There’s nothing like hitting the open road to feed your sense of adventure. In addition to being fun, family road trips are also a great way to vacation on a budget. They enable you to cut out the cost of airfare entirely and explore your destination at your own pace.
Even so, road trip expenses can add up if you don’t plan ahead. To help you save money on the road, we’ve put together this list of eight tips.
#1 Pack Your Own Snacks
Driving long stretches is more fun with a few snacks. However, where you purchase your snacks can make a big difference to your budget.
On average, gas stations and convenience stores charge more than grocery stores. Rather than paying their inflated prices for a bag of chips or iced tea, you can save money by packing your own snacks from home.
#2 Keep A Cooler in The Car
Staying on the topic of food, many seasoned road trippers recommend bringing a cooler in your car. This way, you can pack a wider variety of snacks without worrying about them going bad in the heat. Better yet, you can use this cooler to store tasty leftovers from meals you enjoy out at restaurants.
#3 Bring a Reusable Water Bottle
Water is a road-tripping essential. As with food, purchasing new bottles of water at every pit stop can increase the cost of your trip unnecessarily. It’s much more financially savvy to pack a steel water bottle and refill it at:
- Rest stops
- Gas stations
- RV parks
- Campgrounds
- Restaurants
- Drive throughs
You can also pack a large water cooler and keep it in your car. This way, you can hydrate reliably even when you drive through more desolate areas.
#4 Refuel Your Gas Tank Strategically
One thing you’ll notice as you traverse the towns along your route is that each one has different scenery, attractions, cuisine, and character. Another noteworthy difference may be the gas prices.
Here are a few tips for finding the cheapest places to fuel up:
- Avoid gas stations in remote places or on the outskirts of town
- Use apps to compare gas prices across stations
- Pay with a credit card that will earn you points
At North Jersey Federal Credit Union (NJFCU), our MasterCard® Platinum Rewards Card allows you to earn points on every penny you spend. You can redeem these points on future travel expenses, gift cards, and merchandise. So, when you use our card, you can fuel up wisely, regardless of where you are.
#5 Drive Efficiently
While you’ll likely need to visit the gas station a few times, you can limit these trips by driving mindfully. Here are a few ways to make your gas mileage go further:[1]
- Keep your tires properly inflated
- Don’t speed (gas mileage usually decreases significantly above 50 miles per hour)
- Avoid sudden accelerations and decelerations if possible
- Use cruise control on highways to keep your speed consistent
- Pack lightly (it takes more fuel to propel heavier vehicles)
#6 Consider Camping
While driving to your destination cuts out the cost of airfare, you still need places to stay along the way. If you want to avoid shelling out a lot of money on hotels, camping is an excellent alternative.
Camping may be more rustic than staying at a hotel, but you’ll get to enjoy a thousand-star view with a one-star price tag—on average, campsites range from $15 to $100 per night.[2] You can ensure there’s a spot for you upon arrival by making a reservation online in advance.
#7 Map Out Your Driving Routes and Activities Ahead of Time
While road trips allow you to explore your itinerary at your own pace, it’s still a good idea to have a plan. This way, you can select the most efficient driving routes and book your activities on the most affordable days. A well-planned driving route can also help you evade time-wasting road closures and costly toll roads.
#8 Avoid Tourist Traps
On your road trip, you may be excited to check out some tourist attractions. Just keep in mind that restaurants and hotels often cost more near these hot spots. You can save money by eating and staying overnight in places that are a little more off the beaten path.
NJFCU: Road Trip With One of the Best Credit Union Credit Cards
With the help of these tips and tricks, you can return home from your road trip knowing that your budget is intact.
Want to prepare for your next road trip? Apply for a travel rewards credit card from the best credit union in NJ: NJFCU. As an NJFCU member, you’ll enjoy dedicated customer service, 24/7 credit card assistance, and no annual fees.
Learn more about the best credit union in New Jersey today.