5 Overlooked Ways To Drive More Savings on Your Summer Road Trip
Written by
John Schmoll
Edited by
Amen Oyiboke
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Summer travel is a fun pastime for many American families. It lets them make new memories and recharge for the upcoming school year. Flying is convenient, but airfare prices have risen dramatically in recent months, leaving many travelers searching for more affordable options.
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Enter summer road trips. More Americans are deciding to hit the road this summer, according to a recent survey from Valvoline Instant Oil Change. For Americans planning summer road trips, here are five overlooked ways to drive further savings.
Use Credit Card Rewards To Book Experiences
It’s not likely you’re going to travel to a vacation destination and simply sit in a hotel room. Seeing the sights and enjoying new experiences is part of the fun of the trip. Unfortunately, it’s easy for those costs to add up.
If you have a rewards credit card, it’s possible to book experiences through its travel portal. The Chase Travel portal is one notable example. Chase lets users book excursions, purchase museum tickets, book specialty dining experiences and more through the portal. You can use points to purchase these, so there’s no out-of-pocket cost.
Get Your Car Inspected Before Departing
Don’t overlook the health of your car before embarking on a road trip this summer. Some simple maintenance before departing can save on inconvenient and expensive repairs while traveling.
“The average car on the road today is over 12 years old, and more than 40% are 15 years or older. People also don’t always consider how things like low tire pressure or old filters can hurt fuel economy. With miles driven up more than 10% since 2019, keeping your car in good shape really matters,” said Kyle McMahon, vice president of store operations at Valvoline Inc.
Opt to Camp When Possible
Staying at a hotel is a common practice when traveling for the summer. However, hotel costs continue to creep up, making them a more expensive option.
The average night stay in a hotel was roughly $160, according to analytics firm CoStar. Larger markets can easily average over $200 per night, according to the Wall Street Journal. Compare that to rates starting at $12 a night at state or national parks, and the savings are substantial.
Purchase Gas Wisely
Fuel is a significant expense of road trips. Careful planning can help curb those costs. Instead of opting for the first station off the highway, which is often more expensive, use a gas app like Upside or GasBuddy to identify cheaper options.
If you have a gas credit card, don’t overlook using it to earn cash back on your purchase at the pump. A few quick steps before leaving can maximize fuel efficiency, too. “Something as simple as checking your tire pressure, topping off fluids, or making sure your A/C is working properly can improve fuel efficiency,” said McMahon.
Save on Hotel Fees
Although hotel costs are up, there are ways to keep the expense from getting out of hand. When booking a room, use the site’s filters to identify hotels that don’t charge resort or parking fees.
If possible, identify hotels that include free breakfast as part of the stay. That easily reduces the number of meals you need to purchase on the road, keeping more money in your wallet.
Summer road trips are a great way to create memories as a family. With a little prior planning, you can have the vacation of a lifetime without spending too much.
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