How We Road Trip on a Budget

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📍Research your destination

📍Prepare a route

📍Book/find lodging in advance

📍Buy necessities leading up to the trip

We know this might seem like a no brainer, but we would often take impulse road trips. At first, they were exciting and fun but eventually they caused more stress than enjoyment. While spontaneity can be great, when you are not financially prepared, those trips can quickly become a source of worry rather than adventure.

Research your destination– First things first: research your destination. Are you road tripping to a city, a state park, a national park, or a popular tourist spot? Understanding the purpose of your trip from the start makes planning much easier.

If you’re driving into a city, look into parking options, both paid and free alternatives. This same principle applies to state parks, national parks, and other attractions. Always check parking fees in advance. For example, national parks often charge a $30 entrance fee, which you can pay either upon arrival or online. From our experience, it’s most effective to prepay these costs whenever possible.

When we plan a trip, prepaying park fees and other paid activities is usually one of the first items we cross off our to-do list. This also applies to any activities with associated costs, planning ahead helps avoid surprises and keeps your budget on track.

(Read more about budgeting for activities in Section #6.)

💡 Pro tip: If your trip includes rural areas or regions with spotty cell service, download your maps in advance. On Apple Maps, you can save offline maps for your route so that even when you go completely offline, you can still access directions and navigate without relying on a signal. This is especially handy for state parks, national parks, and remote scenic drives.

Quick Steps to Download Apple Maps for Offline Use

1. Open Apple Maps and search for your destination.
2. Tap the location’s info card and select Download or Add to Offline Maps.
3. Adjust the area to save so it covers your route and any stops.
4. Wait for the download to finish, then you can navigate offline!

Tip: Download your maps a day or two before your trip to avoid using data in low-service areas.

Prepare a route– All of this being said, preparing your route is likely one of the most important parts of a road trip. Once you’ve decided on a destination, start by checking the total miles and estimated driving time. While it may seem like you can reach your destination in a straight shot, it’s important to factor in stops, especially on long drives, and identify segments where you can rest, refuel, or grab a bite.

We usually spend the most time researching the route itself. This helps us plan for scenic stops, restroom breaks, gas stations, and activities we don’t want to miss along the way. For example, if you’re driving from San Antonio to Colorado, consider fun stops like Enchanted Rock or Palo Duro State Park.

At the same time, you need to account for road closures, tolls, traffic, and fuel efficiency. Decide whether you want to prioritize scenic routes or reach your destination faster. Once you’ve mapped out stops and alternative routes, choose a departure time based on the day of the week. Our rule of thumb: the earlier, the better. Leaving in the early hours, around 4–6 a.m., can help avoid traffic and make the most of your day. However, also consider the time you’ll arrive at your destination; leaving very early might mean hitting traffic in another city later in the day.

Analyzing traffic patterns in combination with your planned stops will save you from unexpected delays. And finally: once you’ve researched and prepared your route, stick to it. It can be tempting to deviate, but if you can’t fit everything in this trip, it’s the perfect excuse to return and explore what you missed another time.

Book/find lodging in advance–

Before hitting the road, researching where to stay is an extremely important part of planning your trip. The type of lodging you choose will depend on your overall goal and budget. If you’re looking to save the most money, you might consider more basic options like sleeping in your car occasionally or staying at budget motels such as Motel 6. That said, it’s still possible to find affordable lodging at nicer hotels or Airbnb properties.

Even before diving into those details, it’s worth highlighting that lodging is one of the key things you should research and budget for in advance. For long drives, consider planning stops along your route. Even if you’re unsure about taking a break, it’s wise to prepare for the possibility of staying overnight.

Hotel rates fluctuate frequently, so if you decide last-minute to stop, call ahead to check availability and nightly rates. Be sure to research check-in times and late check-in fees, which some hotels apply after a certain hour.

If hotels aren’t your style, research camping options along your route. Some helpful resources include:

• Recreation.gov – Reserve campsites on federal lands (national parks, forests, etc.) with fees typically ranging from $10–$25 per night.
• Hipcamp – Like Airbnb for camping; landowners rent out spots ranging from $10–$100 per night depending on location and amenities.
• ParkAdvisor – Helps locate free or low-cost places to park and sleep, including RV parks, state parks, and car-friendly rest stops (like Walmart parking lots).
• Google Maps – Useful for quickly scouting both lodging and nearby camping options.

Of course, use these resources with your own precautions and select what works best for your needs. Many of these apps and websites have positive reviews and are considered trustworthy sources.

Buy necessities leading up to the trip– We can’t stress enough how helpful it is to prepare your essentials ahead of time. Early on, we thought, “Eh, we’ll just buy it on the way,” but quickly realized that buying items on the road can feel much more costly. Paying for necessities like gas, food, activities, or last-minute gear while actively traveling can add stress, and end up costing a lot more than if you had prepared in advance.

Buying what you need before your trip helps you save money and avoid unnecessary hassle. We recommend starting from the moment you begin planning. Think about what you’ll need based on the weather and the type of trip you’re taking. If you’re planning to camp, we highly recommend reading our Beginner’s Guide to Travel Essentials: Hiking Edition, which includes an Amazon list of both essential and nice-to-have items. We’re continuously updating this list, so consider saving it or checking back occasionally.

From the start, we made sure to include items like:

• First aid kit
• Camping necessities (see our Amazon list)
• Comfortable pants and shoes for the road
• Walking shoes for exploring
• Physical map (just in case)
• Car charger and portable charger
• Phone mount (if your car doesn’t have GPS)
• Reusable utensils and plates
• Trash bags
• Car essentials (covered in more detail in Section #3)

Be sure to review our Amazon link for the full list of recommended items. It’s a great resource to make sure you don’t forget anything important.

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2. Smart Ways We Cut Hotel Costs

📍Affordable hotels/Airbnb

Affordable hotels/Airbnb– When booking a hotel or Airbnb, it’s easy to get caught up using third-party sites like Expedia or Hotels.com. We both worked in the hotel industry, and here’s the truth: it’s almost always better to book directly with the hotel whenever possible.

Here’s why: third-party sites may advertise lower rates, but they don’t always guarantee your room type, special requests, or specific amenities. Plus, hotel bookings through these platforms often require you to provide a card at check-in rather than processing payment in advance. Booking directly with the hotel usually allows prepayment, and for Airbnb, contacting the host directly can sometimes get you a discount, special package, or waived cleaning fee.

Another insider tip: call or message directly. Many hotels and Airbnb hosts are willing to offer extended-stay discounts, special rates, or other perks if you reach out. Adjusting your check-in or check-out dates by even a day can also result in significant savings, since prices fluctuate depending on demand.

Finally, always plan for incidentals and security holds. For hotels, this often includes a card hold for incidentals (usually the cost of a night’s stay), and for Airbnb, many hosts require a security deposit or authorization on your card. Using a credit card is best, it keeps your funds free while still covering any potential charges.

By booking smart and communicating directly, you can save money, reduce stress, and ensure your lodging fits both your budget and your trip plans.

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3. Think about Transportation

📍Prepare your vehicle for the road

📍Plan stops along the route

📍Best types of vehicles to rent

Prepare your vehicle for the road– If you plan on taking your personal vehicle for your next road trip, it’s crucial to prepare it before hitting the road. Here are some key steps we recommend:

• Oil Change: Make sure your oil has been recently changed or schedule one if you’ll hit the mileage limit during your trip.
• Spare Tire & Tools: Check for a spare tire in your trunk and the tools needed to change it. Trust us, it can happen to you. We learned the hard way (twice!)—one time in the middle of the desert. That’s a story for another post 😅.
• Jumper Cables: These are non-negotiable. You don’t want to find out you need them when it’s too late.
• Essential Documents: Keep your insurance, driver’s license, and roadside assistance info handy.

Taking these steps now saves you from unexpected stress (and potentially huge costs) later.

Plan stops along the route– Planning your stops isn’t just about stretching your legs; it’s about being intentional. Breaks for fuel, food, and scenic detours not only make the trip safer and more enjoyable but can also save you money. Apps like GasBuddy let you compare fuel prices along your route so you can choose the most affordable options instead of being forced to fill up at the nearest pricey station. If you have a Sam’s Club or Costco membership, check which locations are along your route because their gas prices are often significantly lower than standard stations. Another great tip: take advantage of gas station rewards programs. For example, Circle K offers a free card that knocks a few cents off each gallon, and many other chains have similar deals you can research online. This small step can save a surprising amount on long trips, and planning ahead makes them easy to grab.

Don’t forget rest breaks, they’re essential for staying alert and avoiding fatigue (which is a safety risk). And if you plan for scenic stops, you turn what could have been a quick refuel into a chance to enjoy beautiful viewpoints, stretch your legs, or have a packed lunch instead of splurging at roadside diners.

Taking time to plan ahead also helps with budgeting overall. You’ll avoid last-minute detours, reduce impulse purchases, and keep more control over your travel expenses.

Best types of vehicles to rent– If you’re renting a vehicle for your adventure, like we did on our Washington road trip to explore the national parks, it’s important to choose the right one for your goals. If your plan includes off-road experiences, look into all-wheel drive vehicles or ones equipped for rugged terrain. In our case, we usually hike these rugged areas instead of driving through them, so we prioritize fuel efficiency over off-road capabilities. Before booking, we research the vehicle’s mileage, fuel economy, and other key details to make sure it fits the trip.

Now, if you know us, you know we’re under 25, and that can make renting tricky (and expensive) because of young driver fees. Here’s how we got around that:

• Option 1: Use apps like Turo, which allow under-25 rentals for a small additional fee.
• Option 2 (our hack): We invested in a $6 monthly AAA membership, which comes with amazing perks—including Hertz rental discounts. With AAA, Hertz waives the young driver fee, which saved us a lot of money. Plus, we got to pick from multiple vehicles on arrival!

We ended up with a Chevy Malibu, and we highly recommend it for long road trips. We only had to fill up about every 500 miles, and it was one of the more affordable cars to refuel. If fuel economy is important to you, a vehicle like this can really help stretch your travel budget.

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4. Pack Smart

📍Don’t overpack!

📍Prepare a packing list

📍Prepare for weather conditions

📍Bring pre-made meals

Don’t overpack!– While packing the essentials is important, be mindful of overpacking. We used to be guilty of this, and it often made it hard to find the items we actually needed. Many times, we packed things that never got used and just took up valuable space. Most of the time, you’ll end up re-wearing your most comfortable outfits for walking or exploring anyway. Packing lighter not only saves space but also reduces weight on your vehicle or your back if you’re carrying gear. Plus, it leaves room for the fun stuff, like souvenirs you’ll want to bring home!

Prepare a packing list– This is a must before hitting the road! If we didn’t make a packing list, some essentials like toothbrushes or socks would definitely get left behind… oops. You can make your list anywhere that’s easy to access—we often use the Notes app on our iPhone and create a checklist of everything from camping gear and clothes to chargers and deodorant. If there are items we can pack ahead of time, we usually load those up the night before and use the strikethrough option on our list so we’re not second-guessing in the morning: “Did we pack this?” or “Did we pack that?” Making a list and double-checking it ensures you bring the essentials and helps you avoid unnecessary purchases on the road. If you already have a charger at home, why spend money buying another one?

Bring pre-made meals– This is one of our favorite ways to save money on road trips. Eating out might seem like “only” $30 at first, but it adds up fast, and before you know it, those meals can eat away at your savings. That’s why we usually make a grocery store stop before hitting the road and stock up on the basics: bread, ham or turkey, cheese, and sandwich condiments. We often prep a few sandwiches ahead of time so we can avoid unnecessary food stops.

Snacks are also a must! We like to each pick out our own sweet and savory options so we don’t get bored with the same thing. When you have snacks on hand, eating out becomes way less tempting. And don’t forget water! On our first few trips we totally forgot and learned the hard way. We usually grab the big gallon jugs from the store since they’re only a little over a dollar, and two or three typically last the whole trip (and sometimes even the ride home).

To keep everything fresh, bring a small cooler. We fill our personal water bottles from the jugs and keep them cold with ice, though we usually wait to buy ice until right before we leave (for obvious reasons!). A few fun food stops are always nice, but stocking up on snacks and meals ahead of time helps you save money for the real adventures, because that’s what we’re here for, right?

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5. Affordable Food Options

📍Affordable stops to eat at

Affordable stops to eat at– If you’re craving something hot and fresh, Costco and Sam’s Club can be a budget-friendly option. Their food courts usually allow you to purchase items like pizza or hot dogs without a membership, just head in through the side entrance near the food court. The portions are generous and the prices are hard to beat.

Another smart move is researching food deals along your route. Many restaurants offer happy hours or daily specials that can save you a lot over time. For example, we love HTeaO because from 2 PM–4 PM they have happy hour, buy one drink of any size, get one free!

Food apps are also a game changer. Most offer exclusive discounts, rewards, and even free items just for signing up. You can always unsubscribe later if you don’t plan to use them again.

And if you’re like us and love a good soda on the road, skip the bottles! Gas station fountain drinks are often just a few cents compared to a couple of dollars for a bottle, making them a much more cost-effective way to quench your thirst.

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6. Low Cost Road Trip Activities

📍Outdoor activites

📍Indoor activities

Outdoor activities– If you’re a wanderer like us, then you know the best budget-friendly activity is literally touching grass. Smaller parks and trails are often free, and they’re perfect for stretching your legs while enjoying nature. If you’re not sure where to look, AllTrails is a great app for finding trails based on your preferences. You can locate scenic hikes, long treks, or off-the-beaten-path trails, and read reviews from other hikers to see if a trail is worth your time.

Apple Maps has also become surprisingly up-to-date, showing trails directly on the map. It can guide you, help you create your own route, and even estimate the distance and time required.

Another fun (and free!) activity is catching sunrises or sunsets. Planning your trip to include these moments can make ordinary stops feel magical.

One of our personal favorites is stargazing. To get the best view of the night sky, download a light pollution app. Most apps show the level of light pollution in your area, helping you find the darkest skies nearby. On our Hawaii trip, this hack allowed us to see the Milky Way with the naked eye, it was truly unforgettable.

Depending on your location, other free activities can include:

Outdoor games and adventures like geocaching, which turns exploring into a fun scavenger hunt

Beaches or lakes for swimming, sunbathing, or people-watching

Free outdoor festivals and markets (do some research in advance—you might find hidden gems!)

Indoor activities– If you’re looking for budget-friendly indoor activities, don’t worry, we’ve got some hacks for that too! First, research free museum days in your destination. Many museums offer free entry on certain days or after a specific hour. For example, the Wittie Museum offers free entry Tuesdays from 3 PM-6 PM for Bexar County residents. Most cities have websites where they post free or low-cost activities, so it’s worth checking in advance.

Joining local Facebook groups can also help you discover cheap or free events happening during your trip. And if you’re planning to do pricier activities, the rule is the same as with most things, prepay in advance. Paying ahead of time helps you enjoy your trip more peacefully and makes budgeting much easier.

Don’t forget about public libraries! They’re full of books, but many also host free exhibits, workshops, or events. Another fun option is becoming a mall walker, window shopping or just walking around a large indoor space can actually feel like an activity in itself.

Wrap-Up: Travel Smart, Save Money, and Make Memories

At the end of the day, road trips are about more than just reaching your destination—they’re about the experiences, memories, and adventures along the way. By preparing in advance, budgeting wisely, and knowing the right hacks for lodging, food, fuel, activities, and packing, you can make the most of your journey without overspending. Every stop, trail, and free activity is an opportunity to explore, have fun, and create lasting memories. The goal is simple: travel smarter, save money, and enjoy every moment of the adventure.