That special time of year has come again: time to pack your bags and embark on a holiday road trip. Planning a road trip is no easy task. It would be ideal to just hop on a plane and go but as we all know, plane tickets become increasingly expensive around the holiday season. However, as inexpensive as it may be, going on a road trip is not always easy. Here are a few tips to help lighten your road trip load.
A proper budget is quite possibly the most essential part of your planning your road trip. Without a well thought out budget, you might find yourself in precarious situations that could have otherwise been avoided. The top three things your budget must include are gas, food, and lodging.
Gas
It is important that you make sure you begin your road trip with a full gas tank. Look around and make sure you are getting your gas for the best price possible.
Depending on how far away your destination is from your starting point, you will inevitably need to stop to refill your tank. Be sure not to underestimate the price of gas in other areas. You will find that some places will have higher gas prices than others, so budget accordingly.
Food
Many travelers will tell you that one of the best parts of a road trip is the opportunity to try new delicious foods. Just make sure you don’t blow your budget on food alone.
Try your best to pack as many snacks and as much food (you can also use a small or medium size cooler) as you can. Popular foods that many travelers pack for road trips include, but are not limited to:
- Breakfats or protein bars
- Cheese and crackers
- Lunch meats
- Sandwiches (peanut butter and jelly or lunch meats and cheese with mustard)
- Trail mix and/or nuts
Lodging
It is expected you will have already secured a place to stay once you reach your destination. However, depending on the distance between your starting point and destination, you may find that you are too tired to execute your journey without stopping to rest.
Research hotels or motels that that fit your budget and that are easily accessed during your drive. Take advantage of sites like Expedia and Airbnb – sites that can help you find the best place to rest within your means.