Top Ways to Save Money on a Road Trip

January 11, 2018
Jess

Who doesn’t like road tripping? The sun shining, good music playing, all while you cruise at your own speed and leisure to a new destination. I love a good road trip. One of the things I’m mindful of whenever I plan a road trip are the costs involved. Road trips can be very expensive if you don’t plan carefully, so here are some tips for making your need road trip more affordable – without compromising on fun!

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1) Drive a Fuel Efficient Car

Generally, whenever you travel, there are three main costs: Transport, Accommodation and food. Everything else tends to relatively minor in comparison or optional. When going on a road trip, your main form of transport cost will be fuel and perhaps car rental. The best way to cut down on fuel is by using fuel efficient cars. Not only are they better for the environment, they’re better for your wallet too!

2) Buy Tyres Online

Buying tyres is one of the largest expenses of owning a car and if you’re going on a long road trip, you wanna make sure your tyres are in fantastic condition. If you’re traveling lots of miles and have bald tyres, not only is it dangerous for your car, but it’s dangerous for your life, too. Many of us cringe when it comes time to buy new tyres, but buying tyres online helps you save money and takes some of the stress away.

3) Stay in Apartments

Gone are the days where hotels were your only options, nowadays we’re spoiled with choice: camping, hotels, apartments, hostels, BnBs… there are so many accommodation options available. Of all the types of accommodation out there, apartments are one of the best value options, especially if you’re traveling with more than two people. You can also save money on food etc by cooking in the apartment too – so all around a great way to save money on your road trip. If you’re traveling in an RV, it’s easy to find and book RV parks anywhere in the US to save even more money.

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4) Pack Snacks

I always head to the supermarket before I go on a road trip to stock up on snacks. If you leave it to the last minute and buy stuff at the service station, you’ll find yourself paying at least twice as much as you would at the supermarket. Snacks are a key part of any road trip so stock up in advance.

5) Check Toll Roads

If you’re driving somewhere with numerous toll roads do a little research: is it cheaper to take the toll road, or will you actually save money by taking a slightly longer, but more scenic route? It depends whether you want to get to your destination faster, want to save more money, or want the best of both. Spending a little time researching can make a serious difference to your bank balance.

Road trips can be a lot of fun and a great way to explore a place without breaking the bank. If you want to save even more, please use these money saving tips to ensure a great value trip.