How to Spend Less Money Traveling on a Road Trip

A cross country road trip isn't a cheap undertaking. Travel will expand on your world experiences, but your pocketbook is going to feel it. The three main expenses traveling are food, gas and lodging, and this road trip planner focuses on all three. Have a happy and cheap road trip!

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. It makes sense: The more people you invite to join you on your road trip, the less you'll pay for gas. Be careful. You might regret snagging one last person to fill up your four-person car if you run out of room for luggage.

2. Before travel, make sure your car is in tip-top shape and your tires are inflated to a proper pressure. Anything you can do to improve your car's gas mileage is more money left unspent.

3. Contact friends, family and even acquaintances who you know live along your chosen route. A free night of sleep will be the best sleep you'll get on the trip.

4. Camp, otherwise. Camping sites are everywhere and, split a couple ways, very cheap. An investment in nice camping gear made before you leave will ensure a comfortable camping experience for even the crankiest of campers.

5. Food. Keep a well stocked and iced cooler. One of the most exciting aspects of any trip is sampling the foods of different regions. To help offset the cost of expensive dinners, eat cheaper lunches or just snack off and on throughout the day.

6. You can save money by planning ahead for incidentals you may need on the trip. For example, instead of having to shell out a few bucks for band-aids on the trip, stash some in a first aid kit beforehand.

[JackLTrades]

on 12/3/2008 Great. I always drive and food is a killer on the budget.

[Ballzy]

on 9/25/2008 Great information!5*

[kaseysviewblog]

on 9/25/2008 Great article.
Number two is always a good idea.