Provided By: IMC! Peer Mentor - Blake McNamee
Road trips have been a staple in the travel industry as long as cars have been around and that’s for a good reason. Many times, the cost of a plane or train ticket can be hundreds of dollars which far outweighs the cost of gas based on your destination. Traveling with friends or family can be a bonus experience and the journey is often more enjoyable than the destination. Here are some tips I’ve found while planning a road trip out to Montana that I want to share with you.
1. Make a budget
The most important part of any purchase, especially one as big as a trip, is making a budget. A budget will decide where you can go and how long you can stay there without breaking the bank. Make sure to include things like gas, lodging, food, park passes, and tolls. A budget gives you the big picture on an overall limit on spending to make sure your trip is within your financial means.
2. Pick a destination & dates
This is a given as you can’t just drive to the middle of nowhere and expect a good trip to come out of it. But the destination has a great impact on the cost of food, lodging, and gas. For instance, traveling to a state like Montana will be far cheaper than driving out to California because of the shorter travel required and cheaper gas and food prices. Dates are also very important for pricing on lodging which leads us to the next tip.
3. Airbnb is your friend
Airbnb has established themselves as a reputable home-sharing site that offers better deals than a hotel typically would. Depending on your chosen location, there can be hundreds of options that can fit within your price range which makes sticking to your budget even easier. There are never hidden fees or extra charges as long as you keep your room/place clean when leaving. Another bonus is the same level of privacy as you would get in a hotel room.
4. Prepack food
A food bill can add up very quickly when traveling, especially if eating out. Prepacking food like sandwiches, fruit, and drinks in a cooler can help saves hundreds of dollars as well as time. An additional bonus of an Airbnb is some have access to a full kitchen which allows making meals possible, another cheaper alternative to eating out.
I hope these tips make your road trip a perfect one, maybe just watch out for the snow we all know is coming.
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