I Asked ChatGPT How I Can Take a Road Trip Vacation for Under $300 — Here’s What It Said

andreswd / iStock.com

Commitment to Our Readers

GOBankingRates' editorial team is committed to bringing you unbiased reviews and information. We use data-driven methodologies to evaluate financial products and services - our reviews and ratings are not influenced by advertisers. You can read more about our editorial guidelines and our products and services review methodology.

20 Years
Helping You Live Richer

Reviewed
by Experts

Trusted by
Millions of Readers

When most people think about taking a road trip, they see dollar signs. While you might not need to pay for airfare, you’ll still need to factor in gas, food and a place to stay. To prove that you can take a road trip without spending a lot of money, I asked ChatGPT a simple question: “Can I take a road trip vacation for under $300?”

The goal was to see if it could help me plan a trip that didn’t feel like I was cutting corners and being cheap, but still stayed within budget. What it provided were practical ideas that actually make sense. 

Here’s what ChatGPT suggested, and how you can use the same approach to plan your own low-cost getaway.

Pick a Drivable Destination Within 150 to 200 Miles

When planning a road trip, it’s essential to start by determining where you want to go. To keep the drive manageable, pick something within 150 to 200 miles from home. This will help keep your drive within a few hours, which means lower fuel costs.

Choose a destination that feels far away. For example, I’m from the Denver area, so ChatGPT suggested a trip to Estes Park, which is only a couple of hours away, but feels like you’re in a completely different place. 

When choosing a destination, use Google Maps and GasBuddy to determine the cost of fuel. Depending on gas prices in your area, a road trip within a few hours shouldn’t cost you more than around $80 in gas. 

Additionally, ChatGPT recommended avoiding the highway when possible. Taking the scenic route will make the drive part of your experience.

Camp, Car Camp or Book Budget Lodging

Where you choose to stay will frequently take up half of your budget. That means this is your biggest chance to save money.

ChatGPT recommended considering camping, car camping or budget hotels for this trip. If you want to go the camping route, a state park typically costs anywhere from $15 to $40 per night, depending on whether you want electrical access or not.

If you have a hatchback or an SUV, you could fold down the seats and use sleeping pads to sleep in your car. Just make sure you choose a safe, legal location like national forest roads, U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land or designated car-camp areas.

If camping isn’t your thing, you can find budget lodging at motels or rooms on Airbnb. Prices tend to be lower if you’re planning your trip during the off-season or the middle of the week. 

Pack Your Own Food and Snacks

Food on vacation can quickly ruin your budget. Ten dollars for breakfast, $15 for lunch and even more for dinner. It can add up quickly without even realizing it. Instead of eating out for every meal, pre-pack things that you can prepare yourself. 

If you’re camping, staying in an Airbnb or a motel with a microwave and refrigerator, this will be easy. Some meals to consider could be:

• Breakfast: instant oats, fruit, protein bars
• Lunch: wraps, sandwiches, chips
• Dinner: pasta salad, pre-made burritos or one-pan meals on a camp stove

Simply bring a cooler with ice, and you’ll be able to keep everything fresh. The total cost for the weekend will be $50 or $60, instead of $150 or more. Plus, the view from a scenic overlook is going to be better than any restaurant.

Plan Free or Low-Cost Activities

Once you have your food and accommodations figured out, it’s easy to plan your weekend of activities for little cost. Check out free museums, art walks or local festivals. If you want to go on a hike, you could use AllTrails or state park websites to find good trails in the area. A quick Google search for “free things to do in [destination]” will give you plenty of ideas for things to do that won’t cost you anything.

If there are museums or attractions that you want to visit and require a fee, check if CityPASS is available. This will allow you to enjoy multiple activities and save up to 45% off the regular price. 

Share This Article: