How to Do a Cross Country Road Trip on a Budget

Co-authored by Laura Krueger & Michelle Donson and Amber Crain

Last Updated: September 13, 2021 References

You're itching to hit the road, but worrying about expenses is holding you back. Sound familiar? Don't worry—we've got you covered! To help you and your friends plan the cross country trip of a lifetime, we've put together this list of easy money-saving tips. If you're ready to make some memories without breaking the bank, read on!

Method 1

Method 1 of 12:
Bring a cooler for snacks and drinks.

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Buying snacks and drinks at a gas station can add up fast. Gas stations are convenient when you’re on the road, and that convenience is definitely reflected in their inflated prices. Instead of buying snacks every time you stop for gas, bring a cooler with you on your trip. You can keep it stocked with everyone‘s favorite beverages and snacks (and save a bundle).^{[1]
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- When it’s time to restock the cooler, make a pitstop at a grocery store instead of a gas station.^{[2]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 12:
Plan restaurant stops at lunch instead of dinner.

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At most restaurants, lunch tends to be cheaper than dinner. You and your travel buddies will inevitably want to try out a few yummy restaurants on the road. Saving a few bucks here and there by going at lunch time may sound insignificant, but those savings can really add up! Plan restaurant stops ahead of time and enjoy the cheaper lunch specials whenever you can.^{[3]
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Method 3

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Use an app to find the cheapest gas.

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When you find a cheap place, be sure to top off the tank! Apps like GasBuddy can help you figure out where the cheapest fuel is along your route. Another helpful resource for finding the cheapest gas is https://fueleconomy.gov/.^{[4]
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- Gas prices vary a lot from state to state; generally, southern and southeastern states tend to have the cheapest fuel.^{[5]
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Method 4

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Drive economically to cut down on costs.

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Stick to the speed limit and avoid rapid acceleration and braking. Yes, this can actually save you money! Following the speed limit ensures you get the best gas mileage (and prevents costly speeding tickets), and hard braking and accelerating wastes gas. If your car has cruise control, that can help you maintain a consistent speed on highways.^{[6]
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Research source} A few other ideas:
- Roll the windows down and turn off the AC if the weather permits.
- Travel on highways with the fewest stops.
- Avoid driving through city traffic, especially for long stretches.

Method 5

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Get your vehicle serviced before you leave.

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To prevent any issues, get an oil change and air up your tires. A properly maintained car will keep you safe while you’re on the road and hopefully prevent issues like flat tires and breakdowns. Servicing your vehicle can save you money in other ways, too—for example, fully inflated tires get better gas mileage than low tires.^{[7]
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Research source} Other helpful pointers:
- Replacing air filters and spark plugs can improve vehicle performance.
- If your tire tread is worn, consider replacing your tires for better gas mileage.
- When you're getting your oil checked, it wouldn't hurt to get your other fluids checked and topped off (if needed).
- Consider getting a AAA membership or signing up for roadside assistance. That extra cost is a drop in the bucket compared to what you'll end up paying if your car breaks down.^{[8]
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Method 6

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Set a daily budget for essentials.

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Staying on budget is much easier if you break costs down by day. Start by choosing the total amount you plan to spend on the trip. Then, break the total down into a daily budget based on the length of your trip.^{[9]
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Research source} Factor in these daily essentials:
- Accommodations (hotels, rentals, campsite admission, hostels, Airbnb, etc.)
- Food and drinks (restaurants, groceries, water, coffee, juice)
- Gas and tolls (this will be different each day depending on your itinerary)
- Activities, entertainment, and recreation (admission costs, guided tours, festivals, etc.)
- Emergencies/miscellaneous (it's important to have a little money left over every day for issues like car maintenance, first aid, etc.)

Method 7

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Track your daily spending with an app.

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You’ve nailed down a budget, but it’s easy to lose track on the road. You don’t want to worry about overspending or fret about every detail along the way—that will suck the fun right out of your trip! To help everyone stay on budget, download an app to track your daily spending. You’ll always know exactly how much money you have left at the end of each day and won't be caught off guard.
- There are tons of apps out there for this; a few popular options include Trailwallet, Tripcoin, and Splitwise.^{[10]
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- The more prepared you are, the easier it’ll be to stick to your budget!

Method 8

Method 8 of 12:
Take your trip during the off-season.

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Hotels, gas, and toll prices cost more on holidays. Early fall is usually a great time for a road trip—prices are low, traffic is light, and the weather is pleasant. If you’re dead set on a summer road trip, plan to do most of your driving on weekdays rather than on the weekends to keep costs low.^{[11]
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- You may want to avoid traveling in winter and early spring, too, since icy roads aren’t particularly fun or safe to drive on.

Method 9

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Pick thrifty, low-key travel buddies.

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Everything is cheaper when you split the cost with a group! Road tripping is safer, cheaper, and more fun with friends along for the ride. Not only will you be able to split the cost of daily essentials like gas, food, accommodations, and activities, but your friends can also help plan the route ahead of time, make playlists, and assist with navigation duties once you’re on the road.^{[12]
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- Adjust your budget, as needed, once everyone in the group has confirmed.
- If you’re planning on doing any camping, groups can save a bundle since most state and national parks charge an entrance fee per car.

Method 10

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Book accommodations ahead of time.

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To stay on budget, it’s best to get this out of the way before you leave. Once your route is finalized, get to work figuring out where you’ll sleep each night. To save money, try to spend some of your evenings camping. For nights when you need hotel or motel accommodations, run individual searches by location for each of your planned stops. Be sure to shop around for deals before you pick a place and book accommodations.^{[13]
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- Alternative accommodation options include Airbnb and Couchsurfing.com.^{[14]
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- If you’re planning on camping a lot, consider getting a National Park Pass.
- Don’t forget to keep updating your budget as you nail down details!

Method 11

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Include plenty of free activities on your itinerary.

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Brainstorm as a group and then narrow down your options. Your friends probably have tons of ideas for road trip destinations and activities! Before you start planning your route and itinerary, have everyone draw up a bucket list. Then, compare notes and start finalizing your list as a group.
- You don't have to completely avoid activities that cost money, but focus on wallet-friendly options. Double-check the cost of each activity per person to make sure it fits your budget.^{[15]
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- To keep costs low, try to avoid big cities and popular tourist areas.^{[16]
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- State and national parks, beaches, historical spots, museums, and local events/festivals are all fun ideas that won't break the bank.^{[17]
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Method 12

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Plan your route around your activities.

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Getting from point A to B costs money, so pick a logical route! Plan your itinerary down to the day and double-check that each activity/attraction will be open on the day you're there. It can help to divide the total mileage of your trip by the average miles you want to drive each day. Then, check the time it takes to drive from point A to point B to confirm there's enough time for everything.^{[18]
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- Avoid driving for more than 9 hours a day (distance-wise, that's 500 miles max). Take a 45-minute break every 4.5 hours to stretch your legs.^{[19]
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- Don’t forget to factor in extra time and money for spur-of-the-moment attractions and activities. You’re bound to run into a few of those along the way!^{[20]
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Community Q&A

Question

What can I do if I hate camping but I don't have enough for hotel stays?

Laura Krueger & Michelle Donson
Travel Specialists
Laura Krueger (right) and Michelle Donson (left) are Travel Specialists and the Founders of LM Media Worldwide, a free service that sources and negotiates contracts for hotel rooms and meeting space needs. With a combined 30 years of experience, they specialize in hospitality sales, contract and rate negotiations, room reservations, and wedding planning. Laura holds a BS in Business Management with High Honors from Rutgers University and has directed several sales teams, negotiated thousands of contracts, and consistently exceeded national sales goals for hotel chains such as Wyndham, Radisson, and Starwood. Michelle holds a BS in Hospitality Management from the University of Delaware and has worked in group sales and banqueting for Marriott and directed several sales teams with InterContinental Hotel Group, Wyndham, and Starwood. Michelle has also earned the prestigious “Salesperson of the Year” award twice consecutively for Wyndham Hotel Group’s national sales team. LM Media Worldwide is trusted by Kleinfeld Hotel Blocks, Marriott, Rosewood Hotels & Resorts, Melia Hotels & Resorts, Gaylord Hotels, Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, Wyndham Hotel Group, and Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group.

Laura Krueger & Michelle Donson

Travel Specialists

Expert Answer

It takes some planning ahead of time, but there are credit cards that offer hotel reward points. Those can be redeemed for free at a lot of major hotel chains!