King of the road: Unemployed man converts a 1990s school bus into a motorhome to live on the American highways

  • Patrick Schmidt, who goes by Skoolielove, lives in a converted school bus
  • He drove from Las Vegas to Florida on a 10,000 mile journey this year
  • The motorhome owner plans to live, travel and work from his vehicle 

All of us have dreamt of quitting our jobs to travel at one time or another but one man has turned his life into one long road trip.

Patrick Schmidt, who goes by the handle Skoolielove on Twitter and Instagram, has converted a 1990s school bus into a motor home with his dad. He describes himself as having 'No job, short on money, living in my dream tiny home.'

The motorhome owner has driven around 10,000 miles so far, starting from Las Vegas and travelling through 30 states before reaching Florida, where he is currently stationed. And after the winter, Patrick plans to continue his journey on the American highways.

Patrick Schmidt drove around 10,000 miles from Las Vegas to Florida on his converted school bus home

Patrick Schmidt drove around 10,000 miles from Las Vegas to Florida on his converted school bus home

He took the motorhome through 30 states around America and has been on the road since August this year

He took the motorhome through 30 states around America and has been on the road since August this year

Patrick spent about $13,500 buying and converting the bus. All of the materials were purchased online or from DIY shops

Patrick spent about $13,500 buying and converting the bus. All of the materials were purchased online or from DIY shops

On his Skoolielove blog, Patrick wrote: 'It’s the lifestyle that I want to live. I want to live fully on a bus, and make that my life.

'I have moved over 20 times since I was born, and I feel like in the bus, I came home.' 

Patrick purchased the $4,500 (£2,960) bus in March this year in California and drove to his parent's home in Las Vegas.

With his dad's help, Patrick converted the bus into a tiny 189 square foot motorhome using materials purchased from DIY shops and online.

The conversion project costed around $9,000 (£5,919).

Inside, there's all the amenities you might find in a caravan, including a bathroom, kitchen and even air conditioning. 

In August, Patrick set off from Las Vegas.

He wrote, 'When I left my parents house in Vegas on August 15, I had no idea where I would be spending the night.'

His 10,000 mile journey traversed 30 states, including California, Colorado and New York.

The vehicle was previously a school bus
It has been transformed into a home in a matter of months (right)
Slide me

The vehicle was previously a school bus (left) but it has been transformed into a cosy home in a matter of months (right)

The home is equipped with portable stoves as well as fridge freezer, sink and other amenities (pictured)

The home is equipped with portable stoves as well as fridge freezer, sink and other amenities (pictured)

Not scrimping on luxuries, Patrick has also installed a heater and, next to it, 

Not scrimping on luxuries, Patrick has also installed a heater and, next to it, a water cooler. There's also air conditioning for the hot days

Parking the motorhome was a big issue and Patrick mostly stuck to rest stops and road sides along his journey.

There were camping spots for motorhomes where he could stop to empty the waste water tank, charge up his vehicle and have a hot shower. 

But having a skoolie plate, meaning converted school buses, also helped. 

After the winter, Patrick plans to continue his journey around the country.

He told MailOnline Travel: 'I would like to continue to grow Skoolielove, and promote Tiny Living. Continue to drive the Highways of America, meet people and continue searching for new experiences.

'Most likely make my way back to Vegas, see my parents, and get back up to Seattle to start a Bed and Breakfast.

'I plan on living out of the Bus for years to come

A toilet 'cubicle' is separated from the rest of the bus with curtains
It has a waste water container needs to be emptied like on regular caravans

A toilet 'cubicle' is separated from the rest of the bus, along with the shower, which is behind the curtains (left), by a wooden door. Both of these leads into a waste water container, which needs to be emptied like on regular caravans (right)

Patrick plans to live on the bus in the foreseeable future and will travel around America after spending winter in the Florida sun

Patrick plans to live on the bus in the foreseeable future and will travel around America after spending winter in the Florida sun

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