Around the World on a Budget: Tips for Road Trips

Road trips can be fun, especially if you want to visit hidden gems or take control of your entire trip. But although these road trips allow you to travel independently, they do come with a downside: the expenses.

Investopedia estimates that the expenses of a road trip from New York to Los Angeles could be about $1,151.69 in total. This cost includes the gas, food, and lodging you must pay for during the trip. Unfortunately, road trip expenses can further increase due to rising gas prices, the number of travelers visiting tourist destinations, and the country you’re traveling to.

So, if you want to stay within your budget, here are some tips to keep in mind for your next road trip:

New Zealand – Save money by staying close to nature

One of the best things about going on a road trip abroad is being able to enjoy the natural wonders of another country. New Zealand is famous for its gorgeous drives, including the Auckland to Cape Reinga drive that takes you past the Bay of Islands and all the way up to Ninety Mile Beach— the very “top” of New Zealand.

If you want to save a little extra money, you can opt to stay at a campground instead of a hotel on your road trip. Campground options near the Bay of Islands include a range of options depending on your budget, from simpler camping sites to glamping. Plus, camping allows you to get up close and personal with nature— which is one of the best parts of a road trip.

Hawaii – Book your car rentals in advance

Besides your accommodation, road trip gear can also quickly rack up costs — especially if you’re going to a destination like Hawaii with various adventurous options, from hiking and trekking in Oahu to surfing and kayaking in Maui. While it may be tempting to buy brand-new outdoor gear, online shopping platforms like Out&Back offer various listings of secondhand gear in good condition and at better price points. Moreover, the platform has partnered with retailers DICK’S Sporting Goods (DICK’S) and Public Lands for a wider range of hard and soft outdoor and adventure goods.

Hawaii’s natural wonders and scenic views can also inspire you to indulge in travel photography but don’t get too carried away when buying camera gear. Instead, look into the listings of used mirrorless cameras on Adorama, which are relatively cheaper yet equally practical and functional as brand new, high-end DSLRs. A mirrorless camera like the Fujifilm X-T30 is not only portable but also has hybrid photo and video capabilities with its 26.1-megapixel camera and 4K video support. This means you can easily capture landscape photos and travel vlogs without much need for additional lenses, accessories, or another camera solely for videos.

Iceland – Drive smart to save on gas prices

Gas can be another big expense when it comes to road trips. For example, beware if you’re planning a road trip along the southern coast of Iceland, where you can see wonders like the Glacier Lagoon or the Seljalandsfoss waterfall. Gas prices in Iceland are among the highest in the world, at a whopping $8 per gallon compared with $3 to $6 per gallon in the U.S. Those costs can get pretty painful if you’re traveling on a budget.

Fortunately, there are a few ways to save on gas on a long road trip. Although fuel efficiency will also depend on your car, you can maximize it by accelerating gently, avoiding high speeds, and avoiding unnecessary idling. Less baggage can also help you save on gas. According to the Department of Energy, an extra 100 pounds of baggage in your car could reduce your miles per gallon by about 2%. Pack light as much as possible!

Global – Join a travel club

Frequent travelers can save up on significant road trip expenses by joining a travel club. These travel clubs offer special discounts, which can help you save significant costs for a product or service.

If your lodging is one of your biggest road trip expenses and camping isn’t an option, you can join travel clubs that provide discounts for accommodations. You can join our Hotels Etc. travel club, which provides huge travel discounts on hotels, entertainment, and products. The member-exclusive discounts can help you reduce your accommodation expenses, especially for long-haul road trips. You may even become more comfortable doing long-haul road trips due to your increased access to discounted room rates.

You don’t have to break the bank to be able to go on a road trip to different countries. Through the right financial strategies, you can stay within your budget as you explore multiple destinations.

 

Article written by Rose Justina