Millions of people enjoy travelling. It’s the perfect way to take a break from your daily routine and trade your problems for the thrill of the open road. Jack Kerouac, the writer who loved to travel, in his most famous book "On the Road" heightened the road trip from a simple drive down the road to a soul-keeping unforgettable journey.
It doesn't require a lot of money to make a memorable road trip. In fact, you can save money while being on a weekend trip. Food, fuel and lodgings are the biggest budget busters. However, there is always a way to minimize thes expenses. Here are some ways to do that.
Fuel economy
Choose to drive a vehicle that can get you the best fuel economy. Cars, among other vehicles, remain one of the most efficient and affordable ways to travel. Perhaps, you should go with a car that runs on gas. However, hybrids can also help you deal with increases in fuel costs. If you really want to save money on a road trip, maximize your fuel economy. That means trade your mini-van or SUV for a hybrid or a low-cost car if necessary. Fuel economy potentially can save you a lot of money so you'd better pay attention on it.
Before hitting the road, look through gas calculators available online to find out the places where you can get cheaper gas. Try to memorize the towns’ names not specific gas stations. Also, avoid speeding, it wastes too much gas.
Stay on simple meals
Before or during a trip go to the grocery store and stock up some food, buy some healthy snacks. Grocery store is far more cheaper, not to mention nutritious than any side-road restaurant. Some foods appear to be utterly cheaper in the large chain stores like WalMart. Consider what your favorite food is and pack it. Sandwiches are the best meal to have on the road. Thus, you won't need to stop at fast food restaurants to fight hunger.
Here is what else you could pack:
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fresh fruit and vegetables
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chips
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dried fruit
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protein bars
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cheese-flavoured crackers
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salty sticks
Don't forget to buy enough bottles of water. If you're into soft drinks, let me remind you that a case of soda is cheaper than paying a bottle.
A place to stay for the night
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Campsites
Going camping saves a huge amount of money, obviously, because it is free. Thus, you don't have to pay for lodgings. If you are on a road trip for a few days, camp out but make sure that the weather will be fine. For example, there is very beautiful campsite in Colorado. It is far better to stay there rather than on a hotel.
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Lodgings
Choose widely the place where to spend the night. There are lots of questionably-clean motels around the highways but the charge per night may not appear to be as cheap as expected, so take a good account on the money you are willing to spend on this trip. Conducting a research on the internet regarding lodgings, hotels and bed-and-breakfast establishment that you may stumble across will help you be one-step ahead and make the right decision where to stay for a night or two. Aim to small lodgings or bed-and-breakfast establishments that offer comfort and coziness and have empty parking lot. Usually people who run these places turn out to be very friendly and hospitable.
Additional instructions:
- Plan your road trip beforehand. Having a rough image in your mind about the forthcoming trip will make you well prepared and help you limit payments.
- Bring plenty of road maps, check the GPS system.
- Charge the battery of your mobile phone.
- Take a small group of people with you on the trip. Don't go only by yourself.
- Bring a cooler full with food and drinks.
- Check your tires. Make sure they are completely filled.
- Beware of toll roads. Locate them early so to avoid them.
