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🏕️ My Morning Routine on the Road

  • Writer: Alexa Connelly
    Alexa Connelly
  • Jun 5
  • 3 min read

How I Start My Days While Camping, Car Living, or Vanlifing

Cozy van interior with lit candle on table, open to a forest view with pine trees. Warm lighting, checkered blanket on outdoor chair.

Mornings on the road aren’t always glamorous — but they’re peaceful, grounding, and sometimes even magical. Whether I’m tucked into a mountain overlook, waking up beside a

foggy lake, or just parked at a quiet rest stop, I try to give myself a little space before diving into the day.


Here’s a glimpse into my current morning routine while road-tripping or living outdoors — plus a few affiliate links to gear that makes it easier (and better).


Affiliate disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission if you purchase through them—at no extra cost to you. We only recommend gear we genuinely love and trust!


☀️ 1. Wake with the Light

I usually wake up with the sun — no blaring alarms out here. I keep my window coverings slightly cracked to let the morning light slowly filter in. If it's chilly, I’ll take a few extra minutes to stay bundled under my sleeping bag and just listen. Birds, wind, waves… they make way better alarm sounds than my iPhone ever did.


🧘‍♀️ 2. Stretch It Out

Before anything else, I stretch. After sleeping in a small space (car, van, tent), my body needs movement. I keep a small yoga mat rolled up behind my seat and do 5–10 minutes of gentle stretching, sun salutations, or just a big deep breath and a few arm circles.


Gear I love:


☕ 3. Coffee, Of Course

You already know this part. I bring out my AeroPress, hand grinder, and favorite mug and make a cup of coffee I actually look forward to. I try to use locally roasted beans I picked up at a roastery in a nearby town, just for a little extra joy.


My Road Brew Setup:

Want the full step-by-step? Check out my coffee blog post here.


🧼 4. Quick Clean-Up & Skincare

Just because I’m not near a bathroom doesn’t mean I skip skincare. I keep biodegradable face wipes and a small bowl to rinse my face. I follow it up with a quick spritz of rosewater, a few drops of facial oil, and SPF.


What’s in my road skincare kit:


🍓 5. Simple Breakfast & Journal Time

My breakfast is usually fruit, oats, or a protein bar. If I have time, I’ll heat water for oats and sit with my notebook. I like to jot down a few things I’m grateful for, or even a checklist for the day ahead.


If I’m moving to a new spot that day, I pack up slowly and double-check I’ve left no trace behind.


🌄 Final Thoughts

This routine isn’t rigid. Sometimes it’s 10 minutes. Other days it stretches into an hour. But having this gentle rhythm keeps me grounded, even when the landscape is constantly changing.


Whether you’re vanlifing full-time or heading out for a weekend camping trip, I hope this gives you a little inspiration to create your own morning flow outdoors.

 
 
 

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