Cheap Road Trip Tips

Though it's popular elsewhere in the world too, the road trip is an American classic. Graduates embark on one over the summer as a traditional rite of passage, and families use it as a lower-cost alternative to flying and a way to sightsee along the way. Whether you're setting out with a group of your closest pals or bringing the kids in the back seat, cut costs with these cheap road trip tips. You'll be surprised how much money you'll save if you follow these basic but very effective suggestions!

Find the cheapest gas in the area.

Various websites keep track of the lowest gas prices around the country. If you plan your trip around this information, you'll save money. Gas is a necessary expense, but you can still cut down on it.

Carpool.

If you're not bringing the kids, bring a bunch of friends instead and split the cost! Combining two small families works too, if you can fit into a shared vehicle with room for comfort and luggage. But be careful when choosing who to travel with, because long hours stuck in the car together can put a strain on a friendship or a family relationship.

Consider renting a car.

Renting a car might be cheaper long-term than the wear and tear on your own vehicle, and it can be the only way to fit your entire family or traveling group with room to spare. However, it's not necessarily the best deal. Weigh the pros and cons of taking your own car versus renting, and then go with the better option.

Stay at cheap locations.

Camping is a great way to save money, and if you're really willing to sacrifice some comfort for lower costs, you can always sleep in the car at a truck stop and pay for a cheap truck stop shower. Or, if you're not a camper and you'd like the luxuries of civilization, or your trip is going to be taking you through some exciting towns you want to explore along the way, vacation rentals may be the way to go. Rent a Grand Canyon vacation home or a condo in Niagara Falls and you'll save money without roughing it. Even a city like Chicago can become a cheap destination if you share a Chicago vacation rental instead of staying in an overpriced hotel.

Try to avoid toll highways.

Toll highways add an extra expense for convenience you may not need; if the journey is part of the point, after all, what's an extra half hour through scenic countryside? Save your quarters and pick an alternate route. It's always a good idea to plan your trip carefully ahead of time, so you know at least the important interstate highways, and this planning will help you avoid both traffic and toll roads. And on the subject of traffic…

Don't drive through cities during rush hour.

Avoiding rush hour is an important step to plan for when you map out your trip. Not only can it add hours that are likely to make the kids complain, it's also a terrible way to burn through gas. Take scenic back roads if you absolutely must go through town during rush hour, but generally it's a good rule of thumb to be highway driving or sightseeing when locals are gridlocked in traffic.

Pack your own food, and bring a durable cooler that will last the entire trip.

Shopping at the grocery store is much cheaper than eating at restaurants or even picking up snacks from the convenience store. Pack delicious nonperishables, and stock a durable cooler (not a Styrofoam one, which will probably wind up damaged partway through the trip) with refreshments, sandwiches, fruits and vegetables, and other snacks. You'll also be able to eat healthier without relying on fast food or chips, and you'll avoid feeling sluggish while driving, too.