By Madeline Klein on May 13, 2021 in Life Hacks
While driving is usually cheaper than flying, road trip expenses can still add up if you’re not careful. You’ve got the gas, the snacks, the random stops along the way, and maybe some hotel stays here and there that can all take a hit on your wallet.
But that’s not to say that the expenses really HAVE to add up. If you keep an eye on what you’re spending and have a plan in place from the beginning, your road trip can stay on budget. That means you’ll have plenty of cash to spend on all the souvenirs your heart desires! Check out these tips to help make that happen.
1. Find cheap gas
There are a few different apps out there that can help you find cheap gas on the road. One to look into is Gas Buddy. The app helps you find the cheapest gas, no matter where you are in the states. Plus, you can also save money if you purchase gas through their app. Either way, it’s a great thing to download before you hit the road for a trip. And with these other gas saving tips, you’ll be raking in cash, rather than spending it.
2. Save data
If you’ve got unlimited data, you can just skip right past this tip. We’re happy for you, and only slightly jealous. However, if you’re one of us that struggles to stay under your data limit each month, here are some tricks to save your data on a trip:
- Save Spotify playlists to your phone so that you can rock out to your favorite tunes the whole time.
- Download your podcasts or audiobooks for some non-stop entertainment
- Take screenshots of your maps, so you don’t have any trouble getting to your destination.
A little bit of pre-planning can save you from costly data charges while you’re out and about.
3. Use AC on the highway
We know it’s tempting to roll down the windows and blast your favorite road trip tunes. But having the windows open on the highway makes your car less aerodynamic, and that means you’ll spend more on fuel. So keep them up while you’re cruising the highway to save some cash. Feel free to roll those bad boys down when you get to your destination to really take in the new surroundings.
4. Pack snacks
As tempting as QT slushies or Casey’s pizza may be, try packing your road trip snacks ahead of time. You can save some money by buying your snacks from Walmart or your local grocery store. Plus, you can even look into making your own healthy road trip snacks instead of splurging on expensive gas station food.
5. Take advantage of cruise control
Cruise control should be your best friend on a road trip. Besides your real best friend that is hopefully your navigator, that is. Cruise control can help you save some major dough while on the road. Edmunds found that you can see up to a 14 percent savings on gas when you opt to use it. That’s because your car is keeping a constant speed and not wasting fuel to accelerate or decelerate a lot.
Enjoy the ride
Use these tips to worry a little less about the money, and enjoy the rest of your road trip a little more. So plan your snacks, download all the helpful road trip apps, and save your entertainment and maps to your phone. After that, it’s smooth sailing and fun times as you travel to your destination!
Going on a road trip this summer? Share a photo with us on social media! Tag @SayInsurance on Facebook or Instagram and use the hashtag #SayAdventures.