How to Road Trip on a Budget

In this article you will learn how to road trip on a budget. Not only will you save money but you will save time and have fun.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Car
• Cell Phone
• Cooler
• GPS

1. 
   Daddy are we there yet?

   Daddy are we there yet? That is not want you want to hear 30 minutes into a 20 hour road trip. When your done reading this article your kids will probably ask you "what, are we here already?".

2. 
   Heavy Traffic

   The first rule in taking a road trip is to have a flexible plan. You never know when that potty break will be or a nice long traffic backup that can set your estimated arrival time, way back, so be flexible in your planning. Add 25% of the total driving time to your estimated drive time that way when you arrive "on time" no one will be disappointed.

3. 
   Pepsi

   Drinks: Pack a cooler full of soft drinks and water bottles, pour ice over the top. Make sure you have some caffinated drinks for the driver. Place the cooler in a location in the car that is excessible to the front passenger, usually in the area just behind and in between the driver and the front passenger seats.

4. 
   Peanut Butter Sandwich

   Food: No need to waste time and stop for fast food which by the way is not too good for you, so bring a jar of peanut butter and a loaf of bread. While your driving down the road and you start feeling hungry, just ask your passenger to make you a peanut butter sandwhich. Take 1 slice of bread, spread a gernerous amount of peanut butter on it, fold and serve. Don't foget to bring some napkins and several plastic knives.

5. 
   Fresh Vegies

   Snacks: No reason to eat expensive junk food, so I suggest you make a quick trip to the grocery store and pick up some fresh vegtibles like green peppers, carrots, and cucumbers. Take them home, slice them up, place them in small containers that have covers on them and put them into the cooler to keep them chilled. They make a great healthy snake to munch on while on the road and because they are ice chilled they are very refreshing.

6. 
   Out of Gas

   Gas: Keep an eye on your fuel gage. Fill up before you hit the interstate because prices along the interstate are usually a few pennies higher. Once on the road you'll want to stop for gas whenever your fuel gage gets around the quarter tank mark. No sense on pushing it to the limit when it comes to gas. You never know when you will be stuck in traffic and burn fuel you might other wise need to get you to the next gas station. If you have a GPS even better, on most GPS systems you can look ahead to see how far the next available gas station is. Try to hit the gas stations that are on the same side of the highway as you are traveling to same time in on/off exits.

7. 
   Talk Radio

   Entertainment: One great way to pass the time is to turn on the radio and scan the AM channel for talk radio shows. As you travel down the highway your radio will be picking up many local AM radio shows many of which you may find to be a hoot!
   
   If your traveling with kids, then have something for them to do besides zoning out and watching a DVD the whole time. Engage them in conversation, have them work on there homework or read a good book.

8. 
   Road Trips

   Road trips can be fun and they should be. Don't stress the small stuff, enjoy your time traveling and keep your plans flexible.

Tips & Warnings

• Charge up your cell phone before leaving
• Keep your doors locked
• Occompany youngsters to the rest rooms

Resources

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[wordstock]

on 1/16/2009 I love road trips. These are good tips to keep the boy happy. Thanks

[eugene2009]

on 1/15/2009 Thanks for the great tips! Planning one this summer. :) 5*