Episode 12: Living in a Prius with David Swanson
164 shares Could you imagine living in a Prius? It’s no easy feat! Tom and I lived in a Prius in 2015 in the San…

Could you imagine living in a Prius? It’s no easy feat! Tom and I lived in a Prius in 2015 in the San Francisco Bay area to pay off debt and save money. That’s why I wanted to interview David Swanson for Episode 12 of The Wayward Home podcast. He lived in his Prius for 7 years, traveling across the U.S., making friends and even appearing in the Oscar-award-winning movie Nomadland.
David tells us about why he started living in a car, and tips for making your care safe, cozy and comfortable.
Listen here:
Can’t find your preferred podcast player? Click here to see more options or search for The Wayward Home podcast on your app.
In this episode, we’ll cover:
- Why David started living in a Prius
- How he set up his Prius for full-time living, including cooking inside a Prius
- Fermentation and food storage techniques for car living
- What you need to know if you have to live in a car
- Why David no longer lives in a Prius anymore
*This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy for more info.
Who is David Swanson?

Many years ago, David was a successful potter and martial arts enthusiast in Wisconsin. As time went on, he had a harder and harder time using his thumbs. He’d developed severe arthritis from his work.
David had to stop working and start living on disability.
At first, he moved into a 34′ motorhome with a wood stove and solar, spending four winters trading working in sustainable gardens for parking spots.
But he got tired of getting only 6 miles per gallon. David had heard about other people living in a Prius and the minimalistic lifestyle appealed to him.
So, he moved into a Prius, determined to make the experience the best it could be.
How David Set up his Prius Interior

David took out all the seats in his Prius and added a wood slab where he could cook and set his food. He had an induction cooktop, a pressure cooker and a 12-volt Engle fridge.
He slept on a comfortable camping mattress in back with curtains covering the windows.
David thinks the most important parts of making a car comfortable for living are a cozy place to sleep, a way to cook food indoors and privacy, so having curtains over your windshield.
David also installed 200-watts of solar with a lithium battery on his Prius, which he used to power his induction stove for cooking, his fridge and a folding electric bike.
Are You Also Living in a Car?
You might like this:
Other podcast episodes to check out:
Similar Posts
Episode 38: Van Life, No Strings Attached: How to Live in a Van Without Owning One
Ever wondered how to live the van life without actually owning a van? Join us as we chat with digital nomad and full-time traveler Jonny…
Episode 7: What is Boondocking? How to Find Free Campsites with Marianne Edwards
So, you’ve heard of boondocking but aren’t quite sure what it is. Or maybe you want to try, but don’t know the best ways to…
Episode 36: Beating the Heat: Tips and Gadgets for Staying Cool in Your Campervan This Summer
Struggling with sweltering summer temperatures in your van? We’ve been there, and we’re here to share our experiences and strategies for staying cool while living…
Episode 3: Downsizing Your Life to Live Tiny with Sailor Chris DiCroce
Do you want to downsize your stuff to live in a campervan, RV, sailboat or tiny home? Do you feel overwhelmed by the process and…
Episode 56: Nomad Newbie Series – Making Money on the Road
Introducing the Nomad Newbie series, where we’ve compiled some of the top tips from our guests on the hottest topics for aspiring nomads. Our topic…
Episode 49: Van Life WiFi: My Secret to Seamless Connectivity on the Road
Ever wondered how to maintain a digital lifeline while leading a nomadic lifestyle? Envision the freedom of living on a sailboat or campervan, while still…