The Basics of Vehicle Living : What Do Nomads Do All Day?

One of the biggest questions people have about living in a car is simple: where do you actually go during the day? The assumption is usually that you’re constantly moving, exploring, or doing something interesting. The reality, at least for me, is a lot more grounded.

Most days, I spend about 60% of my time sitting in my driver’s seat working on my computer. This is my office, my workspace, and where most of my productivity happens.

If I’m staying somewhere longer-term and I have enough space and privacy, I’ll set up a screen tent next to my car and work on making jewelry, which gives me a little more room to spread out and feel like I’m not confined to the vehicle.

Weather plays a huge role in how I structure my day. When it gets too hot, I head somewhere with air conditioning like a library or a community center.

Libraries are especially useful because I can stay for hours, get work done, and just exist comfortably without spending money. Some community centers have pools and showers, which makes them even more valuable.

On cooler days, I’ll often stay at the library for long stretches of time just to have a stable, comfortable place to work.

One thing I always have to think about is protecting the inside of my car from getting too hot. My electronics are my livelihood, and heat can damage them quickly. So if it’s hot out, I make sure my car is in the shade, the windows are cracked, my handmade reflective window coverings are in place, and I keep a USB fan running to keep air moving through the space. Even when I’m not inside it, I’m thinking about the environment inside my vehicle.

I like to find small parks off side streets to take as many walks as I can in a day. Even if the weather isn't ideal, I still take regular walks. It's important to exercise. Not doing so can cause all kinds of health problems.

For showers, I usually go to Planet Fitness early in the morning. A lot of nomads have memberships at national chain gyms like this for this exact reason. It’s not about working out—it’s about having access to a nice hot shower, something many of us car life nomads don't get very often, and and starting the day feeling somewhat normal.

Car living isn’t just about where you sleep. It’s about how you spend the hours in between, and figuring that out is one of the biggest adjustments people have to make.

If you live on the road, what does a typical day look like for you? And if you don’t, what part of daily life feels the hardest to picture?