Starting from Linden, NJ, the most important factor in a multi-year van trip is managing the weather ("chasing 70 degrees"). Below are two high-level master routes based on your potential start dates.
At a pace of 1 to 2 weeks per stop, traversing all 48 contiguous states will take roughly 2 to 2.5 years. This pacing allows for 2-3 stops in larger states (like Texas, California, and Montana) and 1 stop in smaller states.
Starting in November means you need to escape the Northeast winter immediately and head South/Southwest.
- November (The Escape): NJ ➡️ PA ➡️ MD ➡️ VA ➡️ NC.
- Vibe: Crisp fall weather. Use cheap state parks in VA/NC.
- December (The Deep South): SC ➡️ GA ➡️ FL.
- Vibe: Splurge on a nice RV resort in the Florida Keys or Gulf Coast for the holidays.
- January (Gulf Coast Cruising): FL Panhandle ➡️ AL ➡️ MS ➡️ LA.
- Vibe: Enjoy mild winters, amazing food in New Orleans, and cheap/free camping in National Forests.
- February (The Great State of Texas): TX (East Texas ➡️ Hill Country ➡️ Big Bend).
- Vibe: Texas is massive. Spend a month here. Lots of free camping near Big Bend National Park.
- March (Desert Awakening): NM ➡️ AZ.
- Vibe: Peak BLM land season. Camp for free for 14 days at a time on stunning public lands in Sedona and Tucson.
- April (Southwest Spring): Southern CA ➡️ NV ➡️ Southern UT.
- Vibe: Beat the intense summer heat. Amazing free BLM spots around Moab, Zion, and Valley of Fire.
- May (Moving Up): Central CA ➡️ Northern NV ➡️ Northern UT ➡️ CO.
- Vibe: The snow is melting in the Rockies.
- June (The Pacific Coast): Northern CA (Redwoods) ➡️ OR ➡️ WA.
- Vibe: Cool coastal breezes. Mix of state parks and expensive coastal RV spots.
- July/August (The High North): ID ➡️ MT ➡️ WY ➡️ ND ➡️ SD.
- Vibe: Peak summer. Spend time in Glacier and Yellowstone. Great free forest service roads.
- September/October (Great Lakes Fall): MN ➡️ WI ➡️ MI ➡️ IL ➡️ IN ➡️ OH.
- Vibe: Catch the fall foliage in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.
¶ Year 2: The Heartlands & New England
- November/December: Head south to escape the snow: KY ➡️ TN ➡️ AR ➡️ MO ➡️ OK.
- January - April: Winter in the Southwest again (it's the best place for van life in winter).
- May/June (The Plains): KS ➡️ NE ➡️ IA.
- July - September (The Northeast Finale): WV ➡️ upstate NY ➡️ CT ➡️ RI ➡️ MA ➡️ VT ➡️ NH ➡️ ME.
- Vibe: Finish the 48 states in New England during late summer/early fall.
Starting in July means you can tackle the northern states immediately while the weather is beautiful, before winter sets in.
- July (New England Summer): NJ ➡️ NY ➡️ CT ➡️ RI ➡️ MA ➡️ VT ➡️ NH ➡️ ME.
- Vibe: Expensive region. Splurge on coastal campgrounds and use cheap state parks inland.
- August (The Great Lakes): PA ➡️ OH ➡️ MI ➡️ WI ➡️ MN.
- Vibe: Perfect summer lake weather.
- September (The Northern Plains & Rockies): ND ➡️ SD ➡️ MT ➡️ WY ➡️ ID.
- Vibe: Crisp fall air, fewer crowds in the national parks. Excellent free National Forest camping.
- October (The Pacific Northwest): WA ➡️ OR ➡️ Northern CA.
- Vibe: Moody, rainy, but beautiful.
- November (Heading South): Central/Southern CA ➡️ NV.
- Vibe: Escaping the cold as winter begins.
- December - February (The Desert Winter): AZ ➡️ NM ➡️ TX.
- Vibe: Endless free BLM land, solar-friendly skies, and warm weather.
¶ Year 2: The South, Midwest, and East Coast
- March/April (The Deep South): LA ➡️ AR ➡️ MS ➡️ AL ➡️ FL.
- May (Appalachian Spring): GA ➡️ SC ➡️ NC ➡️ TN ➡️ KY ➡️ WV ➡️ VA.
- June/July (The Heartland): MO ➡️ KS ➡️ OK ➡️ NE ➡️ IA ➡️ IL ➡️ IN.
- August (The Rockies Finale): CO ➡️ UT.
To sustain this for 2+ years without burning through cash or burning yourself out:
- The 80% (Cheap/Free):
- BLM Land & National Forests: (Mostly out West). You can legally stay for up to 14 days for free. No amenities, so your van's solar and water systems need to be solid.
- Apps to use: iOverlander, Campendium, and FreeRoam.
- The 20% (Expensive/Luxury):
- RV Resorts & Premium State Parks: Once every 2-3 weeks, book a $50-$100/night RV resort. Use this time to plug into shore power, take long hot showers, do laundry, dump your tanks, fill your water, and enjoy a swimming pool or hot tub. This is critical for resetting your mental health on the road.