Mongolian Family Crosses 70,000km Despite Soaring Fuel Costs

While record-high fuel prices force many families to cancel road trips, Tuvshinjargel Sharavnyam is driving his campervan from Mongolia to America with his wife and three children beside him.

The 38-year-old bought a van in Germany, drove it back to Mongolia to collect his family, then set off on an adventure that has covered more than 70,000 kilometres across two continents. They've driven through Russia, Georgia, Turkey, Iran, Pakistan, and are now crossing Australia from Sydney to Darwin before shipping the van to Los Angeles.

"I sold everything," Sharavnyam said. The family gave up their apartment, vehicles, and garage to fund the journey, investing the money in bonds and companies to support their life on the road. Sharavnyam also worked as a steel fixer in Australia for 10 months to keep the dream alive.

Rising diesel costs haven't deterred them, even though Australia's fuel prices are the highest they've encountered. At $250 per fill, it's vastly different from Iran, where they paid just $1 USD for 80 litres of diesel in 2022.

Why This Inspires

The Sharavnyams aren't just chasing destinations. They're chasing time with their children in a two-meter living space with no doors to close and no rooms to retreat to.

"The goal is not every country, not every continent, but to be with the kids and give them a happy time," Sharavnyam said. He's recorded more than 200 videos, not for social media, but for his children to watch when they're grown.

Their journey challenges the trend. Recent data shows 41 percent of Australians have cancelled or scaled back travel plans due to rising costs, and holiday park bookings are declining.

But for the Sharavnyams, the next five years remain mapped out on open roads. They're proving that when dreams are powerful enough, they find a way to outlast any obstacle.