’re thinking of driving a lot—from Las Vegas to Yellowstone, Oregon, Vancouver, Yosemite. Nothing’s set in stone yet, but yeah, renting an RV for five people over two months adds up way too much!

We considered buying one with the plan to leave for two months the following year, but it seems complicated and expensive.

The idea of mixing a short-term RV rental with a car and camping when possible, or motels/BnBs now and then, appeals to me more and seems less complicated once we find the gear locally!

Anyway, thanks—I’ll look into all of this! 😊

You can find affordable camping gear at every Walmart:

https://www.walmart.com/search?q=tent

I buy the stuff that’s too hard to pack in my suitcase and give it away to someone before I leave. It usually pays for itself after just one night, given how expensive hotels are.

If you need help planning your trip, just let me know.

Yeah, it’s true you can find everything at Walmart—I hadn’t thought of tents there! Have you already camped in a tent in the U.S.? I’m wondering if you need to book campsites in July and August, or if it’s easy to find a spot last-minute. I don’t like planning everything in advance, but from what I’ve read, places like Yosemite and Yellowstone require booking way ahead

Yeah, it’s true you can find everything at Walmart—I hadn’t thought of tents! Have you already camped in a tent in the U.S.? I’m wondering if you need to book campsites in July and August or if it’s easy to find a spot. I don’t like planning everything in advance... but from what I’ve read, places like Yosemite and Yellowstone require booking ahead

Camping rules in the U.S., especially in the Parks, are strict. If you’re wild camping, Rangers won’t hesitate to send you before a local judge. And generally, if no reservations are available, it’s first come, first served.