I spent $3,200 for a 2-week van trip. It was worth every penny.

18.01.2024 - 22:05 / insider.com / Ram Promaster

For three grand, I could have wandered the cobblestone streets of Dublin, Ireland.

Or spent my time sinking cash in slot machines in Sin City.

At the very least, I could've saved myself long hours on the road.

I didn't. Instead, I shelled out $3,200 for a two-week van trip.

And it was worth every penny.

The idea for a van trip has been on my mind for years. Since moving to Denver, Colorado in 2021, I've spent most of my weekends outdoors.

In the winter, I'm snowboarding. In the summer, I rotate between camping and hiking. To do those things, I have to drive.

Renting a van felt like a luxurious way to try out van life, a lifestyle that seemingly lets you connect to nature, and one I've long romanticized.

While some people envision jet-setting to a tropical island and sleeping in luxurious resorts, others dream of leisurely shopping across cities like Paris.

I, on the other hand, visualize hiking in mountains, pitching tents near glacier lakes, and enjoying breathtaking scenery.

But even two weeks in a tent is a little much for me. I wanted a trip that would allow me to explore nature, but I also wanted comfort.

I was set on exploring America's West, and one option was to rent a car and stay in Airbnbs, hotels, and vacation rentals along the way.

Or, I could bring my accommodation with me and rent a campervan.

I eyed renting everything from Mercedes Sprinter vans to rooftop tents. Then, I found Native Campervans, an RV rental company based in Denver.

The rental, unsurprisingly, was the largest cost of my trip. Business Insider received a media rate for the two-week trip. In total, the rental cost a little over $1,000. I rented a Ram ProMaster, the company's largest and most ritzy rental, which would typically cost closer to $2,500.

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I rationalized the price by considering how much I would've spent on hotels and Airbnbs for two weeks. If I wanted accommodations that were conveniently near nature, I figured that would average about $200 a night — the same price as the face-value campervan rental. Plus, I'd need to rent a car to travel between Airbnbs.

The campervan was exactly what I was looking for. It was large enough to stand in, and had a comfy bed, heater, and full kitchenette with a sink, stove, and mini-fridge. It was easily enough space for one person for two weeks.

For two weeks, I rotated between parking at campsites, on free public land, in Cracker Barrel parking lots, and at expensive RV parks.

The cost of paying to park my van, along with tasks like showering and filling my van's water tank, quickly added up.

Plus, gas was a major expense. I drove about 3,000 miles through six states and spent $670 on gas.

While I was surprised by some of the hidden costs ($10 for a shower