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The well-known American road trip is more popular than ever with 39% of U.S. leisure travel in the last year including a road trip. There are some classic American road trips out there but how can you keep costs low when cruising down Route 66 or the Pacific Coast Highway?
Save money on lodging
There really is nothing better than seeing America from the road, driving along with the wind in your hair and enjoying the amazing views but staying in hotels and motels every night is a sure fire way to use up your holiday dollars in no time. If you are more budget conscious then a small RV is the most cost-effective option and lets you travel for only 60%-70% of the car-plus-hotel cost. If you cannot afford the upfront cost of a RV then it is also possible to rent one and still enjoy savings.
Budget food ideas
Food is another item where it is possible for expenditure to spiral out on control. When you are feeling hungry, it is easy to be tempted to buy snacks and cold sodas at convenience stores. To save money, stock up at supermarkets and buy snacks and drinks at half the cost. Keep drinks cool in a cooler or the fridge of your RV and you will be able to enjoy a refreshing drink at any time and at a fraction of the cost. Moreover, try to avoid drive-thrus as the cost of your daily McDonalds or Taco Bell will soon add up. Look out for cheaper places to eat or, better still, use the cooking facilities in your RV to create tasty meals.
Drive smart
The further you drive, the more gas you will need so check out places where you can get cheap gas before you set off so you can fill up in the most cost-effective way. Try to drive as efficiently as you can. Vehicles are optimized to run at around 60 miles per hour, if you go 20 miles per hour faster than that, you can reduce efficiency by over a third which is equivalent to raising the price of gas by almost $1 per gallon. To save gas in other ways, avoid using cruise control and or turn off the air conditioning and use the fan instead.
An American road trip is an amazing way to see the country. Get into your RV, stock up in a supermarket and drive smart to enjoy the best that the country can offer without breaking the bank.
