Plan a Family Road Trip on a Budget

Plan the Best Budget Family Road Trip

For many families, sticking to a budget can be tough. And when it comes to that much-deserved family vacation, it can be even tougher to keep costs under control. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the family spend $1,415 on vacation costs. That’s no loose change. One of the best tools that a family can use to plan the best budget-friendly road trip isn’t a fancy budget app, but good old-fashioned planning. Check out our tips for how to enjoy your family road trip, without breaking the bank.

1. Map It Out

It may seem simple, but taking some time to physically map out your trip can save you a significant amount of money and, more importantly, precious time. While you don’t need to be drill-sergeant mom when it comes to keeping the schedule, mapping out the route can help you understand how much to budget for gas. In addition, it can serve as a guideline for all other aspects of the trip, including what to pack and where to look for accommodations. Each of these can help you have a better understanding of just how much you should plan to spend, so you’re better equipped to stick to it.

These days, mapping out the road trip is easier than ever with apps like TripIt, which allows you to create and share a roadmap, and RoadTrippers, which even has local destination guides.

2. Plan Some Picnics

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics also estimates that 23% of total vacation costs go to food and beverage. If you’re able to cut back on those costs, it could mean big savings over the course of your trip. One of the best ways to do so is to pack cold lunches and snacks, or make a stop at a local supermarket, rather than a restaurant, for some of your meals. It’s not realistic to skip the restaurant scene altogether (after all, this IS vacation right?) but if you’re eating out for breakfast, lunch and dinner, it can add up quickly. If you do some research ahead of your trip, you can highlight must-try restaurants and schedule them into your stops. That will help you ensure that when you do spend money on dining out, it’s well worth it.

Another pro tip: download apps like GrubHub or Groupon, which often feature local daily deals from popular restaurants.

3. Keep Mobile Under Control

For many families, especially those with tweens and teens, keeping cell phone bills under control can be a never-ending struggle. While your teen may want to binge-watch Game of Thrones in the car on their new Samsung Galaxy S7, you have to make sure they won’t be using any data and raising your cell phone bill. Luckily, T-Mobile’s #BingeOn allows customers to enjoy all the streaming services they want without using any data, which means your cell phone bill won’t go up while your family is out and about enjoying your trip.

4. Go With the Flow

As much as planning can help you saving money, being a little bit spontaneous can save you some green when it comes to accommodations. Many major websites such as Hotels.com, Priceline & Expedia offer great deals on last minute bookings to fill their inventory. In fact, HotelTonight.com is dedicated specifically to finding those last-minute deals. It’s important to keep in mind, however, that this tactic works best during weekdays. Trying to find a cheap, last-minute hotel on the 4^th of July, probably isn’t your best bet.

Have your own tips and tricks for saving money on the road? Share them in the comments below! Happy road tripping!

Jennifer Thayer is a technology writer from Southern California who loves finding ways technology can make life easier. She enjoys sharing her tips and tricks with readers. Follow her on Twitter.