From the breathtaking views of the Appalachian Mountains to the sandy beaches along the coast, a road trip is the best way to get an in-depth view of the United States. And while we love a good road trip, we love staying on a budget even more. So, we put together a list of five easy ways you can save money on your travels.
Keep a cooler full of snacks and drinks in your trunk. Snacks are the best part of a road trip, right?! Instead of buying single-serving snacks at the gas station, buy larger bags of snacks at a grocery store beforehand. Bring a smaller water bottle for drinking but refill it from a gallon-size water jug that you can keep in your back seat or trunk. If possible, plan your meals and bring a cooler with you to store them. Enjoy your meals at a rest stop or a local park along your route. It's important to stop along the way to stretch your legs, so why not snack while you do it!
Use gas station locater apps. Did you know you can download an app that will tell you where the cheapest gas in the area is? Filling up in larger cities and towns is usually less expensive than in remote areas, but several apps are out there that keep those numbers up to date so you can know for sure. Some great apps to try are Gas Buddy (opens in a new tab) and Upside (opens in a new tab).
Take the road less traveled. AKA, avoid the tolls! Use the option to avoid tolls on your phone map or GPS and you can see significant savings. For example, if you are traveling from Central Pennsylvania to Chicago, it will add about an hour to your travel time, but you can save over $100 in avoided tolls.
Plan ahead for overnight stops. If you know you will have to stay overnight somewhere, try to plan your trip so that you can stay with a friend or a family member along the way. If an overnight hotel stay is inevitable, check promo codes, book an Airbnb or consider camping out for a night under the stars.
The more, the merrier. If you're planning to go somewhere, consider inviting a friend or two to join you. Stick to the budget-friendly road trip ideas mentioned earlier and think about splitting the costs equally with your friends for gas and accommodations. If everyone enjoys the same food and snacks, you can also divide the expenses there. When asking your friend(s) to travel with you, be sure to establish clear expectations upfront so they are aware in advance that they will be sharing costs. Also, don't forget to let them choose the music half the time—it's only fair.
Saving money on a road trip is even easier with our Visa Platinum® Rewards credit card. It gives you 2% cashback on all gas and groceries, 1% cashback on all other purchases, has no annual fee and carries a low-interest rate. It is a great card for people who love the open road. To start being rewarded for your travels with our Visa credit card, visit us at any of our branch locations or apply for a credit card online.
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