7 Super Simple Ways to Save Money on Road Trips (ROAD TRIP ON A BUDGET)

Want to save money on your next road trip? This video is packed with really simple ways to road trip on a budget! These are the things that I do all the time when I'm traveling and the savings really add up...

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Amanda Outside: Sharing camping and hiking tips and food ideas so you can get outside more... and eat great food while you're at it!

[amanda.outside]

Who else is excited for Summer road trips!! 🙋‍♀️I hope you find these tips helpful, and as always, thank you so much for watching! 💚

[katiemeyers]

Lol! My dad made us turtle wax the car before trips to "go faster" 😆

[spacecaptain]

Here's another one for you: Plan to drive at night. That way you spend zero time in traffic / wasting gas! Also, the cooler temps are more energy efficient (but not when it's freezing cold, so this is a 3 season rule of thumb). This is also great if there's no good place to camp, because you can stop in any large parking lot to sleep in the car during the day! Most people aren't worried about car sleeping during the daytime, and in a crowded parking lot, you're unlikely to have the safety issues that people associate with camping.

[mendyviola]

As a long time cross country traveler - make a checklist on what to take with you. Take a cooler and shopping bags with most of your meals and snacks purchased from grocery stores. Ice is relatively cheap compared to what you can get at gas stations or fast food joints, and healthier. Know your 24/7 emergency roadside assistance number from your insurance (put it in your glove box). Carry a basic car tool kit. Text a friend or family member along the route letting them know where you are in case of an emergency.

[mendyviola]

I normally stay in hotels on my annual cross country road trip. This year due to high gas prices, I’m seriously considering staying at campsites at least some of the time on my trip. It’s really changing my way on how to think about prepping for long distance trips. (2022)

[Jenesis]

I bring instant soup mix, Tasty Bites, instant miso, rolled oats, cup noodle, dry veggies, powder milk, and ready to eat rice to make quick dinner. I put ingredients into a food thermo before adding hot water. By meal time, everything is cooked, hot, and ready to eat. I do road trip by myself therefore I sleep in the car (tent takes more time).

[TrekkingPals]

Great tips Amanda! To add to that, I found that investing in a food dehydrator to make my own dehydrated fruits and jerky has been super helpful.

[rosemiller]

Loved your tips! I’ll especially remember the one about getting free hot water during stops for making instant coffee. We try to bring our own food, too, for snacks, etc. However, we usually want a hot meal for dinner when we’re on the road; so, I gather as many coupons I can for a variety of restaurant possibilities. I’ve also signed up for many restaurants’ emails & rewards programs for deals (including free birthday deals!). This way, we usually always have a “deal for a meal, ” whether it’s for fast food or another type of meal.

[Carolann_]

We forgot our sleeping bags ONE time, but we layered up and used the blankets from the car to keep warm. Now we both have specific roles for packing up the car, and always double check for essentials. Never rush! Such a great tip.

[travelingcryptid]

This goes along with the snacks, but if you're going on days long car trips I like to pack a variety of cold cut sandwiches to have for lunches and dinners. You'll be amazed how much you save not eating out for every meal

[AKgrowngal]

#7 Pack when you are relaxed - such a great tip! I'm a big list maker - love packing lists and will take my time going through them days in advance. Although, I'll often still end up staying up late the night before, I prefer staying up late vs scrambling last minute the morning of. Packing when rushed is the worst! And had to give the video a thumbs up for the "billion star hotel" joke! Ha ha ha!

[jamosgarage]

Good tips. We definitely save by packing food and water from grocery stores rather than dining out every meal. We also tend to travel Sunday-Wednesday when motels cost less and crowds at national parks are smaller.

[Adalynn-Carney]

I would add half round lower back pillow to increase drivers endurance.

[delphinelesterlost]

Good planning is essential to save money on a road trip. I like to have my accommodation sorted in advance so I don't have to organise something at the last minute

[andyberry-zxlt]

for packing....im a car camper. i have my tent, but i use bins that ride in the car.
1) clear bins so you can see whats in them.
2) a list on the lid of the bin so you know whats in them.
3) go through the bins and make sure its all there, then label it as good to go. i like masking tape and pen.

[tracyrupp]

You've gotten me trained to have bins ready to go for camping & road trips, so I don't forget things near as often as I used to. Thanks!! Also, I think Nick should either do a video or write a book on his time living in his car as a photographer. So cool!

[swiftiesunite.]

Thank you so so so much. My best friend and I are planning a road trip to Washington DC. Once we are 18 and out of high school (four years) we will be going on the trip. We are paying for the whole trip ourselves, so we have begun planning. Thank you again for these *extremely* helpful tips :)

[sashakkkkk]

Cool tips.
My tip is to use a check list for preparing towards a road trip/camping, this way you will not forget anything and avoid unplanned shopping at/near the camping site, in addition while using a check list you will avoid packing unnecessary stuff that will only increase the fuel consumption of the car.
I also recommend to people that tarvel/camping a lot to get a car with economic fuel consumption, a hybrid for example.

[kellyjohnson]

For a road trip I will make a huge thermos of iced coffee to drink on the road. Really helps for the long drives

[lightning]

Your man's a legend for the tail wind thing 😆
Thanks for the video, about to prepare my own trip, but solo 😬