Want to Take a Road Trip Without Breaking the Bank?

We’ve got 6 tips to keep it fun and budget-friendly

By Monika Ritchie

There’s nothing like a road trip to stir up some fun, nostalgic memories. Stopping for food and snacks, choosing the perfect driving music, and stopping for scenic photos along the way. But before you start packing the station wagon, keep in mind that while taking a road trip to your destination may seem like a budget-friendly option, with costs increasing everywhere, unless you pay close attention and plan ahead, it’s easy to lose track of the many small purchases and expenses you’ll encounter along the way.

If you’re not careful, taking a road trip to save money on your vacation could end up costing you more in the end. So here are our top 6 tips to take a road trip without breaking the bank.

1. Stop More for Picnics and Less for Drive Throughs

Food and snacks are an important part of any good road trip, but the cost of drive-throughs, coffee stops, and other snacks along the way can really take a bite out of your budget.

So instead of buying all your meals and drinks along the way, consider packing a cooler with a picnic for the majority of your food on the trip. If you’re travelling with family and children, pack the cooler with a good mix of healthy and ‘treat’ foods, and encourage each family member, including children – if they’re old enough — to suggest an item or items to include in the picnic.

If you’re travelling with friends, you can ask each member of your travelling party to contribute items for the picnic. Or you can pool your money and shop together, saving on full size packages at the grocery store versus snack sizes at convenience stores and gas stations.

Bring easy to pack and travel-with foods like sandwiches or wraps, fruit, veggies, chips, granola bars, crackers, etc. Not only will you save by making your own travel snacks, you’ll avoid a lot of added sugars, fats, and sodium, from drive-through food.

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