I’ve been on the road since July 2021, so now in March 2022 I’m in my 9th month of living & working remotely. Here are a few logistical things that I did that helped out with travel so far that you might want to consider before you hit the road yourself, and a few things that I have come to learn I can’t live without.

1) Figure out your “permanent” address, and then make sure all of your paper work matches.

This doesn’t have to be your address for eeeverything, but stuff like where you are registered for taxes, voting, jury duty, your driver’s license, the title & registration of your car, where all of your banking info is registered, etc. etc., this is all very important. When it comes to taxes, different states have different rules for what qualifies as long-enough to be a resident for the year. Look up these timelines (most are at least 3 months, if not longer), and make sure that if you are traveling for longer than that threshold in any of those states you file out-of-state taxes there at the end of the year. There is a great app called Tax Day that can help you track all of your travel and tell you if you hit or are close to hitting any of those timelines. If you plan things right, you’ll have one permanent residency address and won’t hit residency requirements in any of your nomadic locations (aka you’re only there for a month or two), so you should be able to file a single state return in your main residency state.

There are a few options for this:

Option 1: Use the house of a trusted family member or friend. By having a physical address, you can be safely registered for any and all federal, state, and work type of paperwork. If you are planning on having this address be in a different state than where your car or driver’s license is registered, plan ahead to switch these things over before you start traveling to avoid any issues.
Option 2: Get a mailbox. You can get a PO box at a regular USPS location, but some paperwork doesn’t let you have a PO box as an official address (some driver’s licenses especially). Instead of USPS, I got a mailbox inside a UPS store, where the address reads “regular street address, #xxx”, aka it looks like an apartment address. Some DMVs might still have some issues finding that as a “proper” address, but with the right phone calls or maybe a DMV visit you should be able to get everything straightened out. I have had a few hiccups with this however on certain forms etc., so if you can have a permanent house address as your option 1, I would recommend it.
- With the UPS option you can also call to check if you have mail and they can forward your mail to you (at standard shipping rates) wherever you are. Even if you use a more permanent address for tax / car registration purposes, having the UPS box can be very helpful to get your mail forwarded to various locations as you travel in a timely fashion.

Since my parents live very far away from where I was starting my trip, I had already met residency requirements for 2021 in my starting state (Maryland), and I had a year left on my car registration, I decided to get a UPS mailbox for a year. I didn’t know how long I’d be on the road, so I wasn’t sure if I’d be settling by the following summer, meaning I’d have a new permanent address for half the year to register to once I settled back down. As of now, it doesn’t look like I’ll be settling until after summer 2022, so when I’m next in New Mexico visiting family I’m going to transfer over my tax forms, car registration, and license plate to NM / their house address. This way I can have a “permanent” address in NM for 6+ months of the year to qualify for residency. I’ll probably have to fill out MD & NM taxes for the year but that’s not awful. Just make sure to keep your work informed of what state you are claiming as your residency so your W2s will be accurate.

2) Healthcare

Before you leave on your trip, get your basic medical stuff checked out. Get your annual physical, if you’re a lady get your annual gyno checkup. Make sure you have any prescription info. Maybe go to the dentist and see the eye doctor as well. Depending on your medical insurance, you may have a hard time finding in-network places as you travel, so whatever you can get done before you leave will set you up for success.

Make sure you travel with copies of your medical records (paper or digital), any allergy & prescription info, and all insurance cards & info. Check your healthcare provider website or call them as you travel to help find in-network folks to visit if you need them, and make sure you know your co-pays for things like emergency room vs urgent care visits (these can be different values so definitely know the difference).

3) Traveling with a Dog

I travel with my little 12# dog Fred. Just like with my own healthcare, I got Fred his annual checkup before I left Baltimore, and then when I visited my parents a few months later set him up to go to their vet (since they have two dogs as well) and I return to visit them more often than I visit Baltimore these days. I stocked up on his heart-worm & flea/tick meds for at least 6 months so I would be stocked as I travel around. If you won’t be visiting your “permanent” base for longer than that, go for a full year just in case.
Make sure you have copies of all rabies & other vax info, you’ll need this for any daycare or boarding you might need to do as you travel. Also make sure you have the full panel required by some daycare / boarding places, as not all vets do the full vax board if your dog doesn’t spend a lot of time with other dogs.
In each new place, make a note of the closest local vet emergency hospital just in case anything goes wrong so you have a clear idea of where to take your doggo in an emergency.
My dog is very tiny, so his food comes in 4.5# bags. I order sets of 4 directly from the manufacturer, and I have an estimate of how long it takes him to go through a bag. (Yes, I’m a bit extra and get him special food that’s hard to find in some areas). Whenever I’m down to one or two bags I wait until I’m in my next location and order food to be delivered there within the first week. That way I avoid any last minute shipping delays. If you buy your pet food from the local store like a normal person… just make sure you have enough room in your car / van for a full bag etc. so you can transfer locations with it. For bigger dogs this can be a very big bag, so plan for that lost storage space!
My dog is pretty chill and doesn’t really play with toys or bones, so for him the key packing items were his bed, his blanket, his car seat, the food, the medical records, a few harness / leash options, his plane carrier, his day backpack, and food bowls. I recommend having a regular set of plastic / metal bowls that you can set up wherever you go to give your dog a consistent dinner experience, and then a collapsible silicone bowl for water on the go.
For any additional dog questions please ask away!

4) Car maintenance

Just like with your own health and your dog’s health, before hitting the road make sure you’re up to date on all major car maintenance, have your tires & brakes checked, and get an oil change. Make sure to get regular servicing as you travel per your manufacturer recommended schedule. You can find local dealers or local auto shops to help you out, just make sure your car is in good working order regularly and keep an active AAA subscription to ensure you have help if anything goes south on the road. Your car becomes VERY important when it’s the thing moving you, your dog, and all your stuff between locations (usually in long stretches) so take care of it.

5) Buy a very good atlas, and get / print detailed city maps of where you’re staying before you get there

Before I left on my trip I invested in a good, thick, and detailed road atlas. I have been highlighting the major roads as I travel around. While traveling recently I lost my phone for a few days (luckily it was mailed back to me), but in the few days without it I actually had to change locations and managed to drive 5.5 hours to the new spot & find my AirBnB using just the atlas and local city map. Your phone might die, your GPS chord might break, or any number of technological issues may arise, so have that map on paper just in case. You’d think in this day and age we would have backup devices for everything but sometimes a good old paper map is irreplaceable.

6) Working remotely

I work from home and had to really decide what I NEEDED vs what were the nice extras to trek around with me. Some of this will depend on profession but here is what works for me as a practicing engineer in my remote work / nomad kit:

Work laptop with a wireless keyboard and mouse, and a charging / docking station
One monitor that I plug into the laptop / docking station
A few key books / reference guides that I use on a regular basis. The rest I have as pdfs to keep things light.
- I use some of the reference books as a laptop stand to elevate the screen next to my monitor, and then just use my wireless keyboard.
A few work calculation pads and spare notebooks for notes / scratch work / timekeeping
My professional engineering stamp (you never know what you might need to stamp!)
My beloved calculator
A pencil bag of assorted pens, pencils, markers, highlighters, etc.
Work backpack to hold the computer and other basics while traveling.
I have a separate backpack for all of my personal tech items like my own small laptop, camera gear, and all of my assorted chargers / plugs and an extension chord or two (just in case).
I have a hard hat, work site vest, steel toe work boots, and safety goggles stored in my trunk for whenever I’m out on the road and need to go on site. Most people will not need these items, but if you have work-specific items make sure to plan enough space for them, even if it seems like you’ll only use them rarely.

I tote around books and the like in a milk crate that I can keep under whatever desk setup I have in each place. I book AirBnBs that either have a dedicated workspace, or at least a large enough kitchen table that I can take over as a desk. The one thing is that you’ll probably have a questionable work chair. I can usually fix that with a pillow of some kind, but if you have back issues or just need a super comfy chair to work from every day and don’t have enough space in your car / van to fit one (even broken down / taken apart), plan on being in each place for a month+ and check out FB marketplace or craigslist to find a cheap used chair. Sell it again or give it away before you move again to ensure you aren’t carrying around too much baggage.

I have a second milk crate of other important documents, cards, notebooks, and miscellaneous little bits and bobs. Having some clear cut containers for loose items can help you stack things or better fit stuff into your car, so definitely consider some extra solid yet small storage containers to keep your stuff packable but also organized.

7) A traveling kitchen

I primarily stay in AirBnBs which have a kitchen so I can prepare most of my own meals as I travel. It saves money, and when you’re someplace for a month+, having your own kitchen is just way more convenient. It can be a mixed bag what kind of supplies you find in each kitchen, so here is what I travel with to make sure I’m set up wherever I go. Some things I started with, and others I’ve picked up along the way as I found a kitchen or two lacking. After my clothing bags, this is typically my biggest combined set of things, with work / computer / camera stuff taking third place. Everything below fits in a large LL Bean tote bag, an insulated kitchen bag from Eataly, a short crate (fits 12 mason jars + the spices), and a bag for the water bottles. Like I said, definitely a big dedication of space but we all need to eat so traveling kitchen essentials are important.

Knives & Cutting Board - I love good knives and I travel with the essentials: One big chef’s knife, one small chef’s knife, a bread knife, and a paring knife (all have individual blade covers for easy transport). Never trust crappy knives anywhere you travel, no one is leaving quality steel at a rental. I also travel with a tiny wooden cutting board, some places just don’t have them.
Basic Kitchen Utensils - A silicone spatula or two, a couple of wooden spoons, a pair of scissors, and a wine bottle opener do the trick. Most places will have a few basic spatulas and a can opener so I just like having the spatulas / spoons I’m a fan of.
Utensils - I travel with two sets of travel bamboo cutlery, two sets of metal cutlery, some metal straws, and some chopsticks. Most places have cutlery, but depending on if I’m truly on the go or settled for a while I like having backup options of both just in case.
A pair of quarter baking sheets - rentals never seem to have baking sheets. From roasting veggies to cooking a frozen pizza, the simple baking sheet is great addition to any traveling kitchen and they don’t take up much room.
One big pan with a lid - I got an all metal (no Teflon), wide, double handle pan with a glass lid. I can do everything from sautéing veggies to simmering pasta sauce to (in a pinch) boiling some shallow water to make rice in it. I could even throw it in the oven as a baking vessel if needed since everything on it is metal. Most places will have some kind of sauce pan or fry pan if you want to make eggs or soup etc., but even though this is definitely a big item it’s proven it’s usefulness time and again.
- I didn’t bring my cast iron pans with me, and while I miss them dearly, most of my rentals have had either electric coil or flat electric cook tops. Cast iron is really only meant to be used on open flame, and it’s not worth carrying around that kind of weight just to have a glorified baking pan. Get a metal pan like I described above and save your cast iron for when you settle back down. The only caveat to this is if you are a regular camper, then by all means, cast iron over the cook fire is the way to go!
My Nutri-bullet - This is something I initially left behind, but when I was back in Baltimore last month I grabbed it out of my storage unit. Of all the little appliances you can learn to live without, the versatility of a mini blender is truly great. From smoothies to sauces to even grinding up coffee in a pinch, these can do everything. I love a good morning breakfast smoothie, and you can easily get frozen fruit at any grocery store. This won’t be an item for everyone, but it’s the only item I truly missed (other than my cast iron pans) in the past 8 months
Metal Bowls - One can always find infinite uses in a kitchen for metal bowls. I travel with a set of about 5 in assorted sizes that I use for everything from storing compost scraps in my freezer to a travel water bowl for Fred and everything in between. AirBnBs never stock good prep bowls.
Water Bottles / Insulated Cups - I keep a bag of 6 water bottles with me as I travel. They are a range of plastic, glass, and metal, but when I’m on a long day of driving and I have both me and Fred in the car, keeping hydrated is super important. Once I arrive somewhere I usually only use one or two of them, but for those longer driving days or for hikes etc., having a few spare water bottles will always be a good idea.
- I also have one larger Byta travel mug (16oz) and a shorter Corkcicle travel wine glass tumbler (12oz). Both are metal with lids so I can have a hot cup of tea or an icy beverage in an easy-to-drink cup. I’ve found a mixed bag of glassware in the various rentals I’ve stayed in, so I tend to drink out of my own water bottles / travel cups most often out of convenience.
- They’re also great to have at outdoor festivals or street vendors where you might get a drink to go and don’t want to fiddle around with a flimsy disposable drink cup.
- If you’re going to a sporting event or concert, different stadiums / arenas have different water bottle rules. Some allow plastic, some ban metal ones etc., so I like having a mix just in case.
Storage Containers - I am a bit of an environmental nut and hate plastic. (see the part where I travel with no less than 6 re-usable water bottles, travel utensils, and insulated mugs, because I refuse to buy plastic ones). With that in mind, I’m a big fan of glass pyrex. They are great for storing leftovers & food prep, and are also great because you can see into each container and keep an eye on what you have left in the fridge. The bigger ones also double as bakeware so you don’t have to worry if your rental has any.
Mason Jars - When I lived in one spot, I was one of those hippy vegan people with the pantry full of dried goods, most likely purchased in bulk at the local co-op or farmers market. I left some of my larger jars at home, so now I travel with a slightly absurd amount of regular and small mason jars. Some hold my small traveling pantry (an assortment of rice, oats, snacks, nutritional yeast etc.), and others are empty for use as food storage or spare drink cups.
Spice jars - In a box that holds most of my pantry jars, I also keep a set of smaller glass spice jars. Most places will have a salt & pepper shaker, but for my essentials (garlic powder, onion powder, an Italian spice blend, paprika, turmeric, and cinnamon), I’m not interested in buying spices everywhere I go. I have nice reusable glass containers so if I’m running low I can find a local co-op and re-fill one or two.
Towels & Napkins - I travel with at least two kitchen towels and a set of cloth napkins. While great for on-the-go dining, the towels also double as oven mitts / pot holders when a rental doesn’t have any. Some places also don’t have kitchen towels so having a couple is handy, and they double as good packing material between some of the larger glass / metal items in my bag.
Dish Brushes / Soap - Another environmental quirk, I love using wooden brushes to wash my dishes instead of a sponge. I pick up the occasional set at zero waste stores or co-ops and love how long they last and how much cleaner they stay than sponges (I get bamboo ones that are naturally anti-microbial). You can use paper towels anywhere, but I like having my own dish brushes with me.
Whenever I move I like to eat down my fridge before I have to travel with food, so make sure to buy your food weekly / more often and in smaller bits to not over stock. It’s definitely a learned practice to only stock what you need, not an over back stock of anything you could want. It takes some getting used to, but once you start to use everything in your cabinets regularly you realize how much you actually consume in a week. Anything leftover I try to fit into a bag to throw in the front seat with me as I transfer to the next location.

8) The random extras

We all have those items that are special to us that bring us daily joy, or are just practical. You’ll have to decide for yourself what those are, and how much room you have left for them, so here are some of mine:

A set of Large & XL LL Bean tote bags to store & easily transport a lot of my stuff, zipper top all the way.
A set of queen & king sheets (a lot of AirBnBs cheap out and have polyester or worn out sheets. A set of sheets in both sizes just gives me peace of mind and covers all of the rental bed sizes. If you end up with a full just tuck in the queen sheets a bit extra, you’ll be fine).
Two bath towels (again, some places have questionable towels. One is for me for regular use, and the spare can be used as a beach towel in a pinch.)
A yoga mat
A basic tool kit (basic car safety stuff lives in the car like jumper cables etc., this is a separate tool kit with things like hammer / screw driver / tape measure etc. You never know)
Needlepoint supplies (This is actually a very big bag, but it’s for my little online shop & a personal hobby so it’s worth it)
A sunrise alarm clock (because again, don’t always trust your phone for everything, and you never know which direction your bedroom is going to face)
An assortment of handbags & smaller bags for day trips and walks around the city / in nature
Silicone ice cube trays because I like having a big ice cube when I make drinks (and they make nice squishy packing material for my kitchen stuff)
A bike helmet (a lot of the cities I go to have bike sharing programs so I like to be prepared!)
The library app (Libby) & podcast app on my phone - I try to not carry too many paper books with me for storage purposes, so I like getting e-books & audiobooks from the library and listening to a lot of podcasts as I travel.

9) what about the stuff you leave behind?

Inevitably you won’t be able to fit everything you own into your car / van as you travel, unless you truly give up everything and actually live out of your van. For the rest of us, there will be stuff left behind: furniture, books, excess clothing, lots of things from your kitchen, your TV, and on and on. You’ll probably get a storage unit for all of your leftover stuff. Make sure you get insurance (you can usually get extra insurance from the storage place directly for a few extra $$ a month since your rental insurance will no longer exist and might not cover storage anyway). Also make sure to pack long-term items safely. Anything prone to water damage store in plastic bins, preferably off the ground. Even if your unit isn’t on a ground or basement floor, sprinklers have been known to go off in storage units if fires start in nearby ones, so make sure to take precautions with anything truly important to you to prevent water damage in the event of a freak water accident.

10) A note about wardrobe

You may have noticed that the only things I didn’t talk about so far were clothes, shoes, and toiletries. We all need these, and we all have different styles & skincare routines. What you deem necessary will vastly change in volume from person to person. My only recommendation would be to set aside everything you want to bring clothes wise a week in advance. Lay it all out on a bed or couch and look through each pile (shirts, pants, dresses, socks, bathing suits, sweaters, coats, everything) every day or two. If you think you won’t wear something or don’t LOVE it, you don’t need to throw it away, just put it in storage. You can always go back and pick up things you have been missing, but you will have a much harder time of lugging around things you never wear, or finding room for overstuffed suitcases. And remember, you’ll probably buy a clothing or accessory piece to build memories wherever you go, so if you start out with some blank space in a suitcase you’ll have room to fill it for a while before you have to go back to the storage unit and drop stuff off.

I personally travel with 2 suitcases, one large duffle, and a smaller carry on suitcase. The suitcases & duffle hold all of my clothing, coats, and sheets / towels, and a handbag or two. The carry on holds all of my shoes. I’ve started traveling with a set of hangers as well because some places leave you very few, so depending on how long you spend in each place and if you like to hang up things, think ahead to the hardware you’ll need. Also make sure to check if you have a washer/dryer in your rental, or if there is at least a laundromat close by. Being able to do more regular loads makes traveling with less clothing easier.

Thank you for taking a look at some of the considerations I made for extended travel and remote work. This isn’t an exhaustive list of everything you’ll need to start living nomadically, but it’s definitely a start. Hopefully these thoughts can help you plan your own journey. Please drop any questions in the comment box below, or send me an message using the contact form.