With summer rapidly approaching it is time to start considering this summer’s annual vacation time. For many, a road trip is the perfect answer to the freedom they want, however the price of such a trip might not be feasible for many roadies due to rising cost of fuel and other travel expenditures. With these ten tips you and your road warrior buddies can have the trip of your life whether your crossing the country or just venturing to a nearby state. Each of these tips will give you more money to spend as you grow further from home, so you won’t have to end your trip sooner than you wish to. Finally, you’ll be able to enjoy the country’s massive landscapes and get rid off all your pent up stress!
1. Plan Accordingly
When you’re getting ready to head out on a road trip planning can be your best friend. There are many places to stop on just about any route that can give free activities or places to stay. For instance, many coastal routes will give you access to plenty of beaches that can allow you to get out, stretch your legs and have some fun before getting back on the road. Free should be the key in most of you planning. If you aren’t living in a coastal region then try planning to stop by a lake or river for some fishing or swimming. You can also plan your road trip around a music festival that you are interested in. This will give you a destination to shoot for as well as a great release from driving. Many festivals even allow you to camp out, especially if the festival carries out for more than one day. If you are ambitious plan your trip around camping ground, this way you won’t have to pay for a hotel and other facilities. There are also a great number of museums and landmarks that can keep your entertained for free or a reduced price if you are willing to do the research to find them.
2. Avoid Detours
Toll roads can be a huge hassle not just with slowing you down but also costing you money. Some toll roads can even run your $5 each way, which might not seem like a lot at first, but after you hit a few of these roads on your you’ll certainly be feeling the charges hit your wallet. The best thing you can do is try to research where toll roads are and design a route that avoids them completely. If you can, try to program your GPS to automatically avoid these roads all together. Apart from actually charging you to be on the road the constant stopping and going can really drain your gas mileage, which will cause you to lose even more money. Most GPS programs can also reroute you when there is an accident, traffic jams and construction work. Each of these items can really slow up your speed and cause you to have to stop for gas more often than you’d like. These stops can also frustrate the driver, especially if there are young children in the car, which often causes travelers to get off the road and spend money until the traffic has ceased. These situations are best avoided, so make a point to check your GPS before you head out, so your road trip can be jam free.
3. Forget Fast Food
Fast Food tends to be more like a fast drain on your budget. The best way to counteract your hunger is to make a game plan. If you’re a big breakfast person then try going to a nice cafe or local restaurant for breakfast, this way you can get your fill before heading out on the road. Of course, if you’re more of a dinner person then try to find a hotel that has a continental breakfast, this will fill you up enough to make it to dinner time so you can stop and grab a bite to eat at a nicer local place. In between meals are easy to cover too. Before you head out grab a loaf of bread and some peanut butter or find some lunch meat that can last in a cooler. There are many tiny snacks you can pack away too that are cheap and filling.
4. Tune Up Before You Go
Getting your car looked over before you go out can be one of the easiest ways to save money on a road trip. Make sure your oil is fresh, your brakes are good and everything else in your car is running perfectly before you try to take your car across the country. By doing this you will not only save your car a lot of damage in the future, but can save yourself a lot of money in the long run. By having your car checked out you will ensure that you will have the best mileage your car can achieve. Another major thing you should check out is your tires and your spare tire. Having a new set of tires can really help ease your mind, but going out without a reliable spare can be incredibly pointless, as you will have to spend a lot of money on a tow to get your car off the road and in a shop. Even if you’re not trying to save some money on your trip, doing this will give you peace of mind that will help you enjoy your trip.
5. Be Picky About Gas
Even though you’re on the road it doesn’t mean you can’t be choosy about the gas you purchase. There are many ways to shop around for gas without having to drive around looking for gas prices or settling for the first gas station you see. There are many gas apps available for smart phones today. Simply have your co-pilot put in your area and you will be well on your way to getting the best gas price possible. Of course, it is important to not let your gas drain down too low before you find a place to fill up. If you leave your car close to empty then you might be forced to purchase gas in a town that has terrible deals. While you’re on the road keep an eye out for prices, when you see a good price then go ahead and fill up so you don’t have to worry about over paying later on down the road. Of course, while you’re on the road try to take it easy. Over accelerating, slamming on the brakes and other driving mistakes can drain your gas faster than you’d think. Also, try to avoid using the A/C. Try rolling down the windows if the weather is nice and enjoy the natural smells that you aren’t accustomed to.
6. Bring Along Friends
Taking your buddies along for the ride can not only help save money but can make the trip twice as fun. When you have more than one person with you then you can make arrangements to split the cost. When you go on a trip as a group you can save your receipts and split the cost when you get home, this way everyone actually ends up paying a little less for the trip. More friends means more drivers so you can stay on the road longer and reach your destination much faster. Bringing friends along can also decrease your stress level so you won’t have to spend extra money on your entertainment budget.
7. Hotels
A lot of people tend to choose high dollar hotels when they are on a road trip. There is actually no reason to go for the bigger hotels, particularly because you won’t be spending a lot of time in the room. Try to find a hotel that is cheap but still makes you feel comfortable, this way you can get a good nights rest and head out early in the morning. Of course, if you don’t want to spend a lot of cash on hotels there a good number of camp sites and rest areas that can get you on your way in a short amount of time. If you really need to take a break from the road try staying at a chain hotel that offers low rates, this is especially great if you have a rewards card with certain hotels.
8. Designate Money
Before you head out on a trip it is best to allot money for each area you plan to spend. If it helps you keep track of your spending try withdrawing the money and placing it into envelopes. You want to make sure you will have a backup fund though just in case something goes wrong. The larger portion of your money should go on gas as you will need to fill up a lot, especially if you are planning a cross country trip. Food is also important, but be prepared to use less on food thanks to snacking and finding alternative places to eat. Entertainment might be low on your budgeting list, but make sure you have enough to see at least one amazing thing before you head back home. You will find that sorting out your money before you leave will actually help you come home with a few extra dollars.
9. Cut Out Souvenirs
Souvenirs are incredibly tempting, especially when you want to bring back a gift for family and friends. However, there are many free items you can bring back with you that will impress your loved ones. Instead of spending ten to twenty dollars every time you stop at a gas station for t-shirts, key-chains and other tourist traps try taking a camera and capturing all of the unique things you see on your trip. This will make for great stories when you get home and the photographs might even come out so well that you can enter them in a competition. Another simple way to bring home some memorabilia is to pick up a unique rock when you make an interesting stop. This is a particularly great gift for older children who love to collect things as they will not only have a cool rock but an interesting story to tell about it. If you really feel the need to purchase a souvenir try not to do it often and when you do try to buy low cost items like postcards.
10. Smaller Town Benefits
You’ll pass through a lot of big cities on your trip, but you’ll also pass through a lot of small towns which can save you big money. Most small towns won’t charge you as much on fuel, food or hotels as you would pay in a city. Of course, there might be less to do as far as entertainment goes, but if you’re really adventures you will be able to find something that strikes your interest and will probably pay a lot less for it than you would in a larger city. Smaller towns are also great when you have children as most of them will have at least one nice park for your children to burn some energy at. Even if you don’t want to stop in a small town for the night try to stop every once in awhile in one to get some food and gasoline and maybe take in a glimpse of the way that other towns in the country work.
When you’re on a road trip you should concentrate on losing stress and gaining freedom. With these ten tips you can forget the cost of your trip and head out for a relaxing trip with your friends or family. Before you know it the trip will be over and instead of dreading the cost of the trip you will have the exciting memories to dwell when you head back to work.
Author: Chelsey McQuitty
