road trip – photo by TimOve on Flckr CC
Planning out a Cross-Country Road Trip Without Going Broke
As you sit on the couch bing-ing Netflix and contemplating the meaning of your existence, wanderlust hits you like a speeding freight train. Why are you sitting here when you could be out there making memories and living life to the fullest? The answer almost always comes down to one thing: Money.
You’d be bungee jumping from the 108th floor of the Stratosphere right now …if only you could afford the trip.
If you can relate, your life is about to get a whole lot more interesting.
Here’s how to plan a cross-country road trip without going broke.
Plan carefully
Get a physical map and mark all the stops you want to make. From here, you’ll see what’s feasible and what’s not.
For example, if all your dots are clustered in the same general area except one or two, you may want to save those outliers for another trip. Depending on the routes you take, it may make more sense to visit those by plane another time. These are the tough decisions you’ll have to make ahead of time to save time and money.
photo care of Zack Dischner on Flickr CC
Consider renting a car
Sometimes, renting a car is the most cost-effective solution on a road trip. But you do have to do your homework before making any decisions. If your car is small, it may not comfortably handle the family. In this case, you’d be better off renting one of the new reliable SUVs.
As a bonus, you won’t have to worry about vehicle maintenance or wear and tear. Road trips can be very taxing on older vehicles, and they may result in some unexpected repairs that will really put a dent in your budget.
Be prepared for anything
You could take a road trip in the summer and drive through snow in the mountains of Colorado. Make sure you’re ready for anything. Pack clothes for warm and cool weather, and make sure your vehicle is ready to handle any weather or road conditions. You never know what you’ll encounter, and it’s much cheaper to be prepared than to have to buy the gear you have sitting at home.
photo care of Amy G on Flickr CC
Consider camping
If you want to save the most money on your road trip, cut out lodging expenses. With rates that could easily reach $100 per night, this will be the biggest savings.
Camping is by far the cheapest way to stay (aside from sleeping in your car), but you must be prepared. If you’re okay with camping, map out the campsites that make sense for your trip. And be sure to call in advance because many popular campsites book up quickly.
If camping isn’t your thing, you may still save some money by booking through Airbnb or Couchsurfing.
Plan meals ahead
The next biggest drain on your budget will be eating out. These are sneaky expenses that can add up quickly. But if you plan meals in advance, you’ll be much better off.
Before you even leave on your road trip, make a list of what you can make at your campsite or hotel room. Bring lots of snacks to keep your appetite at bay when you’re out and about. This is especially important for when you’re visiting touristy areas where the food and water can be exceptionally pricey.
Summary
If you think that you can’t afford a cross-country road trip, you may want to think again. Almost anything is doable, and it’s up to you to find the way. With these tips, you may be able to afford that epic road trip after all.
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Hi! I'm Lash, an American nomadic world traveler who's been traveling solo since 1998. I’m passionate about traveling the world nomadically and then sharing it all with you. I hope to inspire you to travel the world, to entertain you with tales from the road, and to help you reach your travel dreams. Welcome! 
