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Van life is cool again (and it's no coincidence)
Just a few years ago, van life was everywhere.
On YouTube, on Instagram, in beach parking lots, on mountaintops. During the pandemic, it became a solution, a refuge, and a trend all at once. Many people hit the road... sometimes out of passion, sometimes out of necessity, sometimes simply because everyone else was doing it.
Then, slowly, the wave receded.
RV sales slowed down, some spots closed, and several public figures disappeared from the scene. For some, it sounded like the end of a dream. For us, it was rather the beginning of something healthier.
Because in 2026, vanlife became cool again. Not 'Instagram cool.' Truly cool.
Today, there are fewer people on the road. And this simple reality changes a lot of things. The people who remain are there because they love to travel, because they love freedom, not because it's trendy. Encounters are simpler, more genuine. We feel welcomed again, no matter where we go, and not perceived as a nuisance or an invader.
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Of course, not everything is perfect. Some legendary places are no longer accessible as before. But, at the same time, something interesting is happening. More and more towns and villages understand that vanlife is here to stay. Rather than fighting against it, they are adapting. Authorized spaces are appearing, tolerated parking areas, well-thought-out municipal initiatives. There are still plenty of places where vanlife is easy and enjoyable, especially when traveling with respect.
What has perhaps most transformed life on the road is technology. When we started living the vanlife in 2016, working from a van was almost an achievement. Autonomy was limited, both in terms of energy and internet. With lead-acid batteries and two 150-watt solar panels, we had two or three days of autonomy... then we absolutely had to find a campsite to plug in.
Today, it's a different world.
Internet is available almost everywhere thanks to Starlink and much stronger cellular networks. Remote work is no longer a compromise; it's a reality. Anything is possible: working facing the ocean, in the forest, or in the heart of the desert.
The same goes for energy. Lithium batteries, portable power stations, and modern solar systems have completely changed the game. Being self-sufficient for weeks is no longer exceptional. And yes, you can now run air conditioning on batteries. Something that would have seemed absurd just a few years ago is becoming a reality!
But beyond technology, what strikes us most in 2026 is the pace of life. On the road, we truly live. Not through a screen. Not bombarded with negative news or useless videos that erode our attention. We are confronted with real life, the unexpected, spontaneous encounters. Every day brings something new, and that's incredibly motivating.
Vanlife also offers a rare luxury: that of choosing your climate. If you love winter and winter sports, you can park directly at the mountain and enjoy the first run. If you prefer warmth, you head south. Even here in Mexico, we move according to the altitude to find the temperature that feels good to us. The weather greatly affects morale, and being able to adapt changes everything.
Ultimately, vanlife is no longer a trend.
And that's exactly why it became cool again.
In 2026, living in a van is a conscious choice. A choice of freedom, simplicity, and presence. A choice to live where you feel good, when you feel good.
And honestly, it's perhaps the best version of vanlife we've known until now.
Alex and Vale from PRÊTS pour la route!