Freedom on Wheels: How a 36-Year-Old Thrives Living Full-Time in a Truck for Just $1,305/Month!
In 2019, Ashley Kaye embarked on a transformative scuba diving trip to Honduras that set her on a new life path. During this journey, she met a seasoned traveler whose stories ignited a desire within her to leave her stable life and career in Wisconsin behind. “He told me he wished he had done it sooner because it’s so much easier and cheaper than you think. That changed everything for me,” Kaye shared with CNBC Make It. Inspired, she returned home and dedicated herself to saving money, eventually quitting her job in 2020 with approximately $37,000 in savings. However, she soon faced an unexpected challenge: adjusting to life without a conventional job. “I didn’t know how to just do nothing. The first few months were really hard, and I wasn’t sure if I was making the right decision,” she admitted.
Yet, once she embraced the rhythm of traveling, Kaye discovered a newfound confidence and never looked back. Over the next three years, she explored the globe, including a trip to South Africa. In 2022, an Instagram connection led her to learn more about overlanding, a self-sufficient travel style that involves navigating remote locations in a vehicle. Intrigued, Kaye decided to invest in a Toyota Tacoma, purchasing it for $42,934. She collected the truck in South Dakota, shortly after selling her childhood home for $320,000.
By March 2023, Kaye was ready to hit the road. She journeyed to Baja California, Mexico, where she planned significant renovations to make her truck livable. “My life is kind of like ‘the plan is there is no plan.’ Most people plan this type of adventure for years. I didn’t even have a truck when I accepted the offer on my house,” she explained. Kaye poured over $50,000 into upgrades, including a camper, solar power, and customizations to enhance her travel experience.
Once her vehicle was equipped, Kaye set off down the expansive Pan-American Highway, stretching from Alaska to Argentina. “It’s a fantastic way to travel because you control your pace and can linger in beautiful spots as long as you like,” she reflected. However, she acknowledged the complexities and challenges of border crossings while navigating solo, finding a balance that works for her.
Kaye’s travel routine consists of alternating travel and leisure days. On travel days, she rises early to break down her setup before a five- to seven-hour drive. She estimates spending around $556 monthly on gas and $453 on food. “I’m comfortable in small spaces. I can spend all day inside the camper without feeling suffocated,” she said, emphasizing her appreciation for nature’s vastness.
Despite living on the road for years, Kaye finds setting up and breaking down her camper to be the most taxing part of her lifestyle. “It’s simple, but you have to do it every time,” she noted. As she continues her adventure along the Pan-American Highway, Kaye is contemplating selling her truck next year. “Part of me wants to just move on, but I also want to see more places and enjoy this lifestyle,” she expressed.
As she navigates her future, Kaye envisions potential new roots in the South of France, Spain, or Italy, despite the inherent challenges. “It’s about finding a place I truly want to be,” she concluded. Given her journey, Kaye’s story serves as an inspiring testament to the transformative power of adventure and self-discovery.
With the appeal of flexible living and continuous exploration, Kaye’s journey resonates with those yearning for a life less ordinary, showcasing the vibrant possibilities that await when embracing the unknown.
Original Source: https://www.cnbc.com/2025/07/19/36-year-old-lives-in-truck-full-time-for-1305/month.html
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Publish Date: 2025-07-19 21:30:00
