Blog - April 1, 2026
Your Car is Already an Adventure Vehicle (Probably)
You don't need a truck or SUV to start traveling. You just need a vehicle that is reliable.
I feel like this has always been a thing. There's this weird assumption that you need a $70,000 SUV, a truck, or a 4x4 to start adventuring. It's like people think you can't actually do what you want unless you're behind the wheel of a lifted truck or a built-out adventure van you saw on the internet.
But honestly? You don't need anything special to start traveling. You just need a vehicle that functions.
For years, we traveled to over 35 states in a 2 door Honda Accord. That car saw it all. We took it through steep mountain passes, rattled it up dusty dirt roads, and crossed the country more times than I can count. We went basically everywhere you can think of in a car most people use for grocery runs.
Now, we have a Honda CR-V. It's bigger, and works better for car camping at this point in our adventures, but it isn't anything crazy and doesn't cost us a fortune. The gas is cheap, maintenance is very affordable, the clearance is good enough for most off-road conditions, and we can still make it almost anywhere we want to go.
Functional, not fancy.
Now, let's be real. We're not saying you should head into the wilderness in a car that's falling apart. If your car can't make it through town without overheating or making scary noises, don't take it across a mountain pass or on your next road trip. It needs to be reliable. But “functional” and “fancy” are two very different things.
The biggest “travel hack” nobody talks about is just using what you already have. If your car is dependable and the maintenance is up to date, it's an adventure vehicle. You're ready to get started.
Why the “Beater” Wins
If you do decide you need something different - maybe you want more space for gear or more people - our best advice is to buy a used vehicle. Specifically, look for a “beater” that's mechanically sound but maybe a little rough around the edges.
There are actually huge perks to not having a “nice” car for travel:
Zero Stress
You don't want to be white knuckling the steering wheel because you're worried about a rock chipping your $50,000 paint job. Get a car with scratches. Get one you don't care about getting dirty or dusty. When the car is already “broken in,” you actually enjoy the drive instead of panicking over every pebble.
Mountain Roads
When you're driving up a narrow mountain road and a branch scrapes the side of a used SUV, you just keep driving. You don't even lift off the gas. If that happens to a brand-new truck, it ruins your whole day (and your bank account).
The Gas Savings
Our Accord and CR-V sipped gas while the big rigs were stopping at every single station. Every time we passed a gas station, we were literally saving money that went toward a better campsite, a better meal, or the next park pass.
Just Go
Knowledge of the terrain you're heading into is way more important than having fancy tires. Most “adventure” spots are surprisingly accessible if you just do a little bit of research beforehand. Check the trailheads, read recent road reports, and know your car's limits. You'd be shocked where a front wheel drive car can go if you're just a smart driver.
If you're waiting until you can afford the “perfect” rig to start your trip, you're just wasting time. We've been almost everywhere in our little Hondas, and we've been so grateful for them and the money we've saved by keeping things simple.
Find something that drives, fits your people, and just go.