Planning a road trip can be very overwhelming. Where to stay, what to do, how long should the trip be? These are just some of the questions that we ask ourselves while planning a road trip. Road trips usually have to be well planned, but they are also adventurous, fun, and unpredictable. All of this can happen at the same time, which can lead to unexpected expenses. That being said, I wanted to put together a list of tips that can help you save money.
This road trip money-saving list is for beginners that are planning their first road trip or have only gone on a couple of road trips. These tips will help you save money and save time so you can spend your money and time doing what makes you happy.
Ok. So many of these items are great for every person who is planning a road trip and looking to save money. However, many items are for people who are a little extra…like me. People like me that like to live the life of a traveler, but need the things they enjoy in life like a delicious cup of coffee and a hot meal….in a car. That being said and out of the way….here is the list of Road Trip Money Saving Tips.
As I was creating this packing list for you, I found some great items for you that are very practical and affordable. I will always do my best in finding items that are very useful and easy to purchase. That being said, some links are affiliate links and if make a purchase I will earn a small commission. I would love your support with this blog, so if you like any of the items, by clicking I’ll get a small commission, however, there are many other options and stores where you can buy the same products.
Road Trip Money Saving Tips
Gadgets to Buy
Gadgets to Buy: These gadgets are gadgets that are not necessary, but definitely make your road trip more enjoyable and they save you money along the way. Take a look at them, and see if any should be part of your packing list.
Car Inverter
A car inverter will give you the possibility to plug in multiple items at once. You can charge multiple phones, and it also has outlets to plug in your other gadgets such as laptops and cameras. There are many different options so be sure to do some research and find one that works for what you need.
Hot Logic
This is a must. As a flight attendant, a hot logic has saved me so much money and it has made me feel like a real human. Hot food! Granted, it takes time to heat up but it does work. I have one that works on a wall outlet and then….I found this one! This hot logic works in a car. Trust me. You need this for your road trip. You can heat up your food as your drive.
Coffee Maker
If you need our delicious coffee then you need to buy one of these to save money. You can use an espresso maker or a french press. Yes, this is definitely an extra item that you do not need, but if you won’t have a Starbucks around, or you don’t want to spend $5 per cup, and you don’t want drip coffee every day, then this is a must. You can take your favorite espresso and have a delicious cup of coffee every day. For the espresso, you have this option that people love to take while camping. The french press is a great option and this one is small enough to fit in your cup holder. All you need is hot water.
Plug-in Cooler
This will keep your food cold. The cooler has to be plugged in so depending on how much you have going on, this may or may not be a good option. However, a six-pack cooler is a great option. It stores a lot of food and keeps it cold.
Water Kettle
Yes. Yes. Yes. This is where the packing becomes extra and maybe unnecessary, but hear me out. With a water kettle, you can heat up water for your coffee, instant ramen, tea, and some other food options. If you don’t want to take a water kettle, you can always get hot water at a gas station for free or very inexpensive. Usually, if they charge you, they are charging you for the cup so make sure you have your own cup.
Six-Pack Cooler
This is my best friend while traveling. As a flight attendant, you usually pack food for a 3-4 day trip. Finding the perfect bag that can fit that much food and that isn’t going to be huge is difficult….until I found the 6-Pack Cooler. I love this bag. You can carry so much and it’s relatively small. I also love that you can keep your food cold for 8-12 hours. They have gel packs that you can freeze and keep inside. While traveling you won’t be able to freeze them but you can keep ice in it. This is a great option to keep inside our car while the cooler can be kept in the trunk.
Portable Stove Burner
Ok. Ok. Let’s not get crazy here. You don’t need this. However, it’s nice because you can pull over at a nice park or have a beautiful view and make yourself a hot meal. This is definitely ideal for someone who is camping. There are several different options, you can either go with butane or propane stove burner. This portable stove burner has the option for both.
Where to Stay
There are so many different options when it comes to accommodations. You can camp, stay in Airbnb, hotel, or hostel. You can even find some amazing and affordable cabins. Below is more information about each. It will help you figure out which option is best for you.
Camp in National Parks
Pack your tent and your sleeping bag and get ready to camp out. This will save you tons of money, and it is the cheapest option. Before you do this, you want to make sure you do your research and reserve your spots. At certain campsites, you can stay for free and others can range from $15-30 per night. This will be the best option if you are looking to save money. Besides, I bet you will also have the best stories about your adventures.
Cabin
There are some very cool and funky cabins. Do your research and see what you can find. Some of them are small and affordable while others are a full out luxe cabin.
Airbnb
This is a great option for you if you want to save money, but you don’t want to camp it out. You can either rent a room, which will be the cheapest. I’ve rented rooms before and it’s a great option if you are looking to save money. If you look around, many private rooms are detached from the house or have their own entrance with their own bathroom. You can also rent an entire house or condo. This is great if you want to settle in for a few days. You will have a kitchen to cook and save money.
Hostel
There are so many hostel locations all over the world. Find one that fits your style. Some great websites to look at hostels are www.hostelworld.com, www.hostelgeeks.com, and www.worldbesthostels.com. Now, a hostel is not for everyone. When I was younger I stayed at hostels while traveling in Central America, but I don’t stay in hostels now. However, there are some great affordable options.
Hotel
This is usually my option if I want to enjoy my stay and enjoy the amenities. I like to collect my hotel nights at www.hotels.com because after 10 nights I will get one night free. I would suggest picking a site that gives you rewards and stick to it. The more loyal you are, the more rewards you will receive.
Food & Drink
This is where you can save a lot of money without sacrificing your vacation experience. There are so many different creative options. Don’t limit yourself and don’t limit the possibilities of what you can do on a budget. You just have to think outside of the box, or keep the ideas in the box, but make them an experience. I have listed some ideas below.
Pack Food
This is probably the most obvious one, but this will save you a lot of money and a lot of time. Being a flight attendant this is something I have gotten pretty good at. Pack some food in a cooler and eat as you go. It can be as simple as chips and sandwiches or you can purchase a car inverter to plug into your car and heat up some homemade food in your hot logic. When you are packing food, think outside the box about what you can take. Maybe take some canned tuna, some burritos, salads. Be creative. Some great frozen food options will work two-fold, you can use them to keep the rest of your food cold and you can have your meal.
Make Coffee on the Go
I love love my coffee, and I love me so good coffee. So this is an important one for me. I will find a way to enjoy my delicious cup of coffee but as we all know, a latte can cost $4-5. That being said, the easiest way to get your coffee is to cold brew. This can be premade and you can store it to keep it cool and drink it as you go. If you like your coffee hot as I do, you have a couple of options. You can use an espresso maker or a french press. Both need hot water, so depending on the amount of work or items you want to bring with you, this may or may not be for you. For me, it is. I want to enjoy my coffee. Sure, I can drink gas station coffee, but what I really want is a nice espresso. So I will take the portable kettle with me and make myself a delicious coffee.
Complimentary Food During Stay
The best way to save money on food, get it for free. When I choose my hotel, I usually look for a place that offers complimentary breakfast and free parking. Usually, the price is the same in comparison, but you are saving a lot of money on food and parking.
Happy Hour
First of all, I love a good happy hour. Find me a restaurant that has delicious food and good cocktails and they offer it during happy hour, I’m there. While you are traveling, find places that offer great food and drink options at happy hour prices. While on a road trip this will save you a lot of money and it will allow you to discover different parts of the city.
Protein Shakes
Protein shakes are great options to save you money and keep you healthy. You can either buy pre-packaged protein shakes or you can make your own. I prefer to make my own protein shake. Being a flight attendant, you are always looking for ways to eat healthier and save money. I purchased this portable blender and it’s easily charged. I carry it with me along with fruit, coconut milk, and protein. This will save you money on at least one meal per day.
Plan a Picnic
This is one of my favorite things to do on a vacation, and it can also be the one of the cheapest ways to create a unique experience. Pick up some food at the grocery store a bottle of wine and head to the park, the mountains or sit by a lake and enjoy the beauty of simplicity.
What to Do
What do you like to do? What can you do at home or in another city and what is a once in a lifetime experience that you won’t regret doing. These are the questions I ask myself to help me decide where to spend my money.
Here are some ideas to help you figure out what you want to do on your road trip.
Make Reservations Ahead of Time
When planning a road trip, you want to make sure to make reservations ahead of time for anything that you really want to do. There might be limited space, so be sure to book ahead of time.
Find Unique Things to Do
Every city whether it’s big or small has some cool and unique things to do. Find them. Do some research, ask locals, read blogs. Find the cool things that are not so common. Some of the coolest and weirdest things I’ve found have been a toilet seat museum, a bar hidden in a restaurant, and a speakeasy restaurant in an alley. When you find these kinds of places, your research is worth every minute.
Look for Free Things to Do
Every city has so many free things to see and do. Look for them. A great place to start is on the cities tourism website, and then from there look for local bloggers or websites that can be your guide. I love to walk through the town and look at graffiti, I look for small local shops, enjoy a picnic at the park. All of these activities allow you to explore the town or city and it’s free.
Experience Once in a Lifetime
This is what you want to do at least once on every vacation. Find something that will make your trip so memorable. This is your goal for every trip. Find something so unique you will not mind spending a little more money. However, if it’s not cheap, see what you can do in the other parts of your trip to make it happen.
More Money Saving Hacks
Here is a list of additional ways to save money on your next road trip
GasBuddy App
Gas. You will need it. Time and time again. So instead of stopping at the first gas station you see, plan for a better price. Download the GasBuddy app to see where the cheapest gas station is.
Avoid Touristy Spots
The most touristy spots are usually the most expensive. Make sure you actually want to do it and read reviews to make sure it’s worth it. If it is, then do it and if not, look for something similar.
These are all ways to save money on a road trip. Some might work for you and some might not. I wanted to give you as many ideas as possible. Here is my article on
What tips do you have to share? I would love to hear them and learn from you.
