Empowered by remote work arrangements, many Americans are embracing "van life" for the first time during the coronavirus pandemic.

Several months into the pandemic, married couple JennaLynn and Corey Self were growing increasingly frustrated with their life in their cramped apartment near Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C.

“We felt like it was the safest way to actually live our life in a way that is natural to us, which is spontaneous, not having a huge impact on people’s communities and being really safe still,” JennaLynn says.

But Rich Webber, general manager of product marketing at Mercedes-Benz USA, says sales of vans aimed at the nomadic life are growing rapidly.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Corey and JennaLynn Self upgraded a used Mercedes-Benz Freightliner Sprinter van into a vehicle fit for life on the road.

Married couple Abby and Cody Erler were living in a Boston suburb working 9-to-5 jobs when they decided to shake things up.

“We had to do just about everything twice because we messed up the first time,” Abby says.

Abby and Cody Erler converted this Ram ProMaster van into use for life on the road during the pandemic, spending about $10,000 on upgrades, including a bed, electrical wiring, shelving and a stove.

They are showcasing their story on Instagram @roadtowilderness. (Photo: Abby Erler).

“Worst case, we’ve got a shovel in the back,” Abby says.

“In most places in the U.S., your vacation time is three weeks, two weeks, so that doesn’t allow you a lot of time to go out and explore,” Abby says.

“It’s definitely not for everyone to be in that tight of a space, but we can park in a regular parking space, which makes it super versatile in terms of where you can go,” Abby Erler says.

Abby and Cody Erler converted this Ram ProMaster van into use for life on the road during the pandemic, spending about $10,000 on upgrades, including a bed, electrical wiring, shelving and a stove.

They are showcasing their story on Instagram @roadtowilderness. (Photo: Abby Erler).

In Kansas, “we went the entire week without seeing another person, and we stayed at a real campground,” Abby says.

“You feel more relieved from some of the mental stress that others are going through by being trapped in one place,” Abby says?

Married couple Abigail (left) and Natalie Rodriguez travel the country living in their converted Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van and showcasing their adventures on Instagram @letsplayrideandseek. (Photo: Abigail Rodriguez).

A few years ago, married couple Natalie and Abigail Rodriguez converted a 2004 Sprinter van that had previously been used as a prisoner transit vehicle

“It was pretty beat up,” Abigail says

Married couple Natalie and Abigail Rodriguez travel the country living in a converted Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van and showcasing their adventures on Instagram @letsplayrideandseek. (Photo: Abigail Rodriguez)

Originally from Charleston, South Carolina, they hit the road before the pandemic but say they’re now more energized to continue living this lifestyle, though they’re currently taking a short break for additional upgrades

“We’re just getting started,” Abigail says