Whether you are a digital nomad who works for a living while traveling the US, or a weekend traveler who enjoys connectivity during your evening, being able to access the internet while on the road can enhance your next trip.

The good news is that with the rising demand for internet on the road, the options for keeping connected almost anywhere you go are becoming increasingly simple.

Today, we’ll take a look at a few of our favorite ways to get the internet on the road.

Phone Hotspot

If you plan to use the internet for weekend trips or intermittently throughout travels, a great solution is to look into your cell phone provider’s unlimited data plans.

Using an unlimited data plan, you can turn your phone into a hotspot, connecting other devices to the phone.

Keep in mind that if you choose this option, you will need to check to ensure that your provider offers hotspotting and what the total number of devices is that you can connect at a time.

Pros:

• Simple and straightforward
• No extra equipment necessary
• One bill to pay each month

Cons:

• Connection is limited by your provider’s coverage
• Some carriers will charge you for using your phone’s hotspot feature

Skyroam

If you plan to use the internet for work, or you need to stay connected on a more constant basis, a great option is Skyroam.

Skyroam is a service that taps into all common cell phone carriers, such as AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile to provide you with an internet connection on the road.

Skyroam uses a proprietary hotspot to connect to any nearby tower and emits a WiFi signal in your campervan. Connecting to Skyroam is as simple as connecting to your WiFi at home.

Skyroam offers two different hotspot devices, the Solis X and the Solis Lite. Both devices are small, rechargeable orange pucks that offer long-lasting, battery-powered WiFi. Additionally, you can charge other devices off of the hotspot and connect multiple devices to the internet at once. The Solis X is equipped with bonus features, such as a remote camera, voice-activated commands, and a larger power bank.

Pros:

• Wider coverage area than a single cell phone carrier
• Offers a global option with WiFi across 135+ countries
• Flexible plans including day passes, pay by data used, or monthly unlimited rates
• Rechargeable battery, allowing you to use the Skyroam anywhere

Cons:

• Proprietary equipment that you either need to rent or buy
• A secondary bill

Bonus Tip for Cellphones and Skyroam: WeBoost

If you plan to use a cellphone or Skyroam for your internet connection on the road, another great add-on for your campervan is a WeBoost.

WeBoost will instantly boost your cell signal anywhere you go. This will help improve internet speeds and can help you stay connected even in remote locations.

A WeBoost works using an outside antenna, which communicates with nearby cell towers, a booster, which amplifies the cell signals received, and an inside antenna, which broadcasts the signals for use throughout your vehicle.

Camping with WiFi

Another simple option for staying connected on the road is to camp in locations that offer WiFi. With more and more travelers demanding connectivity, WiFi is becoming increasingly popular at campsites across the US.

To find campsites with WiFi, you can use websites like Hipcamp and filter by “WiFi available”. This will help you quickly locate numerous options in any area where WiFi is offered as an amenity.

Pros:

• Doesn’t require extra equipment
• No additional monthly bill
   

Cons:

• Limits where you can camp
• Campsites that offer WiFi are often more expensive than boondocking or primitive options

Stopping in at Locations with WiFi

If your need for WiFi is only occasional, a great way to stay connected is to stop in at locations that offer WiFi. Coffee shops, restaurants, and libraries are all easy places to connect to the internet and accomplish what you need to get done.

Be sure that if you are using WiFi from an establishment, you have permission to do so and you respect any time limits or restrictions for use.

Pros:

• Usually free
• Easy to find in almost any town or city

Cons:

• Limited length of use
• Need to be near a city or town

Find the Right Campervan for the Road Ahead

Regardless of which option you choose, having access to the internet on the road is becoming a viable choice, opening up a world of possibilities for those who embrace the campervan life.

At Antero Adventure Motors, we are passionate about hitting the open road and enjoying a life well-traveled. Both our Pikes Peak and Longs Peak campervan editions are the perfect home away from home. Pair with one of the internet options above and you are ready for whatever the road brings.