6 Travel Hacks for an Affordable Summer Road Trip

By Robin Salvador @vinzsalvador23

Exploring new places and picnic spots both domestically and internationally is a hobby of many of us and summer is the perfect time to plan an extensive road trip with your loved ones to allow them to enjoy some relaxing time and to break the monochromatic pattern of a robotic life. A road trip with friends and family can be one of the most amazing and memorable experience of your life that would always be a source of happiness for you. A road tip allows you to spend some quality time with your social circle and plans your trip with a freedom that allows you to visit and spend time at the places of your choice where you can discover and enjoy the wonders of nature and finds for oneself the peace of heart and mind. If you are not a regular traveler a road trip, at first sight, would seem to be expensive as well as time and fuel consuming but according to some tourist guides it can be the most adventurous and affordable trip if you plan and prepare the required things for the road trip wisely. A road trip in summers can go heavy on your budget but don't allow the extravagance approach to break your bank. Traveling with your kids further puts the responsibility on your shoulder to make ends meet hence you have to take measures for their entertainment to keep them engaged and happy. All you need to do is play your resource cards wisely, the golden tip to an affordable yet fun filled road trip is by choosing the right destination and avoid spending heftily on hotels for food and night stay. If you are aspiring of a dream and fabulous vacation that compliments your account statement, here are six travel hacks that would guide you to an affordable summer road trip without compromising the adventure and fun part of the trip.

    Install free traveling App

A free traveling app in your phone would guide you to your destination and keep you organized. It would also help you to find affordable lodging deals that would prove to be wallet friendly and allow you to manage your finances effectively. Moreover, the app keeps you connected with your friends who can give you suggestions for the places to visit and make it more memorable. The incredible feature of the app is its ability to spot scenic spots that come in the way to your final destination, and you can utilize these spots to regain your energy instead of staying at expensive rest houses.

Bringing home food with you on the road trip would help you save money like nothing else. No doubt there are restaurants available that would arise your craving, but you also have to keep in view your budget restrictions. To make your trip budget friendly, it is advisable to organize a travel size cooler with eatables such as fruits, sandwiches and other high energy snacks so that you can save for hard times. In case the restaurants are far the eatables in the car can serve more than a blessing for you. If you are a food lover and want to enjoy the traditional foods, then plan a few visits to the traditional restaurants where you can enjoy the taste of traditional foods offering the best family environment and best food packages.

    Use your phone for cheap gas packages

Another good way to save the cost of the road trip is by carrying a gas friendly app in your phones. Installing the app would help you save money at the gas pumps. Even the app helps you find the cheapest gas stations that lie in your way to your final destination. Moreover, the people who use the app regularly get some incentives by earning points for reporting gas prices to the other tourists as a result of which you can get free gas cards.

The tolls add a great hurdle to your budget friendly agenda. Therefore, it is advisable to skip them by taking alternative routes with the help of google maps. Don't worry other/alternative routes does not necessarily mean long gas-consuming routes. You will mostly be able to find the shortest route to avoid toll that would save both your time and money. If you are a regular traveler, then M-Tag policy would help you pass through the tolls without paying money and save the extra cost of the road trip.

    Get in touch with the locals

The easiest way to get hold of the traditions and best locations of the place you are visiting is by getting in touch with the locals as they have been living there for long and are aware of the best routes and short cuts to your final destination. Moreover, by taking the locals in your group would help you to divide the cost of the trip equally and they can also entertain you in their homes with free food and comfortable beds.

Camping is both fun and budget friendly when you are traveling with your friends or family as it allows you to set your own little space without spending heftily on hotels and restaurants. Moreover, your privacy is safe, and you can stay connected with your family at one common place and enjoy midnight gatherings around the campfire but make sure to equip your car with the best car alarm system to ensure its safety. These are the fun activities that you cannot enjoy while staying in the hotel. Camping also allows you to find attractions that you can enjoy with your family without spending a penny on it. Search for places like museums and parks that you can visit free of cost with your family and friends.