We are spoiled for choices these days with vacation options. You can find great deals whichever way you want to travel to your destinations. Some people love trains or planes and others love a road trip. It is generally about the journey with a road trip. You can drop and see many places on the way, sample great food and even see relatives as well.
It is essential that you prepare well for the journey. This will increase your enjoyment, avoid some of the problems and make it more economical to drive. Here are some tips that can make your life easier on the roads and save you money.
1. Have Your Car Serviced
First of all you don’t want to face breakdowns some unknown places far from home. A good mechanic will service your automobile and check for any apparent problems that need urgent attention. Secondly, you will save a lot of money on a long road trip if your engine is properly tuned up, filters are changed and tyre pressure is checked. Also, you should mind how you drive while on the roads. Following speed limits, avoiding aggressive driving and not using air conditioning are some of the ways to save money on gas.
2. Find the Cheapest Petrol on your Route
Even you save $0.1 dollar per litre that would be $5 each time you fill a 50 litre gas thank. You can find the cheapest petrol stations on the way by using websites like gasbuddy. Some areas can really have expensive petrol prices. You can avoid them by filling before you hit the area and after leaving. If you can do your research in advance you would know where to fill and where to avoid filling. This could save you at least couple of hundred dollars depending on the length of your travels.
3. Research about Food Options
There are a few great mom-and-pop diners across wherever you travel. You can find about them from a good guide book or on the internet. They offer much larger portions, a unique experience, chance to taste local food and they are generally cheaper. It is best to avoid drive-through and chain restaurants that have branches in your home town as well. Not only they are not healthy but also work out expensive as well.
4. Buy your Snacks and Drinks Beforehand
You know how costly and unhealthy it is to snack on gas station purchases. For example, you would pay at least $0.50 for a bag of crisp that can be purchased at about $0.10 a bag if you buy bulk. Besides, you would be able to choose your favorites and healthy options when you take your time in a supermarket. Gas stations will have limited choice and you will be tempted to buy a few other sweets if you are browsing. Being prepared can save you a lot of money and snacks will be in your car whenever you need. You should also fill up on water and your favorite drinks.
5. Check your Auto Insurance and Roadside Recovery Coverage
You need to make sure that you have the required automobile insurance cover for your entire journey. Some of the cheaper auto insurance policies may exclude overseas driving, have limited coverage or offer cover for a limited period. You have to make sure that you have the right coverage for your needs. Also, you should buy a roadside recovery cover that provides services in all your destinations. You will have no clue who to call if you have a breakdown at some unknown places.
6. Have a Quick Set Up Tent in the Car
Camping equipment are quite compact these days. Have them in your vehicle even you don’t plan to camp. Camping sites are generally located in great spots like next to a river, lake or national forest. It would be great to camp out a few days and it will reduce your costs. Furthermore, camping will offer you alternative should you fail to find reasonably priced hotel rooms.
7. Research your Accommodation Options
When you are on a road trip you don’t spend much time in hotels. You arrive to sleep and get out early morning. So, you should make sure that you don’t pay a small fortune for hotels. You should research cheaper hotel chains and see if you can get discount cards from them. With the chain hotels you know the standard of accommodation and you know where they are located. You can book your room on the day or day in advance depending on your progress. This way, you don’t waste time looking for accommodation too.
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