How to Take a Road Trip on a Budget

Technology and basic shelter needs will take you far.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• GPS Navigation System
• Transportation
• Cooler
• Camping stove & cooking gear
• Clothing for all weather
• Extra water

1. Invest in a GPS Navigation System. Although expensive up front, this item will pay for itself and is well worth it in time saved.

2. Decide on the route you want to take and the duration of the trip.

3. Network! Talk with friends/family/coworkers/etc about your road trip. You never know when your friend's aunt's boyfriend's cousin may have a cabin with a key hidden under a rock along your route. Even if you don't score a cabin, you're bound to find a few empty couches.

4. 
    
   Converter for all your gadgets

   Do a tune up on your transportation to (hopefully) avoid costly repairs later. Consider carrying a spare battery and a power converter.

5. Borrow books on tape/CD and bring plenty of CDs/mp3 to entertain yourself. You'll be spending a lot of time in the car! Don't forget a good paperback or two for down time during the evening -- it's cheap entertainment.

6. Consider the timing of your driving. You may want to travel during the day for safety purposes and also so you can see and enjoy the landscape you're passing through. Keep a thoughtful mind of rush hour traffic, however, when entering larger cities.

7. Be flexible with your route and time spent in each destination. You never know when you'll find a place or a person that will entice you to stay longer.

8. Don't be a bum. Be helpful when you stay with people/relatives. Take them out to dinner even--remember that they are saving you the cost of an expensive hotel!

9. Rough it. Camp when you can and cook using your stove and nonperishables/grocery items. Parks and campgrounds give extra security at a minimum price. You won't die if you go for a couple days without a shower--an extra application of Old Spice will hide the stench.

10. Don't eat out. Buy groceries (nuts, granola bars, canned goods, fruit, peanut butter and jelly, etc), and use your cooler. Carry extra water with you in refillable containers to save money. Snack during the day and then fire up your camping stove in the evening. Stopping for road kill is up to your discretion!

11. Take lots of pictures! Those will be the best souvenirs and will be of more value to you later than anything you'll buy along the way.

Tips & Warnings

• Always consider your safety first; it's more important than your budget.
• Stock up at roadside fruit stands when you see them.