Hi, All,

Good to be here. I'll be embarking on my van life journey as of Oct 31, when my lease ends. I've been in Western Massachusetts, but will be staying at a friend's in CT for most of November and then heading to Arizona. I'm wondering if the LTVA is an option for me but still need to do more research. I'm hoping to get to Quartzsite in January.

I'm in a 2014 Odyssey minivan. I'm hoping to remove the 3rd row seats (2nd row is designed to come out and already removed). Then I hope to get the floor a bit more level, and probably put down some plywood with a rug on top. I've been watching YouTube videos, starting with CheapRVliving, for the past few years. Once I get the seats out and the floor level, I'm planning to go with a bare bones set-up until I know better what makes the most sense in terms of power, refrigeration/cooking, etc. I have a collapsible bucket style "toilet", a couple of sleeping mats, some basic tools including a "cat hole" shovel. I'm planning to join Planet Fitness or similar for access to showers.

If anyone has advice or suggestions for threads, they would be welcome. One question I have, and can probably find the answer on this forum...can I stay at LTVA without a self-contained toilet, as long as I park within 500 feet of the restrooms? I thought I read that somewhere but trying to confirm before I firm up plans.

Also, if anyone has suggestions for route planning for travel from CT to AZ, that would be great. I joined AAA and am wondering if the digital Triptik would be a good option.

Thanks in advance! I'm glad to be here.

Glad you're here. Sounds like a Great Adventure!

Welcome. Yes you can stay at the LTVA areas within 500 feet of a portable toilet. Many people do that.

That's great to hear! Thanks so much.

Gr8ful said:

Glad you're here. Sounds like a Great Adventure!

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Thank you!

Welcome

Welcome! That late in the year you may want to select a southern route as you will be crossing higher elevation mountains in the northern routes.

Welcome to the forum, KateL!

Please be aware of the weather conditions along your chosen route, since you will be traveling in the NE USA during possible bad weather that can happen in December, not to mention crossing thru some mountainous areas along the way to Arizona.

You will need to prepare accordingly: Blankets, food, water, misc supplies.

Good luck and please keep us posted!

Thank you for this advice! I will definitely heed it.

bullfrog ! said:

Welcome! That late in the year you may want to select a southern route as you will be crossing higher elevation mountains in the northern routes.

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Thank you for this tip!

If someone is from the northern areas they are familiar with driving in snow. Bring your chains along on the trip and winter clothes too. While unlikely to get snow in Quartzsite it could get around freezing at night in January if a major cold front comes down from the Artic region!

maki2 said:

Welcome. Yes you can stay at the LTVA areas within 500 feet of a portable toilet. Many people do that.

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But also stow emergency accommodations of some kind!

KateL said:

I'm planning to go with a bare bones set-up until I know better what makes the most sense in terms of power, refrigeration/cooking, etc. I have a collapsible bucket style "toilet", a couple of sleeping mats, some basic tools including a "cat hole" shovel. I'm planning to join Planet Fitness or similar for access to showers.

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I see you already have the pooper covered... I've found living without showers or refrigerated foods to be quite easy once I got the swing of it.

Best wishes in your adventure!

Welcome to the Van Living Forum. It's a nice time of the year to be traveling, so I wish you safe journeys.

maki2 said:

If someone is from the northern areas they are familiar with driving in snow. Bring your chains along on the trip and winter clothes too. While unlikely to get snow in Quartzsite it could get around freezing at night in January if a major cold front comes down from the Artic region!

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I'd be prepared for temps in the high 20s at night, because that might happen a couple times in winter. It's easy to do, just a decent sleeping bag and fluffy blanket would be plenty.

And when the sun comes up it gets pleasant quickly... so long as it isn't windy!

https://weatherspark.com/h/y/2278/2...ite-Arizona-United-States#Figures-Temperature

Thank you. That's good to hear. I was hoping an insulated sleeping bag and some good blankets would be enough. And maybe running the car for a few minutes and turning the heat on.

KateL said:

Thank you. That's good to hear. I was hoping an insulated sleeping bag and some good blankets would be enough. And maybe running the car for a few minutes and turning the heat on.

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It should be enough. But if you find it’s not enough then you can adapt and do other stuff or head further south to the Yuma area. Of course the thrift stores typically have plenty of second hand blankets in stock. You can also wear more layers of clothing.

I will be starting off this morning by wearing a fleece pullover. It is not cold but it is already on the somewhat chilly side of cool in the upper 40s.

Thanks. Yes, layering is a good tip. I'm probably going to invest in a couple of good quality layers. The blankets I have were from thrift stores. They're in surprisingly good condition. One thing I've noticed is that I tend to get colder if I've sweated and haven't showered, then try to sleep like that. I'm need to do some more research about showering options.