Instead of hitting the skies on your next trip how about hitting the road?
That’s right, we’re talking about a good-old fashioned road trip!
A road trip can be to a destination a few hours away or it can be one continuous trip wherever the road leads you.
And below are our 5 reasons why road trips are the best way to travel and how to do it without breaking the bank and making the most of your time off.
So, set your destination, calculate your budget, and go!
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Budget constraints? No problem!
Money doesn’t have to stand in the way of an amazing vacation. If you plan right, a road trip can be one of the most cost-effective ways to travel. Here are some tips to save even more on your budget:
Brown Bag It: BYOF, BYOB, and BYOAETWF. That’s bring your own food, books (or booze for when you get to your destination). Roughly a quarter of a vacation budget is spent on food and alcohol. One of the easiest ways to cut costs is to pack your own provisions.
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You’re in Control.
When travelling by plane, train, boats, buses, you’re always on their schedule, which translates to ridiculously early departures, unforeseen delays, annoying stopovers, and a ton of anxiety just trying to get your butt in a seat. Not to mention you have zero control if you get carsick, feel tired, or have a mild freak-out at 30,000 feet. On a road trip you get decide on your schedule.
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Take advantage of free activities.
Walk around downtown or check out free parks, shows, and outdoor spaces. Not sure where to start? Check your destination’s Facebook page, browse the website of its local paper, or download a city guide app such where you can search for events, nightlife, and food in your price range.
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Road Trips are Low Key
Only have a few days? Drive to a neighboring city or town or find a short scenic drive. Been saving up vacation time? Pick a spot on the map and trek across the country. It’s completely up to you.
But here’s the best part: You’re allowed to change your mind enroute. If you’re having a blast where you are, stay an extra day or two. If you see a sign for the World’s largest Dinosaurs – then pull over and get some great pics with a T-Rex!
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Bring Your Best Friend Along
Does the thought of leaving your furry friend at home (or worse, kenneled) break your heart? Then don’t! Road tripping means you can bring your buddy along with you as your co-pilot. And with more people travelling with pets these days, you’ll have a lot more choices of hotels that are pet friendly – just make sure to check out which ones are before starting out (although we can tell you that most, if not all, Motel6 is pet friendly).
Whatever you do and wherever you go, remember that it’s the journey, the people, and the stops along the way that make a road trip unforgettable.
