Summer can’t come fast enough for the millions of Americans eager to celebrate Memorial Day with a getaway. While some people will take to the friendly skies, many more will hit the road this year. In fact, AAA projects that more than 38 million consumers will drive 50 miles or more from home this upcoming holiday weekend, the second-highest Memorial Day travel volume on record and the most since 2005. Fueled by a growing economy and low gasoline prices, the Great American Road Trip is making a comeback!
While choosing to drive over flying is already putting you ahead in terms of savings, there are plenty of other travel costs to consider. In fact, here is a rundown of the biggest road trip budget busters and how to avoid them.
1.Gas.
Even though gas prices are at record lows, demand during popular travel days, like Fridays and holiday weekends, cause prices at the pump to go up. To avoid spending more over Memorial Day, fuel up ahead of the weekend on Wednesday when you can expect lower prices before the travel rush. Since you will need to refill your tank throughout the trip, use the GasBuddy App to quickly find the cheapest gas prices along your route.
2. Rest stop snacks and drinks.
Making pit stops to use the restroom inevitably turns into a shopping spree at the rest area’s mini mart. While picking up a snack here and there seems harmless, these little charges will add up quickly. According to USAToday, road trippers can expect to spend around $20 for breakfast, $5 for a gas station snack and drink, and between
3. Under-inflated tires.
40 percent of passenger cars have at least one under-inflated tire and this commonly overlooked auto maintenance issue is not just dangerous, it can be costly too. Proper inflation not only extends the life of your tires, but it also ensures fuel efficiency. This means, you’ll use less gas and avoid potentially pricey roadside assistance. Take the extra step to have a mechanic run a routine maintenance check of your entire car to ensure it’s running properly. After all, you don’t want to get stuck on the side of the road in the middle of nowhere!
4. Data-overage penalties.
A smartphone is a tool many travelers rely on for accessing driving directions, capturing memories, sharing updates with friends and family, and finding things to do and see along the way. All of these activities, however, will eat up your data and may cause you to pay pricey overage fees. Reduce data use by turning off app push notifications and stay connected on-the-go using the Free Wi-Fi Finder app. Monitor data usage with 3GWatchdog App and DataMan App to avoid overage penalties.
5. Lodging fees.
Driving to your destination is one of the cheapest ways to travel, but your hotel and their pesky fees like parking and WiFi could blow your entire budget. A much more affordable option is to go camping. You can find free and inexpensive camping areas in lots of popular destinations. Review options and call ahead to make a reservation through sites like ReserveAmerica.com and CampingRoadTrip.com. Make sure to pack a tent and a few sleeping bags!
6. Last-minute Hotel Costs.
Whether you delayed planning the trip or find yourself stuck in a town without a hotel reservation, you can find last-minute deals using the HotelTonight app. Otherwise, check Hotels.com for nearby available rooms and search for coupon codes before you book. For example, you can use a Hotels.com promo code from Coupon Sherpa to save 30% plus an extra $45 off your $300 purchase through Memorial Day.
7. Spontaneity.
Road tripping without a plan seems like an exciting way to approach your Memorial Day adventure. However, driving around aimlessly can get tiresome and put added strain on your budget. Create the best of both worlds with apps like Roadtrippers or Field Trip, both of which highlight landmarks and attractions along your route. These tools enable you to set off on your road trip without a destination in mind while ensuring you make the most of your experience (and your budget).
Guest post by Andrea Woroch.Andrea Woroch is a money-saving expert who transforms everyday consumers into savvy shoppers by sharing smart spending tips and personal finance advice. As a sought-after media source, she has been featured among such top news outlets as Good Morning America, Today, CNN, Dr. OZ, New York Times, MONEY Magazine, Consumer Reports, Forbes and many more. In addition, Andrea’s stories have been published among leading publications and sites such as Yahoo!, AOL Daily Finance, CNN Money, Huffington Post, LearnVest and New York Daily News. Check out Andrea’s demo reel or visit her website at AndreaWoroch.com for more information about booking an interview or requesting an original written article. You can also follow her on Twitter orFacebook for daily money tips.
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