How to road trip for less

Following all the May graduations, many families and recent grads take advantage of their freedom and hit the road for a vacation. Oftentimes it’s a matter of cost — it can be more cost-effective to drive than to fly. However, without careful planning and budgeting, the cost of road trips can sneak up on you. Read on for some effective ways to cut costs while getting to your destination.

Consider Renting a Vehicle

Part of the appeal of taking a road trip is that most of us already have a car, so the mode of transportation itself (excluding fuel) seems to be free. However, contradictory as it may sound, it can be more cost effective to get a rental car for your road trip.

When you travel with your personal vehicle, you should get it serviced so it’s safe for the road. The costs of fluid changes (including oil, brake, transmission and coolant) add up. Further, using your vehicle will cause extra wear on its tires and belts. With the cost of a new set of tires running at around $800, that’s a big cost to consider. Most rental cars are the latest models, and you don’t have to worry about tire wear or getting them serviced. Plus, if the vehicle breaks down, most companies have policies to meet you with a new replacement vehicle. If you experience problems on the road in your own car, you better hope you can repair it yourself or find a nearby open shop.

Also consider the number of miles you’re logging. Auto insurance companies consider the number of miles you put on your car in a year and factor that into your insurance cost, so if you add a few thousand on a road trip, you may go over the allotted amount. If you’re leasing your vehicle, you may want to consider added mileage for the same reason. Most rental cars come with unlimited miles as long as you stay within the United States. It’s a no-brainer.

Finally, if you drive a gas-guzzler, renting a gas-efficient car like a hybrid can drastically cut down on the cost of fuel. But before you rent a car, make sure you check for the latest coupons. You can score everything from a free rental day to a free upgrade to deep daily discounts with a quick online coupon search.

Pack a Cooler and Save $45 a Day

I don’t know about you, but after I eat a lot of fast food, it all starts to taste the same — not to mention it isn’t exactly healthy. An easy way to cut down on road trip costs is to prepare meals ahead and pack them in a cooler.

My favorite recommendation is a hot/cool thermoelectric cooler. Sounds fancy, but it’s an electric cooler that plugs into your car’s cigarette lighter, and it can keep food cold or hot. This is especially handy when you’re traveling with children or picky eaters — you’ll always have their favorite food and drink on hand, and if they need a snack you won’t need to pull off the road. Just don’t do what we did one time — we accidentally turned the switch to the heat mode and wound up baking three days’ worth of sandwich supplies, yogurt, fruit and beverages.

The cost of a 40-quart cooler is about $140, and you can save more if you shop sales and use coupons. Consider we typically eat three meals a day, you can probably save around $45 for a family of four if you bring your own food. You’ll pay off the cost of the cooler in a few days, nourish your body with the healthy food it needs, keep your children happy and get to your destination faster. Bonus — you can use the cooler for future trips.

Think About Nontraditional Lodging

If the thought of road tripping evokes stays in a hotel or motel, then you may be selling yourself short. According to Statistica, the average price of a night’s stay in a hotel is expected to be $121.37 in 2015.

That’s not terrible, but according to a Priceonomics study, you can save about 50 percent by renting a private room on Airbnb — plus, private rooms usually come with access to a kitchen and other amenities. Just make sure you read the reviews, and shop around for the best rate in the locations you plan to stop along the way.

An even cheaper alternative is to camp. Rates for a cabin are about $55 per night for a family of four – and even less for a tent site. Plus, if you’re traveling with pets, this is a great option. And kids age five and under stay free. You’ll have access to the campground’s showers, and some locations have swimming pools, video arcades and hike or bike trails. The chance to get fresh air and let the children run off some steam after a day in the car is a win-win for me.

Search for Last-Minute Flight Deals

Finally, consider checking the cost of airfare one last time to see whether airlines are running any last-minute deals to your destination. Much as I love a good drive, I also have to consider what my time is worth. Most of us don’t have unlimited vacation time, and if the cost of flying is marginally more than the total cost of a road trip (the vehicle, fuel, food, lodging, attractions), it may be worth it to pay a bit more to spend more time at the final destination.

But if the journey is your destination, then I wish you the best. Plan ahead, budget wisely and never forget the value of a good deal and home-cooked meal. Now get out there and enjoy saving on the open road!

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How to Road Trip for Less originally appeared on usnews.com

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