Family road trips are a fun and engaging way to spend some quality time with your loved ones. Unfortunately, they aren’t necessarily cheap. After all, you’re using your car to get to some faraway place – in some cases, a train or economy class plane tickets might be less expensive. However, there are ways in which you can save some money while on a family road trip and make your experience more affordable.
One way to save money on travelling is to make sure your car is in perfect condition for a long-distance trip. Unplanned stops or even repair jobs can drastically increase your expenses and ultimately ruin the fun. You can also pack snacks and food ahead of time instead of using restaurants or bars to eat.
When going on a family road trip, consider sleeping at campsites instead of hotels. This will make your trip more fun while reducing expenses at the same time. Finally, drive economically to reduce your gas usage and don’t fill up on highways.
Read on and see for yourself how much money you can save if you follow these tips!
Take Care of Your Car Before You Embark on a Road Trip
If you’re planning on taking a lengthy trip, make sure to prepare your car before you leave. First and foremost, you should have your vehicle inspected by an auto mechanic. A professional service will ensure that everything is in working condition and won’t let any surprises ruin your adventure.
It’s also a good idea to replace all old parts or those that have been damaged by the wear and tear of time. Also, change all tires if they are more than a few years old. If you spot any warning signs of problems (such as oil leakage or worn-out brake pads), don’t risk it and get them fixed before departure.
If you have an old car, you might want to consider learning how to repair it on your own and pack all of the necessary tools. This way, you should be ready for anything and won’t have to spend extra money on repairs or replacements.
Pack Snacks and Food Before You Leave
It’s a good idea to pack some snacks and food before you leave your home. Instead of eating out, you can enjoy a picnic or make your own sandwiches. We suggest packing some fruits, vegetables, nuts, and spices in Ziploc bags to be used when making sandwiches or salads. This way, you won’t have to buy produce at the store, which tends to be expensive anyway.
If you’re going to be staying anywhere overnight, try to pack a few meals as well. For example, you can make a chicken or turkey stew and use it to make sandwiches. Leftover meat can be used in salads as well. If you have any leftovers, pack them up and freeze them in a portable refrigerator (a good device to have on a road trip) for a later date.
Sleep at Campsites Instead of Hotels
Camping is a great way to save money on your trip. Instead of staying at hotels, you can set up a tent or find a campsite in more remote locations. It’s also a great way to bond with your partner or kids and connect with nature.
Going camping can be an educational experience for the whole family. You can teach your children about wildlife, foraging, and fire-starting if you want to. You can even teach them some basic survival skills just in case something bad happens. Just make sure that you don’t camp near any dangerous areas and keep your car locked while sleeping.
Drive More Economically to Save Money on Gas
Planning your route is an essential part of driving economically. When travelling with a family, it’s common to take detours, but you should try to avoid them as much as possible. If you can, stick to highways and avoid smaller roads. This way you’ll be able to save fuel.
You should also try driving at a steady speed of around 50-60 mph instead of speeding up and slowing down. Also, avoid bigger cities if possible, as your fuel consumption goes up drastically in urban environments.
Don’t Fill Up on the Highways
One of the biggest mistakes you can make while filling up your tank is to fill it up on highways. If you drive through a big city, you’ll see gas stations right next to the highway. This is done so that people can fill up their tanks while driving and avoid traffic jams. However, these gas stations are very expensive and you should try to avoid them as much as possible.
Instead, use the Internet to find some rural stations nearby. They are usually cheaper than their big-city counterparts.
Conclusion
Family road trips are fun and engaging, but also expensive. If you want to make your adventure affordable, there are some things you can do.
First and foremost, you should take care of your car before departing. Second, pack some snacks and food before leaving home. You can also consider sleeping at campsites instead of hotels. Try to drive economically to save on gas usage. And finally, try not to fill up your tank on highways to avoid paying too much.
Hopefully, these tips will help you save money on your next family road trip and make the experience more fun and memorable at the same time! Good luck!
