Road trips are the quintessential American vacation, and can provide days of budget-friendly adventure for the thrifty traveller. An American road trip provides a sense of freedom and spontaneity, alongside an opportunity to witness the vast cultural and geographical expanse that the United States has to offer. That being said, endless hours on the road also present unique financial challenges.
With a bit of savvy planning, however, anyone can enjoy a cost-effective and memorable road trip adventure. Here’s how to maximise adventure and minimise costs on your American road trip.
The first rule of a budget-friendly road trip is finding an economical way to travel. Road tripping can be expensive if you’ve got a gas-guzzling vehicle, particularly if you live a long way away from your chosen destination. One option that allows for substantial savings is car sharing. For example, to save money travelling to and around in the expensive state of Florida, you could rent a car in Miami and hit up sites like the Everglades without breaking the bank.
Pre-planning your route and overnight stays is a must for an affordable road trip. While spontaneity is a key ingredient in road tripping, planning for stops and overnight stays can save significant costs. Look for economy or discount lodging along your planned route or opt for camping or glamping sites, which can add an element of adventure while saving funds.
Gas and food are two things you just can't avoid spending money on during your road trip. But you can limit how much you spend on them. Some states offer cheaper gas prices - bear this in mind when planning your route.
Road Tripping for Thrifty Travellers
Pick your transportation
The first rule of a budget-friendly road trip is finding an economical way to travel. Road tripping can be expensive if you’ve got a gas-guzzling vehicle, particularly if you live a long way away from your chosen destination. One option that allows for substantial savings is car sharing. For example, to save money travelling to and around in the expensive state of Florida, you could rent a car in Miami and hit up sites like the Everglades without breaking the bank.
Plan your route and overnight stays
Pre-planning your route and overnight stays is a must for an affordable road trip. While spontaneity is a key ingredient in road tripping, planning for stops and overnight stays can save significant costs. Look for economy or discount lodging along your planned route or opt for camping or glamping sites, which can add an element of adventure while saving funds.
Save on the necessities
Gas and food are two things you just can't avoid spending money on during your road trip. But you can limit how much you spend on them. Some states offer cheaper gas prices - bear this in mind when planning your route.
You can save on food by packing a portable cooler with staple items and snacks, and making your own meals where you can, rather than eating out all the time. There are plenty of roadside picnic sites with great views and often fun activities to offer.
No matter where you go, there's always something interesting to see or do that’s either free or doesn’t cost too much. National nature parks often charge minimal entrance fees, if any, and offer a wealth of hiking, sightseeing, and wildlife spotting.
Choose free or low-cost attractions
No matter where you go, there's always something interesting to see or do that’s either free or doesn’t cost too much. National nature parks often charge minimal entrance fees, if any, and offer a wealth of hiking, sightseeing, and wildlife spotting.
Seek out free museum days, farmers' markets, community events, and local festivals. Explore and let your adventure take shape around these low-cost or free experiences.
Without a budget, even the best-laid plans can go awry. Set a daily limit for expenditures on food, accommodation, and miscellaneous items. Keep a track of your spending and try not to stray from the planned budget. If you can afford to set some aside, it always helps to have a small “emergency” fund for unexpected expenses that could crop up along the way.
The golden rule for any budget travel is to pack light, prioritising essentials. Over packing leads to clutter and increases fuel consumption, especially on longer trips. Neglecting essentials means you’ll have to shell out for them on the road. So, make sure you have a first aid kit, navigation tools, drinking water, snacks, spare tires and a blanket or two for those cold nights, and think hard about whether you really need eight different pairs of shades.
With these tips under your belt, the exciting world of thrifty road tripping is well within your grasp. Driving through scenic landscapes, finding hidden gems of places, and the simple pleasures of ‘life on the road’ await, all while keeping your wallet relatively unscathed.
Create a trip budget and stick to it
Without a budget, even the best-laid plans can go awry. Set a daily limit for expenditures on food, accommodation, and miscellaneous items. Keep a track of your spending and try not to stray from the planned budget. If you can afford to set some aside, it always helps to have a small “emergency” fund for unexpected expenses that could crop up along the way.
Pack light but pack right
The golden rule for any budget travel is to pack light, prioritising essentials. Over packing leads to clutter and increases fuel consumption, especially on longer trips. Neglecting essentials means you’ll have to shell out for them on the road. So, make sure you have a first aid kit, navigation tools, drinking water, snacks, spare tires and a blanket or two for those cold nights, and think hard about whether you really need eight different pairs of shades.
With these tips under your belt, the exciting world of thrifty road tripping is well within your grasp. Driving through scenic landscapes, finding hidden gems of places, and the simple pleasures of ‘life on the road’ await, all while keeping your wallet relatively unscathed.
