Ah, the great American road trip; one of the many ways to spend your much-needed vacation time. Still, no matter where you are heading, be it a place on your travel bucket list or somewhere off the beaten track, one thing is certain. When using your car as your means of holiday travel, you are going to run up some sizeable expenses. Well, if you don’t follow the tips below that is, as we have some money-saving advice we think you will find useful. So, to give you the tools for the best road trip ever, and to give you value for your dollar, check out the following tips to help you on your journey.
Tip #1: Give your car a safety check
Want to avoid breakdown costs? Dread the idea of facing a personal injury lawyer and all the subsequent costs because of a road accident? Give your car a thorough safety check before you head out on your road trip adventure. From the tyre pressure on your wheels to a top-up of your oil, your car needs to be roadworthy; otherwise, you will be dealing with extra costs down the line. If you are in any way unsure about maintaining your car, or for extra peace of mind, take your vehicle to the local garage. This is one expense that will save you money in the long-term.
Tip #2: Pack your own food
Particularly if you are taking kids in the car with you, the one things they will say more than “I’m bored,” is “I’m hungry”, forcing you to make a pit stop at one of those expensive roadside restaurants or service stations to fill their hungry bellies. Of course, you will be feeling a bit peckish too, but in any case, you want to limit the amount of money you spend due to those frequent stops for food and snacks. By packing your own sandwiches, drinks, etc., you will save yourself a lot of money. Just remember to pack them into a cooling bag to keep them fresh and tasty.
Tip #3: Avoid hotel bills
It can cost a small fortune to spend even one night in a hotel, so look for alternative lodging options. So, you might consider looking into more homely accommodation with Airbnb, checking into a cheap motel or hostel, or for that perfect road trip experience, taking your very own tent, making the world your camping ground, wherever you decide to stop and stay the night. On the other hand, you might also consider renting a motorhome. It’s another expense, we know, but if you are away for a longer period, you may make a massive saving in the long run.
Tip #4: Drive safely
You should always drive safely anyway – you want to keep yourself and your passengers safe, after all! Still, there is another reason why safe driving is a priority, and that is to save money. By not doing anything stupid, such as wheel spins in the middle of the highway or jumping over ramps like James Bond in this famous movie scene (RIP Roger Moore), you aren’t going to get yourself into any scrapes that require a breakdown truck to tow you away to a garage and damaging repair bills. You can also save money on fuel by adhering to the speed limits, so remember you’re not Bond and drive according to Highway regulations. You will save further money by not getting a speeding ticket – and again, you ARE NOT BOND, so don’t assume a police chase is a good way to liven up your road trip.
5. Be ‘appy on your journey
There are apps for everything these days, and this can only be a good thing when you’re out on the roads. You can use an app to find the shortest distance to places. You can use an app to find the best gas prices. You can use an app to find you cheap places to eat and drink. And you can even use an app on your kid’s phones or tablets to give them free entertainment when on a long journey. Technology is awesome, so download one of these apps to help you make the most of your hard-earned dollar.
We hope you found our tips helpful, and if you are off an a road trip this summer (other seasons are available), we hope you have a wonderful and economical time. Let us know if you have any further tips, too. Thanks for reading and happy travels!
