Frugal Travel Tips For Road Trips

What better for the thrifty traveler to increase his budget and allocation of his vacation than to take road trips during long weekends? Here are some of my top tips to reduce that cost even further.

Keep the cooler cool

Packing an accessible cooler full of drinks and snacks is a very low cost option. Instead of filling with ice, instead of filling cold water bottles and less-filled beverages (including drinking boxes, this maximizes the location of the cooler, making it a healthier juice thinner). No more bogey sandwiches or water in the backseat.

Where Eat Truckers

For long road trips, passengers may have to look outside the cooler for food. Instead of hunting for the usual fast food chains, keep an eye out for any local roadside restaurants with trucks parked outside. When truckers find a place with good, cheap food, they tell their friends.

Note: Just because the sign says truck stop, it does not mean stopping truck drivers. Vehicles never lie.

Keep on entertaining the kids

This is a trick I stole from my mom. Whenever we went on a long road trip, she would dig colorful books and crayons. This may not sound exciting, except ... to us. During the road trip we were allowed a new coloring book.

For today's child, keep some toys or video games for use only on road trips. It can be a new toy or favorite. The novelty of the toy will keep children busy and ready for long car rides.

Stop the vehicle

Road trip means being dependent on your vehicle so prep work is essential. Check all liquids, oil, antifreeze / coolant, windshield washer solvent (collect all road trip vehicles for bugs). Check the tires, making sure they are properly inflated and in good condition. In search of wear and tear, check all belts and hoses.

AAA or other vehicle assistance program

Frequent road trippers should consider membership of the AAA or other vehicle assistance program, especially if they have an older vehicle. A tow and membership pays for itself. Also no mess for local mechanics / tow trucks.

One of the benefits I have about AAA is their triptyx which is complete with route maps such as road works (very helpful during the summer road work season) and other stops. There are also spots on every city passed.

Road trips are a great way to see more local destinations and increase travel budgets.