These days, many travelers are skipping long-haul flights and high airfare fees in favor of the good, old road trip.
The classic road trip can offer you and your companion memories to treasure for years to come. Sometimes though, the stops, meals, and detours can appear overwhelming, making it difficult for you to carve out time and save money for that well-deserved getaway.
But with creativity and some planning, enjoying an exciting yet affordable road trip doesn’t have to be impossible. Before hitting the road, here are some tips to keep in mind.
Take the car in for a checkup
Obviously, a road trip requires a car that’s in the best working condition. Nothing can ruin a road trip more than experiencing car trouble in an unfamiliar place. Thus, before you depart, make sure your car is up for the challenge. Have your vehicle checked inside out—from the battery, fluids, lights and tyres.
A checkup will highlight problem areas that can affect your car’s performance. For instance, check your tyres’ tread wear levels to ensure they will remain within legal limits during your trip. Replace them immediately if required. You can try looking up tyre prices online on a website such as TyreCompare to find the best deal without having to ring around.
Plan your route
While going on spontaneous road trips can be a lot of fun, not knowing exactly where you’re headed and how you plan to reach a destination can be painful to your wallet. Just imagine the liters of gas you’ll be wasting if you just go around driving to nowhere! If you have a tight budget, it pays to plan your route ahead. Aside from helping you anticipate your fuel cost, you’ll also be able to spot the cheapest places to gas up on your way.
Stock up on road trip snacks
If you want to spend less and eat healthy, bringing your own food and drinks is a good idea. You can buy a cooler and load it up with your favorite snacks and beverages before you leave. This way, you get to avoid greasy fast food and the tempting candy aisle at the gas station. Packing food and water is also helpful especially if you get stuck in traffic or experience a car breakdown.
Also, if you want to avoid the mess that comes with eating in the car, you can try searching for beaches, parks, and other rest stops that make the perfect picnic spots.
Prepare some entertainment
What’s a road trip without some entertainment? Make sure you and your companions survive the long drive by preparing fun games, a road trip playlist, and some movies. Being ready with some entertainment will not only erase the fatigue and boredom out of long journeys, it will also save you from the cost and hassle of having to stop by parks and other places with expensive admission fees, especially if you’re travelling with kids.
Some people put off going on a road trip thinking it would be too costly, but that isn’t always the case. Following our cost-saving techniques, it’s possible to hit the road with your beloved family or friends without breaking the bank!
