Many people believe that road trips can be less expensive than flying to your destination, especially if you have a family.
While that may be true, there are still ways you might want to save money on a road trip. Saving money on travel means more money to spend on your actual vacation.
Here are six ways to cut your costs while on the go.
Prepare food and snacks ahead of time
Whatever happens, food is always going to be an expense you can overdo it with. This is valid for long trips in the car.
You can decide to visit fast food chains and order from the dollar menu for each meal, or you can opt for a sit-down restaurant to take a break from the car. If you are traveling with children, you may also need to stop more frequently.
However, you don’t necessarily want to spend your food budget on the road trip portion of your trip. Wouldn’t you prefer to dedicate the funds to eating at your destination?
Instead of filling up on junk or greasy food, pack food and snacks when you go out. Bring a cooler (don’t forget ice) and fill it with sandwiches, drinks, fruits, and veggies. This will not only save you money, but it will also save you time as you won’t have to stop as long.
See alternative accommodation
Traveling without younger children gives you more flexibility here, but if you can, check out Airbnb if you’re taking a longer road trip that will require a night or two of driving.
You’d be surprised how many hosts can accommodate last-minute guests, and houses can be cozier than motels.
Are you feeling adventurous? If you have room for gear, forgo traditional accommodation entirely and go camping. You will break the monotony of the drive, save a lot of money, and have an extra trip on top of your usual trip.
At the very least, before hitting the road, figure out where you might stop and check out available hotels in the area. What are the average prices? Having this knowledge means that there is less chance of getting ripped off. You don’t want to be desperate and tired at 1 AM, willing to take any room, even if it’s significantly more than you wanted to pay.
Can you decide where you want to stop and sleep ahead of time? Are you flexible and not very particular about it? Then consider booking hotels “blindly.” Many of the prominent booking sites like Priceline offer this option, and you will generally get a room for much less.
Get the most out of your gas
While it may sound like a hassle, going over the speed limit or hovering around 65 miles per hour, it will ensure that your car remains fuel efficient for the duration of your trip. If your car has cruise control, use it to stay on the road.
Speeding or taking local roads that require you to constantly stop (or travel during rush hours) will have an impact on your gas tank.
Also, before setting off on your trip, check your tire pressure. You want your tires to be filled with enough air so your fuel economy doesn’t suffer.
Another tip for saving money on gas: Make sure the stations you stop at don’t charge more for credit cards. Read the “fine print” and have cash on hand just in case.
Get a toll transponder
Are you traveling in an area littered with highways, tunnels, or bridges? Then you might want to think about investing in a transponder that you can link to a bank account or credit card so that tolls are automatically deducted when you review them.
These transponders allow you to pass tolls, but they can also offer discounts. For example, if you have an EZPass and are traveling through New York, you will benefit by paying a few dollars less when crossing bridges.
Avoid getting a ticket
Check your car before leaving for your trip to make sure all the lights are working properly. The last thing you need on your trip is to get a ticket for something that is wrong, especially if you are driving at night.
Please note that you must turn right on red as different states have different laws on this. Check for cameras before turning.
The worst thing is getting a speeding ticket on a road trip. That has the potential to screw things up before they even start. Be mindful of your speed and use the cruise control to make sure you don’t exceed the speed limit.
Explore parking spots
One expense that people often forget when traveling to major cities is parking. Unfortunately, this can be $ 10 to $ 30 per day, depending on where you are staying.
Explore the parking lots before you arrive to see the best place to park. Your hotel may not be the cheapest option, even if it is the most convenient. If you are staying at an Airbnb, try to reserve one that has a free parking spot included.
