How to plan a campervan trip, stress-free
Planning a campervan trip can turn into twelve open tabs, a few websites you half-understand and the endless worry about fitting under that bridge. You can skip all of it. This is the simple way to prepare it well: route, where to sleep, budget and dates, one step at a time.
1. Pick the destination… then keep it flexible
Start with a rough destination, not a rigid plan. The whole joy of a campervan is changing your mind: staying an extra day where it feels good, skipping a leg, following the sun. Fix the finish point and leave gaps. If something has to change, no harm done.
2. Work out how far to drive each day (the classic mistake)
The number-one blunder is cramming in 6 or 7 hours behind the wheel. Even lorry drivers can't do that. A human pace is 2 to 3 hours of driving a day, stopping every couple of hours to stretch your legs (and let the dog drink). Break the route into short legs and you'll have time to enjoy each stop instead of enduring the tarmac.
3. Clearance: does your campervan fit?
This is the bit almost nobody warns you about, and the one that saves the most grief. Your vehicle has a height, weight and length, and out there sit low bridges, tunnels, weight-limited crossings and streets you simply can't take. Before you draw the route, keep your measurements to hand and steer clear of:
- Low headroom: barriers and bridges below your height (many aires have a 2.1 or 2.5 m barrier).
- Low-emission zones (ULEZ in London, Crit'Air in France, Umweltzone in Germany, ZTL in Italy): check which sticker you need.
- Old town centres: with a big motorhome you park outside and walk in or take transport.
4. Where to sleep each night
Sort out where you'll spend the night ahead of time. You've got aires (motorhome stopovers), cheaper and sometimes free with the basics, and campsites with the full works. What actually matters to check:
- 💧 Fresh water to fill up.
- 🚽 Waste emptying for grey and black water (chemical toilet).
- ⚡ Electric hook-up if you need it.
5. The real budget
A campervan trip comes down to four main costs: fuel (the big one, down to mileage and consumption), overnight stops (free aires or paid campsites), tolls (or A-roads if you dodge them) and food. Add a cushion for surprises and you'll have an honest figure rather than a shock.
6. The dates rule: when to head back
If you have to return the vehicle or catch a flight, the return date is sacred. Plan backwards from the deadline: how long the way home takes (driving plus nights) tells you the day and hour you need to start heading back. That way you don't end up driving through the night against the clock.
7. Weather and what to pack for the season
The temperature where you're headed at that time of year decides the kit. Mountains in winter mean snow chains; a muddy autumn means traction boards; a summer on the coast means swimwear and towels. Check the forecast (or the typical climate if you're travelling months out) before you pack the bags.
Or let Vanari sort it for you
Tell Vanari your start, destination, dates and vehicle. It hands you the whole roadbook: the route that fits, where to sleep each night with its services, the budget and when to head back. Ready to drive in minutes.
Plan your trip, free →Frequently asked questions
How many kilometres a day in a campervan?
The comfortable range is 150–200 km (90–120 miles) a day, roughly 2–3 hours of driving. Any more turns the trip into a slog and eats the time you'd spend enjoying the stops.
How do I know my campervan fits the route?
You need its height, weight and length, and a route that respects bridges, tunnels and restricted zones. Vanari plots the route around your dimensions so you don't hit any nasty surprises.
Where can I sleep with the campervan?
At aires (often free, with the basics) and at campsites. Book ahead or check first for water, waste emptying and electric hook-up.
How much does a campervan trip cost?
It depends on the distance, but the main costs are fuel, overnight stops, tolls and food. Free aires and A-roads bring it down a fair bit.