See how a couple live full-time out of a $40,000 converted Mercedes Benz Sprinter van with a full bathroom and kitchen

Joey HaddenJan 28, 2021, 04:55 IST

Since March 2020, Kara and Nate have been full-time vanlifers who travel the country in a converted sprinter van and document their travels on YouTube.Courtesy of Kara and Nate Buchanan

As the coronavirus spread across the world, world travelers Kara and Nate Buchanan had to change their lifestyle.
To keep up their travels safely, the couple bought and renovated a converted Mercedes Benz sprinter van in the US.
They spend their days working remotely, trying local foods, and exploring the outdoors.

Kara and Nate Buchanan spent the last four years traveling the world.

Kara and Nate look on at an airport pre-pandemic. Courtesy of Kara and Nate Buchanan

They visited 100 countries in just four years and documented their experiences on YouTube.

Kara and Nate flew to dozens of countries. Courtesy of Kara and Nate Buchanan

"We thrive off of being pushed outside of our comfort zones and experiencing new cultures," Nate told Insider.

Kara and Nate pose for a photo in Antarctica. Courtesy of Kara and Nate Buchanan

International travel restrictions during the pandemic paused Kara and Nate's worldwide adventures.

Kara and Nate traveled home because of the pandemic. Courtesy of Kara and Nate Buchanan

So the couple adapted by purchasing a $40,000 converted sprinter van in the US for their travels.

Kara and Nate with their converted sprinter van they use to travel the US. Courtesy of Kara and Nate Buchanan

They bought a van with a full bathroom to be self-sufficient amid a pandemic.

Kara sits on the toilet, which lives in the shower. Courtesy of Kara and Nate Buchanan

After purchasing the van in Atlanta, Georgia, Kara and Nate took it for a test trip to the Smoke Mountains in their home state of Tennessee.

Kara and Nate's van parked at a winery. Courtesy of Kara and Nate Buchanan

Then they spent about two weeks and $5,000 renovating it to better suit their needs.

Kara and Nate renovated the table to serve as a work desk. Courtesy of Kara and Nate Buchanan

They turned the clothing closet into a charging safe for electronics.

The electronics safe is seen. Courtesy of Kara and Nate Buchanan

After four years of living out of a suitcase, the couple had no problem stuffing their clothes into drawers and cabinets instead.

Kara and Nate's clothes are seen. Courtesy of Kara and Nate Buchanan

Their van also features a work space ...

Kara works from the back of the van. Courtesy of

... that transforms into a bed. "Everything worked," Kara said of the van. "We just made everything work a little bit better for us."

Kara works on her bed in the back of the van. Courtesy of Kara and Nate Buchanan

Starting in Tennessee, the couple traveled to Kentucky, Missouri, Kansas, and Colorado and continued west.

Kara and Nate travel through Kansas. Courtesy of Kara and Nate Buchanan

Kara and Nate typically start each day in their van with coffee for breakfast.

Nate makes coffee in the morning. Courtesy of Kara and Nate Buchanan

For lunch, it's usually a smoothie full of almond milk, spinach, peanut butter, frozen fruits, and nutrient powders made by Kara.

Nate works while enjoying a smoothie made by Kara. Courtesy of Kara and Nate Buchanan

For dinner, Kara and Nate usually get take out. They enjoy trying local foods in the states that they visit.

Kara and Nate eat sushi in their van. Courtesy of Kara and Nate Buchanan

When they're not driving or eating, Kara and Nate spend their days doing socially distanced activities, like hiking and fly fishing.

Kara and Nate go on outdoor adventures around the US. Courtesy of Kara and Nate Buchanan

While the couple has been to countries all over the planet, they hadn't spent much time traveling domestically before 2020.

Kara and Nate stand on top of their converted sprinter van. Courtesy of Kara and Nate Buchanan

"It's been kind of fun to force ourselves to see more of our home country," Kara said.