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Tips to avoid summer travel budget busters

Kristi King | kking@wtop.com

May 23, 2016, 5:51 PM

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The evening sunset People are starting to return home
WASHINGTON — The summer driving season kicks off with the Memorial Day weekend and there are lots of road trip, budget busters drivers might want to avoid. “People rely on their smartphones for everything these days. And when you’re traveling and you’re not hooked up to your home Wi-Fi, you might forget you’re using a lot of data,” said consumer savings expert Andrea Woroch. “Going over your allowable data can cost you a lot of money.” Woroch has plenty more tips to help travelers save from gas to snacks to finding roadside attractions. Click on to find more. (Thinkstock)
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1. Gas Fuel up midweek before your trip. Pump prices tend to rise on Fridays and holiday weekends. “Also, use an app like GasBuddy.com,” said consumer savings Expert Andrea Woroch. “That’ll help you find cheaper gas stations off the interstate when you’re driving because those gas stations right off the exit are going to be the highest price.” (AP Photo/Elise Amendola, File)
AP Photo/Elise Amendola, File
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2. Rest stop snacks and drinks Packing a cooler with munchies reduces expenses at rest stops and convenience stores. (Thinkstock)
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3. Underinflated tires  Properly inflated tires get better gas mileage, they last longer and are less likely to blow out, leaving you awaiting roadside assistance. (Thinkstock)
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female driver hand holding a phone with interface navigator on a screen
4. Data-overage penalties  Avoid overage penalties for exceeding phone data plans by turning off push notifications on apps such as Facebook and Instagram, using Wi-Fi whenever possible and by disabling GPS related services. To avoid data overage penalties Woroch has this advice:
-Turn off push notifications from apps such as Facebook and Instagram.
-Wait to read or post status updates until free Wi-Fi is available.
-Use free Wi-Fi to download driving directions before your trip to avoid continuously pulling data while on the road.
-Limit use of streaming services such as Spotify, Pandora and Netflix
-Use Wi-Fi as frequently as possible (Thinkstock)
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Thinks simple meals when camping. (Getty Images/iStockphoto/gpointstudio)
5. Lodging fees  Cut expenses dramatically by skipping hotels and camping instead. Lots of popular destinations have free or inexpensive camping areas. Woroch recommends making a reservation through sites such as ReserveAmerica.com and CampingRoadTrip.com. (Thinkstock)
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Online accommodation booking concept. Smartphone and system hot
6. Last-minute hotel costs  Last-minute room deals can be found using the HotelTonight app. Woroch also recommends using Coupon Sherpa to find discounts. Current deals include for example, 30 percent off plus an extra $45 off a $300 purchase through Memorial Day using a discount code at Hotels.com. (Thinkstock)
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7. Spontaneity Rather than just wandering around to explore an area potentially wasting time and money, Woroch recommends finding fun activities using apps such as EveryTrail, Roadtrippers and Field Trip. “That’ll help you find those cool destinations along your route to make sure you’re getting the most out of that trip as well,” Woroch said. (AP Photos/Rachel D’Oro)
AP Photos/Rachel D’Oro
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The evening sunset People are starting to return home
Vending machine
flattire1200.jpg
female driver hand holding a phone with interface navigator on a screen
Thinks simple meals when camping. (Getty Images/iStockphoto/gpointstudio)
Online accommodation booking concept. Smartphone and system hot
Kristi King

Kristi King is a veteran reporter who has been working in the WTOP newsroom since 1990. She covers everything from breaking news to consumer concerns and the latest medical developments.

kking@wtop.com

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