Hopping in your car and hitting the open road allows you to get away from it all and lose yourself in the vast, diverse landscape of the United States. The great American road trip, popularized by famous authors such as Jack Kerouac, is an excuse to see the many sites the United States has to offer -- from natural wonders such as the Grand Canyon and Yosemite National Park to the small-town charm of the South and the bustling streets of New York City. Taking a great road trip doesn’t have to break the bank, if you are willing to rough it a little and try some alternative accommodation.
Tips For You
- Invest in a quality map or atlas that covers all 50 states in depth. Even if you intend to use your GPS or mobile phone to navigate routes, a detailed atlas is still invaluable on the road. Look for an atlas that features a close-up for each state with major highways and small roads. The more detailed your atlas, the easier it will be to find the most direct route and plan your trip efficiently. Having a detailed atlas can also come in handy if you get lost, want to cut around traffic, come across a detour or want to go off on a small-town adventure.
- Sit down with your atlas and plan your itinerary. You will want to do this before you leave and every night along your road trip. Planning your itinerary helps you save on gas by taking the most direct route and not getting lost. You can also research areas with cheap accommodation and plan your itinerary around them to save more money.
- Plan to shop at grocery stores instead of eating out. Depending on the area you are visiting, restaurants can add up to a hefty chunk of your road trip budget. Grocery stores and local markets tend to have lots of cheap options for food, even when you don’t have access to a kitchen. Look for fresh sandwiches and salads or grab some local meat to throw on a small public grill.
- Plan to look into camping options from time to time. You will not always be in a situation in which camping is possible or safe, but you can pay a small fee to set up a tent or rent a cabin at many of the national parks across the U.S. Camping fees are significantly cheaper than hotel or motel rates.
- Bring your own sheets and towels. If you want to travel really cheap, you will have to stay in some ultra-affordable motels, and having your own linens can be a lifesaver. Pack your own sheets, pillows and a light comforter in your car and lay them on the motel bed the minute you walk in the door. You may even want to bring an extra pair of flip-flops for showers.
