Mom! He keeps hitting me! Leave your brother alone, you say. Your other daughter says she has to use the bathroom. We just stopped. Then your husband opens a smelly bag of beef jerky. Sound familiar? Family road trips can be stressful, but at least they don’t have to be stressful on your wallet. Here are 15 tips to plan a family road trip on a shoestring budget.
Plan Out Your Trip
Before you pack up your vehicle and hit the open road, take the time to plan out your trip. Choose a route and research food, gas, lodging, and entertainment. Look for the best prices. The more details you have planned for, the less likely you’ll find yourself in a grind. As they say, when you don’t plan, you’re planning to fail.
Pack Snacks and Lunches
Eating out can be expensive, especially if you have kids who eat like human garbage disposals. Make sandwiches. It doesn’t have to be anything fancy—peanut butter and jelly will do fine. Also, bring snacks like nuts, chips, fruit, and granola bars. Take as much as you can from the family pantry. You’ll cut down on costs significantly.
Drive the Speed Limit
A lesser-known driving tip is to go the speed limit. Not because an officer could pull you over and write you a ticket, but because the suggested speed limit on the sign will help you get the most out of your gas. By going the speed limit, your car will get better gas mileage, saving you from losing gas. Cruise control can be helpful.
Spend a Few Nights Camping
Camping is one of the best lodging accommodations—because it is free! You typically don’t have to pay anything to camp. All you need is a tent, sleeping bags, and a pillow. Now you’re all set to call it a night. You won’t have to spend money on expensive hotels or Airbnb when nature always has vacancies. Your wallet may thank you if your family can muster a few nights on the hard ground.
Stay with Friends or Family
Another resourceful lodging tip is to stay with friends or family. When you plan your route, see if you know anybody. Ask if they have a spare bedroom or even a living room floor they could spare for your family of five. It won’t be the coziest night you’ve ever had, but it does beat sleeping on the grass or in an SUV.
Avoid Tolls
When you plan your route, be sure to avoid tolls. Even though they charge a quarter to two dollars, this can quickly add up. Save your change for something else, like gas station snacks. Even though the toll money goes toward keeping a state’s roadway in good condition, try to avoid them if you can.
Avoid Tourist Traps
Tourist traps are restaurants, stores, and souvenir shops near bustling tourist attractions. These places take advantage of tourists because they know they can charge high prices. Avoid these places on your family road trip unless you want overpriced food and gifts. Do some research into the neighborhood and find local favorites. The prices will be friendlier.
Visit Parks and Lakes for Free Activities
Local parks can provide a well-needed respite from the cramped car. It’s a chance to stretch your limbs and let the kids run wild—maybe they’re getting antsy in the back seat. Plan to have a picnic and let the kids play on the playground. You likely won’t have to spend anything. Free activities are the best.
Track Your Expenses
You should track your expenses if you’re trying to stick to a strict budget. You should have done plenty of research and planning on the front end. Keep a little booklet with all spending—groceries, snacks, lodging, gas, etc. Even the mere process of seeing your bank account will help remind you to save. You’ll be more likely to pause on a purchase and ask yourself, “Do we need this?” When you’re on a shoestring budget, that answer is usually no.
Find Cheap Lodging
Your sleeping accommodations are one of the most important things to plan. You don’t want to end up sleeping in the car—you’ll wake up with a stiff neck. Ensure your trip is carefully planned, with reservations made ahead of time. You don’t want to be left without a room. Airbnb has options at affordable prices.
Look for Deals and Coupons
When you’re on the open road and your tummies growl, you know it’s time to stop for a meal. Be vigilant ahead of time and during the drive for restaurants advertising cheap eats. Get the most out of your buck by finding steals, deals, and sales. Search online for any coupons that will stretch your dollar. You want to find the best prices when you have kids who eat a lot.
Fuel Up at Cheapest Gas Stations
You want to get the best gas prices when you’re road-tripping on a tight budget. Some apps you can download will allow you to compare gas prices at different gas stations. You don’t want to overspend on gas when you don’t have to. Every dollar on this trip counts. Make sure you plan your gas station stops ahead of time.
Utilize Rewards Programs
Some gas stations have rewards programs you can sign up for, like Kwik Trip. You set up an account with your email, and then whenever you buy something, you scan the barcode. The more you spend, the more rewards you will rack up. You could earn cashback or save a few dollars on a qualifying purchase. Being resourceful is the name of the game when you are strapped for cash.
Find Free Activities
Your wallet loves anything with free in the title. So, instead of planning to spend up to ten dollars per head on a museum ticket, look for free activities and attractions. It could involve taking in a breathtaking nature scene or visiting a park. Walk along the lakeshore or meander around the shops, but don’t buy anything. Sometimes, looking at neat things can be fun. Ensure you set the expectation that your kids will not get anything.
Travel During Off-Season
The last tip isn’t so much for your wallet as it is for the driver’s sanity. You can expect to run into traffic when you travel during peak vacation dates like spring break. Plan your road trip during a less busy time. Nothing is more frustrating than being deadlocked on the highway with kids screaming in the back seat and the A/C stopped working. At least you can take one factor out of the headache equation.
