How to Plan a Thrifty Road Trip

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Road trip! Are you planning a getaway with the family, a trip back home from college or just some fun with friends? If so, you might want to plan a thrifty road trip to help you save during your travels. Gas prices are higher than ever and this makes many people afraid to get into their cars and travel out for visiting friends and family.  Don’t let the high price of gas and expensive of travel keep your from enjoying the world.

So what are some things you can do to have a thrifty road trip? I have 5 tips to get you started.

How to Plan a Thrifty Road Trip:

Get a tune-up: Doing some simple maintenance on your vehicle can make a big difference when it comes to traveling long distances in it. For example, keeping the tires properly inflated, using the right kind of gas and replacing air filters and other parts regularly will help you get more gas mileage from your vehicle, reduce wear and tear and get the most from your car.

Rent a car: Depending on the make, model and year of your vehicle, it might be best for you to just rent a vehicle to make your road trip in. Most rentals today come with unlimited miles and you can just pay by the day. You don’t have to worry so much about how far you’re going, what damage or extra mileage you might be putting on your vehicle.

Slow down: Driving slower can make your vehicle more fuel-efficient. This means you can save a lot of money on gas by driving slower. But how slow? According to www.fueleconomy.gov, for every five miles per hour you drive over the rate of 60 miles per hour, you will pay 25 cents or more for each gallon of gas. Rapid acceleration and sudden braking can make you lose more on your gas mileage.

Bring things with you: Another way to have a thrifty road trip is to pack up the ice chest and bring as many things with you as you can. You can bring snacks and drinks and avoid buying things on the road. It’s really easy to do some pre-trip shopping and pack your car up with snacks and goodies before heading out on the road.

Bring a friend: Next, remember to bring a friend or family member along with you. You can’t have a thrifty road trip without bringing along a great friend and some rocking car tunes. The best part of a road trip is blasting your favorite songs and singing along at the top of your lungs with your bestie.

Do you have any tips to add for taking a thrifty road trip? Who would you bring along? How would you save money on the trip?

*The picture above is from a road trip my family took a few years ago up through the Blue Ridge Mountains.  There are so many stops you can make on the way to get gorgeous views like this one!

You might also like 7 Tips for Family Travel on a Budget or 8 Simple Tips to Plan Road Trip & Pack Smart!