How To Save On Summer Road Trips

Fact checked by Vikki VelasquezFact checked by Vikki Velasquez

More and more Americans are hitting the road this summer. For Memorial Day weekend alone, AAA projected 43.8 million travelers traveled at least 50 miles away from home over the holiday—and that’s just the start. 

If you’re among the more than 75% of American adults who intend to take a road trip this summer, financial planning should be right up there with packing and plotting out your route. Here’s a strategic game plan for putting together a budget-friendly but memorable road trip.

Key Takeaways

• Research and select affordable destinations to maximize cost savings and then set a budget and track expenses to stick to it.
• Utilize fuel-efficient vehicles or use various strategies to proactively save on gas costs.
• Explore budget-friendly accommodation options such as camping, budget hotels, and home rentals.
• Save money on food by packing snacks, cooking meals, and finding affordable local eateries.
• Take advantage of free or low-cost entertainment and activities, and get creative with DIY souvenirs.

How To Plan a Budget-Friendly Road Trip

In theory, road trips should require less spending than traveling by air or cruising, but it’s not hard to blow your budget when your brain clicks over to vacation mode no matter how you travel. To help stay on track, spend some time doing research beforehand and set some reasonable expectations of trip costs.

1. Research and Select Affordable Destinations

Depending on where you go and what you do, vacations can cost vastly different amounts. Will you be hiking in nature or going to tourist destinations or theme parks? Are you spending time in big cities or smaller towns?

“When you decide on a location, you can confirm whether it will be a trip where you are spending on hotels and monetary experiences or if you want it to be a backpacking, hostel, and more casual type of experience,” says Gloria García Cisneros, CFP. “All these factors help drive the research you do beforehand.”

Once you pick your stopping points, research average accommodation costs, fuel costs, and restaurant prices in those areas to estimate what it might cost per day. Keep in mind that costs are often dependent on when you travel, and summer is peak travel time in many locations.

2. Set a Realistic Budget for Transportation, Accommodation, and Activities

Getting where you’re going and lodging tend to be the highest costs. Once you figure out those aspects, you can adjust your spending accordingly for activities and dining, says Cisneros. 

Focus the bulk of your budget on what’s important to you, and then look for ways to save on the other trip components.

For example, if you’re a foodie who likes outdoor adventures, maybe you can save by camping out so you’ll have more budget to put toward nicer dinners out. Or maybe you love cultural activities and sightseeing, so you might allocate more toward those types of excursions but cut back on expensive food. 

3. Plan Your Route but Build in Some Flexibility

Set the general route you want to travel, deciding where you’re stopping and for how many nights you need accommodations. Don’t be afraid to make tweaks to your trip plans to save money, however. Maybe you can take turns driving through the night to avoid an extra night’s stay at a motel. Or seek out free activities along your routes to make room for one or two touristy splurges.

Tip

AAA has a free travel tool TripTik Travel Planner that lets you identify gas stations, EV charging stations, hotels, campgrounds, restaurants, and attractions along your route.

How To Save Money on Transportation

If driving is your mode of transportation, you don’t want to underestimate what it will cost you to get around. From gas, tolls, and parking to renting a vehicle if needed, here are some savings strategies.

Choose a Fuel-Efficient Vehicle

If you need to rent a car anyway, consider choosing an EV or hybrid. The average price to charge an average-sized EV battery was $16.68 as of March 2024, but prices vary depending on location, going as high as $45.25 in Hawaii. While this can be significantly cheaper than gas, don’t forget to confirm that there will be ample locations to charge on your route. 

You also want to run some numbers to determine the cheapest vehicle option, says Andrea Woroch, consumer and money-saving expert. 

1. Figure out the total cost to rent the car for the duration of your trip, and try to estimate charging costs. Look for car rentals through warehouse club stores where you can usually save up to an additional 20% off car rental agency rates, says Woroch. “Plus, you can get other perks like free cancellation and free second driver (a $10 per day approximate savings).”
2. Then run an estimate for approximate fuel and maintenance costs to use your own vehicle. “Calculate the total expected miles you will drive at the current IRS mileage reimbursement rate of 67 cents per mile. This is a great way to compare the rates,” says Woroch.

Utilize Apps and Websites To Reduce Gas, Toll, and Parking Costs

Woroch is a big fan of the GasBuddy app to find cheaper gas prices on your road trip. “The app uses your location to pinpoint the lowest fuel prices, helping navigate you to the gas station, which is super helpful when you’re in an unfamiliar town or driving on the freeway,” she says. 

Don’t splurge on premium gas (unless you have to), says Aixa Diaz, AAA spokesperson.  “Choosing premium when your car doesn’t require it will only cost you money and doesn’t improve fuel economy.”

Here are some other ways that technology can help you save on the road:

• Google Maps also lets you look for nearby gas and includes the per-gallon price with the search results.
• When using GPS apps, you can set your preferences to avoid toll routes. As long as it doesn’t take you so far off of your path that you’re spending more on gas, that’s another way to save.
• Browse SpotHero to see if it’s worth pre-booking a spot if you’re heading into a city for the day. It might be more cost-effective to leave your car wherever you are staying (if parking is free or low-cost), and then use public transportation or rideshares to get around.

Drive Efficiently

Before you hit the road, it’s a smart move to get your vehicle inspected to see if you need a tune-up or an oil change and do a tire check. This will help you avoid costly car breakdowns, and good tire pressure is key for maximizing fuel efficiency.

Also, watch your speed. Fuel economy peaks at around 50 mph on most cars, according to AAA, so consider reducing your highway speeds by 5 to 10 mph to increase fuel economy by as much as 14%. 

Another efficiency tip: Turn your car off instead of idling during those convenience store stops or roadside photo shoots since you can waste a lot of fuel that way.

Carpool if You Can

If you’re traveling with friends, another couple, or a bigger group, it could make sense to rent a larger vehicle together and share the costs. Then once you reach your destination for the day—especially in city areas—splitting rideshares may make it easier and more affordable to get around.

How To Find Affordable Accommodation Options

Assess your accommodation needs and preferences carefully, says Cisneros. “Decide whether it will be a trip where you are spending on hotels and monetary experiences or if you want it to be a backpacking, hostel, and more casual type of experience,” she says.

Here are some ways to save no matter where you stay.

Hotel vs. Airbnb

If you’re torn, here’s an easy way to help you decide which is best for you. At an Airbnb, you can cook meals and do laundry in some cases (so less to pack), and if you strike up a good rapport with the host, you can get recommendations on things to do and places to go. It can also be the most cost-effective option if traveling with bigger families or groups since there will be multiple rooms.

But do your research, read reviews, and reach out to the host with any questions. You want to make sure that you aren’t getting duped.

On the hotel side, if you can find one with free breakfast and a microwave in the room, that will help you save on some meals. Also, ask about parking and if there is shuttle service to local attractions to save on event parking costs and gas. Keep in mind that the average hotel day rate as of April 2024 was $195.70, so even if you find a good price, expect that it will be a significant expense on your road trip.

Important

Here’s a site to try for last-minute hotel deals: HotelTonight.com.

Staying in Budget Hotels or Motels

Especially for nights on the road when you just need a few hours to catch up on sleep, there’s no shame in staying at a budget hotel or motel. Just do a little digging into review sites like Tripadvisor to be sure the locations you choose are clean and safe, which is most important for quick stays. 

Camping in National Parks or Public Campgrounds

As long as the weather is cooperating, camping is a great way to explore more for less, says Woroch. “You can find free or very inexpensive camping spots throughout the country, especially around popular outdoor sites and national parks,” she says. 

The National Park Service’s NPS app offers tools like interactive maps, tours, accessibility information, and more. Another great resource to find campgrounds is KOA.com.

“Car camping at KOAs and campgrounds with tent sites, but also showers and electricity is a great cost savings option,” says Zach Lazzari, a road tripper and founder of Cross Border Coverage, an insurance agency catering to foreign vehicles driving in Mexico.

Tips on Budget-Friendly Food and Dining

Food is expensive these days, whether it’s dining out, fast food, or snacks from gas station pit stops. To really cut down on your road trip expenses, food is one budget line item that you can scale down.

• Invest in a good cooler and pack it with sandwiches, fruits, snacks, and drinks for the long legs of the journey. When you need to get out and stretch, stop off for a picnic lunch, which will feel fancy while still being frugal. 
• To replenish your cooler for the drive back, find stores like Walmart or Costco (if you’re a member) to keep costs down. If you hit a new-to-you grocery chain, take a minute to sign up for the loyalty card so you can score the sales prices.
• Check out the area Facebook Groups to ask about “kids eat free” restaurants or free local events. For adult travelers, inquire about the best happy hours in town to save on regular restaurant prices.
• Bring portable cooking equipment. Whipping up a few meals using a portable camping stove or making your own coffee can help you save as well. 
• Avoid tourist traps by chatting it up. “I ask the locals, Uber drivers, and receptionists for where they like to go, which tends to be the less expensive and less crowded places,” says Cisneros. The website Eatwith.com is a good resource to find local eateries and foodie experiences as well. 
• Pack some discount restaurant gift cards. “Use Restaurant.com or search daily deal sites like Groupon or LivingSocial for the cities you’re traveling to,” says Woroch. Costco and Sam’s Club also run deals on chain restaurant gift cards if you have any of those on your route.

Other Money-Saving Tips for the Road

Beyond travel, lodging, and food, there are a few more tactics to help keep your road trip expenses manageable.

• Stay mindful of your spending. Use a budgeting app or set alerts and reminders on your credit card apps when you’re nearing a specific balance amount. This will help you avoid blowing your budget, and let you know if there’s room for extra fun.
• Take advantage of discount cards, coupons, and loyalty programs for savings. Whether it’s an employer discount program, AAA membership, being a student, or having a military or first responder affiliation, it always pays to ask if there are discounts available when booking accommodations or tickets.
• Use rewards credit cards. If you have credit cards that earn rewards on gas, dining out, or travel, you can get points or cash back on your road trip costs. And, if you already have accumulated rewards, you can redeem them to save on your travel expenses.
• Set a souvenir rule. Whether it’s a dollar amount or choosing something inexpensive that you like to get whenever you travel (a refrigerator magnet, coffee mug, or postcard), having limits on souvenirs will help you stay on budget. 
• Find free activities. “It’s OK to budget in one or two splurge-worthy activities, but offset the rest of your road trip costs by taking advantage of free events and activities,” says Woroch. Check out the city’s website for free events like outdoor festivals, and look for free city walking tours through apps like GPSMyCity. Cisneros also suggests gardens, churches, museums, or just walking around town squares as budget-friendly activities.
• For entertainment and sporting events, Cisneros recommends TodayTix and Gametime for reduced prices.

Tip

AARP membership comes with travel and dining discounts, and you don’t have to be 50 or older to join. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Should I Have an Emergency Fund Set Aside for a Road Trip?

Having an emergency fund is always a good idea, but knowing you have extra money set aside when you’re far from home and unexpected things may happen can provide peace of mind. When creating your travel budget, go ahead and add in some cushion for those “just in case” moments.

How Much Should I Set Aside for Gas on a Road Trip?

Your gas budget really depends on your trip itinerary and the vehicle you’re driving. The AAA Gas Cost Calculator is a good tool for helping you estimate fuel costs specific to your vehicle’s make and model.

Should I Get Roadside Assistance Insurance?

If you’re going to be exploring unknown territory by car, having roadside assistance is a great idea in case your car breaks down, you get a flat tire, or your battery dies. You can join AAA, which offers 24/7 assistance and towing across the entire U.S. and Canada, whether you’re the driver or the passenger. Some auto insurance and credit cards also offer roadside assistance benefits, so see if you are eligible with the products you already have.

Can You Camp for Free in US National Parks?

Some camping areas in national parks are free, while some have a cost. Your best bet is to check Recreation.gov to see what’s available and to make reservations in advance.

The Bottom Line

Budget-friendly road trip tips are still possible even during times of inflation— just may require a bit more planning and open-mindedness. Break your road tip up into transportation, lodging, food, and activities. Decide which aspects of the trip you value most, and then allocate your available budget dollars accordingly.

“Experiences are often associated with money and this is the biggest barrier to traveling that I hear,” says Cisneros. “But if you are open to defining your unique way of traveling and not just following what other people think should be done, there is a whole world out there to see.”

Read the original article on Investopedia.