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Insights on money, career and trading

How to Road Trip Without Breaking the Bank

Posted on January 4, 2016 by Daniel at 8:14 am

Photo courtesy of Zach Dischner/Flickr

Road trips are a great way to explore new areas and experiences on the way to your ultimate destination. Having the freedom to travel at your own pace and make impromptu stops is part of what make road trips so appealing. And, with flight costs and extra fees, sometimes it’s also the most cost-effective option for travel. Here’s some tips for saving a few more bucks on your road trip without sacrificing experience.

Bring Your Own Food

Without a doubt, constantly stopping for food is one of the quickest ways to drain your money on a road trip. It’s definitely fun, and totally worthwhile, to enjoy some celebrated local eats. But, for smaller meals and snacks while you’re driving, packing your own is the way to go. Rather than grabbing snacks when you stop to fill up for gas, stop at a grocery store to replenish your supply. It will be less expensive, and you’ll have healthier options. Because you can only eat so much beef jerky.

 If you can afford the space, bring an ice chest for cold snacks and quick meals you can grab. This also cuts down on the, “I don’t know. Where do you want to eat?” go-round conversation.

Handy tip: If you do bring an ice chest, don’t throw in loose ice that will melt, ruin your food, and have to be dumped. Before you leave, freeze bottled water. It will keep food cold and can be consumed as it melts. While on the road, keep loose ice in Ziplock bags in your ice chest so it can still be used after it liquifies.

Consider Renting a Car

It seems counter intuitive but, depending on your current vehicle situation, renting a car could actually save you money . You might be able to rent a model that gets better gas mileage than your car which, over a long distance, could put you ahead even with daily rental fees.

Mainly, you’ll save money in the long run because you’ll be sparing your own car from all that wear and tear by putting miles and tire usage on a rental car. Future You will thank Roadtrip You. Plus, for a few extra dollars a day you can get insurance on a rental car. Which means if you get a dent, a ding in your windshield, or incur other damages, it will only cost you the price of daily coverage rather than having to shell out a ton of money to repair your own car. (Check with your rental car insurance plan to see what’s covered).

Look for Deals

There are an amazing amount of online deals available when planning a trip. If you’re the carefree type, go online and book your hotel a couple hours before your reach your destination. Many hotels offer great last-minute deals on rooms.This also gives you freedom on a roadtrip of not having to be at a specific destination at a predetermined time.

There are also tons of coupons available online. Travel sites like Priceline offer discounts on everything from rental cars to hotels to flights, so however you’re reaching your destination you can save!

Hotel Alternatives

While many hotels offer great deals, they may not be the most inexpensive choice or may not have rooms available. Camping and hostels can be free or low cost lodging options if they’re available where you’re traveling.

Vacation rental sites like Airbnb and VRBO not only offer you a wide variety of accommodations at different prices, they can provide you with that home away from home experience. And, sometimes after you’ve been in a car for many hours, it’s nice to sleep in a real bed. Booking one of these rentals may also give you with an opportunity to meet at talk to locals that live there so you can find out about lesser-known restaurants or must-see attractions to enjoy while you’re in town.

Plan Ahead

It’s pretty common sense, but before leaving on a road trip make sure you take some measures to handle scenarios that might come up while on the road that could end up costing you a pretty penny. Get a quick inspection or tune up on your car and make sure you have a spare tire that is inflated and in good shape and a tire repair kit. You don’t want to break down or blow a tire in the middle of nowhere and get gouged by the only mechanic for miles.

By planning ahead and following a few tips, you can enjoy the freedom and experiences of a road trip without emptying your wallet. What are some ways you save money while traveling?

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Insights on money, career and trading