Comments on: How to Save Money on Road Trips Using Inexpensive Hotels & Cheap Lodging

By: David

David — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 18:04:37 +0000

Three reasons – 1. Damage to the environment. 2. I prefer slow travel so traveling is part of the trip, via train or car. 3. It’s a hassle beyond words.

By: Norman

Norman — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 19:10:42 +0000

Ok, I have to ask…why did you give up flying?

By: Mark

Mark — Sun, 25 Jul 2010 23:27:59 +0000

You can save a ton of money if you use priceline strategically. Our team travels the country and stays in 3 & 4 star hotels all the time for between $40-$70 per night.

By: Debbie M

Debbie M — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 23:39:26 +0000

Youth hostels. You don’t have to be a youth for some of them, and you don’t always have to do a chore, either. You may need your own sleeping gear. (I admit this is less useful for road trips than for destination vacations.)

By: Tyler

Tyler — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 18:05:32 +0000

Some cautionary tales relating to hotels and off-highway travel:

1) Check availability ahead of time (as in, days ahead). Towns with only one or two hotels can be completely filled if a wedding or two are going on that weekend.

2) Have multiple routes available. The state highway you are on may pass through a town that experiences a flash flood the night before you are to arrive, either slowing you down by a few hours, or closing the road entirely.

3) Be aware of toll roads. I made this mistake once when moving, and had only ten cents extra in cash over the toll amount.

By: Sam

Sam — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 17:29:41 +0000

My tip is in line with the mentioned cooler idea.
Before leaving for a trip I try to remember to check the internet for Walmart & other discount store locations along the way or at the destination.
When I’m driving, I try to time our departure so we’re going through a town at lunchtime that has such a store & we’ll run in to grab a bag of fruit, bread & cold cuts for lunch. The trip into the store allows everyone to stretch their legs and take a break from the car. Also sometimes stores carry different items then we can find near home so we get to try new things. It’s cheaper then a drive thru but more expensive then bringing leftovers in a cooler.
Also, to save time. In the back of mileage notebook I keep in the glove box, I have one page dedicated to such stores along the way to my Aunt’s (8 hrs), a page for My son’s Dad’s (10hrs) and a page for my Mom’s (20-22hrs). This way we can make notes and it makes the trips more pleasant.

By: kristen

kristen — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 16:08:03 +0000

One word: Priceline! My family just got back from a 3-week trip to Texas from California (we flew). We mostly stayed with family but needed a hotel for one night for a side trip to Houston and paid half off using the Priceline negotiator.

Packing a cooler can save a LOT of money on food for the road. You can also eat better. We drove all over Texas with two children and only stopped for fast food once – at a Chick-fil-A.