How to Save Money on a Road Trip

Don't go on a road trip alone. If you bring a couple of friends along with you, you'll save money on gas, food and lodging.

Make a rough plan of your road trip before you begin. You don't necessarily have to stick to a step-by-step plan, but having a rough idea of where you're going will help you to limit some expenses.

Once you have an idea of where you want to go on your road trip, bring plenty of road maps. You'll save money on gas if you're not driving around aimlessly.

Make room for a cooler in your car. If you can pack food in a cooler during your road trip, you won't have to eat out as restaurants as much, saving you both money as well as time.

Make sure that your tires are full before your leave. Having tires that are completely filled will save you money on gas.

Find out where the toll roads are along your desired route before you leave. Try to avoid these roads if at all possible.

Buy gas from truck stops or service stations whenever possible. For the most part, these places will have the cheapest gas. Even if it's only a difference of a few cents, doing this can save you a considerable amount of money during your road trip.

Try to find hotels that appear to have an empty parking lot. If you can find one, the rate will be much lower than at a hotel that is almost full. The hotel with the empty parking lot will be more desperate for customers and thus will be wiling to negotiate a lower rate for the night.