USA Road Trippin' on a Budget

Most people these days love flying from coast to coast; however, there is definitely something extraordinary about a road trip, which tends to draw people towards it even when there are many other faster means of transportation! Needless to say, USA road trippin’ can be a breathtaking experience. However, planning a budget road trip is extremely essential to enjoy the trip to its fullest. Well, with some shrewd planning, one can easily add a brand new dimension to the adventure and save some bucks at the same time! At the end of the day, it is all about choosing a nice destination and planning well to make it a joyful and budget-friendly ride. 

The United States of America is a vast landscape with innumerable cultural and heritage sites. The country brims with awesome destinations and tourist attractions. According to experts, a road trip through the Southwestern parts of the United States can be amazing, lucrative and also affordable at the same time. The Southwestern part of America is one of the most stunning road trippin’ destinations. The place has it all, whether it is the Wild West landscapes or the various national parks. While the beautiful criss-cross roads can make the journey even more adventurous, Southwestern USA even has some natural attractions that don’t really cost much to visit. 

Budgeting 

For an affordable trip, proper budgeting is of utmost importance. Making the bookings in advance would help save some precious bucks. There are some places that are easily accessible. However, some of the places in the USA can get really busy during the weekends. So, it’s worthless to take a risk and roam around without making any prior reservations. One needs to look out for accommodation options that come with plenty of extras. Several hotels offer extras for a very little additional fee. Hotels with Wi-Fi and guest laundry services can work well for anyone who is looking to save some bucks during a road trip. 

Fuel

Fuel is an important aspect of any road trip and so one needs to keep a quarter of the tank full all the time, making it necessary to refuel whenever the meter puts up an emergency sign. For longer trips, this practice could turn out to be extremely handy. One should also inspect the vehicle thoroughly before heading out for the trip. In case there are issues with the car, the problem areas should be addressed as early as possible. Avoid unnecessary luggage as it can hamper the overall performance of the car while on the road. In other words, it’s best to keep the vehicle as light as possible. 

Food and Supplies

Carry a camp stove along with you, and indulge in some self-cooking whenever possible. Food and supplies are the two things that are very important when on a road trip, as the likeliness of bumping into a grocery and departmental stores when on the road cannot be accurately predicted. Essential items to carry along on a road trip are:

• Couscous/Rice

• Spices

• Jerky

• Dry Fruit

• Fresh Fruit

• Cheese

Hotels

Finding a budget-friendly hotel can be an extremely difficult task, as one cannot really be sure in advance of the rents and other charges associated with lodging in a particular area. In order to locate the most economical hotels, going online and doing some extensive research on the Internet would be advisable. It is definitely better than consulting with the locals, as some of the local people could be affiliated with the local hotels and lodges, looking to trap-in vulnerable tourists.

Simply put, planning a great USA road trip on a budget is indeed a reality. The excitement of road trippin’ in US is simply unmatched; however, if it’s not your cup of tea, then you can take the usual flights.

Useful Resources for USA Road Trippers:

Road Trip USA – 11 itineraries on two-lane highways

Planning Fun Road Trips – Ideas for planning your road trip

The American Road – Magazine about historic 2-lane highways in the US

Professional Trip Log – Video documentary of road trip from Zion to Moab

Cheap flights to USA – courtesy of Momondo, for those coming from abroad, also contains info about car-hire

7 Steps to the Perfect Summer Road Trip by Molly Feltner

How to Plan a Cheap Road Trip with Multiple Stops By Kristen Kuchar

10 Tips for Planning a Cross-country Road Trip by Melanie Radzicki McManus