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Budget Hacks for Cheap Road Trips in 11 Simple Steps

Road-tripping is one of the best ways to see the United States (or even the world). When you travel by car, you can go at your own pace, stop where you want, and really experience a destination. Road trips can also be one of the most cost-effective ways to travel.

Stretch your travel budget further and enjoy your trip even more with these road trip hacks. Instead of making your budget on the road, use your budget as the foundation of your next road trip.

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What to Include in a Road Trip Budget

It’s important to plan ahead. You’ll need to research the route you want to take, decide where and when you want to stop along the way and make sure you have all the supplies you need.

When planning a road trip, it’s important to budget for all the potential expenses you may incur. There are a few key things you’ll want to include in your road trip budget:

  • Pre-trip car maintenance costs: Before you hit the road, it’s a good idea to get your car serviced. This can help prevent any breakdowns or other problems while you’re on your trip. Make sure to factor in the cost of an oil change, new tires if necessary, and any other required maintenance.
  • Transportation costs: This includes the cost of gas, tolls, and parking. Check gas prices in your destination area so there are no surprises.
  • Lodging: If you’re planning to stay in hotels or campgrounds, you’ll need to factor in those costs. RVing (renting an RV if you don’t own one) or living in your car can also be a cost-effective option for lodging on a road trip.
  • Activities: Don’t forget to budget for any activities or tours you want to do. Include entrance fees, tours, tips, and other incidentals.
  • Food and drink: You’ll need to account for the cost of meals and snacks, both while you’re on the road and when you’ve stopped for the day.
  • Miscellaneous: Other items that you might need to include in your budget are things like souvenirs, car rental insurance, and travel apps.
family looking out car windows at roadside attraction

What is a Realistic Road Trip Budget

When planning a road trip, it is important to budget for all the costs associated with the trip. This includes gas, lodging, food, and entertainment. Depending on where you are going and how long you will be on the road, these costs can add up quickly.

For a cheap road trip, you can generally assume you’ll spend around $200 per day/night. This includes $120 a night for a hotel, $40 for gas, and $40 a day for snacks for four people.

How to Calculate Gas Costs for a Road Trip

First, you determine the route you plan to take on your adventure. Take that mileage and divide it by your miles per gallon to get the number of gallons of gas. Then multiply the gallons of gas you’ll need for your trip by the current gas price. This amount is the estimated cost of gas for your road trip.

For example, if I am traveling 200 miles and my car gets 25 miles to the gallon, I would take 200 divided by 25 which is 8. I need 8 gallons of gas for this trip. If gas is $4/gallon then my total gas costs for this trip is $32.

When calculating gas costs, don’t forget to add in extra miles for driving around your destination.

Use a site like Gasbuddy to calculate actual costs of gas and make a plan for where to stop for gas (especially if you’re traveling in more remote areas where gas stations might be few and far between).

Budgeting for Cheap Road Trips

Now that you know what to include in your road trip budget, it’s time to start putting one together. Here are ten simple steps you can take to budget for your next road trip and make it even more enjoyable:

1. Determine your overall budget.

The best way to start is to determine how much money you have available to spend on your road trip. This may seem like a no-brainer, but it’s important to know exactly how much money you have to work with. Once you have a number in mind, you can start planning to allocate how to use it on things like transportation, lodging, food, activities, and souvenirs.

Travel tip:  If you’re looking to save money on your road trip, consider traveling during the week or during the off-peak season. You will find cheaper rates and fewer crowds.

2. Set aside money for pre-trip car maintenance.

As we mentioned before, it’s important to get your car serviced before you hit the road. This will help ensure that you don’t have any unexpected breakdowns or other problems while you’re away. Make sure to set aside enough money to cover the cost of things like an oil change, new tires if necessary, and any other required maintenance.

You may find a local shop offering discounted automotive services via Groupon.

3. Plan your route.

Once you have a general idea of how much it will cost to get from one place to another, you can start planning your route. Google Maps is a great resource for this. Not only can you map out your route, but you can also get an estimate of gas costs and tolls. You can also create custom maps that you can save and refer back to later.

mother and teen girl looking at map-2

If you’re looking for cheap ways to travel by car and are flexible on your destination, you may be able to save money by taking a less direct route. For example, if you’re driving from Los Angeles to San Francisco, you could take the coastal route which would add some extra time to your trip but could also save you money on gas.

You can also plan your road trip routes to avoid expensive detours, and tolls, and find the cheapest gas prices along your route. Download the GasBuddy app and it will allow you to search for the cheapest gas prices in your area or zoom out and search along your route.

If you need inspiration, see the family travel destinations we’ve covered here and find a location that calls to you.

4.  Estimate your transportation costs.

The next step for taking a family road trip on a budget is to estimate how much it will cost to get from point A to point B. This includes the cost of gas, tolls, parking, and ferry fees you may encounter. If you’re renting a car, you’ll also need to factor in the cost of the rental car itself. To get an accurate estimate of your transportation costs, you can use a gas calculator like this one from AAA.

If you are visiting major cities with a  lot of public transportation options like New York City, Washington D.C., or along the East Coast, you may be able to save money by using public transportation versus parking fees. This can be a great option in big cities if you’re planning to do a lot of sightseeing and don’t want to worry about finding parking.

Travel Tip: If you’re using a credit card to pay for your road trip, be sure to check and see if your card offers any type of roadside assistance coverage. This can be a lifesaver if you have a flat tire or run out of gas.

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5. Plan where you will stay and estimate those costs.

The next item on your road trip budget is lodging. If you’re planning to stay in hotels or campgrounds, you’ll need to factor in those costs. Make sure to do your research and compare prices across different sites to find the best pricing on accommodations.

We like to get a good deal and often compare multiple websites for the best price. We also look for details such as amenities, reviews, location, pictures, ratings, and more. Some hotels offer deals if you book directly with them so we try to check those out too. Once we find a hotel that meets all our criteria and has the best price, we book it!

Travel Tip: If you are pre-booking hotel stays,  make sure to read the cancellation policy before booking as some hotels charge a fee if you need to cancel your reservation. If you have a travel delay or other unforeseen circumstances, you don’t want to be out the cost of your hotel room.

If you are on a tight budget, you can also save money by camping. There are low-cost private campgrounds available in most areas, as well as in and around local or state parks. Camping in national parks is generally more expensive, but there are often discounts available for seniors, AAA members, and active military personnel. To find a list of private campgrounds, you can use the CampSpot website. To search for free campsites on federal lands, visit FreeCampsites.net.

rving with kids family

If you want to marry a road trip experience with the ability to go/sleep anywhere, consider renting an RV. You can often find some great deals on travel trailers you can haul or have set up at the location you are driving to. I prefer peer-to-peer rentals through RVShare, just be sure to read the reviews carefully and look at the pictures to make sure the listing is what you expect. If you decide to go this route, figure in the added fuel costs, plus rental fees.

Can’t read now? Pin for later!

family sitting in back of van on a road trip

6. Decide how you will eat and estimate those costs.

Aside from your hotel expenses, food costs (including drinks) are probably the next biggest expense you’ll have while on your road trip. You’ll need to account for the cost of meals and travel/road trip snacks, both while you’re on the road and when you’ve stopped for the night.

If you’re planning to eat out,  use websites like Yelp to find restaurants in your area and get an idea of how much they cost. Fast food restaurants tend to be cheaper than sit-down places, but you can also find good deals at nicer establishments if you look around. Be sure to allocate money for tips as well.

When you are in the car traveling, save money on food by packing your own snacks, meals, and drinks. This is a great option if you’re planning to picnic or camp along the way. I often pack an ice cooler with high-protein foods, like deli meat, string cheese, sandwiches, and fruit. I also like to bring along snacks that will last a long time without going bad in the heat, like granola bars, trail mix, and beef jerky.  

If you’re planning to cook your own meals, you’ll need to factor in the cost of groceries. To save money, shop at local grocery stores instead of eating out for every meal.

Look for free meals and snacks when you book your hotel, too. Several hotels offer free continental breakfasts and some even have happy hours or evening snacks like Embassy Suites.

And of course, don’t forget the drinks! Water is essential. Bring a reusable water bottle and fill it with ice water at gas stations. Most will allow you to do this for free, but some charge you for the ice. Either way it is cheaper and healthier than buying sodas.

If your family does like sodas and juices, buy them at the grocery store and use them as a treat after a long day of driving.

Travel Tip: Pack large jugs of water or a water filtering pitcher so you can save money by filling up your own refillable water bottles instead of buying bottled water. We do this and save a lot of money considering a bottle of water costs about $3 x 5 people x 3 a day = $45 day.

family eating watermelon on side of road

7.  Plan what activities you will do at your destination and estimate those costs.

When you stop for the night, you’ll want to have some fun activities planned so you can move around and stretch your legs. This could include things like visiting a local attraction, going for a hike, or going sightseeing. Use websites like TripAdvisor, Roadtripping, or AtlasObscura.com to find activities in your destination.

Family Photo Ride OKC
Photo Courtesy: Ryan with Ride OKC

Make sure to factor in the cost of entrance fees, equipment rentals, or tour tickets when estimating the cost of your activities. You can find guided tours for many popular attractions on websites like Viator or GetYourGuide. For guided outdoor activities like hiking or kayaking, 57Hours is a great booking platform that connects local guides with visitors.

Travel Tip: Many popular attractions offer discounts if you purchase your tickets in advance. For example, you can often save money on theme park tickets by buying them online ahead of time.

road trip beach packing list
Visit our Etsy Shop for everything you need to plan your next adventure.

8. Determine how you will entertain yourself along the route.

Another important item on your road trip budget is entertainment on the road. Include things things like books, magazines, music, or games to keep you entertained while you’re driving. If you have kids, factor in the cost of things like printable travel bingo, road trip games, DVDs or digital movie downloads to keep them entertained.

I also look for nicer rest areas or short hikes close to the road to break up long stretches of driving.

Travel Tip: Get a National Park Pass if you plan to visit multiple parks or monuments along the way. Better yet – bring a 4th grader along with you for free admission.

9. Look for discounts as well as free or cheap things to do at your destination

One of the things I hear many parents say is that they want to take their kids on a road trip but they can’t afford it. The truth is, there are ways to save money even after you’ve reached your destination.

One way to do this is to look for discounts on attractions and activities in the area. For example, many museums offer free or reduced-price admission on certain days of the week or for specific groups (like seniors, students, or military families). During the summer months, Blue Star Museums offer free admission to active military personnel and their families.

You can also find discounts on attractions by purchasing a CityPASS or Go Card, which offer discounted admission to multiple attractions in a specific city. SeaWorld and Busch Gardens offer free admission for active military personnel as well.

Another way to save money is to take advantage of free or low-cost activities. Many cities offer free walking tours, and many national parks offer ranger-led programs that are free to attend. You can also look for free concerts or museum days in the cities you’re visiting. One way is to search online for “free things to do in (destination).”

You can also find discount coupons in travel brochures, online, or at state welcome centers.

Travel Tip: If you belong to a AAA or CAA auto club, you may be able to get discounts on attractions, hotels, and restaurants. Be sure to ask about this when you’re planning your trip. Also, your credit card rewards or loyalty points can save you money. This can help you offset the cost of your trip or offer discounts on things like gas and lodging.

10. Don’t forget about other expenses.

Once you’ve accounted for the major expense items, you’ll also need to factor in other miscellaneous costs that can add up. These can include things like souvenirs, laundry, and incidentals.

When budgeting for souvenirs, I like to set a daily and/or weekly spending limit so we don’t go overboard. Everyone in our family gets a set budget before the trip starts. I find this especially helpful having kids who “need” everything” as when the item comes out of their money, they are much more choosy.

family tent and car camping on a road trip

When it comes to laundry, we prefer to bring enough clothing so that we can do laundry once a week. This may be achieved at a laundromat or by washing your clothes at the hotel or campground’s laundry facilities, depending on where you’re staying. This helps us save money and room in our luggage.

When it comes to packing, see our road trip essentials packing list.

Need Help Planning a Family Road Trip? Start with these family vacation planning resources:

11. Review Your Budget and Start Saving

Once you’ve determined all of your road trip costs, it’s time to start saving. I recommend creating a dedicated savings account for your family travel so you can track your progress and see how much you have left to save. Putting away a little bit each week or month will help make the trip more affordable and less stressful.

By following these simple tips, you can budget for a short or long road trip that is affordable and stress-free. By planning ahead and being mindful of your spending, you can have the trip of a lifetime without breaking the bank. So get out there and start exploring all that our country has to offer!

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About Nicky Omohundro

Nicky Omohundro is a travel and active family lifestyle blogger and social media influencer based out of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. She shares stories, destinations, and ideas on food, family, health, and outdoor recreation to help families find their own adventures. Her spirit animal is a caffeinated squirrel fueled by coffee, real food, and the desire to seek new adventures.

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