by Patrick Sills

Created on: March 24, 2009   Last Updated: January 23, 2012

There is perhaps no better way to travel than by car. Road trips enable families or friends to once again become close-knit without the pressures of work or other obligations that typically interfere with steady companionship. While traveling by car is certainly not the fastest way to get from one point to another, the cameraderie is priceless.

Even when traveling alone, such a setting enables one to freely stop and rest as needed. When the pangs of hunger arrive, there is no waiting until meals are served. There is no need to depend on a bus driver stopping at a restaurant you may not like in the first place, nor do you have to wait until your plane lands before paying $12.00 for a sandwich at the airport. With your own car, you are free to take as much time as you wish to get to your destination. So once you've decided that a road trip is indeed the best way to go, how can you minimize some of the expenses you will incur?

For starters, it doesn't matter if your car is fairly new or if it has 150,000 miles showing on the odometer. What does matter is that the vehicle is worthy of reliably making the journey. Before embarking on a long trip, make sure that everything is in working order and that preventative maintenance has been kept up-to-date. It is also a good idea to have the car's exhaust system, suspension, brakes, and electrical components inspected. Also, make sure that the tires are inflated to the recommended pressure. This will cost a bit of money, but there is nothing that can ruin a vacation faster than having something fail on your vehicle break down in the middle of nowhere.

Once it has been determined that the vehicle is good to go, then it's time to think of the other expenses. If you are traveling with friends, make a polite but firm agreement to split the fuel costs.

Everyone needs to sleep at some point. Camping is cheaper than a motel stay. Find a campground (preferably one with showers) and pitch a tent. If this is roughing it a bit too much or you are traveling in the wintertime, then opt for independent Mom and Pop motels. If you can live without a swimming pool, excercise room, or on-site laundry services, the rates will generally be as little as half of what the major chains will charge.

As for food, pack a cooler with ice and stock soda-pop, milk, juice, and other beverages of your choice. Cold sandwiches will also save on lunch. Breakfast and supper? That's a bit tougher, unless you bring along a portable propane or charcoal grill. Vacations and/or road trips should be relaxing, and many will not want to bother with cooking. If this applies to you, go ahead and splurge. It's not difficult to determine which restaurants are inexpensive. Besides, the savings from the items mentioned above will negate a few dollars spent for meals. As long as you don't order Filet Mignon or New York Strip every night, this should pose no problem.

There is nothing quite like the quintessential road trip. The tips listed above can be used as a guideline to saving a bit of money as you make your way across the country. The most important objective?

Have fun.

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