Road trips can be a very cost-effective vacation. You can save money on transportation expenses while enjoying scenic routes and visiting unique towns on the way to your destination.
However, if you’re not careful, road trip expenses can quickly add up. Gas, food, tolls, parking, lodging, and more can make your road trip much more expensive than necessary.
In order to save as much money as possible, it’s important to plan ahead.
To get the most out of your road trip without going over budget, consider taking these steps to help you save money.
Make Sure Your Car is Ready
The last thing you want when you’re driving across the country is for your car to break down.
First of all, this could present some serious safety issues. Some of the best parts of a road trip include driving across long stretches of empty roads. However, if your car breaks down during one of these stretches, you might not be able to contact anyone for assistance.
Additionally, fixing your car can cost hundreds to thousands of dollars. If your battery fails, your tire pops, or other parts fail, it could be very expensive to replace them. Moreover, if you have to wait for a part to be delivered, you’ll have to spend more money on lodging and food while you wait to get back on the road.
As a result, you should be sure to prepare your car before a road trip. This includes getting a tune-up and taking a number of preventative measures.
You should also make sure you know what to do in case your car does break down.
Use GasBuddy
Gas prices can vary greatly depending on your location and which gas stations you choose to stop at.
Of course, gas is an unavoidable expense unless you have an electric car. However, you can still plan ahead to make the most out of your stops for gas.
GasBuddy offers a trip cost calculator to help you plan your stops in advance and minimize your gas costs.
Look for Affordable Parking
If you’re planning on traveling through major cities to see any attractions, be sure to consider the cost of parking.
Every city has its own rules and regulations regarding parking. Some places may offer free street parking during certain hours while others only offer metered parking.
Be sure to pay attention to signs indicating whether or not you can park for free.
Additionally, depending on the city, you might be able to use an app to help you find free or affordable parking spaces throughout the city.
Pack Your Own Food
There’s no reason to waste your vacation budget on fast food and gas station snacks.
Instead of spending hundreds of dollars at restaurants, be sure to bring a cooler packed with food, snacks, and drinks.
Depending on the length of your trip, you might not be able to pack enough food to last the entire trip. In this case, be sure to stock up at grocery stores along the way. This will be much cheaper than alternative options.
Reducing your food costs will make sure you have more money to spend at your final destination.
Road trips may or may not be a cost-effective vacation depending on how much planning you are willing to do in advance.
By taking these steps you can minimize your expenses and get the most out of your trip.
