8 Tips for Planning an Affordable Road Trip

This family is gassed up and ready for their affordable road trip.

If you love a road trip but your budget isn’t as endless as the horizon, don’t worry, you can still keep your vacation dreams on track. Use these 8 tips for planning an affordable road trip that won’t break the bank.
Choose affordable activities.

Find activities that don’t empty your wallet – most destinations have local diversions you can enjoy for free or at little cost.

City and regional parks offer free concerts, summer theater, hiking and biking trails, and kid-friendly spaces such as splash pads. Be sure to check your destination’s online visitor guide for free activities around town.
Lower your transportation costs.

Thanks to traveler-friendly apps like GasBuddy and Google Maps, it’s possible to cut the cost of driving substantially. GasBuddy will alert you to the lowest gas prices available based on your GPS location, while the “Avoid Tolls” route option on apps like Google Maps helps you find the cheapest route.
Skip the hotel.

If you’ve never tried renting a vacation home, you’re missing a whole world of affordable vacation comfort. A stay in a rental can save you 50% or more on a traditional hotel. Plus, you’ll be getting much-needed privacy and space after being cramped in a car for hours. Look for online vacation rental listings direct from homeowners, allowing you to choose the location and price range that works for you. Many rentals come with amenities you won’t get at a hotel like a full kitchen, free Wifi or washer/dryer combo (key to freshening up your road trip outfits).
Dine for less.

Eating out three meals a day can be pricey, but it’s easier than you think to cut the cost of dining while on your road trip. Since most vacation rentals include a kitchen, shop local for fresh ingredients for at least some of your meals. Likewise, premade picnics eaten at a roadside park are sure to be less expensive than fast food. Save your dining dollars for a few special restaurant meals built into your budget.
Visit lesser-known cities.

It’s wonderful to visit NYC or San Francisco, but it can also be a budget breaker. Exploring smaller, lesser-known cities could save you hundreds in vacation dollars. Decide what you’d like to see, do and experience on your trip and then search for cities with those attractions. If they’re popular vacation sites, cross them off the list and see what’s left.

Instead of exploring Florida’s Route 1 all the way to Key West ($2642 for an average week’s vacation rental stay), stop off a bit earlier in Key Largo ($1641/week). A great example on the west coast is choosing charming San Clemente ($1591/week) over hot spot San Diego ($2003/week).
Travel off-season.

It’s no surprise that you can save big by traveling to popular destinations off-season. That doesn’t mean a beach trip in the dead of winter, but it does mean doing a little research about peak-season prices. Going a couple of weeks before or after peak season can help you save considerably.  Home rentals in hotspots like Cape Cod, the Gulf Shores and Panama City Beach can be up to one-third cheaper in September and October versus peak summer.
Ask for the gift of travel.

Do your friends or relatives always give gift cards for special occasions? Ask for Visa gift cards you can spend anywhere. Shopping, eating or filling the gas tank with gift cards can pad your vacation budget, big-time.
Split the costs.

Do you have a friend on a limited budget who also loves to travel? Consider sharing the cost of vacation rentals, rental cars, fuel and other vacation expenses.

The one lie you must tell while traveling

Little white lies are hard to spot, which is why they are effective when traveling alone. If you are taking a road trip for one, don't tell everyone. Pretending your "partner" is in the bathroom or ordering dinner or parking the car is much better than admitting you are on your own. Telling people you are alone leaves you more vulnerable, possibly in danger.

It isn't common for strangers to ask if individuals are alone. But if it does happen to you, it may be safest to just tell a white lie. Here are some times when pretending others are with you may come in handy.

When someone is trying to sell you something ("Oh, I have to check with my husband first, but he's back at the hotel. I'll come back later.")

When you do not feel comfortable somewhere

When at a restaurant or convenient store

When needing an excuse to not participate in activities

When you are lost

I understand you don't want to get caught in a web of lies. But this small white lie may be the difference between having an incredible vacation and getting mugged by an absolute stranger.

As a solo traveler, remember the following additional tips to ensure your safety.

Travel light

Don't pack everything you own and haul it around downtown. That is asking for trouble. If you are going to walk around with a backpack, be cautious. Some locations have higher rates of stealing, so you may want to ask locals at your intended destination what they recommend.

Keep your phone hidden

Letting potential thieves see the technology you carry around or how much money you have could make you more prone to be a victim of theft. Although smart phone apps are valuable, try your best to pull your phone out as little as possible.

Learn life-saving phrases in the language

If you are traveling to a foreign country, it is especially essential to learn phrases such as "Help," or "Call the police." Only knowing how to say, "Please," "Thank you," and "Where is the restroom?" will likely not save your life.

Have a plan

When you are wandering around empty streets at night, trying to find something to do, you are putting yourself in great danger. Stay with people as much as possible and never wander at night alone.

Arm yourself

A self-defense class would be great if you are preparing to go on a solo trip in a few months. But if you do not have all that time, consider taking a rolled-up newspaper, umbrella or walking stick with you.

Check in often

Make sure you are constantly checking in with your family or friends back at home. In case anything were to happen to you, it is important for someone to know where you are and what activities you are doing so that you have the best chance of getting immediate help.