5 Road-Trip Mistakes That Can Cost Your Family Hundreds — and How To Keep More Money in Your Pocket
Finally, your family’s schedules have aligned for the annual summer vacation. While you’ve got the time off from work and school, you don’t have the budget to do a major excursion. You figure a road trip will let you experience some adventure without blowing your budget on airfare or pricey attractions.
However, your budget-conscious road trip may come with some surprise expenses that could cost your family hundreds. Ugh, not fun. But there’s good news: Many of these costs come from common mistakes you can catch before you hit the road.
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Mistake No. 1: You Overspend on Food
As CEO of theCityMoms, Jeanine Bobenmoyer knows how to plan a family trip. One road-trip faux pas she’s seen is overspending on food.
“It’s so easy to stop for gas and suddenly spend $40-plus on snacks,” Bobenmoyer said. “And a lot of those grab-and-go items are marked up significantly — up to 200%.”
When advising families on road-trip food, she encourages them to prepare snacks at home to save money.
Mistake No. 2: You Forget Toll Costs
You’ve got your route between points A and B mapped out. You’ve maximized efficiency to avoid hearing a chorus of “Are we there yet?” But have you budgeted for the tolls you may encounter?
“Often consumers map out their travel but overlook possible toll roads,” Bobenmoyer said.
Many navigation apps will let you view options for your route without tolls. However, if a toll-free route will add significant time to your travels, it may make more sense to budget for the tolls ahead of time rather than get surprised on the road.
Mistake No. 3: You Don’t Book Lodging Early Enough
Joe Cronin, president of International Citizens Insurance, is no stranger to helping travelers make smart choices. He called lodging a “major leak” in family road-trip budgets.
“Families often book night by night rather than mapping out the route in advance, which means they end up paying premium rates for whatever is available at 8 p.m., when everyone is exhausted,” Cronin said.
Instead, he advised families to book their hotel stays two to three weeks out, even with budget-friendly chains. This approach, he said, consistently yields better rates and more options.
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Mistake No. 4: You Don’t Check Your Tire Pressure
Before you head out on your road trip, you might have done some basic maintenance on your car, like oil changes or addressing check engine lights. But Brian Maciak, CEO of FullSpeed Automotive, said that an even smaller — and easier — bit of maintenance can help save money.
According to Maciak, you’re actually better off checking your car’s tire pressure than going on a hunt — or potential wild-goose chase — for lower-priced gas. He cited information from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration claiming that proper tire maintenance can save drivers up to 11 cents per gallon.
“Underinflated tires increase rolling resistance, forcing vehicles to burn more fuel,” Maciak said. “Regular tire pressure checks and tire rotations can improve gas mileage.”
Mistake No. 5: You Cram Too Much Into One Trip
It’s hard to get away with the family during the rest of the year, so it’s understandable that you want to do everything you can — even in a short period of time. But doing too much all at once can come with hidden costs, both financially and emotionally.
Alice Wright, travel writer and co-founder of Panoramic Pathways, learned from her family’s own experience that trying to “see everything” means driving more, paying more for hotels and spending more money on last-minute extras. Her family found that a slightly slower trip saved money and felt more enjoyable.
“Some of our kids’ favorite memories were scenic picnics, card games, movie nights or inexpensive local activities,” Wright said. “Families sometimes feel pressure to constantly buy treats, souvenirs or expensive entertainment, but kids usually remember the shared experiences most.”
The Bottom Line
Summer fun doesn’t have to drain your summer funds. Being aware of a few key mistakes — and planning around them — can help you save money while still making lasting memories.
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This article was provided by MoneyLion.com for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal or tax advice.
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