In 2019, Ashley Kaye embarked on a transformative scuba diving trip to Honduras, an adventure that would dramatically alter the trajectory of her life. During this trip, Kaye encountered a traveler who lived life on the road full-time. Their conversation sparked a deep realization within her: she yearned to leave behind her career and life in Wisconsin to embrace a life of travel. "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.
Motivated by this newfound perspective, Kaye returned home and worked diligently until she made the bold decision to quit her job in 2020. With approximately $37,000 in savings, she faced a new challenge—adjusting to life without a traditional 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 recalled. However, as she found her rhythm in travel and built her confidence, she embraced her new lifestyle without regrets.
Over the next three years, Kaye traveled extensively, including a memorable trip to South Africa. In 2022, she connected with a couple on Instagram who inquired about her experiences in South Africa and shared their own overlanding adventures in a Toyota truck with a camper. Intrigued by this self-reliant travel style, Kaye conducted her own research and decided to dive in. She purchased a Toyota Tacoma truck for $42,934, according to documents reviewed by CNBC Make It.
Kaye picked up her new truck in South Dakota and returned to Wisconsin, where she sold her childhood home for $320,000. In March 2023, she set off to Baja California, Mexico, to make essential renovations to transform the truck into a livable space. "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. This spontaneous decision required her to pause and reevaluate her next steps.
She estimates spending over $50,000 on renovations, which included acquiring a camper, installing solar power, upgrading the truck bed and suspension, new tires, customizing a bumper, and adding an electric cooler. Once her truck was ready, Kaye embarked on a journey along the Pan-American Highway, which stretches from Prudhoe Bay, Alaska, to Ushuaia, Argentina. "It's really an incredible way to travel because you get to set your own pace," Kaye said. However, she acknowledged the challenges of navigating logistics and red tape when crossing borders, especially when traveling solo.
Kaye's lifestyle on the road consists of a balance between travel days and leisure days. On travel days, she wakes up early to secure everything in the camper before embarking on five to seven-hour drives. She estimates spending $556 a month on gas and $453 a month on food. "The easiest part for me is being comfortable in very small spaces. I'm totally content," she noted, emphasizing her connection to nature.
Once she arrives at her destination, Kaye typically stays for two to three nights before moving on. Given that her truck lacks a bathroom, she relies on a box toilet and a portable shower bag. "I try to organize everything in the truck and camper so that it's just the way that it's supposed to be," she explained. Kaye also manages additional expenses, including $96 a month for her cellphone bill and $200 a month for Starlink internet. Unique experiences, like a week-long scuba diving trip in the Galápagos Islands, have cost her upwards of $6,000.
While Kaye has been living in her truck for several years now, she admits that the most challenging aspect remains the setup and breakdown of the camper. "Even though it is very simple, it's one of those things you have to do every time," she remarked. As Kaye continues her journey along the Pan-American Highway, she contemplates selling her truck at the beginning of the next year. "Part of me wants to just get rid of it and move on, but the larger part of me is like 'no, maybe just wait because I want to see some other places and just chill,'" she shared.
Although Kaye is uncertain about where she will settle if she sells her truck, she is unlikely to return to the U.S. full-time. If she does invest in a new home in the States, she envisions it as a source of income, potentially renting it out. Currently, she is considering a life in the South of France, Spain, or Italy. "For me, it's about finding somewhere that I want to be and then I can deal with whatever the challenges and hoops are that come with that," she concluded.
If you're inspired by Kaye's adventurous spirit and considering buying a home, check out Smarter by CNBC Make It's new online course, How to Buy Your First Home. Expert instructors will guide you through the process, helping you weigh the costs of renting versus buying, financially prepare, and navigate every step—from understanding mortgage basics to closing the deal. Sign up today and use coupon code EARLYBIRD for a 30% discount on the introductory price of $97 (+taxes and fees) through July 15, 2025. Don't forget to subscribe to CNBC Make It's newsletter for valuable tips on achieving success in work, finances, and life.
