Road trips are becoming more and more popular, especially in the summer months. And they’re expected to only become more popular with a PwC forecast showing that about 107 million vehicles will be produced in 2020. If you’re planning on taking a road trip with your family this summer, you need to plan ahead. Traveling of any kind can be expensive so we’ve compiled a few simple tips to help you save some money on your summer road trip! Here’s 3 easy ways to save money on your summer road trip:
Get your Car Tuned
Unexpected breakdowns and repairs are a common road trip expense. Fortunately, this can be avoided by taking your vehicle in for a tune-up before your trip. While you will be spending some money at the shop, it’s worth it in the long run. Rotating your tires at least every 6,000 miles can help prevent uneven wear and damage, which can result in blowouts. A quick oil change and checking of fluid levels can make a big difference in the performance of your vehicle, which can ultimately allow you to use less gas and spend less money overall. And taking your car in to be looked at by a mechanic can also give you peace of mind — with motor vehicle accidents accounting for 52% of personal injury cases, you want to ensure your car is in good working condition.
Bring Food With You
When you’re on the road, it’s really convenient to just pull off at a rest stop and buy food — there’s a reason why there are so many restaurants and fast food places near the highways. And while it may be convenient, spending money on food can quickly get out of hand. So instead of eating out for every meal, bring some food with you from the start. Pack snacks like chips, pretzels, granola bars, and trail mix that you can put in containers to bring along. And as for drinks, put a case of water bottles in the trunk or bring a reusable water bottle that you can fill up at rest stops. Packing food and drinks ahead of time will help you save money on the trip.
Choose Reasonable Accommodations
Road trips often involve crashing at a hotel or other accomodations along the way. But if you rent a hotel room every time, you may end up spending a lot of money just on that. So consider alternative accommodations. Depending on where you’re headed, camping could be a great option. All you have to do is pay a small fee for the campsite and bring your own tent. This is a great option if you want to stay somewhere for a few days. Additionally, you can consider renting an Airbnb or even staying with family or friends along the way. When you have multiple people, it can be difficult to find reasonable accommodations but there are certainly several options you can explore.
Planning a road trip takes a lot of effort, especially when you’re trying to save money. But keep these simple tips in mind to make sure you’re staying under your summer road trip budget.