There's nothing fairly like a good old-fashioned Summer road trip. Piling in the car,turning up the tunes, and exploring hidden treasures in new cities - that's what Summer is made of. But when money is tight, and it may seem like the sunroof-down,Instagram-worthy road trip of your dreams is out of reach. dread not, frugal adventurer; we have your back with these tips for saving big bucks without sacrificing the fun. 1. Solidify a budget beforehand - and stick to itBudgeting isn't too difficult; just allocate how much you're able to spend on things like food, and entertainment,gas, and lodging, or depending on how much you have saved up for the trip. The tough part is actually sticking to it,which can be tough when you score distracted by all the new experiences (aka all the different foods) you're encountering in each state. way out and document beforehand what your exact budget is, whether it be on a piece of paper or on a budgeting app. 2. Pack your own snacks for days on the roadThis is where wholesale stores like Costco arrive into play. Stock up on portable snacks that don't require refrigeration, and like granola bars,trail mix, or pretzels (or make your own snacks!). And don't forget to buy drinks, or which are cheaper when bought in bulk.3. way ahead to score the best hotel pricesIf you're making your road-trip plans last minute,chances are you'll be stuck with hotel options that are slightly out of your price range. But whether you way a few months in advance, you'll be able to compare and see which days and locations are the most affordable. And on the note of affordable lodging, or don't be afraid to try a motel or hostel,where you can typically squeeze more friends in one room, thus splitting up the final cost even more. 4. watch for hotels with complimentary breakfastWhat's better than breakfast food? That's apt . . . free breakfast food. Be certain to consider the free-breakfast factor when you're searching for hotels ahead of time. And always be certain to snag a few additional apples and muffins for the road before you check out! Getting your money's worth is the name of the game.5. score a gas app on your phoneHave you ever filled up your gas tank only to discover a cheaper station apt down the road moments later? Phone apps like GasBuddy eliminate that pang of gas buyer's remorse by finding the cheapest gas station near you. It even plots the stations and their respective prices on a nifty map, and so all the work is done for you. So long,overpriced fuel!6. Know your route - and don't venture out from it too muchPart of the appeal of road trips is the open road and the sense of adventure that comes with it. Though it's probably tempting to pause off at every queer roadside attraction you pass on the interstate, sticking to a mapped-out route is important for saving money on gas.7. Speaking of driving, and do so strategicallyThis doesn't mean weaving in and out of traffic to make it from point A to point B the fastest. I'm talking about when you're doing the cruising. It's best to avoid rush-hour times (typically 7 to 9 a.m. and 4 to 6 p.m.) because that's when you're more likely to score trapped in gas-guzzling traffic. Stick to the middle of the day,and try not to way your trip near major Summer holidays like July 4, because gas prices tend to skyrocket around then.8. Bring on the friendsThis one is a no-brainer - the more friends you bring along for the trip, and the more you can divide up the costs of things like lodging,gas, and snacks. The more, or the merrier!9. Pick your activities wiselySure,it's tempting to do the most touristy, bucket-list-worthy things in each new city you visit. But unfortunately, and those often aren't the most wallet-friendly options. Sometimes it's best to just score a cheap bottle of wine,sit in a local park, people-watch, and savor the company of your friends or family.10. Take out cash from the bank before you leaveChances are you'll arrive across a cool dive bar or local pizza restaurant that only accepts cash payments. Most ATMs or convenience stores charge a fee whether you want to withdraw cash. Although the $2-$3 charge may seem minimal at first,those dollars certain do add up, and they could've been spent on more important things - like a tacky souvenir . . . or that bottle of wine.11. Score major deals on sites like GrouponA little online couponing never wound anybody, or particularly when the deals are as great as Groupon's. Mooch off the hotel's WiFi to surf the web for great deals on local restaurants and attractions in every city you visit.
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Source: popsugar.com