Humans naturally crave companionship. If you’re traveling full-time in a van or taking an extended road trip, getting that social fix can be tricky. You’re always moving from spot to spot, often visiting places where you don’t know a single soul. It can become easy to retreat into your own little world or only hang out with your travel companion.
However, forming connections on the road will enhance your travel experiences tenfold. You’ll always remember the times you shared with new friends exploring new locales. It is also vital to maintain relationships with the people you care about back home.
Luckily, there are plenty of easy strategies to stay social on the road. In some ways, van travel actually facilitates a social butterfly lifestyle, since you’ll constantly be meeting interesting people. Your unique experiences and trusty rig also make great conversation starters.
In this post, we’re sharing tips for a vibrant, fulfilling van social life. From striking up casual conversations to making lifelong besties, from staying in touch with long-distance loved ones to visiting friends around the country, these strategies are sure to leave you feeling more connected. Read on for the details.
Join Caravan Trips
If you’re rolling solo or new to van life, consider joining a caravan of other RVers. By traveling and camping as a group, you’ll get to spend time with like-minded people and learn useful skills. Check out the Home on Wheels Alliance to find caravans near you. With one of these caravans, you can take on dispersed camping with the knowledge that someone has your back if you forget anything or run into any trouble. The Home on Wheels Alliance also started virtual caravan communities during the pandemic that continue today, in case you can’t meet up with an in-person group.
Connect Via Apps and Social Media
Speaking of virtual connections, modern van lifers are blessed with infinite potential friends just a click away. Whether you stay digital or meet up IRL, other van lifers offer an unbeatable source of inspiration and support. Narrow down the multitude of Facebook groups by searching for the brand of van you have, the state you’re in, or other subcultures you’re a part of, such as solo female van life. On Instagram, following accounts that interest you can spark online conversation and possibly even offline meetups. Read “10 Inspiring Adventurers You Should be Following.” When it comes to apps, Sēkr is a multifaceted dream where you can search for campsites, events, and people nearby. Friendship and dating apps also enable quick connections with locals. Just make sure that the first meetup is in a public place.
Join an Experience for Tourists
Being a tourist is sometimes viewed through a negative lens. However, if you are new to a place, socializing with others who are also visiting just makes sense. You’ll both be more open to forming new friendships as well as spontaneously making plans. Many workshops, classes, and walking tours create a natural, intimate setting for getting to know your companions. If you drink, take advantage of the social lubricant effect of alcohol tastings or pub crawls. If you get along well with one or more people in your group, invite them to continue hanging out after the experience ends or plan to check out another attraction together the next day.
Go to Festivals and Events
Prefer making friends organically in person? Then you need to set yourself somewhere filled with opportunities to connect. There is perhaps no better space to meet tons of other nomadic types than at van life festivals. These happenings range from huge parties to educational events, though most festivals are a blend of both. Aside from van life-specific gatherings, consider checking out local events like food and wine festivals, music festivals, and small cultural celebrations. These are all excellent opportunities to rub elbows with people in a boisterous, socially-open context.
Strike up Casual Conversations
Even if you don’t have much time in a specific location or are feeling intimidated by the prospect of making friends on the road, you can still fill up your social cup with smaller interactions. Ask vendors at markets about their wares, offer to take pictures of people at popular tourist destinations, or pay a stranger a compliment. If you get the chance, ask locals for recommendations; most people are more than happy to share what they love about their hometown. These short, low-pressure interactions are sure to put a smile on your face. They can also help you build up your social bravery so making friends everywhere you go becomes easier.
Make Campground Connections
You don’t have to venture far to socialize. In fact, you might find your new bff–or at least someone to hang out with for a few days–at your campsite or RV park. RV parks with shared amenities like rec rooms and pools or activities like movie nights and potlucks are great for facilitating connections, especially if you’re van vacationing with kids. But wherever you find yourself camping, one of the easiest ways to strike up a conversation is by complimenting neighbors on their rig or set-up and asking questions. If they seem friendly, invite them to a potluck, snack, or campfire drink at your site.
Get Hobby-Specific
Staying in a city for a while? This is the perfect time to form deeper connections. Brainstorm repeat activities related to your hobbies. For example, you can get a month-long membership at a local climbing gym or yoga studio. You’ll already have a built-in activity in common with everyone there, making it easy to plan a second hangout if you hit it off. Volunteering is also a great way to meet people who share your interests and values.
Schedule Virtual Hangouts
As exciting as all the newness of van travel can be, it’s important to stay grounded too. That means keeping in touch with family and friends elsewhere. Whether you are just on a temporary trip or an ongoing adventure, you should work to maintain your existing connections. We suggest setting a regular time you’ll talk to each important person in your life every week, two weeks, or month. This schedule makes it much easier to stay consistent in your communication even when everything else is changing. Phone calls work, but video calls feel more like spending time together in person.
Share Your Experiences
Another way to connect with people back home or elsewhere is by sharing your travel experiences. Send postcards from noteworthy places you visit. Or consider starting a blog or vlog of your adventures. This will allow your larger community like extended family, friends, and acquaintances to follow along. While it isn’t exactly a two-way conversation, people can comment on your posts. When you head home or get back in touch, it won’t feel like there is an overwhelming amount to catch them up on.
Visit Friends and Family
Speaking of catching up with long-distance loved ones, why not pay them a visit? One of the biggest perks of van life is the freedom to visit the people you care about, regardless of where they live. You won’t need to worry about imposing on them or booking a hotel. Most of the time, you can park your van in their driveway or neighborhood. Spend the days exploring the surroundings and hanging out in their house, then retire to your cozy home on wheels at night. Thanks to van life, you can actually enrich your relationships with loved ones all over the country.
Still looking for your dream camper van? At La Mesa, we carry a wide range of new and used vans fit for every type of adventure!
