Frugal Vacation - The Road Trip
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My Mom instilled in me my love for road trips. Being one of six kids, we would fight for the honor sitting in the passenger seat, beside Mom. Shot gun came with its responsibilities (we had to keep Mom awake and look for wildlife) but it also meant that we had her attention one on one until the next stop.
The hubby and I take many road trips during the summer. Even with the cost of gas, the lack of airfare needed immediately puts it in the frugal travel category. We have a couple other tricks to keep costs down.
Cool Like That
The cooler is the road trip buddy’s best friend but that cooler space is precious. We maximize it by filling it with frozen bottles of water and low filled beverages (including drinking boxes, a healthier fruit slushy) instead of the messy ice. Ice melts, gets dirty, and spills. It also makes sandwiches soggy. Frozen drinks are a neater solution.
Backseat Peace And Quiet
When we went on a long road trip, we knew what to expect and we looked forward to it. My Mom would always buy us new coloring books and a brand new mega pack of crayons. It was the only time we got our own books.
That bought Mom peace and quiet in the backseat. Happy little faces all around.
Some more modern Moms, I know, save special video games and toys for their trips. Same result, happy kids, peace and quiet.
AAA Or Other Vehicle Assistance
As the hubby and I always kick with the older vehicles, we consider vehicle assistance part of the maintenance cost. One tow and the membership pays for itself. Plus if you’re female or in a bad neighborhood, you don’t want to step out of the car to try to fix the mystery problem yourself. Uh, not worth it.
Another benefit of AAA is the access to maps and my fave, TripTiks. These are route maps with construction zones, rest stops, and blurbs on passing towns. Educational and entertaining for the person (or child) riding shot gun.
Of course, even with vehicle assistance, run down your pre-drive checklist. Check all fluids, oil, antifreeze/coolant, windshield washer solvent (for the bugs all road trip vehicles collect). Check the tires, ensuring that they are properly inflated and in good condition. Check all belts and hoses, looking for wear and tear.
Now, I’m sure I’ve missed some road trip tips. If I have, I’d love to hear them. Oh, and what was your all time favorite road trip?
Kimber Chin writes romance novels based in the business world and blogs at No Limit Ladies. One of her favorite annual road trips is to Taste Of Chicago the first weekend in July.
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I love roadtrips. There is something so peaceful and head clearing about the drive. Sometimes I actually enjoy the drive more than the trip…
Having a navigation system now really is vital. Ry and I both have horrible senses of direction and even with maps would often get lost. That was fun too, but I much prefer having a computer tell me when I am off track.
I wouldn’t call it a roadtrip, but when I was relocating to Charlotte from Louisiana, I had to drive with my son in the back. I never knew how to read a map before then, but I learned quick that day. Now I’ve even driven up to Connecticut reading my maps. I have AAA and use those trip tix as well. My most memorable road trip was when I was 11 y/o and I rode from Columbus, Ga to Trenton, NJ. Can we say I hate rest area stops! But I love going through multiple states.
Not quite a road trip for fun but it was a road trip. We (my mom) were migrant workers and traveled to different states looking for work. I was 9 y/o and my older brother was 11y/o and we drove from Homestead, Florida to Dulles, Oregon during the winter. We went from picking tomatoes to picking cherries, So we crossed thru multiple states and one of my favorites was Colorado…beautiful!!!
Totally agree about the GPS.
A wonderful invention.
I still have map back ups
as I’ve found the GPS freaks out sometimes.
Serenity, I hear you about rest stops.
Some of them are… well, they have me contemplating the bushes.
Yuri, have never been to Colorado
(except for a flight lay over).
It is on my list of places to see.
Road trip from New York to Maine many many years ago, but still remember lush greenery and little B&Bs along the way and Bar Harbor with its little twirly streets and the discovery of Ben and Jerry’s ice cream. Oh yeah and fudge and sea food and lobsters dripping with butter that I watched my companions to devour in packs (none for me, hate those suckers, which they are literally as you suck the stuff out pretty much) In the summer Maine is the place to be, winter-brrrr, harsh