4 Money Saving Tips for Road Trips

By Lauren Fix, The Car Coach

We’re back on the road again. More people are traveling by car than by plane or rail. Getting ready for the road is more than seeing your mechanic, and COVID has made many people bad drivers. What are your best options?

Before you hit the road, make sure to see your favorite ASE-certified technician to do a road trip pre-check on your brakes, exhaust, battery, fluids, and air conditioning.

Remember when you take all the junk out of your trunk to leave your spare tire and emergency kit in place. Believe it or not, some people remove them in order to fit in more luggage.

If you have an unexpected breakdown on the road, contact your roadside service company or if you need a repair check with websites like caradvise.com to get the repair done.

How can you prevent road rage? The best thing you can do is let that other driver go, and remind all other passengers in the car to not make any gestures toward the driver. Don’t be a part of their accident or situation.

Follow the two-hour rule: every two hours get out of the car to stretch and use the restroom.

Here are Four Ways to Save Money
If you’re traveling with pets, book in advance or look for hotels that allow pets to join you. Get a pet safety seat to keep them safe. Never let them run freely in the vehicle.

The best way to save on gas is to use apps like gas buddy. They show prices and other information.

Some of the best road trips apps include Waze and Sirius XM traffic—both will help you get to your destinations safer and quicker.

A great way to save money is to bring your own food. Also, choose the right foods to keep you awake such as pork rinds, energy drinks, nuts & seeds, and water. Stay away from sugary foods since they will likely make you tired and sleepy.

The Bottom Line
With more of us traveling on the roadway, you will find road construction and heavy traffic. Check ahead to determine if you need to reroute your destination. Traveling at night is an option too. Whatever the case, be safe out there!

Lauren Fix, The Car Coach®, is a nationally recognized automotive expert, analyst, author, and television host.  A trusted car expert, Lauren provides an insider’s perspective on a wide range of automotive topics and aspects, energy, industry, consumer news, and safety issues.   

Lauren is the CEO of Automotive Aspects and the Editor-in-Chief of Car Coach Reports, a global automotive news outlet. She is an automotive contributor to national and local television news shows, including Fox News, Fox Business, CNN International, The Weather Channel, Inside Edition, Local Now News, Community Digital News, and more. Lauren also co-hosts a regular show on ABC.com with Paul Brian called “His Turn – Her Turn” and hosts regular radio segments on USA Radio – DayBreak. 

Lauren is honored to be inducted into the Women’s Transportation Hall of Fame and a Board Member of the Buffalo Motorcar Museum, and Juror / President for the North American Car, Utility & Truck of the Year Awards.  

Check her out on Twitter and Instagram @LaurenFix.

Not an NMA Member yet?

Join today and get these great benefits!

Leave a Comment