How to Keep Your Road Trip on Budget

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Are you planning a road trip soon?  Are you feeling a little overwhelmed at the expenses that lay ahead of you?  Road trips are great because they give you the ability to have an amazing vacation on a budget, but there are things that you can do to ensure that your road trip stays on budget.  

Before you head out, there are a few things you can do to save some cash on your next road trip.mA little bit of planning can save you some serious cash.

10 Money Saving Tricks to Keep Your Road Trip on Budget

1. Set a budget.  Not only do you need to set up a budget for how much you are able to spend on this trip, but you need to sit down and calculate how much all of your for-sure expenses will be.  For example, you will be driving, so you know you will need to fuel up. You know that you need food and shelter as well. Knowing these expenses will allow you some freedom in what you can spend on all of the bonus items that you want.
2. Drive an economical car.  When we are talking long distances, the fuel costs can vary greatly depending on the car you are driving.  If you have the option to drive a more fuel efficient car, go for it!
3. Make your car even more economical.  Did you know that there are tricks that you can do that will make your car get better gas mileage?  It’s true. For example, the less you pack, the lighter your car will be and the less fuel it will take and did you know that turning off the air conditioner and rolling down the windows can boost your mpg?  It can!
4. Go in the off-season or shoulder-season.  If you are headed to a vacation hot zone, you will find that when you travel there in peak season, your expenses will be higher.  Fuel is often higher during the summer, lodging choices are more expensive and harder to come by and you are less likely to find any discounts to bring down your costs.
5. Plan your route.  I’m all about being spontaneous on your trip, but the closer you stick to your pre-planned route the less fuel expenses you will have.
6. Bring food.  It is a good idea to pack your own food in advance.  Buying all of your food at restaurants and stores along your route can add up quickly.  It’s much cheaper to have plenty of food with you
7. Camp.  Instead of staying in hotels or even motels, consider camping along your route.  If you aren’t a tent camper, still check out the campgrounds on your route, because oftentimes these campgrounds have yurts or cabins available.
8. Download GasBuddy.  If you haven’t yet, you really should download the Gasbuddy app.  This app will show you the cheapest fuel along your route.  Even if it’s just a couple of cents per gallon, it can add up over the span of a 1000 mile road trip.
9. Choose inexpensive destinations.  While on your trip, consider going to National Parks and other inexpensive destinations.  There are some amazing trips out there that don’t cost an arm and a leg!
10. Avoid big cities.  Okay, if the whole point of your trip is to visit a big city, then you may have a difficult time with this one, but as a general rule, visits to big cities will add a lot to your expenses.

Check out my favorite travel planning apps and time-saving packing tips before you head out. 

Do you have any secret money-saving road trip tips?