Summer “officially” begins tomorrow, kids are out of school, and that means it’s vacation time! While crowds of people at the airports mean lots of folks are taking to the skies this summer, despite the cost of gas, predictions are that road trips will also be extremely popular. So, if you’re planning a summer road trip vacation, expect to have lots of company, especially if you will be visiting destinations that are popular with tourists, such as theme parks, beach towns, and national parks.
So pack your patience – along with these tips for saving (more than just money) on your road trip this summer.
Save Time – Few things are more frustrating on a road trip than realizing you don’t know exactly where you are going – or spending hours in a rolling traffic back up. To say nothing of finding out that destination you can’t wait to visit isn’t actually open the day you’re there – or that visiting requires reservations or tickets to get in. Advance planning is your friend here.
- Check out the website(s) of the place(s) you’ll be visiting, to note any changes due to the pandemic. Many places haven’t reopened fully, or have restrictions in place if they are open. If you’ll be visiting a tourist site around a meal time, make sure there are dining options open while you’ll be there. Nothing is worse than a hungry (and cranky) family and no food available.
- Don’t overlook printing out some maps or general directions ahead of time, especially if you are traveling to a remote area where there isn’t great service (or you forget those phone chargers). Apps are great when you have service, but will not be an option in many remote locations. Make sure you’re familiar with how to get around if you don’t have phone service.
- Consider driving at non-peak times. Many folks like to drive in the dark for a few hours or even overnight. This has the benefit of very little traffic and for many families, the kids will sleep for much of the trip. (The kids sleeping part doesn’t work for all families though, so this may or may not be effective for your family.)
- Book in advance – even if you’ll be camping, traveling in an RV, or planning to stay in a remote cabin. No matter where you’re going, chances are LOTS of people have had the same idea, and you don’t want to arrive to your destination only to find “No Vacancy” signs everywhere. How far in advance should you book? As far as you possibly can. Many destinations are already booked for months in advance already, so as soon as you know where and when you’re going, make those reservations!
Save Money – While driving in itself can be a money-saver (usually), there are a few things that you can do to make the trip as cost-effective as possible- especially important this year! Here are a few favorites.
- Have your car thoroughly checked out before you leave – especially if you haven’t been making a regular commute, or your car has been sitting around for a while. Things like batteries, tires, fluids, belts and sensors should all be looked over by a reliable auto technician before hitting the road. Failing to do so can result in an expensive car repair bill when you’re far from home – and no one wants to spend their vacation time waiting while their car is in the repair shop.
- Gas prices are high as we all know, and budgeting for gas expenses can be helpful before you leave, so you have an idea what to expect. Consider using the AAA Fuel Cost Calculator. Simply enter the make, model and year of your vehicle along with your starting and ending points and it calculates how much you will spend on gas. Even if you don’t use the calculator, the site will give you an idea of what the cost of gas is along your route and at your destination. You can also use some of these tips to keep the cost of gas down.
- Plan for picnics at scenic sites along the way. Instead of stopping to buy lunch, consider packing a lunch and drinks in a cooler and then finding a great place for a picnic. Not only does it save money, it’s also a great way to minimize the amount of time you spend in restaurants and food-service places. Plus, it is just a really enjoyable, fun time with family.
Save Your Sanity – When the kids are happy, the parents are happy – and sane. And while there are no guarantees you won’t hear “Are we there yet?” a few times on your trip, consider the following tips to keep the kids so busy they may not even realize you’ve arrived.
- Pack little surprise gifts to give out along the way: coloring books, crayons, toys they collected, etc. Don’t give in and give them out ahead of time however, wait for the trip as it will be a nice surprise and will help keep them entertained.
- Download your favorite movies onto your mobile devices (before you leave). For older kids (and grownups) consider some of the many great audio books as well. Don’t forget to bring the phone chargers!
- Have each child pack his or her backpack with the activities they want to do during the drive. Gallon-size ziptop bags are great for holding pencils, pens, markers, cast iron cars, and any other small items. Have them put their electronic devices in there also.
- Don’t forget “old fashioned” car games! They are fun for everyone in the family. One family favorite is the alphabet game where you begin at A and try to find each letter of the alphabet in order on street signs and billboards. Another oldie but goodie is the license plate game, where everyone tries to find a license plate from each state during our journey. Bonus points goes to the person who, once you arrive at your destination, is the first one to find a license plate from your home state!
- Audio books can also provide entertainment for the entire family. Decide in advance what everyone is interested in listening to, and be sure to download before you leave.
- Bring plenty of pillows and blankets. Children are more likely to sleep in the car if they are comfortable.
The saying that “the journey is half the fun” can be true on your road trip no matter where you’re traveling this summer. Happy travels!
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