If you are desperate to head out on a road trip but you’re worried you’ll end up spending more than you can afford, don’t panic – roadtripping is definitely possible on a shoestring budget. Here are some pointers that will help you to maximize your budget and stay on the road for longer.
Just remember, certain things may be worth spending a little more on. If you get the chance to take part in an activity that you may never get to do again, it’s probably worth allocating some of your budget to do it. Let’s take a look at how you can roadtrip on a budget.
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Avoid Travelling At Peak Times
Understanding peak times and avoiding them will help you to save money right away. Lots of other people will be travelling at the same time (e.g school holidays, Spring break etc.), and many businesses will try to take advantage of this. You may need to pay more for places to stay, or even a camping spot. It’s often best to travel during the low season or at the end of high season so you can avoid paying extortionate prices.
Avoid Staying In Hotels
Staying in hotels will eat up a huge portion of your budget. There’s no need to stay in a hotel on your travels. Try looking at nice budget-friendly hostels, or consider an AirBnB. They will be far more affordable, and if you’re lucky, there may even be a kitchen you can use to cook your own food and save money that way.
Alternatively, campsites could be a good place for you to spend the night and get back to nature. If nothing else, you could sleep in your car if you have to. Making sure you have a reliable, comfortable, and spacious car for this is key. If you know you’re going to need a more reliable car than you currently have for this, try visiting the Vauxhall Grandland Main Dealer to get an idea of what you need.
Look For Free Activities At Your Destination
If you know where you’re going to end up, hunt for free activities to enjoy at your destination. There will nearly always be free things that you can do to enrich your trip and avoid spending a lot of money. There may be walking tours to join, free museums to visit on certain days/times, or great places for thrift shopping.
Fill Your Tank Before You Travel
Filling your tank before you travel will help you to save money on fuel. Don’t do it once you’ve hit the motorway, or you’ll pay more. Make sure you fill your tank if you can, as more frequent visits will be less cost effective. It’ll give you less to worry about, too!
Drive Sensibly
A sensible driving style will help you to make the most of your fuel, and you’ll avoid causing wear and tear to the car. Don’t follow other cars too closely, pay attention to the weather, and just enjoy the drive. Making sure you haven’t overloaded the car with items can help to make your fuel last longer, too.
As you’ll see a roadtrip on a budget is definitely possible if you follow the above tips.