Overland Journal defines overlanding as “vehicle-supported, self-reliant adventure travel, typically exploring remote destinations where the journey is the primary goal”. I believe we can take the same aspects of self-reliance that define overlanding and apply them to our daily lives. The idea that you need to have an overbuilt titan of the trails and be…
The Alcan 5000: Is This the Last Great North American Rally?
Lead image: Tedrick Mealy In September 2025, my wife and I finally checked one of those “someday” adventures off our bucket list—the infamous and prestigious Alcan 5000 Rally. If you’re reading Expedition Portal, chances are you’ve already heard of it. The mythical endurance rally runs roughly from Seattle to Fairbanks and back, covering over 5,000…
Toyota is Breaking the Internet with the 300 HP Scion 01 Concept at SEMA 2025
Toyota is setting off-roaders’ hearts aflutter with the unveiling of the Scion 01 Concept, an advanced off-road vehicle that merges hybrid technology with high-performance engineering. The concept made its debut at the 2025 SEMA Show, representing both a tribute to Scion’s history of innovation and a vision for Toyota’s evolving approach to adventure-focused mobility. Conceived…
The Best-Laid Plans: Overlanders Share Their Trip-Planning Tips
Cover photo by Chris Cordes In 1997, Russell Harris and Shaun Fenton embarked on a random journey guided only by a pair of green dice. The Diceman series aired on British cable television until 2002, and by then, Harris and Fenton had traveled 18,000 miles from Iceland to Poland, the USA, Greenland, and Germany, rolling…
The View from the Passenger’s Seat :: Taylor Pawley on the Rebelle Rally and the Navigator’s Life
Taylor Pawley has racked up some serious hardware as a navigator in the Rebelle Rally over the years, including a second-place overall in 2020 and first-place overall in 2019 with her driver for the upcoming 2025 event, Rachelle Croft. But co-drivers might be the most unsung people in motorsport—toiling for hours behind the scenes to…
Mastering Off-Road Techniques: Throttle, Eyes, and Strategy with Emily Miller
In this episode of the Overland Journal Podcast, hosts Matt Scott and Scott Brady welcome Emily Miller, a notable figure in the off-roading community and the founder of the Rebelle Rally. The conversation dives into the details of the Rebelle Rally, discussing its origins, format, and the unique challenges it presents. Miller shares insights from…
Patty Upton Inspires Generations to Explore
In this episode of Overland Journal Podcast, host Scott Brady sits down with Patty Upton. Patty (outbackofbeyond) discusses her remarkable travels with her husband, Loren, which include crossing Africa, the Americas, and the Darien Gap. Patty (@sandshipdiscovery) shares vivid details of their expeditions, the challenges faced, and the perseverance required. They also touch on her…
Dave Harriton on What it Takes to Build a Factory Overlander
In this episode of the Overland Journal Podcast, hosts Matt Scott and Scott Brady are joined by Dave Harriton from American Expedition Vehicles (AEV) to delve into the complexities of building a factory overlander. The discussion examines the key components of overland vehicle construction, including transfer case chain integrity, the distinction between aftermarket and OEM…
Toyota Taps Rachelle Croft and Taylor Pawley to Lead Rebelle Effort
This isn’t their first rodeo. Rachelle Croft and Taylor Pawley won the grueling Rebelle Rally outright six years ago, and they have their sights set on taming the California and Nevada deserts again in 2025—this time with factory support from 4WD giant Toyota. In fact, the Croft/Pawley duo from XOverland will be the first outside…
Drive It Like You Mean It: Lessons from the Commercial and Recreational 4WD Worlds
In this episode of the Overland Journal Podcast, hosts Scott Brady and Matt Scott welcome Chris Walker, professional trainer, explorer, and head of Tirion Safety. Chris has trained everyone from oil crews in Alberta to expedition drivers across Europe and Canada. The conversation delves into the real-world differences between commercial and recreational 4WD training—and what…
Women’s-Only Off-Road Class Is a Go for XOverland’s Big Thing Event
On Sunday, July 13, 2025, as the featured “Big Thing” overland weekend concludes, the XOverland Ranch is offering a women-only technical training course—a dedicated space designed to build driving confidence, refine recovery techniques, and foster genuine connection among women who share a passion for adventure. Hosted at the picturesque XOverland Ranch near Three Forks, Montana,…
Principles of Overlanding: Intentional Vehicle Modifications
Join hosts Matt Scott and Scott Brady in this episode of the Overland Journal Podcast as they dive deep into the principles of modifying your overland vehicle with intention. Matt and Scott discuss the importance of thoughtful upgrades, the dangers of over-complication, and how to build a vehicle that meets your specific use case without…
The Best Mid-sized Trucks for Global Travel
The best overland vehicles are constantly morphing with consumer interests and regulatory pressures, but there has never been a better time to choose your next adventure machine. With the growing popularity of overlanding, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) have doubled down on suitable models, and in the case of Ineos, an entirely new car company has…
Is the Rebelle Rally the Ultimate Overland Training Event?
Lead photo by Tim Sutton The scene is a familiar one: a golden desert sunrise, a cup of steaming coffee in hand, and a game of vehicle Tetris to prepare for the day ahead. Cold, stiff fingers are gradually warmed by the sun, eagerly grasping maps, hauling duffel bags, and closing zippers. A sense of…
The Explorers Club: Not Just for Scientists
Photography by Chris Collard Housed in a New York City building on East 70th Street lies the headquarters of the Explorers Club. Home to the Kon-Tiki globe, the Apollo 11 moon flag, and thousands of archival volumes, artifacts, and maps gathered since the club’s inception in 1904, the society’s mission remains “to explore by all…
Principles of Overlanding: Kurt Williams on the 200-Series Land Cruiser
Overland Journal Podcast Episode 216 Join Overland Journal Podcast host Scott Brady as he welcomes Land Cruiser legend and off-road driving expert Kurt Williams from Cruiser Outfitters for a wide-ranging discussion on how best to modify the Toyota 200-Series Land Cruiser for long-distance overland travel. They discuss which models to consider, what to look for if…
Amongst Predators: Camp Safely in Unfenced Campsites Around Africa
Camping and self-driving in Africa’s national parks is one of the best ways to get to know the rhythm of the ecosystem. Each park on the safari circuit from South Africa to Kenya is different and unique in some way. What they mostly do have in common are the predators. Africa’s big cats stand at…
Cool Vehicles of the 2024 Rebelle Rally
Photography by Richard Giordano, Regine Trias, Tim Sutton, Paolo Baraldi, and Ernesto Araiza After traversing over 2,600 kilometers of desert terrain, 128 women left California’s Johnson Valley in mid-October, bound for home. Hailing from 114 cities, 27 states and provinces, and six countries, they drove Jeeps and Fords, Toyotas, and Land Rovers. Some chose Subarus,…
Principles of Overlanding: Living on the Road Full-Time
Overland Journal Podcast Episode 208 Join Scott Brady as he welcomes seasoned travelers Graeme and Luisa to this Principles of Overlanding episode. With 15 years of experience, they share the principles, challenges, and rewards of full-time overlanding, from traversing Africa’s rugged tracks to enduring Arctic extremes. Gain insights into family overlanding logistics, vehicle choices, budget…
International Vehicle Shipping with Lithium Batteries—New Regulations
Overland travelers have always pushed the limits of vehicle travel, and in many instances, their hunger for exploration has included shipping expedition vehicles to the far reaches of the globe. Unfortunately, over the past year, there have been numerous fires aboard transport ships, and two vehicle carriers were lost at sea due to fires aboard…