10 Places to Take a Shower On a Road Trip

Update December 10, 2024

Traveling and sleeping in your everyday vehicle (minivan or SUV) equipped with a Roadloft conversion kit does not mean giving up your hygiene. There are public toilets all over the road. And for urgent cases, we use a portable toilet in our minivan, a proven and clean solution.

For the shower, a whole series of options are available to you. Even if you sleep for free in nature or incognito in the city.

1. Camping

Even without camping there, by asking nicely at the reception, the majority of campsites will charge you between $2 and $5 to use their facilities. You can even take the opportunity to do your laundry!

2. Portable Showers

The portable shower is a great option for adventures far from the city. All you need is enough water and no fear of cold showers. There are several choices: with or without electricity, with foot pump or gravity. There’s something for everyone.

We recommend NatureHike’s portable shower for its ergonomic nozzle and pressurized foot pump. It’s a very useful accessory to have on road trips!

3. Community or Sports Center

Most cities or towns have a community or sports center. In addition to access to the showers, the entrance generally allows you to take advantage of the sports facilities. You can combine business with pleasure!

4. Public Swimming Pools

In addition to doing a few lengths or relaxing by the pool, you can enjoy the showers.

5. «Truck stop» gas station

Just about everywhere in the USA in particular, there are Truck Stops along the highways, these multiple service centers intended mainly for long-haul truckers, but also accessible to all. For only a few dollars, the showers are of unequaled cleanliness, including towels, shampoo and soap. Just watch channels like Flying J or Loves on the road or google a query on your mobile.

“In addition to well maintained showers, truck stops like Flying J’s offer secure overnight parking for only $10-$20 per night. This can be a lifesaver during those late nights when you’re traveling across the country and all you want to do is take a hot shower and get some sleep.” – Taran Causey, Darien Overland

6. Gyms

Do you often travel to cities? Sports centers that have branches across the country can be a good option. Often open 24 hours, in addition to being able to train there, you will have access to showers.

7. Marina or Public Beaches

When traveling along the coasts, marinas or public beach showers can be a good option. It was during a trip to Prince Edward Island that we first discovered the public showers along the beaches. In marinas, you can often even find a laundry service!

8. Youth Hostels

Hostels are generally open and relaxed places. In exchange for a smile and a few dollars, we will often agree to give access to the showers to a friendly roadtripper.

Les auberges de jeunesse sont des lieux généralement ouverts et détendus. En échange d’un sourire et de quelques dollars, on acceptera souvent de donner accès aux douches à un roadtripper sympathique.

9. Sports facilities in Universities

Here too, it is often possible for a smile or a few dollars to have access to the showers.

10. Apps

Check out apps like iOverlander, which locate convenient places on an interactive map, including showers and toilets. Find out more in this article.

The Westfalia Had no Toilet or Shower

Showering has never been easier than it is today. Let us remember that the pioneers of the road trip of the 70s had neither toilet nor shower in their Westfalia. They also lacked the apps to locate the multiple locations mentioned in this article on their phones. And yet, just evoking this era and the name of this travel solution still makes you dream!

With Roadloft, vanlife has never been easier. We offer conversion kits that turn your everyday vehicle into a mobile refuge in just a few minutes. Did you know that our Roadloft removable camper conversion kits for minivans, SUVs and pickups can cost as little as $116 and $345 a year? Read all about it in this article.

Being self-sufficient on the road means enjoying adventure in total freedom, without having to plan everything. Roadloft shares essential tips: must-have accessories for energy autonomy, tips for living vanlife comfortably in cold or hot weather, and much more. Explore our many blog posts to discover all our tips and maximize your vanlife experience!

For more tips and advice from our vanlife experts, download the free Roadloft Ebook.

Learn all about our camper conversion kits for minivans and SUVs here.