Choosing Your Dream Road Trip Vehicle

If you’re like me, you know that the perfect road trip vehicle makes all the difference…especially when traveling with a dog. Read on to see how I made my decision and check out my dream truck at the end!

When I was preparing to take my annual cross-country road trip with my elderly, special needs dog Beatrix, I realized my old Jeep probably wasn’t going to cut it this year. We’d done it before, but the Jeep lacked two main things that kept me from the over-landing trip of my dreams: space, and off-road capability. When we took our 2024 road trip we just stayed in motels. That was still a ton of fun, but I knew that next time, I was ready to camp! I was tired of driving through beautiful scenery that I could only experience through my windshield. I was ready to get out into it.

With the proliferation of van life, over-landing, and road tripping in recent years, there’s a lot of information out there about people taking their dream vacations and living their best lives. So how did I get through all the information and figure out exactly what I needed? I focused on a few specific categories.

1) Off-Road Capability: Why I Considered 4×4 Trucks and Vans

While my 2015 Jeep Cherokee had served me well, it was clear that it wasn’t built for the kind of off-road adventure I had in mind. With only front-wheel drive, I was limited to paved roads and light trails. If I wanted to reach remote campsites and navigate rugged terrain, I needed an upgrade.

I decided pretty early on that I needed a four wheel drive capable vehicle. Many over-landing trails in parks and forest areas require four wheel drive vehicles. Even all-wheel drive can’t always get you everywhere you want to go.

I also realized my four cylinder engine wasn’t going to cut it anymore. I might not need a V8, but I needed a V6. There were times on my 2024 western road trip when I was trying overtake an 18-wheeler or a slower truck on a two lane highway that I’m pretty sure took years off of my life and gave me several new grey hairs. I wanted the additional power a V6 could give me.

2) Space: Why I Considered Slide-In and Pull-Along Campers

Beatrix and I have had some amazing camping experiences sleeping in the back of the Jeep, but I needed more room. Even with the back seats folded all the way down and the front seats pushed all the way up, I barely had room to stretch out comfortably. Since she’s a 17 pound schnauzer, Beatrix herself doesn’t take up too much space. But the problem was, our stuff did. A few nights were fine, but for a long road trip, space was a real issue—not just for sleeping, but for storing gear, changing clothes, and administering Beatrix’s meds. I knew I needed to upgrade my vehicle size. I’d also spent plenty of nights hunched over inside the Jeep while trying to change clothes or administer Beatrix’s medicine. I really wanted a space where I could sit up all the way.

3) Maneuverability: Why I Reconsidered Large Vans and Anything I Had to Tow

As much as I wanted a larger vehicle, I knew my limitations. I didn’t want to be stuck with a huge van or trailer I had to try to maneuver and park on my own. I’ve always felt more confident in smaller to mid-size vehicles. Before my Jeep, I’d driven a two-door Honda Civic for years. While I was willing to get outside of my comfort zone, I didn’t want to go too far as a solo adventurer.

4) Gas Mileage and Cost of Gas: Why I Crossed Vans and Larger Trucks Off My List

Another major factor was fuel efficiency. Road-tripping can get expensive fast, and I didn’t want a gas-guzzler draining my budget.The cost of gas is just something that comes along with life on the road; there’s no way around it. However, not all vehicles are made equally when it comes to gas mileage. Bigger trucks are gas hogs, and vans can drink a lot of gas as well. This sort of went hand in hand with maneuverability; I didn’t want a beast I couldn’t park confidently and that got single digits in gas mileage.

5) Reliability and Longevity: Why I Chose a Toyota Tacoma

If there was one vehicle that was ubiquitous during my travels through and across the west, it was the Toyota Tacoma. Especially in Colorado, it seems like every other vehicle on the road is a taco. Tacomas and camper shells are common sights, often with kayaks and bike strapped to the top and back. After doing a little research, I quickly realized that Toyota emerged light years ahead of other popular brands as a reliable rig that retains value and can run for years if you treat it right. If you’re looking for a truck that can handle adventure, the Toyota Tacoma is one of the best road trip vehicles out there. It’s perfect for overlanding, camping, and long-haul travel with a dog.

Overall, I considered a van, a truck with a slide-in camper, or a vehicle similar to my Jeep but big enough to build out a little more, like a small SUV or Tahoe.

After months of research, I kept coming back to one vehicle: the Toyota Tacoma. Known for its reliability, off-road capability, and strong resale value, it checked all my boxes. With a Leer 122 truck cap, I could build a cozy camper setup while still maintaining fuel efficiency and maneuverability—especially since the Tacoma is one of the smaller trucks on the market.

The winner!

Want to hear about how I navigated the used car market? Read Part 1 and Part II of that journey!

What are your must-haves and non-negotiables as you’re choosing a vehicle for your adventures? Are there any YouTubers who have shown you the light, either way? What are the main things you weighed when deciding on your adventure rig? Let me know in the comments below!