Skoolie vs. RV: Why a School Bus Might Just Be the Ultimate Family Adventure Rig

We had sold our sailboat, and Maine winter was rapidly approaching. Our family of 5 was looking for a new magic carpet ride to warmer climes, but what would it be? After mucho debate, we went skoolie (a converted school bus, for the uninitiated)! And we definitely followed a KISS (Keep It Simple Skoolie) mindset. We wanted to hit the road ASAP. The goal was not to get into a years long project…

Let’s be honest: the American road trip is a sacred institution. It’s right up there with baseball, apple pie, and believing that we’re all excellent drivers (spoiler: we’re not). But if you’re thinking about hitting the road for the long haul—especially with kids in tow—you’ve likely found yourself in the age-old debate: Skoolie or RV?

A skoolie has a certain off-grid, rebel-with-a-wrench charm. An RV, on the other hand, is the Honda Odyssey of the nomadic world—practical, ready to roll, and suspiciously beige. That’s not to say we’re anti-Honda Odyssey! We owned a gray one affectionately nicknamed Fryan, that we camped out of, and eventually visited every contiguous western state in! Sleep 5? Yes it DID! Most of us were very small back then…

Okay, back to the debate, which is better for a family adventure of epic proportions? Let’s break it down.

Skoolie vs. RV: The Showdown

1. Cost: Buying & Converting vs. Buying & Crying

At first glance, RVs seem like the easy choice. You buy it, you drive it, you camp. Done. But a brand-new RV can cost as much as a house (a very nice house), and even a used one can set you back a mind-numbing amount.

Skoolies, on the other hand, are a DIY dream (or nightmare, depending on your patience level). You can pick up a used school bus for anywhere from $3,000 to $15,000, and even with a solid conversion budget, you’re still looking at a fraction of the cost of an RV. Of course, this assumes you don’t go overboard adding gold-plated sinks and a hot tub. We went with a 2012 short bus, and opted for gas instead of diesel for reasons related to emissions system problems in the latter. We did not need a lot of tools to complete our initial adventure mobile. We called our bus the mullet— business in the front, party in the back. As in we left three sets of seats in the front, and added bunk beds, gear storage, and a foldout kitchen in the back. As we travelled friends would tackle additional projects with us, including roof rack, solar, and propane system. 

Winner: Skoolie, if you have the time and tools.

2. Durability: Built Like a Tank vs. Built Like… an IKEA Shelf

School buses are engineered to withstand actual children. 😆 They’re made of steel, can handle rough roads, and won’t start disintegrating the first time you hit a pothole in Maine, or a tope in Mexico. We did both.

RVs, on the other hand, are built for comfort, not endurance. They have thin walls, particleboard furniture, and an unsettling tendency to rattle apart like an old shopping cart on a bumpy road. If you plan to go off-grid or boondock frequently, a skoolie is going to take the beating much better than an RV.

Winner: In our opinion it’s the Skoolie. It’s the tank of family travel.

3. Space & Customization: Home Sweet Home vs. Pre-Fab Beige

RVs are designed for travel, not necessarily for long-term living. You get what you get: a layout, a few storage cabinets, and if you’re lucky, a dinette that doesn’t feel like it was designed for a group of garden gnomes.

A skoolie, however, is a blank slate. Want a bunkroom for the kids? Done. A full kitchen with actual counter space? Go for it. Need a dedicated homeschool area? You can have that. You’re essentially building a tiny house on wheels, customized for your family’s needs, rather than settling for whatever the RV manufacturer decided was good enough.

Winner: Skoolie, unless you have a deep love for faux-wood paneling and tiny shower stalls.

4. Mechanical Issues: Diesel Guts vs. Mystery Wiring Nightmares

This is where the RV gets a rare win. An RV is ready to drive the second you buy it. A skoolie, however, usually requires some degree of mechanical work—whether it’s gutting old school bus seats, dealing with rust, or making sure the engine isn’t secretly plotting against you.

And then there’s the fact that school buses are designed for short city routes, not cross-country hauls. They may need upgrades for higher speeds — our shortie thankfully did not.

Winner: RV, if you just want to hit the road quickly without learning what a speed governor is.

5. Stealth & Camping Options: Boondocking Like a Pro

If you plan to spend most of your time in RV parks, an RV is great. They fit in, they plug in, and they don’t raise any eyebrows. But if you prefer boondocking(camping off-grid, away from crowds), a skoolie may be far better suited.

Skoolies can be equipped with larger fresh water tanks, solar panels, and composting toilets, making them ideal for extended stays in remote locations.

Winner: Skoolie, if you want freedom from RV parks and campground hookups.

How to Get Started with a Skoolie Adventure

Feeling inspired to go full Mad Max: Family Edition and build your own adventure bus? Here’s how to start:

1. Find Your Bus

Look for used school buses on auction sites, Marketplace, or local government surplus sales. Popular models include the Thomas, Blue Bird, and International—do your homework on issues related to certain engines and emissions systems.

2. Plan Your Conversion

Decide on your must-haves:

• Sleeping arrangements (Bunks? Murphy beds? Hammocks for chaos?)

• Kitchen setup (Propane stove? Full oven? Just a pile of granola bars?)

• Bathroom situation (Composting toilet or “get the shovel” method?)

3. Learn Some Basic Mechanics

If you’re buying an old diesel bus, learn how to maintain it. 

4. Budget Wisely

A skoolie conversion can range from $10,000 (barebones but functional) to $50,000+ (if you want to rival a tiny home on HGTV). Keep in mind that DIY saves money, but costs sanity.

5. Hit the Road

Once your skoolie is road-ready, plan a few shorter trips before committing to full-time life. This will help you fine-tune your setup, realize what you actually need.

Final Verdict: Skoolie or RV?

If you want plug-and-play convenience, an RV is the easier choice. If you want a durable, customizable, long-term adventure home, a skoolie wins by a mile (or 2,500).

Sure, building a skoolie takes time, effort, and a willingness to get very familiar with power tools. But once it’s done? You have a one-of-a-kind home on wheels—one that fits your family’s lifestyle perfectly.

So, what’s it going to be? The skoolie life or the RV highway? Either way, buckle up. The road is calling.