Tips for Road
Trippers
6. Estimate the cost for fuel: With the fast-rising prices of gas or diesel, you should estimate the cost based on today’s prices, but add at least 25-50 cents per gallon if you are traveling a month or more from your planning date. Anticipate a rise in price, but don’t let the fear of it shorten or cancel your trip. If you average 25mpg and you plan to drive 2,000 miles, a rise of 50 cents per gallon will only add $40 to the cost of your trip.
Hint: Go online every night while on the trip to search for the best fuel prices along your route. Websites like Gasbuddy.com will help you find the best prices and could save you several dollars per fill-up.
I've experimented with the use of
mid-grade gasoline on road trips to improve gas mileage. However, I learned on
one of those automotive shows that it is best to follow the recommendations in
the car's manual for the gas grade. Higher octane can harm your engine. That said, if mid-grade is okay and you do
get better mileage, it could save you money on the trip. You want to see about
3-5 mpg improvement to make it worthwhile.
You might think that a difference
of 3-5 mpg isn't enough to warrant using the higher cost gasoline, so let me do
the math for you. Ten cents difference
at $3.50 is about 3%, but 3-miles-per-gallon more from 25 mpg is an increase of
about 12%. You're getting a lot for
that change, so continue to use the higher octane gas. If you don't get any
increase, you've only spent a few extra dollars on the test.
7. Purchase a good cooler to take along: Try to plan on eating at least one meal each day at a rest area along the road. You can purchase sandwich items and salads at any super market along the route. It is economical and usually you’ll select meals that are healthier than the fast foods you would opt for otherwise. If your hotel has a free breakfast bar, you’ll only be purchasing one restaurant meal each day, and that will save you money and calories.
8. Take frequent rest breaks: Try to stop at least once every one hundred miles on your long legs of the journey. If there are two or more drivers, switch positions at these stops. Get out and walk around, or at least stretch your legs and arms. There is no excuse for sitting cramped up in the vehicle and possibly suffering deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a condition that could be fatal.
9. Keep an open mind and explore: Some of the best sights are those you didn’t even plan for. If you see a sign for what looks like an interesting attraction, and it isn’t too far off route, go for it! Some of the best memories are of places and sights that were completely unexpected along the route. Even the best-laid plans do not include everything that is available to visit.
Also, if you plan on visiting national or state parks, be sure to
take advantage of any seasonal or annual pass discounts, such as the America
the Beautiful Pass, or the Senior Access Pass offered by the US Park Service.
Most states also offer discounted passes for in-state residents.
10. Use your GPS system, but don’t think of it as fail-safe: Program addresses into the GPS each day to keep you on track. In general, the GPS will calculate the most economical and fastest routes for you, but not always. If you used a map or online mapping guide to plot your route and the GPS doesn’t seem to follow that route, override it and let it recalculate. For instance, GPS systems will usually take you through the center of a city, while the better route is a beltway or outer loop that avoids all the traffic.
You now have all the tools to
save on accommodations, food and fuel on your road trip. The only additional
advice is given in one of my former columns on road trip safety.
I provided a link for you and I recommend that you read that column, too.
