Best Road Trip Camper Vans – Airstream Atlas

Sometimes bigger really is better.

It’s a van, but it has all the space and features you’d expect to find in a much larger RV thanks to its unique power slide-out section that isn’t available on the also-excellent Interstate 24X.

There’s only one floor plan to choose from—the Murphy Suite—but it has everything you could need including a pull-down Murphy bed, couch, kitchenette, closet, and large residential-style bathroom with a standalone toilet and shower.

The Mercedes-based vehicle may sleep fewer people than some of the other entries on this list—it’s designed for two, although there’s room to entertain more—but the trade-off is an unusual amount of comfort for the class.

This will come in handy for short trips, of course, but especially if you and yours are planning to spend some serious time on the road.

Special Features:
The power slide-out section means there is plenty of room for both rest and relaxation.
Pull-down Murphy bed and large bathroom allow you to really bring home on the road.

Best Road Trip Camper Vans – Winnebago Boldt

Airstream isn’t the only famous RV maker that’s gotten into the camper van game. Winnebago actually sells several, and our favorite is the luxe Boldt.

Despite being nowhere near as long as one of its campers—it caps out at 22 feet in length—the $230,276 van has everything you’d expect from the larger vehicle, including dedicated living and sleeping areas, a fully functional kitchen and a bathroom equipped with a shower.

You also have several interior decor options to choose from, each of which delivers an updated take on classic Winnebago style.

The Boldt is designed for paved roads and campgrounds, but if you want a more rugged ride, the brand also offers the off-road-ready Revel.

Special Features:
Stretches 22 feet bumper to bumper, meaning there’s plenty of room for you and yours.
Enough space for dedicated entertaining and sleeping areas.

Best Road Trip Camper Vans – Jayco Terrain

Jayco is best known for its hulking travel trailers, but like Airstream, it can do compact, too (well, compact enough to fit in a parking space, that is).

The US company’s new Terrain model, which starts at $192,000, is an adventure van designed for those who like to veer from the beaten path.

As the name suggests, it’s designed for off-roading, with a turbo-diesel V-6, Koni shocks, a rear stabilizer and a rear hitch strong enough to tow an additional trailer if you need more room.

Inside, it’s a little spartan compared to some other options on this list, but its kitchenette can be converted into a sleeping area with room for a full-size bed, as well as plenty of storage space beneath.

There’s even a built-in awning when you need some shade in the summer months.

Special Features:
Equipped with Koni shocks, a rear stabilizer and a heavy-duty tow hitch.
Kitchenette can be converted into a spacious sleeping area with room for a full-size bed.

Best Road Trip Camper Vans – Volkswagen California

Volkswagen has shown over the years that it knows a thing or two about building a solid camping van.

The latest iteration of the California may not be a classic Microbus, but it’s the next best thing currently out there.

The stylish van may not look all that big, but VW has turned it into a versatile mini-RV thanks, in no small part, to its roof-mounted pop-up tent.

Just as important, though, is the ultra-flexible passenger cabin which is surprisingly well-stocked considering its size.

Five different interior layouts are available—Beach, Beach Tour, Beach Camper, Coast, and Ocean— making this van an option for basically every kind of camper out there.

Special Features:
Five layout options make the vehicle well-suited to almost every kind of camper.
Pop-up roof tent means that going to bed requires minimal fuss.

Best Road Trip Camper Vans – Winnebago Solis

The Winnebago Solis is for adventurers who don’t want to be confined to the campground.

The van is available with an optional power kit that has everything a group of up to four adults needs to spend a few days off-the-grid.

The setup, which includes an inverter, a shore battery converter, a battery energy converter, a solar energy converter and an alternator energy optimizer, can produce enough power to keep the van and all its features running for up to 72 hours.

On top of that, the van features a kitchenette, a convertible entertainment area with room for a double bed, and a full-width wet bath.

Special Features:
A unique power kit that can provide enough power to spend up to 72 hours off the grid.
Still has all the features you’d expect from a luxe camper van, including a full-width wet bath.

Best Road Trip Camper Vans – Storyteller Overland Beast Mode 4×4

This latest offering from Storyteller Overland, based in Birmingham, Ala., is a true adventure van.

The Beast Mode 4×4 is the outfit’s most feature-packed model yet and was designed specifically for overlanding (as you may have guessed from the company’s name).

It’s a true 4×4 powered by a 188 hp turbodiesel V-6 that’s strong enough to tow an additional 5,000 pounds.

Its slick retro-style livery is offset with loads of useful off-roading gear, too, such as an LED light package, a roof rack and a side ladder and custom wheels wrapped in BF Goodrich K02 tires.

Inside, you’ll find everything you need to relax after a day of exploring, including a cushy lounge that can be converted to a full-size sleeping area.

There’s even a climate-control system to ensure you’re comfortable no matter the weather outside.

It’s priced at a flat $198,746, for everything listed above.

Special Features:
Turbodiesel V-6 sends 188 hp of power to all four wheels and is strong enough to tow 5,000 extra pounds.
Surprisingly cushy lounge for an off-roading beast.

Best Road Trip Camper Vans – Thor Motor Coach Sanctuary

Thor Motor Coach makes camper vans for those uninterested in making sacrifices.

With the Sanctuary, the company has taken Mercedes-Benz’s already excellent Sprinter 2500 4×4 and turned it into something you could easily live on—on or off the grid.

The off-road-ready vehicle comes in two configurations—the 19P ($148,680), which features a back bench that converts into a bed, or the 19L ($151,060), which has a fixed double bed.

Even with the bed there’s still plenty of room for other creature comforts, including a bathroom, an entertainment area with a TV and a kitchen with a sink, a dual-burner cooktop, a convection microwave oven and a fridge.

An Onan 2500 LP generator keeps everything up and running, too, including an A/C system you can leave on for eight hours at a time.

There’s also retractable power awning when you want to spend some time outdoors.

Special Features:
Full-featured bathroom has a sink, a shower and a toilet.
Available with your choice of either a convertible or a fixed bed.

Best Road Trip Camper Vans – Westfalia Wave

After a two-decade absence, famed German (and French-owned) camper maker Westfalia has returned to the U.S.

The company’s first new stateside model is the Wave, a Ram Promaster 3500-based van stocked with luxury amenities and plenty of room for your travel party.

The Wave stretches 20.7 feet bumper-to-bumper and Westfalia has done everything it can to maximize the space.

The cabin has everything you could need, including a kitchen with an island extension and a full wet bath with a stand-up shower. Its most impressive feature may be its many sleeping areas, though.

The rear seating can be converted into a queen-size bed and the dinette into a double mattress.

There is also a roof-mounted pop-up tent with room for two.

It may not be based on a Volkswagen, but the Wave is still almost as “Westy” as they come.

Special Features:
The spacious interior includes a kitchen with an island extension that makes meal prep that much easier.
The van’s 20.7-foot length means there’s enough room to sleep up to six adults.