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Are you looking to stretch your vacation dollars further this year? Road trips are a great way to make family vacations affordable, but did you know that you can save even more money? Keep reading to get the inside scoop on my 6 best tips to save money on family road trips!
Tip #1: Drive through the night.
My first tip to save money on family road trips is to drive through the night. This tip can help you save money in a couple different ways.
First, when you drive through the night, you are less likely to get stuck in traffic jams. This means it will take you less time to get to your destination and will use less gas in the process. Both of these things will help you keep more cash in your pocket.
Secondly, by driving through the night, you can plan to arrive at your destination in the morning instead of in the evening. This will allow you to take full advantage of the first day of your vacation while saving you a night’s hotel stay. This alone can shrink your vacation costs by $100 or more dollars!
Tip #2: Pack your own snacks.
One of the easiest ways to save money on family road trips is to pack your own snacks for the trip.
Buying drinks and snacks for everyone in the family at every pitstop you make while on the road can get expensive. So, instead, pack snacks for your family before leaving home.
Not only will this keep more money in your pocket, but it will also keep your kids happier during the trip because they can have a snack whenever they get hungry instead of having to wait until the next stop.
Depending on your family’s preferences, you can either pack one snack bag for the family or make each person their own snack box. Also, take a small cooler with you filled with drinks to enjoy.
For ideas on what snacks to pack, see my lists of the best road trip snacks for kids and toddlers.
Tip #3: Have a picnic.
Don’t stop at just packing snacks though! Save even more money on your next road trip by packing one or more meals and having a picnic during the drive.
Pack a full size ice chest with fruit, sandwiches, or whatever food your family likes to eat. If you don’t want to mess with keeping food cold, choose items that can safely be stored at room temperature.
Just remember if you bring food that requires plates and silverware to pack those as well. And don’t forget the napkins!
Whenever it’s time to stop and eat, find a park or rest area on your route so your kids can take some time to play while you’re eating.
Tip #4: Use Gas Buddy.
My fourth tip to save money on family road trips is to download and use the Gas Buddy app. This app will show you where to find the cheapest gas prices along your route.
There is nothing worse than stopping to fill up with gas only to discover that you could have saved 10 cents per gallon a mile further down the road.
Even if you only save a few dollars each time you get gas, this can add up to significant savings over the course of a road trip.
Tip #5: Take time to play.
My next tip to save money on family road trips is to take time to play along the way. Now, I know that this doesn’t sound like it has anything to do with money, but stick with me here!
There is no rule that says you must only do activities that cost money while on vacation. To save some dough, plan a few free activities, such as going to a park or playground.
You can have just as much fun playing with your kids and making memories doing free things as you can by spending money on admission tickets. And this can save you hundreds of dollars!
So, plan some time to play for free while on your trip and enjoy knowing that you are saving money at the same time!
Tip #6: Use your cruise control.
The last way you can save money while driving is by using your cruise control. Driving a constant speed improves your gas milage. And this, of course, means less gas to get to your destination and more money in your wallet.
So, whenever possible, use your cruise control while on the road.
But, please be careful. Don’t set the cruise when in heavy traffic, construction zones, or if you are tired and driving at night. Using the cruise control in these situations can be dangerous and make a collision more likely. So, use caution before setting it.
See my list of road trip safety tips for more ways to keep your family safe on your road trips.
Conclusion
Family vacations can be expensive, but you can save money on family road trips with these six tips. I hope you save enough money to take an extra trip this year! Have fun!
For more road trip tips, see how to save time on road trips, how to pack for road trips like a pro, how to plan for multi-city road trips, your guide to family road trips, and essential items for successful road trips with kids.
Happy travels!
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