The 10 benefits of car camping

Are you trying to choose between different methods of camping? Are you wondering why car camping is so popular? It’s budget-friendly and has a lot of flexibility, but what else? You live in such a small space, why are so many people doing it?

I love car camping! I’ve done it a bunch of times and have had many good and bad days. Sometimes, I need to remind myself why I do it instead of other camping methods.

That’s why I’ve written this article. To you who want to know the benefits of car camping and why people choose it over other camping methods!

Here’s the 10 pros and benefits of car camping!

1. Basically zero setup time

There’s almost no setup time when car camping. You only have to find a rather flat camping spot.

Sure, you might have to move some stuff to your front seats before hitting the hay, but that’s about it.

It’s way more convenient than, per se, tent camping, where you need to carry all your gear and then set up a whole campsite.

2. You can make it your lifestyle

You can make car camping your full-time lifestyle. It’s not as easy as living out of an RV, but it works.

A lot of people actually live out of their car full-time. It’s a great way to experience and travel around the world on a budget. All you need is a car, a sleeping setup, a hygiene setup, and money for gas!

This also means you must live out of your car during winter. Our article about winter car camping explains how to stay warm during the coldest winter nights.

3. Flexibility

One of the biggest benefits of car camping is the flexibility.

Given the size of your vehicle, car camping gives you the ultimate flexibility options. You can travel long distances with your setup and still explore small, hidden roads to get those ultimate camping spots.

It’s also easy to set up camp wherever, as long as you have a parking lot or a flat area. You can sleep at gas stations, in campgrounds, out in the woods, at a friend’s driveway, and much more.

4. The safety factor

It’s no secret that sleeping in your car gives you loads of safety.

You can lock your doors, go stealth around other cars, and simply drive away if you ever feel unsafe.

If we compare that to other camping setups, then it excels in safety together with RV or Vanlife.

If you’re looking to solo camp or looking for budget-friendly, safe options, car camping is the way to go.

5. It’s comfy

It may not be as simple as van life or using a complete RV setup, but it remains quite comfortable. Considering safety, weather protection, and flexibility, it definitely feels luxurious.

There are many hacks to make it more comfortable, including lights, solar power stations, a thick and comfortable mattress, and much more. If you want to learn more, read our article on how to make car camping comfortable!

6. You kind of sleep under the stars

Car camping is probably the comfiest way to look up at the stars from the comfort of your own home. Especially if you have a sunroof. But even though you might be in a car, it still feels super close to nature.

You’re just a car door away from the outdoors, as we said earlier: it’s super flexible. You can go on hikes, light a campfire, explore nature, and still sleep in an enclosed, safe, and comfy place.

7. Storage and space

When car camping, you have loads of storage and space possibilities. You can bring gear for all your favorite activities and still have space for clothes, a kitchen, and food.

You can build an elevated bed, giving you space for storage drawers underneath. A lot of people even have a full kitchen counter they can draw out from underneath their bed!

You can use a roofbox to store gear that you don’t use that often. You can store things under the seats, along the roof in nets, etc. Be creative, and the possibilities are endless.

8. You don’t really have to look after it

Unlike tents and hammocks, you can kind of set it and forget it. Your gear won’t be outside, and no one can steal your stuff that easily. Sure, it’s not a guarantee, but it’s way more secure than leaving your stuff outside.

It’s perfect to just park up at a campsite and leave it for multiple hours to explore a city or walk on longer hikes. You might even go out and tent camp in the wilderness for a couple of days without worrying about your gear being stolen.

9. It holds up against the weather

A big benefit of car camping is the fact that your car is made for all kinds of weather. So the fact that your car is more comfortable in storms and rain compared to other camping methods is no surprise.

10. You can combine it with other camping methods

Car camping is flexible, as mentioned before. But when you think about it, it’s probably the most flexible camping method of them all. You can travel onto the smallest of roads, combine it with tent camping, and still sleep in the middle of cities.

It’s popular to add a car tent to your setup. Either on your roof or attached to the trunk of your car. You can also bring a separate tent to use on awesome multi-day hikes.

You can do some modern glamping, living with access to electricity and running water. Or you can do some off-grid camping, install solar panels, and live the true outdoor life!