Alright, it’s summer. The temperatures are higher and you’re probably dying to get away from the desk and enjoy some sunshine. One of the most exciting things you can do is grab a friend or two and take a road trip to some new places! Or, you can even go somewhere that you always go, the point is to hit the road!
Here are a few simple tips you can put into action that are both fun and budget friendly.
With the unpredictable costs of gas, plus wear & tear on your own vehicle, it’s tempting to consider renting a car. Don’t rule it out. Do your research.
Many of the major rental companies, such as Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, National, or Thrifty, often have summer or weekend deals that might match your needs.
Some credit card rewards programs and frequent flier programs may have discounts that will lower your daily rate for the car. Be sure to ask the rental company before you complete your rental reservation.
Check with your employer! Many companies that rent cars frequently may have a negotiated rate that they can share with employees. Your HR department could have more information on this benefit.
Consider car sharing instead! Zipcar, for example, has cars available around the country. You can sign up for a membership and book a car all through the mobile app. You could book a car for just a few hours or for a whole day depending on what kind of trip you are taking. The only con to using a Zipcar is that you must return the car to the lot that it came from. At this time, they are not reserving oneway trips in most locations.
This is a major expenditure to plan for on any trip. If going on a short trip, some of these ideas might seem a little gratuitous, but are definitely possible for longer car rides.
While it may be tempting to stop and check out every restaurant and vending machine that you can, your budget may disagree.
Pack snacks before you hop in the car! Grab some small, prepackaged items that you can stash in the car without making a mess. Consider granola bars, bottled beverages, or pre-portioned snacks in the containers of your choice.
Consider making some basic sandwiches or lunches that you can pack up for later. When you make a stop, pick a spot where you can enjoy the local scenery and eat a picnic lunch. Make a memory instead of spending a lot of money on food.
This is an easy one take a refillable water bottle. It’s something that you can refill at most rest stop or park water fountains.
No one knows the area better than the people who live and work there! You don’t know when you may pass a certain place again, so make sure you pick the best stops and opportunities that you can!
See a fun billboard on the side of the interstate that looks intriguing? “Free samples!” or “Free Tours!” Definitely stop and check it out if you can. Free is good for the wallet and you might enjoy a brand new experience.
When you’re making a pit stop, talk to the cashiers, baristas, and servers, etc. about anything that might be happening around the area. They can also warn you about road construction that you might encounter, or point you to the nearest “World’s Largest Frying Pan.”
If you’re traveling in the summer, you’ll probably pass some free outdoor events pretty frequently. Do a quick Google search for free events along the route for your road trip.
The most important things to do on a road trip are to stay safe and have an amazing time with your friends! Don’t forget to take some pictures! Plan some things out, but don’t be afraid to be flexible … it might be a lot of fun.
This is a guest post from Broke Twenty Something, who writes about personal finance for young adults.
