There is a big debate about what a bug out bag should contain and what would be the best survival gear one can carry. We can find all sorts of recipes for food preparation and storage, and a lot of weapons guides. How about discussing the topic of having a bug out vehicle?

What if you need to leave your home in case of a crisis? What if you live in an urban area and your only chance of survival is to get out when SHTF. Everything can happen from flooding, urban unrest to a viral pandemic or nuclear fallout. What then?

It’s obvious that you cannot carry too many supplies or everything that you need in your bug out bag. Not to mention that most of us are not fit and are not used to an intense physical journey. To survive, you have to leave your home, regardless how well you’ve fortified it, movement is life.

You need to have a plan B and that can mean only one thing: you need to get yourself a bug out vehicle. In this article, I will present some of the choices you have when choosing a land bug out vehicle, but also the good and bad parts of each vehicle.

1.The good old SUV, the designated bug out vehicle

Most of the families already have a sport utility vehicle and this makes it an excellent choice for a survival vehicle. The type of SUVs you find on today’s market provides you with a good range on a full tank of gas. There are even some which are hybrid and this means you get more miles for your buck.

Not to mention that the SUV is designed to be an all-terrain vehicle, so you won’t have any problems when the road runs out and you will be able to cross any type of terrain you encounter. You can equip your SUV with a set of tires designed for all kinds of terrain and low fuel consumption.

Also, you can put a roof rack to increase the storage capacity and use its towing ability to carry even more supplies or why not an alternative mean of transportation (motorbikes, bikes, boats, etc.).

The good:

It has a good seating capacity for five or more (useful if you have a large family). A SUV, it’s an everyday vehicle and can be used as a bug out vehicle in case of an emergency. It has a good carrying capacity (you can carry additional gas) and range. Also, you’re not exposed to direct attacks. With a decent setup it can become an excellent off-road vehicle.

The bad:

Not a very fuel efficient bug out vehicle (you will eventually run out of gas). It cannot handle extreme terrain or weather (setup can be costly). In case of a road blockage you cannot slip out between the other vehicles and you will get stuck.

Related reading: Prepping your car for an emergency escape

2.The ATV, a fun ride

There are people out there who own an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) and use it as a fun ride. They don’t necessarily use it as a day to day vehicle and most of them have no idea how to turn it into a bug out vehicle.

The ATV can be an ideal bug out vehicle in case of need, due to its powerful engine, aggressive tires and small width. This vehicle can traverse all sorts of terrain with a decent speed and a good carrying capacity.

Not to mention that it can be equipped with a set of tracks to cover even rough terrain, including during the winter season. Most of the ATVs available on the market can carry a small trailer and owning a few of them can be less costly than owning other types of motorized vehicles.

The good:

You’re the master of the road and you can go almost anywhere. You won’t get stuck in traffic and you can overcome most of the roadblocks. It is fuel efficient considering its power. The ATV has a strong build as it was designed as an all-terrain vehicle. It can be reinforced to assure body protection. Also, it’s a cheap bug out vehicle compared to an SUV or Jeep (used ones especially).

The bad:

Bug out vehicle with limited carrying capacity and a limited range (you will need additional gas supplies). You are exposed to the elements (either if is rain or snow, you will feel it on your skin). It has a limited number of passengers (2 max). Also, you are still exposed to direct attacks compared to a car.

3.The motorcycle, a two-wheel adventure

There are many motorcycles on the market built for extreme terrain and are used by adventurous people who don’t mind the rough traveling conditions. Most of these bikes can go for more than 400 miles with just a 8 gallon fuel tank and this is why is a bug out vehicle preferred by many.

They are equipped with powerful engines and can take you anywhere you want, carrying a decent amount of supplies. There are many storage options available for these types of bikes, from large top cases to reinforced side bags and there are people living with only what their bike can carry.

Usually the love for this type of transportation runs in the family, so you will have his and hers available for doubling the storage capacity.

The good:

It’s a good day to day vehicle and it has excellent off-road capability. A motorbike is fuel efficient and it has a decent amount of storage space (almost doubles if used by a single person). You will not get stuck in traffic and you can overcome any obstacle.

The bad:

Limited carrying capacity for both people and supplies. You’re exposed to the elements and you can’t carry as much as you would with a four-wheel vehicle. It still runs on fuel and you will eventually run out of it. Also, you’re exposed to attacks.

Related article: Portable electricity generators for when bugging out.

4.The mountain bike, the most accessible bug out vehicle

Yes, your mountain bike can become a good bug out vehicle, especially since it doesn’t require any fuel. It is considered by some the ultimate survival vehicle due to its features, which include the following:

strong built and light weight,

rack systems for storage,

all-terrain specially designed tires with self-sealing proprieties and increased resistance to puncture.

This bug out vehicle can be equipped with various systems to generate electricity. Not to mention that this vehicle can be used in combination with any other bug out vehicle as a plan B. You can carry a good amount of supplies and a rifle for protection and you can go anywhere regardless the condition of the road or the terrain.

The good:

It will go anywhere and has no need for fuel. The most silent bug out vehicle out there. It can cover long distances depending on the terrain and rider’s capabilities. A bike can become a secondary bug out vehicle in conjunction with your first choice (SUV, Jeep, ATV, etc.).

The bad:

It has a limited carrying capacity and is designed for one person. You are exposed to the elements and direct attacks. It difficult to maneuver through snow and rocky terrain. A bike provides limited range as a bug out vehicle if the rider is not fit.

5.The motorized bikes, additional power for your wheels

This is one of my favorites and I consider it to be the ultimate survival bug out vehicle. It has the same versatility as the mountain bike, but it’s slightly bigger and a lot better due to its attached engine.

You don’t have to worry when fuel runs out as you can always put your faith in pedal power. It can be used as an everyday vehicle since it’s very fuel efficient and not to mention, it looks cool!

These awesome vehicles are designed for all types of terrain and they come with various options to carry supplies and additional fuel (you can cover up to 400 miles).

They have tires designed for rough terrain with self-sealing proprieties and you can carry your favorite weapon, for hunting and protection. Similar to the mountain bikes they can be used as an alternative bug-out vehicle, a plan B for when things get rough. There are even companies that started building these vehicles precisely for survival purposes.

The good:

Very fuel efficient bug out vehicle (even if you run out of fuel, you can still travel further using the pedals). It can be equipped with a variety of mounts, harnesses and fitments to carry supplies. Excellent off-road capability and really cheap compared to other motorized bug out vehicles. Can also be used in conjunction with other survival vehicles.

The bad:

It is a bug out vehicle designed for one person. Provides limited storage capacity compared to a four-wheeler. Also, you are exposed to the elements and direct attacks.

6.The human body, this ancient carrying machine

It may seem strange to add the human body to a bug out vehicle classification, but if you think about it, this is your first option and it will be your last resort regardless of any other options you might have used along the way. Machines will eventually break down, but your body can last for as long as it is treated well and it will still be there when everything else have failed.

When it comes to survival you put yourself first and that includes your body too, you will not care for anything else as much as you care for your body, or at least that’s how logic dictates. You will have to prepare in advance and know well what your capabilities are in a situation of crisis.

You need to know how much can you carry, what distance you can cover, if you have the right clothes and gear, are you in good shape, etc. After all, humans have relied on their bodies for thousands of years, they can carry an impressive weight for long distances with the proper training.

The Nepalese Sherpa can carry heavy loads of up to five times their weight for more than six hours straight. It’s really incredible when you think about it and when you realize how unfit most of us are.

The good:

You can go almost anywhere, regardless the terrain, without the need of fossil fuel. It’s probably the most cost effective (you need just the proper gear) ‘bug out vehicle’. You can cover a decent distance if you are fit. You are the quietest bug-out vehicle. Also, you can avoid blockades and other obstructions compared to bug-out vehicles.

The bad:

Limited carrying capacity compared to a motorized bug out vehicle. You have limited speed and a low range (if not fit), You are exposed to the elements and unprotected against direct attacks

Related reading: These items should be in your Bug Out Bag

Besides these choices, there can be others available on the market. Some are quite expensive, being specifically designed as survival vehicles. At the same time there are some unusual ones (like the Segway) which can become a viable alternative if modified accordingly.

Whatever you will select from the list make sure it can carry a good amount of supplies, it’s versatile for the entire family and you have a plan B in case it breaks down.

Other Useful Resources:

The LOST WAYS (The vital self-sufficiency lessons our great grand-fathers left us)

Blackout USA (Video about EMP survival and preparedness guide)

Drought USA (Secure unlimited fresh, clean water)



Backyard Liberty (Cheap system to produce fresh food for your family)